Dysautonomia in Pets & Supplements

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Dysautonomia in pets is not a well known disease, but it is starting to attack both dogs and cats much more frequently and it is a very ferocious and frightening disease.

It is also known as Grass Sickness, and for centuries it only affected horses. In the last several years that has all started to change as it is now hitting the feline and canine populations.

Dysautonomia in pets

It is still considered rare in cats in this country, but just a few short years ago it was also considered rare in dogs, but no longer. It is so severe, that once infected, 70% of all cats and 90% of all dogs will not survive it.

Originally found only in England, dysautonomia in pets spread to other European countries, and has now found its way to the United States; being reported in several states and most of the reported cases have been in rural areas where both cats and dogs spend a lot of time outdoors.

Dysautonomia in pets seems to attack cats or dogs younger than three years of age, but it favors neither breed nor sex. In the last thirty years it has been growing at an alarming rate worldwide, as it is now affects not only horses; but cats, dogs, rabbits, and llamas.

What is it?

Dysautonomia in pets is best defined as a dysfunction, or a complete malfunction according to some experts of the pet’s autonomic nervous system. This is the portion of the nervous system that works within your dog or cat without a conscious control.

It can also be described as involuntary functions or functions that are subconscious within your pet.

The autonomic system is most always divided into two types of systems; the sympatric and the parasympathetic systems, which are based on the regions of the brain or the spinal cord in which these autonomic nerves have their origin.

The sympathetic system can best be explained as the autonomic fibers that exit the thoracic and lumbar segments of the spinal cord.

The thoracic vertebrae are associated with the chest and rib areas, and the lumbar is the back. The parasympathetic systems are the nerves that exit the brain or your pet’s cranial nerves.

Bottom line is that this system handles the motor functions that include the glands, the cardiac muscles, the skin, the smooth muscles that handle several things including the digestive functions, and the respiratory system.

You can also think of it this way; your pet has something in their eyes, but the motor responses to secret tear ducts won’t respond or work. Or your pet will try to see something but the eyes will not focus.

It will affect and cause several neurological problems in several different systems.

Something is horribly wrong with your pets systems with dysautonomia in pets.

Causes:

Dysautonomia has been in horses for centuries and now has infected household pet for the last several years, and there are still no known causes. No one knows with any certainty why it occurs.

However, there is some speculation that it is caused by some form of toxin found in nature as it primarily affects pets that spend a lot of time outdoors.

They also favor a toxin as it does not appear to have a horizontal transmission, which is a transmission between the same species that are not from parent to offspring in dysautonomia in pets.

There is also speculation that it might be caused by soil-borne bacteria that is found in rotting food or decaying flesh that may produce toxins. This type of toxin kills nerves, but it is also geographically limited, and this disease is spreading, so that does not make sense.

Symptoms:

Most of the dogs infected with dysautonomia in pets will have dilated pupils that are not responding at all to light, have a sudden decreased tear production, and even elevated third eyelids.

Cats will have basically the same eye issues, but not always. Cats may actually develop eyes anisocora, which is different sized pupils, as well as severe cases of dry mouth.

However, there are some common symptoms, and they will all appear suddenly, such as constipation as well as slight diarrhea.

Dehydration and dry nose and mouth are also common, as is regurgitation, which may be the beginning of some very serious and life threatening conditions. Difficulty in urinating as well as urinary incontinence is also common.

However, with this disease, the most telling symptom is the eyes.

What is so extremely difficult with this disease is that once it is diagnosed properly, which is very difficult, the symptoms will have in most cases spiraled out of control within just a few weeks.

Treatment:

With canine dysautonomia, fluid therapy may help the dehydration, but it will have limited benefits, and in most all cases will just be supportive. 90% of all dogs that have contracted this disease will either die within 2 to 3 weeks or will be put to sleep as the symptoms have become too severe.

With feline dysautonomia there is slightly more hope. Dehydration, as well as electrolyte issues, may be resolved with fluid therapy. Respiratory as well as urinary infections may respond to antibiotics.

But as with dogs, it will be at this point be more luck than medicine, as 70% of all cats infected will also die within the same timeframe.

Prevention:

There are currently no known preventive medicines or antibiotics simply because no one knows the exact cause. But since this is a disease of the nervous system, you can protect your pets with supplements very early that will help the nervous systems.

Pantothenic acid, Vitamin B5, is especially important, as it helps with the production of acetylcholine, the main neurotransmitter in your pet for memory.

This seems to be the most attacked function in dysautonomia in pets.

Niacin is also extremely important in both nervous tissue repair and functions. There is also some speculation that this disease may be the result of a niacin deficiency.

WELLNESS KITS FOR CATS

However, Fish Oil, Omega 3 fatty acids, may provide the best defense as it is often referred to as the brain food for both dogs and cats and should be used together with Vitamin B5 and Niacin.

It has been found in several cases to supply precursors for the neurotransmitters for your pet’s brain that are essential for proper mental functions.

No one knows exactly sure what causes dysautonomia in pets or what can help to prevent it, but rather than do nothing, you can take some preventive measures especially if you live in rural areas.

Dysautonomia in Pets & Pet Meds RX