References: Small Animal Care and Management, 2nd Edition, 2002. Dean M Warren, Delmar

Publishers, Albany, New York, 12212-5015. pp. 107-117, 143-146, 174-178, 187–188, 195, 202, 210-211, 219-220, 229-230, 239-240, 298-299, 331-334, 379-381,

Introduction to Livestock and Companion Animals, 3rd Edition, 2004. Jasper Lee, Prentice Hall Interstate, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458. pp. 545. Animal Care Assistant Student Manual, 1997. pp. 5.23-5.29.

A. Basic infectious diseases of dogs – group of diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms.

1. Canine distemper – caused by inhalation of airborne virus. Symptoms: early vomiting and diarrhea, later tremor – epileptic fits

2. Canine parvovirus infection – viral contact of materials contaminated with feces from infected dogs (affects mostly young pups). Symptoms: vomiting, bloody diarrhea, refusal to eat. 3. Kennel cough (tracheobronchitis) – respiratory disease contracted in confinement (pet shops, dog shows, kennels, etc.). Symptom: cough. 4. Rabies – viral disease that attacks the central nervous system. a. All warm-blooded animals can transmit rabies. b. Symptoms occur 2 weeks to 3 months after bite. Severe can be within 10 days. c. “Furious” rabies – animal may act strange then wander off, attack and bite anything in its path, commonly seen frothing at the mouth. d. “Dumb” rabies – no wandering but paralysis of lower jaw followed by paralysis of

COURSE: 6823 ANIMAL SCIENCE II – SMALL

ANIMAL UNIT C Anatomy and Physiology

ESSENTIAL STANDARD: 5.00 36% C2 Discuss the role of major systems of small

animals.

Objective: 5.02 20% C2 Discuss the ways that disease processes affect

major body systems.

body and death.

5. Canine Brucellosis – Bacterial disease spread through breeding. In females, causes abortion, failure to whelp, and enlargement of the lymph nodes. In males, causes swelling of the scrotum and testicles.

6. Salmonellosis – bacterial disease spread by ingestion of food contaminated by feces.

B. Basic noninfectious diseases of dogs 1. Heart disease – 2 types: congenital (birth) and contracted. Most common symptoms are coughing at night during sleep, coughing during exercise, inability to exercise, open mouth breathing at rest, etc. 2. Cataracts – cause cloudy, white opacity of the lens. Can be heredity or not, can cause blindness, more often affects the sight of older dogs. 3. Arthritis – degenerative joint disease that causes pain, lameness, and stiffness in the joints. Large, old and obese dogs are more prone to the disease. C. Basic fungus diseases of dogs 1. Ringworm – Most common fungal disease. Symptoms begin as broken hairs around the face, ears, or feet. Reddened skin and scaly skin develop, followed by crusting and scaling in severe cases. 2. Blastomycosis – inhaling infected spores of soil enriched with bird or bat droppings. Symptoms are coughing, rapid breathing, pneumonia and fever. D. Internal parasites of dogs

1. Ascarids or roundworms that may grow to 8″ in length when mature. a. Affect mainly puppies and deprive them of nutrients so that they become

unthrifty. b. Roundworms live in the small intestines of dogs less than 6 months old. c. Transmitted by female dogs to puppies. d. Severe infestation in puppies will cause puppies to have a pot-bellied

appearance. e. Danger to children. 2. Hookworms are blood-sucking parasites that attach to the small intestine, causing small spots of bleeding.

a. Adult 1″ long worms attach to the small intestine where they digest a plug of tissue. b. Heavy infestations can cause the animal to appear weak, listless, and anemic as

a result of the severe loss of blood into the intestine. c. Affect older dogs as well as puppies. 3. Whipworms are broad at one end and narrow at the other. They use the narrow end

to attach to the cecum and lower digestive tract. a. 2 ½″ long adults produce “shell” protected eggs that may live in the soil for

years. b. Produce watery feces and may result in dehydration and death if untreated.

4. Tapeworms are usually the largest worms affecting dogs, usually reaching 1 foot or more in length and most depend on a host such as a flea or wild rabbit to develop. a. Flat and segmented worms that live in the small intestine. b. Shed terminal segments in feces. c. Not harmful for dogs but may cause serious injury to humans. 5. Heartworms are thin worms that grow to a length of 14″ and live in the major artery carrying blood from the heart to the lungs. a. Serious threat to dogs causing major injury to vital organs.

b. Symptoms may include frequent coughing, labored breathing, and fainting in severe cases.

c. Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes. d. Prevention is preferred to treatment and if treatment is to be successful, it

must occur early in the infestation.

E. Infectious diseases of cats

1. Feline panleukopenia- cat distemper caused by a parvovirus or DNA virus. This primarily affects young cats younger than sixteen weeks of age and has a 75% death rate. It is spread by direct contact but also from infected food and water dishes, bedding, and litter boxes. Symptoms: depression, loss of appetite, high fever, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration.

2. Feline herpesvirus (FHV) - A respiratory virus infection caused by a DNA virus. Shed in

the discharges from the nose, eyes and throat and transmitted by direct contact. Symptoms: depression, sneezing and coughing, severe eye and nasal discharges with an increase in temperature, and mouth ulcers. Cats can become carriers of the virus, but vaccines are available.

3. Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) – A disease caused by coronavirus that leads to

organ failure. Coronavirus infections are more common in domestic cats, but few actually show signs of the disease. Symptoms: fever, refusal to eat, depression and weight loss.

4. Feline Enteric Coronavirus- caused by ingestion of contaminated feces in kittens

between four and twelve weeks of age. Spread by the ingestion of contaminated feces. Symptoms: low grade fever, vomiting, soft or watery diarrhea, blood in the feces and dehydration.

F. Noninfectious diseases of cats 1. Feline Urologic Syndrome (FUS) a feline urinary tract disease also referred to as Feline

Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). FUS may range from mild inflammation to blockage of the urethra, uremic poisoning, and death.

a. FUS may be caused by: i. improper diet (where cats are fed high levels of magnesium and

phosphorous), ii. low water intake that causes concentrations of various salts in the urine, or

iii. Possibly a virus.

2. Wet eye- excessive tear production or blockage of drainage canals that drain tears to the nasal cavity causing the tears to overflow at the inner corner of the eyes.

G. Internal parasites of cats

1. Toxoplasmosis- Disease caused by infection with single-celled protozoan parasite, Toxoplasm gondii. Contracted from eating raw meat or contaminated feces. Fever, jaundice, and difficulty moving may result. There is no vaccination and humans can become infected by handling cat litter boxes. (Pregnant women should not handle cat litter boxes due to risk to unborn fetus).

2. Ascarids- (Toxocara cati) – Ascarids from ingesting eggs passed in the feces of an

infected animal or in the case of kittens from the milk of infected mother cat. Severe cases may cause pot-bellied appearance (distended abdomen) and an unthrifty cat.

3. Hookworm- (Ancylostoma tubaeforme) – Infection occurs when larvae is ingested

from contaminated food or water, or when larvae penetrates the skin. Hookworms may cause dark-colored feces and anemia from the loss of blood.

4. Tapeworm- (Dipylidium caninum) – Tapeworms require a host 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.

H. External parasites of small animals

1. Fleas are brown, blood-sucking insects of small size that move rapidly over the skin. a. Fleas may develop from eggs to adult in as little as 16 days. b. Cat fleas and dog fleas may first be detected in the groin and rump area of the

animal. c. Cause irritation and extreme itching, but may be controlled with powders, dips, shampoos, collars, oral insecticides, foggers and sprays.

1. Ticks are blood-sucking arthropods of the skin.

a. There are two main families of ticks: hard ticks and soft ticks. b. Two types of hard ticks are major reasons for concern on dogs: Brown dog tick

can survive indoors and the American dog tick lives in grass and on shrubs. c. The main soft tick is the Spirose Ear Tick. The larvae and nymph stage live in and

cause irritation to the outer ear canal. 3. Lice are wingless insects that may bite or suck blood from the host.

a. Not common on dogs but if infestation occurs, the dog will experience severe hair loss from scratching and rubbing.

b. Two treatments 12 days apart with dips, dusts, or spray can control. 2. Mites are tiny, eight-legged arachnids. Five species cause the most problems.

a. Demodectic mites do not usually cause problems, but a severe infestation may

result in hair loss, reddening of the skin, and encrusting either in spots or over the entire body of the dog.

b. Two types of Sarcoptic mites burrow within the outer layer of skin, are highly contagious, and result in mange or scabies which cause the animal intense irritation and itching that may result in the dog injuring itself as it tries to scratch, chew or rub the skin.

c. Ear mites are highly contagious and are found in the outer ear canal and other areas of dogs, cats, and rabbits. Ear mites are a common problem and infected animals may shake their heads. Flea products are effective in treatment as well as ear drops.

d. Cheyletiella mites are contagious and 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.

5. Chiggers are orange-red larvae stages of Trombicula mites that cause an itchy, red rash on the belly, face, feet and legs. a. Picked up from underbrush. b. Remain on the skin for a short time and usually do not require treatment other than something to stop the itching.

I. Poisons affecting small animals

1. Insecticides may cause poisoning if ingested in sufficient amounts.

a. Organophosphates and carbamate compounds are the main source of insecticidal poisoning.

b. Boric acid from roach bait and arsenic from ant traps can also poison animals.

1. Plants such as philodendron, dieffenbachia, pothos, and caladium contain insoluble calcium

oxadate crystals that cause irritation to the mouth and intestinal tract. Other plants like poinsettia, Japanese yew, azalea, and flower bulbs may also cause mild intestinal upset.

3. Household chemicals or cleaners containing ammonia, bleach, borates, hydroxides,

pine oil, and phenol can cause sickness if pets ingest them. 4. Rodenticides such as strychaine and warfarin can cause internal bleeding and death if

ingested in sufficient quantities.

5. Glyphosphate herbicides and arsenic-based weed killers can poison pets. 6. Antifreeze is a common source of poisoning because it has a sugary taste that animals

readily ingest if the opportunity presents itself. Animals suffering from antifreeze poisoning may appear drunk and depressed.

J. Rabbit diseases

1. Enteritis- a. Description: Intestinal tract inflammation that is probably the most common

cause of death in rabbits. Stress, unsanitary conditions, and high energy feeds all contribute to the disease. Symptoms: Sick animals will have diarrhea stained with blood. Animals will stop eating, but drink lots of water and grind their teeth. There is almost 100% mortality rate.

b. Prevention is best accomplished through proper environment, sanitary conditions, feeding rations that are high in fiber and lower in energy, and control of rodents and birds that may carry the disease.

c. Treatment when applicable is through broad spectrum antibiotics.

2. Snuffles- a. Description: The disease is 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 and treatment: Reduce stress through proper environment.

3. Mastitis-

a. Description: Inflammation of mammary tissue; also called caked breast. Mastitis may cause nursing problems. Nursing baby rabbits may bite the nipples when they are unable to nurse, and nursing mothers may refuse to nurse the young. Prevention and treatment: Treat by removing concentrates from the diet for 72 hours. When widespread cases in the rabbitry exist, clean and disinfect all nesting boxes.

4. Wry Neck- a. Description: Condition caused by inflammation of the inner. Head tilted to

the side is the most common symptom. Often found where snuffles are also present.

b. Prevention and treatment: Best accomplished by controlling upper respiratory diseases.

5. Fur chewing- a. Description: pulling of fur from itself or other rabbits caused by simple

boredom, a nutrient deficiency, and a low-fiber diet. b. Prevention and treatment: Best by feeding hay or straw to add fiber to the

diet. Adding magnesium oxide to the ration also helps.

6. Hutch Burn- a. Description: Chapped or burning condition of the external genital area of

doe. Caused by sitting in dirty, wet, urine soaked bedding. b. Prevention and treatment: Keeping bedding clean. Treatment is with antibiotic

creams.

7. Sore Hocks- a. Description: Ulcerated area on the bottom of the foot pads most often

associated with rough wire cage floors and size of foot pad that doesn’t support the weight of animal. Large breeds with long foot pads are most often affected.

b. Prevention and treatment: Get off wire and place on a solid surface. Apply astringents to the sore pads. (Astringents include petroleum jelly, bag balm for cow’s udders, and human hemorrhoid ointments and medications).

K. Hamster diseases

1. Wet tail – also called enteritis

b. Description: Enteritis is the most important disease of hamsters. Enteritis is caused by poor sanitation, bacteria, viruses, and diet. Symptoms: wetness around the tail and rear of the animal, caused by a runny diarrhea. A high death rate occurs within 2 days of symptoms appearing. The disease is most often associated with poor sanitation caused by general neglect and poor care.

c. Prevention and treatment: Wet tail, Bacillus piliformis and Salmonella, and many diseases – Change and disinfect spoiled bedding, cages and equipment and isolate infected animals. Keep temperatures around 70°F to avoid estivation (sleep similar to hibernation) when temperatures go above 80°F or hibernation when temperatures go below 50°F. Keep cage at constant temperature and avoid drafts. Animals often do not respond well to treatment.

2. Common diarrhea –

a. Caused by incorrect diet with overabundance of green leafy materials, vegetables, or fruits. Should not be confused with serious infections.

b. Prevention and treatment: Correct the diet by removing green leafy vegetables and fruits and feeding dry grains and seeds.

L. Gerbil diseases

1. Gerbils are hardy and seldom affected by disease, but cold is the most common. a. Description: Colds are the most common ailment. Symptoms: loss of

appetite, constant sneezing, and runny eyes and nose. Avoid changing the temperature, drafts, damp condition, and overcrowding.

b. Prevention and treatment: Best treatment is to reduce stress caused by overcrowding (gerbils need more cage space than hamsters), avoid drafts, humidity, and temperature fluctuations.

2. Red nose –

a. Description: Common condition caused by Staphylococcus bacteria. Animal will recover without any medication. Symptoms: hair loss and red, swollen areas of the skin around the nose and muzzle.

M. Rats 1. Respiratory disease caused by Mycroplasma pulmonis is common disease.

a. Description: Symptoms include nasal discharge, snuffling, rattled breathing, rubbing the eyes and nose, titled head, incoordination, and circling.

b. Prevent with proper ventilation and good sanitation. Remove contaminated feed, provide clean bedding, and maintain a draft free, constant temperature with low humidity. Treat with antibiotics added to water. Isolate and eliminate affected animals if antibiotics added to the drinking water are ineffective.

N. Mice

1. Mice are hardy with the proper diet, housing, and exercise. However, respiratory disease is caused by several organisms and result from environmental conditions such as changes in temperature, drafts, and high humidity. Symptoms: squeaking or rattling breath, runny nose, watery eyes, and fur loss. It is best to prevent infestation by eliminating environmental causes.

2. Salmonella and related bacteria are responsible for many of the serious infectious

diseases. Control with clean cages, clean water, clean feed, and parasite control. O. Guinea Pigs

1. Guinea pigs are very healthy under favorable environmental conditions. Avoid drafts

and keep temperature and humidity constant to avoid problems. When environmental conditions are not good, common cold and respiratory diseases can be a major problem.

a. Description: Animals become lethargic, list-less, have a nasal discharge and sneezing.

b. Prevention includes maintaining a good environment and immediate treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics accompanied with increased Vitamin C.

2. Toxemia – a. Description: 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.

b. Prevention and treatment: Feed a high quality diet to the pregnant female and add ½ teaspoon of sugar in the water bottle.

P. Chinchillas

1. Chinchillas need proper nutrition, and a clean, dry, draft-free environment with low

stress to avoid health problems. Provide adequate ventilation; avoid temperatures above 80°F or cold drafts and high humidity.

2. Pseudomonas aeruginosa – organism that causes infection in wounds, inflammation

of eyes and ears, pneumonia, intestinal inflammation, uterine inflammation, and poisoning of the circulatory system.

3. Eye inflammation (conjunctivitis) – a. Description: symptoms: swelling and redness around the eyes, sensitivity to

light, watering, and pus formation. b. Isolate infected animals, wash eyes gently with warm boric acid solution and use

ophthalmic medications. Clean and disinfect cages and feed containers.

4. Inner ear infection (otitis) – a. Description: Symptoms: twisting and lowering of the head, hanging head to

one side, and running in a circle. b. Prevention and treatment: Prevent by avoiding drafty, cool environmental

conditions. Clean the ear with warm boric acid solution and treat with ear drops.

5. Pneumonia – a. Description: Symptoms: listlessness, failure to eat, breathing difficulty, and

swollen abdomen. b. Prevention and treatment: Prevent by eliminating cold, drafty, and high

humidity conditions and treat immediately with aureomycin, penicillin, or other antibiotics.

6. Impaction –

a. Description: 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.

b. Prevention and treatment: Give a dropper full of mineral oil daily, or add up to three full droppers of grapefruit juice to the animal’s diet.

Q. Ferrets

1. Canine distemper – a diseases that also affects dogs a. Description: A highly contagious viral disease is a major problem and usually

results in death. Symptoms include: Discharge from the eyes and nose, breathing problems, and diarrhea.

b. Prevention and treatment: Vaccination is important. Vaccinate at twelve weeks of age and give boosters annually to prevent canine and feline distemper. Treatment is not affective.

2. Hemorrhagic enteritis

a. Description: Bloody diarrhea is commonly seen. Symptoms: go off feed, bloody diarrhea, weight loss, dehydration, and possibly death.

b. Prevention and treatment: Treat with antibiotics and sulfur material.

3. Botulism – Caused by toxin produced by bacteria. Symptoms include: breathing difficulty and paralysis. Death can occur without symptoms. Keep food supply fresh.

R. General disease prevention for pocket pets

1. Maintain good sanitation by:

a. Removing spoiled urine soaked bedding regularly, b. Removing urine and feces contaminated feed regularly, c. Keep fresh water available at all times.

2. Provide a good environment that:

a. Is free of drafts and eliminate any cool, damp drafts immediately. b. Has low humidity. Lower humidity is better, as higher humidity contributes to

many respiratory diseases c. Maintains a constant temperature and does not fluctuate to a great degree. d. Has adequate ventilation to remove stale air. This helps prevent respiratory

diseases. e. Feed and appropriate ration.

S. General disease treatment for pocket pets

1. First, isolate sick animals from others to prevent the spread of disease. 2. Remove and replace bedding, etc. from the cage of a sick animal. 3. Chemically disinfect and sanitize cage prior to installing new bedding. 4. Use medicated water routinely when disease is a constant threat 5. Use proper treatments and antibiotics if recommended 6. Dispose of dead animals properly (burn and bury in some cases). 7. Cull animals that do not show signs of improvement. 8. Improve environmental conditions that may be causing disease.

9. Avoid breeding animals that may have inherited diseases. 10. Use recommended pesticides to control pest.

T. Parasites of birds 1. Internal parasites are rarely a problem with birds.

a. Roundworms – Diagnosis is by observing feces for long, thin, white worms. Roundworms are contracted from ingesting worm eggs in contaminated feces, soil, or food. Symptoms include: blockage of the intestines, poor plumage, weight loss and diarrhea. Several treatments are available

b. Tapeworms –Diagnosed by observing small rice like segments in the feces.

Birds get tapeworms from eating an intermediate host such as house flies, fleas, ticks, or earthworms. Proper cleaning and sanitation practices are the best preventative. Treatment is with piprazine, nicotine sulfate, and Kamal powder.

2. External parasites

a. Red mites appear as tiny red specks and feed on blood of infected birds at

night, causing restlessness, scratching, and picking at their feathers. Red mites are spread through contact with infected birds. Adults may be dusted with a pyrethium powder. Clean and disinfect all cages and nest boxes.

b. Feather mites cause a bird to chew or pick it feathers. If the bird’s feathers

looked chewed, or feathers are lost, one should look for small, gray-colored moving specks. Feather mites feed on the bird during both night and day. Symptoms: restlessness, severe scratching, feather picking, and skin irritation. Cages and equipment should be treated with nicotine sulfate, Malathion, or coumaphos and birds should be sprayed with a mite spray.

c. Scaly leg mites – Mites that tunnel under the scales on the legs of budgerigars,

lovebirds, and canaries. Scaly leg mites 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 the deposits. The mineral oil or Vaseline plugs the air holes used by the mites and causes them to suffocate. Additional treatment is by cleaning cages, perches, and equipment.

3. Bacteria diseases affecting birds

a. Parrot fever – (chlamydiosis or psittacosis). A bacterial disease that affects the

liver and spleen. The disease is contracted mainly through feces and contaminated food and water. Symptoms: nasal discharges, listlessness, appetite loss, weight loss, greenish-colored diarrhea, and labored breathing.

Psittacosis can be transmitted to humans. Treat birds with chlortetracycline-impregnated seed for at least 21 days.

b. Bumblefoot – 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. Suitable perches and sanitation help prevent Bumblefoot. Treatment is with antibiotics.

4. Viral Diseases affecting birds

a. Psittacine Beak and feather disease – (French molt) is a 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. The bird’s beak and nails may be soft, overgrown, and lose their pigment. There is no cure for the disease. Treatment is with vitamins, minerals, and control of secondary diseases through sanitation.

b. Newcastle disease – viral disease that has high mortality rates and spreads

rapidly. Imported birds are the main source of possible infections. Respiratory difficulty (wheezing) is one of the first symptoms, followed by tremors, wing droop, and a twisted neck. Birds should be vaccinated to prevent the disease.

5. Nutritional Problems of birds

a. Goiter - Swelling of the thyroid glands in the neck and interference with

breathing. The major cause for goiter is iodine deficiency. Goiter seems to be a special problem for budgerigars.

b. Rickets (osteomalacia) – An imbalance or deficient amount of calcium,

phosphorus, or Vitamin D3 that causes deterioration or softening of the bones. Symptoms: lameness, stiff-legged gait, or a constant resting in the squatting position, and decreased growth. Adequate oyster shell or course limestone in the diet along with vitamin D3 supplementation is the best preventative.

c. Obesity – too much food, not enough activity or seeds high in fat. Bird owners

need to avoid feeding to many sunflower seed if obesity is a problem for their bird.

6. Symptoms of Problems with birds

a. Sleeping on two legs may indicate the bird is uncomfortable or ailing. Birds normally sleep on only one leg.

b. A bird that fluffs its feathers out is usually chilled and trying to retain body heat.

c. If feces are runny, a digestive ailment may be the problem.

d. Not flying around and lack of activity may indicate the bird is sick.

e. Eye discharges or continually closed eyes are an indication of cold, etc.

f. Wheezing, noisy, or irregular breathing may be a sign of a respiratory problem.

g. Not eating or very little eating indicates a loss of appetite that is often associated with sickness.

U. Diseases of the aquarium

1. Signs and Symptoms of diseases: a. Fish are behaving unusual/strange. b. Fish are floating to surface, sinking to bottom, or leaning to the side of aquarium. c. Fish’s fins are unusually lying flat against the body. d. Fish have rolled or closed caudal fins. e. A fish is off by itself and not swimming with the school. f. Fish appears to be in slow motion and not keeping up with other fish. g. Fish’s breathing seems unusually faster and deeper than normal. h. Fish at the surface gasping for air. i. Fish are rubbing/scratching against objects in the aquarium. j. Not interested in eating. k. Fish belly appears caved in or unusually thin. l. Fish belly appears bloated or swollen. m. Color of fish has changed or unusual. n. Fish fins appearance is frayed. o. The back and spinal column appear distorted. p. Eyes are not clear, appear something is cloudy. q. The fish’s scales are not normally sticking out, they lay flat against body. r. White spots are covering body. s. Protruding eyes. t. Anal discharge hanging from fish.

2. Parasites of fish

a. White spot (Ich) – Caused by the parasitic organism Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and

causes numerous white spots on the body and fins of stressed fish. Ich is one of the most common diseases found in aquarium fish.

b. Slime disease – parasites attack skin of fish causing a large amount of mucus. May cause death if it attacks the gills.

c. Hole-in-the-head – organism Hexsamita live under skin in muscle tissue make tissue break down and skin opens to make fish appear to have holes.

d. Velvet disease – organism Oodinium penetrates skin cells and feed on fish. e. White Fungus growth – white growth around mouth, fins, eye, and gills. A

secondary infection is usually present already. f. Flukes – worm-like parasite that attaches to the gills and body of fish. g. Anchor worms – adhere and burrow under scales to attack the muscles. h. Fish lice – attach to body of fish and pierce skin to discharge a poison.

3. Bacterial Disease affecting fish a. 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. b. Mouth fungus – caused by bacteria with a white tufty material appearing around

the mouth and white patches on the skin. c. Neon Disease – caused by a parasite Plistophora hyphessobryconis. This organism

is found in the fish’s body tissue where it causes the production of spores which are released when it dies.

d. Tuberculosis – caused by bacteria that invades the organs and tissues of the body. e. Pseudomonas and Aeromonas – secondary infections in fish that are already sick.

Fish will have swollen bellies, lesions or ulcers.

4. Environmental problems – problems in the tank a. Lack of oxygen and overabundance of carbon dioxide can be readily observed

when almost all of the fish are swimming near the surface gulping for air. b. Incorrect water pH – causes respiratory problems and excess mucus production. c. Chemical filtration ability reduced and ammonia builds up - observed by cloudy,

murky water d. Gravel filtration system pollution buildup of iron sulphite can be observed by the

black color on the gravel

5. Treatment for disease includes the use of chemicals in the water with the aquarium being thoroughly cleaned before fish are returned. Some fish need to be placed in a hospital tank and treated before returning to normal tank. Most of the diseases and ailments treatments can be found at the local pet store.

V. Amphibians and Reptiles

1. Salmonella is a bacterial disease that can be transmitted to humans. It affects the digestive tract and causes watery, green foul-smelling diarrhea.

2. Mouth Rot is a fungal disease associated with sores or open wounds in the mouth.

3. Mites and ticks are external parasites that attack amphibians and reptiles. Mites

usually go undetected until there is a heavy infestation. Symptoms include: anemia, anorexia, depression, stress, listlessness, lack of appetite, and possible death.