Transcript Diseases in Anatomy and Physiology

Diseases in Anatomy and
Physiology
Unit C
Essential Standard 5.00
Discuss the role of
major systems of small
animals.
Objective 5.02

Discuss the ways that disease processes
affect major body systems.
Infectious Diseases of Dogs
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Group of diseases caused by pathogenic
microorganisms
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Canine distemper
Canine parvovirus infection
Kennel cough
Rabies
Canine brucellosis
Salmonellosis
Canine Distemper
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Caused by the inhalation of the airborne
virus.
Symptoms:
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Early-vomiting and diarrhea
Later-tremor and epileptic fits
Canine Parvovirus Infection
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Caused by viral contact of materials
contaminated with feces from infected dogs
Affects mostly young pups
Symptoms:
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Vomiting
Bloody diarrhea
Refusal to eat
Kennel Cough (Tracheobronchitis)
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Respiratory disease contracted in
confinement (pet shops, dog shows, kennels,
etc.)
Symptom:
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Cough
Rabies
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Viral disease that attacks the central nervous
system.
All warm blooded animals can transmit
rabies.
Rabies Symptoms
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Occur 2 weeks to 3 months after bite.
Severe can be within 10 days.
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Furious rabies-animal may act strange then
wander off, attack and bite anything in its path,
often frothing at the mouth
Dumb rabies-no wandering, but paralysis of lower
jaw followed by body paralysis and death
Canine Brucellosis
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Bacterial disease spread through breeding
Females
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Abortion
Failure to whelp
Enlargement of lymph nodes
Males
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Swelling of scrotum and testicles
Salmonellosis
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Bacterial disease spread by ingestion of food
contaminated by feces.
Basic Noninfectious Diseases of
Dogs
Heart Disease
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2 types
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Congenital (birth)
Contracted
Symptoms
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Coughing at night during sleep
Coughing during exercise
Inability to exercise
Open mouth breathing at rest
Cataracts
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Cause cloudy, white opacity of the lens.
Can be hereditary or not
Can cause blindness
More often affects older dogs
Arthritis
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Degenerative joint disease
that causes pain, lameness,
and stiffness in the joints.
Large, old and obese dogs
are more prone to the
disease.
Basic Fungus Diseases of Dogs
Ringworm
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Most common fungal
disease.
Symptoms:
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Broken hairs around the
face, ears or feet.
Reddened skin and scaly
skin develop.
Crusting and scaling in
severe cases.
Blastomycosis
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Inhaling infected spores of soil enriched with
bird or bat droppings.
Symptoms:
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Coughing
Rapid breathing
Pneumonia
Fever
Internal Parasites of Dogs
Ascarids or Roundworms
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May grow to 8 inches in length when mature
Affect mainly puppies and deprive them of
nutrients
Transmitted by female dogs to puppies
Severe infestation causes pot-bellied
appearance
Danger to children
Hookworms
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Blood-sucking parasites that attach to the
small intestine, causing small spots of
bleeding
Adult worms attach to the small intestine
where they digest a plug of tissue.
Heavy infestations cause the animal to
appear weak, listless, and anemic
Affects older dogs and puppies
Whipworms
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Broad at one end and narrow at the other.
Use the narrow end to attach to the cecum
and lower digestive tract.
Adults produce “shell” protected eggs that
may live for years in the soil.
Produce watery feces and may result in
dehydration and death.
Tapeworms
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Flat and segmented worms that live in the
small intestine.
Shed terminal segments in feces.
Tapeworms
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Usually the largest worms affecting dogs
reaching 1 foot or more in length
Most depend on a host such as a flea or wild
rabbit to develop.
Not harmful for dogs, but may cause serious
injury to humans.
Heartworms
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Thin worms that live in the major artery
carrying blood from the heart to the lungs.
Serious threat to dogs causing major injury to
vital organs.
Transmitted by mosquitoes.
Prevention is preferred to treatment which is
only effective in early infestation.
Heartworms
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Symptoms
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Frequent coughing
Labored breathing
Fainting in severe cases
Infectious Diseases of Cats
Feline Panleukopenia
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Cat distemper caused by parvovirus or DNA
virus.
Affects cats younger than 16 weeks and has
a 75% death rate.
Spread by direct contact, infected food and
water dishes, bedding, and litter boxes.
Feline Panleukopenia
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Symptoms:
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Depression
Loss of appetite
High fever
Lethargy
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Dehydration
Feline herpesvirus (FHV)
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Respiratory infection caused by a DNA virus.
Shed in discharges from nose, eyes and
throat and transmitted by direct contact.
Cats can become carriers, but vaccines are
available.
Feline Herpesvirus (FHV)
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Symptoms:
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Depression
Sneezing and coughing
Severe eye and nasal discharges
Increase in temperature
Mouth ulcers
Feline Enteric Coronavirus
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Caused by ingestion of contaminated feces
in kittens between 4 and 12 weeks of age.
Spread by ingestion of contaminated feces.
Symptoms:
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Low grade fever
Vomiting
Soft or watery diarrhea
Blood in the feces
Dehydration
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
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Disease caused by coronavirus that leads to
organ failure.
Coronavirus infections are more common,
but few show signs.
Symptoms
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Fever
Refusal to eat
Depression
Weight loss
Noninfectious Diseases of Cats
Feline Urologic Syndrome (FUS)
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A.K.A. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
May range from mild inflammation to
blockage of the urethra, uremic poisoning,
and death.
Causes of FUS
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Improper diet (where cats are fed high levels
of magnesium and phosphorus)
Low water intake that causes concentrations
of various salts in the urine
Possibly a virus
Wet Eye
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Excessive tear production or blockage of
drainage canals that drain tears to the nasal
cavity causing tears to overflow at the corner
of the eyes.
Internal Parasites of Cats
Toxoplasmosis
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Disease caused by infection with singlecelled protozoan parasite Toxoplasm gondii.
Contracted from eating raw meat or
contaminated feces.
Fever, jaundice, and difficulty moving may
result.
No vaccination and humans can become
infected through cat litter boxes.
Ascarids (Toxocara cati)
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Ascarids from ingesting eggs passed in the
feces of an infected animal or in the case of
kittens from the milk of an infected mother
cat.
Severe cases may cause pot-bellied
appearance (distended abdomen) and an
unthrifty cat.
Hookworm (Ancylostoma tubaeforme)
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Infection occurs when larvae is ingested from
contaminated food or water, or when larvae
penetrates the skin.
May cause dark-colored feces and anemia
from the loss of blood.
Tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum)
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Require a cost other than the cat for
development.
Dipylidium caninum must be hosted by fleas
and Tania taeniaeformis may be hosted by
rats and mice.
Neither type causes major harm.
External Parasites of Small
Animals
Fleas
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Brown, blood-sucking insects of small size
that move rapidly over the skin.
May develop from eggs to adult in as little as
16 days.
May first be detected in the groin and rump
area of the animal.
Fleas
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Cause irritation and extreme itching
May be controlled with powders, dips,
shampoos, collars, oral insecticides, foggers
and sprays.
Ticks
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Blood-sucking arthropods of the skin.
Two main families of ticks: hard and soft
Two types of hard ticks are a concern for
dogs: brown dogs tick (can survive indoors)
and American dog tick (lives on grass and
shrubs)
Ticks
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Main soft tick is the Spirose Ear Tick.
Larvae and nymph stage live in and cause
irritation to the outer ear canal.
Lice
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Wingless insects that may bite or suck blood
from the host.
Not common on dogs.
If infestation occurs, the dog will experience
hair loss from scratching and rubbing.
Two treatments 12 days apart with dips,
dusts, or spray can control.
Mites
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Tiny, eight-legged arachnids.
Five species cause the most problems
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Demodectic mites
Two types of sarcoptic mites
Ear mites
Cheyletiella mites
Demodectic Mites
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No not usually cause
problems.
A severe infestation may
result in hair loss, reddening
of the skin, and encrusting in
spots or over the entire body
of the dog.
Sarcoptic Mites
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Burrow within the outer layer of the skin.
Highly contagious.
Cause mange or scabies which case intense
irritation and itching that may result in the
dog injuring itself as it tries to scratch, chew
or rub the skin.
Ear Mites
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Highly contagious
Found in the outer ear canal and other areas
of dogs, cats, and rabbits.
Common problem
Infected animals may shake their heads.
Flea products are effective treatment, as well
as, ear drops.
Cheyletiella Mites
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Contagious
Cause a condition known
as “walking dandruff”
Severe scaling on the back
may occur, but itching is not
as severe as with other
mite infestations.
Chiggers
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Orange-red larvae stages of Trombicula
mites that cause an itchy, red rash on the
belly, face, feet and legs.
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Picked up from underbrush.
Remain on the skin for a short time and usually
do not require treatment other than something to
stop the itching.
Poisons Affecting Small Animals
Insecticides
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May cause poisoning if ingested in sufficient
amounts.
Organophosphates and carbamate
compounds are the main source of
insecticidal poisoning.
Boric acid from roach bait and arsenic from
ant traps can also poison animals.
Plants
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Philodendron, dieffenbachia, pothos, and
caladium contain insoluble calcium oxadate
crystals that cause irritation to the mouth and
intestinal tract.
Poinsettia, Japanese yew, azalea, and flower
bulbs may cause mild intestinal upset.
Plants
Household Chemicals
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Ammonia, bleach, borates, hydroxides, pine
oil, and phenol can cause sickness if pets
ingest them.
Rodenticides
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Strychnine and warfarin can cause internal
bleeding and death if ingested in sufficient
amounts.
Herbicides
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Glyphosphate herbicides and arsenic-based
weed killers can poison pets.
Antifreeze
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Common source of poisoning because it has
a sugary taste that animals like.
Animal may appear drunk or depressed.
Rabbit Diseases
Enteritis
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Intestinal tract inflammation
Probably the most common cause of death in
rabbits
Causes include: stress, unsanitary
conditions, and high energy feeds
Enteritis Symptoms
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Diarrhea stained with blood
Animals will stop eating but drink lots of
water
Animals grind their teeth
Almost 100% mortality rate
Enteritis Treatment
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Prevention is best. Accomplished through
proper environment, sanitary conditions,
feeding rations that are high in fiber, low in
energy, control of birds and rodents that
carry the disease.
Treatment when applicable is through broad
spectrum antibiotics.
Snuffles
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Disease aggravated by stressful conditions
such as poor sanitation, poor ventilation,
changing temperatures, shipping, or show
conditions.
Symptoms: persistent sneezing with a white
colored nasal discharge.
Prevention: Reduce stress through proper
environment.
Mastitis
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Inflammation of mammary tissue
Also called caked breast
May cause nursing problems
Nursing baby rabbits may bite the nipples
when they are unable to nurse
Nursing mothers may refuse to nurse the
young.
Mastitis Prevention and Treatment
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Remove concentrates from the diet for 72
hours.
Widespread cases, clean and disinfect all
nesting boxes.
Wry Neck
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Condition caused by inflammation of the
inner neck.
Head tilted to the side is the most common
symptom.
Often found where snuffles are also present.
Best prevented by controlling upper
respiratory diseases.
Fur Chewing
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Pulling of fur from itself or other rabbits
caused by simple boredom, a nutrient
deficiency, and a low-fiber diet.
Prevention and treatment: Best by feeding
hay or straw to add fiber to the diet. Adding
magnesium oxide to the ration also helps.
Hutch Burn
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Chapped or burning
condition of the external
genital area of the doe.
Caused by sitting in dirty,
wet, urine soaked
bedding.
Prevention and treatment:
keep bedding clean.
Treatment is with
antibiotic creams.
Sore Hocks
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Ulcerated area on the
bottom of the foot pads
most often associated with
rough wire cage floors
and size of the foot pad
not supporting the weight
of the animal.
Large breed with long foot
pads are most often
affected.
Sore Hocks Prevention and Treatment
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Get off wire and place on a solid surface
Apply astringents to the sore pads
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Petroleum jelly
Bag balm (for cow udders)
Human hemorrhoid ointments
Hamster Diseases
Wet Tail (Enteritis)
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Most common disease of hamsters
Caused by poor sanitation, bacteria, viruses,
and diet.
Wet Tail Symptoms
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Wetness around the tail and rear of the
animal caused by runny diarrhea.
High death rate occurs within 2 days of
symptoms appearing.
Most often associated with poor sanitation
caused by general neglect and poor care.
Wet Tail Prevention and Treatment
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Change and disinfect spoiled bedding,
cages, and equipment and isolate infected
animals.
Keep temperature around 70 degrees to
avoid estivation (sleep above 80 degrees) or
hibernation (below 50 degrees). Avoid
drafts.
Animals do not respond well to treatment.
Common Diarrhea
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Caused by incorrect diet with overabundance
of green leafy materials, vegetables, or fruits.
Should not be confused with serious
infections.
Correct by removing green leafy vegetables
and fruits and feeding dry grains and seeds.
Gerbil Diseases
Colds
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Gerbils are hardy and seldom affected by
disease, but colds are most common.
Symptoms:
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Loss of appetite
Constant sneezing
Runny eyes and nose
Cold Prevention and Treatment
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Reduce stress caused by overcrowding
(gerbils need more space than hamsters)
Avoid drafts, humidity and temperature
fluctuations.
Red Nose
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Commonly caused by the
Staphylococcus bacteria.
Animal will recover
without any medication.
Symptoms:
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Hair loss
Red, swollen areas of the
skin around the nose and
muzzle
Rat Diseases
Respiratory Disease
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Common disease caused by Microplasma
pulmonis
Symptoms:
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Nasal discharge
Snuffling
Rattled breathing
Rubbing eyes and nose
Tilted head
Uncoordinated and circling
Mouse Diseases
Mouse Diseases
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Hardy animals with proper diet, housing, and
exercise.
Respiratory disease can be caused by
several organisms and result from changes
in temperature, drafts, high humidity.
Symptoms: squeaking or rattling breath,
runny nose, watery eyes and fur loss.
Mouse Diseases
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Salmonella and related bacteria are
responsible for many of the serious infectious
diseases.
Control with clean cages, clean water, clean
feed, and parasite control.
Guinea Pig Diseases
Guinea Pigs
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Very healthy under favorable conditions.
Avoid drafts and keep temperature and
humidity constant to avoid problems.
Common cold and respiratory diseases can
be a problem if environment is not good.
Colds in Guinea Pigs
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Animals become lethargic, listless, have
nasal discharge and sneezing
Prevention:
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Maintaining a good environment
Immediate treatment with broad-spectrum
antibiotics
Increase Vitamin C
Toxemia
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Build-up of toxins in the blood that developed
in late pregnancy.
Symptoms: females will be lethargic, go off
feed, refuse to eat, and have difficulty
breathing.
Prevention and Treatment: Feed a high
quality diet to the pregnant female and add ½
teaspoon of sugar in the water bottle.
Chinchilla Illnesses
Chinchilla Environment
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Need proper nutrition and a clean, dry, draftfree environment with low stress.
Provide adequate ventilation
Avoid temperatures above 80 degrees or
cold drafts and high humidity
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
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Organism that causes infection in wounds,
inflammation of eyes and ears, pneumonia,
intestinal inflammation, uterine inflammation,
and poisoning of the circulatory system.
Eye Inflammation (conjunctivitis)
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Swelling and redness around the eyes,
sensitivity to light, watering, and pus
formation.
Treatment: Isolate infected animals, wash
eyes gently with warm boric acid solution,
and use ophthalmic medications. Clean
cages and feed containers.
Inner Ear Infection (otitis)
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Symptoms: Twisting and lowering of the
head, hanging head to one side, running in a
circle.
Prevention and Treatment: Avoid drafty, cool
environmental conditions. Clean the ear with
warm boric acid solution and treat with ear
drops.
Pneumonia
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Symptoms: listlessness, failure to eat,
breathing difficulty, swollen abdomen
Prevention and treatment: Eliminate cold
drafty, and high humidity conditions and treat
immediately with aureomycin, penicillin, or
other antibiotics.
Impaction
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Lower digestive system becomes tightly
packed with food material or feces. May then
follow diarrhea.
Caused by poor quality feed, stress, and
poor nutrition.
Animal is often humped with chin resting
between its front feet.
Treatment for Impaction
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Give a dropper full of mineral oil daily OR
Add up to three full droppers of grapefruit
juice to the animal’s diet.
Ferret Illnesses
Canine distemper
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A disease that also affects dogs and is highly
contagious. Usually results in death.
Symptoms: discharge from the eyes and
nose, breathing problems, diarrhea.
Canine Distemper Treatment
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Vaccination is important.
Vaccinate at 12 weeks of age and give
boosters annually to prevent canine and
feline distemper.
Treatment is not effective.
Hemorrhagic enteritis
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Bloody diarrhea is commonly seen
Symptoms: Go off feed, bloody diarrhea,
weight loss, dehydration, possibly death
Prevention and treatment: Treat with
antibiotics and sulfur material.
Botulism
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Caused by toxin produced by bacteria.
Symptoms: breathing difficulty and paralysis
Death can occur without symptoms.
Keep food supply fresh.
Disease Prevention and
Treatment for Pocket Pets
Maintain Good Sanitation
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Remove spoiled urine soaked bedding
regularly
Remove urine and feces contaminated feed
regularly
Keep fresh water available at all times
Provide a Good Environment
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Keep animals free of drafts and eliminate any
cool, damp drafts immediately
Maintain low humidity. Higher humidity
contributes to respiratory diseases.
Maintain constant temperature that does not
fluctuate to a great degree.
Provide adequate ventilation to remove stale
air.
Feed an appropriate ration.
General Disease Treatment for Pocket
Pets
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First, isolate sick animals to prevent the
spread of disease.
Remove and replace bedding from the cage
of a sick animal.
Chemically disinfect and sanitize cage prior
to installing new bedding.
Use medicated water routinely when disease
is a constant threat.
General Disease Treatment for Pocket
Pets
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Use proper treatments and antibiotics if
recommended.
Dispose of dead animals properly (burn and
bury in some cases)
Cull animals that do not show signs of
improvement.
Improve environmental conditions that may
be causing disease.
General Disease Treatment for Pocket
Pets
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Avoid breeding animals that may have
inherited diseases.
Use recommended pesticides to control
pests.
Parasites of Birds
Internal Parasites
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Rarely a problem with birds
Roundworms
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Diagnosis is by observing feces for long, thin,
white worms.
Contracted from ingesting worm eggs in
contaminated feces, soil, or food.
Symptoms: blockage of intestines, poor
plummage, weight loss, diarrhea.
Treatments are available
Internal Parasites
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Tapeworms
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Diagnosed by observing small rice-like segments
in the feces
Contracted from eating an intermediate host such
as house flies, fleas, ticks, or earthworms.
Proper cleaning and sanitation are the best
prevention.
Treatment with piprazine, nicotine sulfate and
Kamal powder
External Parasites
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Red Mites
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Appear as tiny red specks and feed on blood of
infected birds at night, causing restlessness,
scratching, and picking at their feathers.
Spread through contact with infected birds.
Adults may be dusted with pyrethium powder.
Clean and disinfect all cages and nest boxes.
External Parasites
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Feather Mites
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Cause a bird to chew or pick its feathers.
Look for small, gray-colored moving specks
Feed on the bird during both day and night
Symptoms: restlessness, severe scratching,
feather picking, skin irritation
Cages and equipment should be treated with
nicotine sulfate, Malathion, or coumaphos and
birds should be sprayed with a mite spray.
External Parasites
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Scaly Leg Mites
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Tunnel under the scales on the legs of
budgerigars, lovebirds, and canaries.
Live their entire life cycle on the bird.
Symptoms: white scaly deposits that become
thickened, enlarged, and encrusted
Treatment: Use Vaseline or mineral oil to kill the
mites and loosen deposits. This also suffocates
the mites.
Scaly Leg Mite
Bacterial Diseases in Birds
Parrot Fever
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Chlamydiosis or psittacosis
Bacterial disease that affects the liver and
spleen.
Contracted mainly through feces and
contaminated food and water.
Symptoms: nasal discharges, listlessness,
appetite loss, weight loss, greenish-colored
diarrhea and labored breathing.
Parrot Fever
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Psittacosis can be transmitted to humans.
Treat birds with chlortetracyclineimpregnated seed for at least 21 days.
Bumblefoot
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A painful ailment associated with
staphylococcal infections.
Symptoms: feet and joints become hot and
swollen with a thick, grayish white fluid and
not walking or clasping onto perch.
Prevent by using suitable perches and
sanitation.
Treatment is with antibiotics.
Bumblefoot
Viral Diseases in Birds
Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease
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A.K.A. French Molt
Viral disease that attacks the immune
system.
Symptoms become evident at the first molt
when new feathers do not emerge or are
deformed and break off.
Nails may be soft, overgrown, and lose their
pigment.
Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease
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There is no cure for this disease.
Treatment is with vitamins, minerals, and
control of secondary diseases through
sanitation.
Newcastle Disease
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Viral disease that has high mortality rates
and spreads rapidly.
Imported birds are the main source of
possible infection.
Symptoms: Respiratory difficulty (wheezing)
followed by tremors, wing droop, and a
twisted neck.
Birds should be vaccinated to prevent the
disease.
Nutritional Problems in Birds
Goiter
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Swelling of the thyroid glands in the neck and
interference with breathing.
Major cause is iodine deficiency.
Especially a problem for budgerigars
Rickets (Osteomalacia)
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Imbalance or deficient amount of calcium,
phosphorus, or Vitamin D3 that causes
deterioration or softening of the bones.
Symptoms: lameness, stiff-legged gait,
constant resting in the squatting position,
decreased growth.
Oyster shell or coarse limestone in the diet
and Vitamin D3 supplementation is the best
preventative.
Obesity
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Too much food, not
enough activity or
seeds high in fat.
Bird owners should
avoid feeding too
many sunflower seeds
if obesity is a problem.
Other Aviary Problems
Overgrown Claws
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
Can result in injury if
they become entangled
in the cage.
May be clipped with pet
nail clippers.
Avoid the pinkish streak
in the center of the
claw. It is a blood
vessel.
Feather Plucking



Boredom, bad diet, needs
mate, lack of bathing
Birds living indoors need
regular bathing or spraying
to encourage preening.
Preening is the process that
birds go through in cleaning
and trimming its feathers
with its beak.
Symptoms of Problems with Birds




Sleeping on two legs may indicate that a bird
is uncomfortable or ailing. Birds normally
sleep on only one leg.
A bird that fluffs its feathers out is usually
chilled and trying to retain body heat.
If feces are runny, a digestive ailment may be
the problem.
Not flying and lack of activity may indicate
the bird is sick.
Symptoms of Problems with Birds



Eye discharges or continually closed eyes
are an indication of cold, etc.
Wheezing, noisy, or irregular breathing may
be a sign of a respiratory problem.
Not eating or very little eating indicates a loss
of appetite that is often associated with
sickness.
Prevention of Diseases and Ailments






Select a healthy bird
Place bird in a dry, warm, draft-free place
Subject the bird to little stress
No other animals should be around
Quarantine and observation period of at least
3-4 weeks before introducing to other birds.
Keep perches and cage clean
Prevention of Diseases and Ailments

Sanitation is extremely important—should
provide fresh food and water.
Prevention of Diseases and Ailments

Bathing and spraying reduces feather dust
and dirt and cuts down on mites
–
–
Small birds prefer to bathe in a container which
may be placed in the cage at regular intervals for
30 minute time periods.
Large birds need to be sprayed with a fine mist
from a plant sprayer. Mist should be sprayed
above the animal and allowed to filter down. Do
not saturate, but gently spray 2-3 times per week.
At the First Sign of Illness

Cage temperature should be maintained
between 85-90 degrees F.
–
–
–
Move the cage to a warmer location
Adjust the temperature with a light bulb near the
cage or a heating pad under the cage.
Provide 2 or 3 perches so that the bird can find
the most comfortable temperature
At the First Sign of Illness


Partially cover the cage to prevent drafts
Provide quick energy fluids such as sugar
water, honey water, or orange juice.
Diseases of the Aquarium
Signs and Symptoms of Disease





Fish are behaving unusual/strange
Fish are floating to the surface, sinking to the
bottom, or leaning to the side of the
aquarium.
Fins are unusually lying flat against the body.
Rolled or caudal fins
A fish is off by itself and not swimming with
the school.
Signs and Symptoms of Disease





Fish appears to be in slow motion and not
keeping up with the other fish.
Breathing seems unusually faster and
deeper than normal.
Fish is at the surface gasping for air.
Rubbing/scratching against objects in the
aquarium.
Not interested in eating.
Signs and Symptoms of Disease







Belly appears caved in or unusually thin.
Belly appears bloated or swollen.
Color of fish has changed or unusual.
Fin appears frayed.
Back and spinal column appear distorted.
Eyes are not clear, appear cloudy.
White spots are covering the body.
Signs and Symptoms of Disease



Scales that stick out from the body instead of
lying flat.
Protruding eyes
Anal discharge hanging from the fish.
Parasites of Fish
White Spot (Ich)

Caused by the
parasitic organism
Ichthyophthirius
multifiliis and
causes numerous
white spots on the
body and fins of a
stressed fish. One
of the most
common diseases
in aquarium fish.
Slime Disease

Parasites attack skin of fish causing a large
amount of mucus. May cause death if it
attacks the gills.
Hole-In-The-Head

Organism Hexsamita live under skin in
muscle tissue and make the tissue break
down and skin opens up to make the fish
appear to have holes.
Velvet Disease

Organism Oodinium penetrates skin cells
and feed on fish.
White Fungus Growth

White growth around mouth, fins, eye, and
gills. A secondary infection is usually present
already.
Flukes

Worm-like parasite that attaches to the gills
and body of the fish.
Anchor Worms

Adhere and burrow under scales to attack
the muscles
Fish Lice

Attach to body of fish and pierce skin to
discharge a poison.
Bacterial Diseases Affecting Fish
Fin Rot

Where the edges of the fish’s fins start to
appear frayed and ragged, lose their color
and the tissue between the fins breaks down.
Mouth Fungus

Caused by bacteria with a white tufty material
appearing around the mouth and white
patches on the skin.
Neon Disease

Caused by parasite Pleistophora
hyphessobryconis. This organism is found in
the fish’s body tissue where it causes the
production of spores which are released
when it dies.
Tuberculosis

Causes by bacteria that invades the organs
and tissues of the body.
Pseudomonas and Aeromonas

Secondary infections in fish that are already
sick. Fish have swollen bellies, lesions or
ulcers.
Environmental Problems
(In the Tank)
Environmental Problems


Lack of oxygen and overabundance or
carbon dioxide can be readily observed when
almost all of the fish are swimming near the
surface gulping for air.
Incorrect water pH-causes respiratory
problems and excess mucus production.
Environmental Problems


Chemical filtration ability reduced and
ammonia builds up—observed by cloudy,
murky water
Gravel filtration system pollution buildup of
iron sulphite can be observed by the black
color on the gravel.
Treatment



Use of chemicals in the water with the
aquarium being thoroughly cleaned before
the fish are returned.
Placement of fish in a hospital tank for
treatment before returning to normal tank.
Most treatments can be found at the local pet
store.
Amphibians and Reptiles
Salmonella


Bacterial disease that can be transmitted to
humans.
Affects the digestive tract and causes watery,
green foul-smelling diarrhea.
Mouth Rot

Fungal disease associated with sores or
open wounds in the mouth.
Mites and Ticks



External parasites that attack amphibians
and reptiles.
Mites usually go undetected until there is a
heavy infestation.
Symptoms: anemia, anorexia, depression,
stress, listlessness, lack of appetite, possible
death.