How do you know if your dog has hoof and mouth?
Hello, I understand that you are concerned about Chico.
Dogs are not susceptible to Foot and Mouth disease.
That virus can only affect cloven footed creatures, such as pigs, sheep, goats and cows.
My great granddaughter Had it and the dog were around her. Now Chico has what looks like ulcers in his mouth and red spots on his stomach. He is licking them. He is warm to the touch.
I'm sorry people can't get Foot and Mouth disease either. It is not a zoonotic (transmittable to people from animals).
I think that you are thinking of a different disease.
You are talking about hand, foot and mouth disease, usually caused by coxsackie virus. While dogs can carry this virus they don't get sick from it.
So while the two of them may have similar symptoms they are likely sick from different things.
Is there anything we could do for him for now. We have another Chihuahua also and can he get it also?
Both of them can carry the coxsackie virus but it shouldn't make them sick.
If Chico has mouth ulcers I would have him checked by his veterinarian.
Dogs that get mouth ulcers usually get them secondary to internal organ disease. Rarely Herpes virus in dogs (not contagious to people) will cause mouth ulcers but that infection is usually seen in very young puppies, not adults.
For now you can use an oral dental rinse like chlorhexidene oral flush to keep the ulcers clean.
Make sure he is offered mushy food to eat. Add warm water to canned food to make it easy to eat for him.
Other diseases like autoimmune diseases (body attacks itself) such as pemphigus are also a concern. These are diganosed via a biopsy.
Autoimmmune disease and internal organ failures are not contagious.
Where can we get this chlorhexidene? Is it a vet only?
We feed them dry dog food.
No you should be able be able to purchase this over the counter at the big pet stores or online at Amazon.com.
But I do recommend that he be checked as soon as possible. Mouth ulcers in dogs are very rare and usually an indication that something serious could be going on.
Thank You, we will call ou
r local vet to make an appointment
Sounds great, and make sure that he is able to eat by making things nice and mushy for him.
Can I answer anything else?
Do we have to keep paying this monthly fee, we only wanted this one consult because we were worried!
I understand, when you are worried about your pet you just want quick help.
I don't handle the charges part. If we are all set with the veterinary part I can forward this to customer service and they can help you figure out your account. Just let me know if that's where we are now.
Yes, please forward to customer service, thank you
I'll also give you a phone number too:
US/Canada 1.888.862.9212 Available 6am to 6pm PST
International
Thanks for using Just Answer. I'll send you to customer service now.