ABC Animal Hospital
123 Main Street
Anytown, Anyplace, AnyCountry
Zip/Postal Code
Phone: (999) 123-4567 Fax: (999) 234-5678
info@abcanimalhospital.com
COMMON DISEASES OF PET PRAIRIE DOGS
What are some of the common diseases of pet prairie dogs?
Common conditions of pet prairie dogs include obesity, dental disease, respiratory disease,
heart disease, and parasites. Prairie dogs can also be afflicted with cancer and ringworm.
What are the signs of these diseases?
Signs of illness, regardless of the cause, are often nonspecific. For this reason, ANY deviation from normal in your
pet should be immediately evaluated by a veterinarian who
treats exotic pets.
Obesity results in an overweight prairie dog that may suffer
from secondary heart, liver, or pancreatic problems. Obesity
results from feeding the wrong diet and from lack of exercise.
Obesity is easily prevented and somewhat difficult to treat as
prairie dogs often get “hooked” on the diet which predisposed
them to obesity.
Parasites may be seen in and on prairie dogs. These include fleas, ticks, and various intestinal
parasites (worms and coccidia.) Prairie dogs bred in captivity have fewer parasite problems than
wild-caught pets. A thorough veterinary examination, including microscopic analysis of the feces
and deworming, are critical upon purchase of your new pet.
Fleas can carry plague; prairie dogs should be treated for fleas
before purchase!
Wild-caught prairie dogs can harbor the parasite Balisascaris
procyonis which can be transmitted to other pets and people.
There is currently no known effective treatment for this parasite.
Dental disease can occur from overgrown teeth or malocclusion of
the teeth. Damage to the teeth can result from trauma, chewing on
the cage, or feeding the improper diet (one low in fibrous hay.) Signs of dental disease can
include decreased appetite, weight loss, and excessive salivation from the mouth. Treatment,
which usually necessitates filing the teeth under anesthesia, is usually curative if done in time.
The problem may recur.
Respiratory disease may result from bacteria, fungi, obesity, and tumors in the chest and lungs.
Diagnosis is through radiography, ultrasonography, and cultures of the respiratory system when
indicated. Treatment depends upon the cause, but the prognosis is always guarded as many of
these cases are diagnosed later in the course of the disease.
As with respiratory disease, cardiac disease is also seen in prairie dogs. Dilated
cardiomyopathy, a heart disease also seen in people, dogs, and cats, occurs in prairie dogs.
Clinical signs include difficulty breathing, weight loss, and lack of appetite. Diagnosis is the
same as for respiratory disease. Treatment using cardiac medications can be attempted. As
with respiratory disease, the prognosis is always guarded as many of these cases are
diagnosed later in the course of the disease.
Monkey pox, which is transmissible to people,was been reported in some prairie dogs in 2003.
This resulted in quarantine and the suspension of sales of prairie dogs. This may or may not be
a concern in the pet trade at the time you purchase your pet.
How can I tell if my prairie dog is sick?
Signs of disease in prairie dogs may be specific for a certain disease. Most commonly, however,
signs are vague and non-specific, such as a prairie dog with anorexia (lack of appetite) and
lethargy, which can be seen with many diseases. As mentioned, ANY deviation from normal
should be a cause for concern and requires immediate evaluation by your veterinarian.
How are prairie dog diseases diagnosed?
Sometimes the history and physical examination give the doctor a
clue as to the possible problem (obesity, dental disease.) Often
diagnostic testing (fecal examination for parasites, aspiration of
lumps and bumps to check for abscesses and cancers, X-rays and
blood tests to determine if organ disease is present) must be done.
Due to the nature of prairie dogs, most testing is done under gas
(usually isoflurane) anesthesia.
How are prairie dog diseases treated?
Diseases related to diet are treated with dietary correction. Truly sick
pets may require hospitalization with force feeding and fluid
administration; prognosis is very guarded in these pets. Bacterial and parasitic diseases are
treated with the appropriate medical therapy. Prairie dogs with serious disorders of the internal
organs are treated with supportive therapy and drug therapy if indicated, but many do not
survive due to the advanced stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis.
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This client information sheet is based on material written by Rick Axelson, DVM & Shawn Messonnier, DVM
© Copyright 2005 Lifelearn Inc. Used with permission under license. February 17, 2016