Cynologist
Cynology: Puppies DogsArchive for the ‘Dog illnesses and diseases’ Category
Jane Lilley raises the spectre of Horner's syndrome and describes a number of dogs with drooping eyes, some of which had suspected ear infections as a root cause, but others had no apparent cause at all. Horner's syndrome is of curse a human medical term and how our doctors love to confuse their subject by naming diseases asy syndromes So what is Horner's syndrome and how can diseases of the eat cause these symptoms in the eye?
Spaghetti Junction: Those knowledgeable in anatomy will know that many of the major nerves to the head emerge from the skull just around the inner ear and some of these supply the eye and surrounding structures. In fact the area behind the lower jaw, just below the ear, is probably the anatomical equivalent of spaghetti junction, only far more important and far more of a problem if anything goes wrong. In this small area of the body there are a myriad of nerves and ganglia, major arteries supplying the head and brain, major veins draining blood from the head, a salivary gland and towards the inner portion of this area there is the throat. It is not surprising therefore to find tht any inflammation in this area can cause problems and in particular can affect the eye. Now, as inflamed ears are Read more [...]
A sore ear is one of the most aggravating conditions a dog can suffer. Left untreated, an infected ear can become so sore and swollen the dog loses its ability to hear and the problem can spread to the inner ear and thence to the brain. I have known some dogs in such discomfort that they chew their feet in frustration. So a little attention to hygiene is well worth the effort. The outer ear is the only part most of us are aware of. In fact most of the time we refer to the pinna, or flap, as the ear and it is this piece of cartilage sandwiched between two layers of skin that we are so concerned about in the show ring, in terms of size, shape and carriage. It is, however, the outer ear canal that is most prone to damage and in many breeds its design is thought to be one of the prime reasons problems occur.
Air Filled: The external canal runs downwards, as a come shaped tube, horn the base of the ear flap. It then bends through 90 degrees and runs inwards towards the base of the skull. The external canal ends with a membrane (the ear drum or tympanic membrane) and on the other side is an air-filled space (the middle ear) beyond which is the inner ear at the base of brain. The middle and inner ear we will discuss another Read more [...]
Autoimmune Disease
Some dogs appear to have a faulty immune system and consequently an immune response to their own proteins. Normally the system in a newly weaned puppy recognizes the proteins which go to make up its own body and refrains from reacting with an immune response to the components of its own blood, for example. The dog develops a complex defence against invading foreign proteins, such as infective micro organisms, and at the same time the mechanisms prevent a dog from digesting itself.
The end result of a series of complex multiple reactions is autoimmune disease. This can appear as anemia with cell breakdown or as a whole variety of skin changes. Although there are many other autoimmune conditions (not including AIDS, Autoimmune Deficiency Disease Syndrome, a disease of man), skin and blood changes predominate. A form of rheumatoid arthritis in dogs is also believed to be an autoimmune disease. The elucidation of a complicated series of actions and reactions requires expert skills and thorough investigation.
Brucellosis
Brucella cants is a micro organism which is related to but not identical to the organism which causes Undulant Fever in man and contagious abortion in cattle. The organism is widespread Read more [...]
The heart is an amazing structure. It functions as a pump circulating blood around the body and if it fails death follows rapidly. It is a remarkable fact that this organ contracts regularly at around 50-80 beats per minute every hour, every day. If my maths do not fail me, that is over 25 million beats per year.
Heart muscle is designed to contract rhythm the heart will beat all by itself It is, however, nerves and is also controlled by chemical messengers in the blood; these ensure the four chambers of the heart beat in harmony and change the output of blood according to exercise. The heart contains a number of valves which prevent blood flowing backwards and these are essential for effective function. When valves leak the result is less efficient movement of blood with consequences for the function of other organs.
Before looking at the symptoms of heart disease, a few comments on why valves fail. There are in fact two main reasons: the leaf-like sections of a valve become deformed or the supporting structure of the valves ruptures of fails.
Like Tent Ropes
Deformation of the valve is common and serious. The valve structure is designed as a group of leaf-like tissue structures that dose and open together to ensure Read more [...]
Disease of the Urinary System
Roundworms
The common internal parasite, Toxocara cants, is one species of roundworms belonging to a group called Ascarids. Other mammals are infested with their own particular Ascarids. The eggs of roundworms are passed from the dog in the motions and can remain active for long periods in the soil or sticking around the animal's anus; some are swallowed and hatch into larvae in the intestine, where they continue their life cycle. Eggs invade the muscle tissues; they remain dormant until a becomes pregnant, when they migrate to the developing foetus in the womb. Many puppies are born with roundworms or absorb the parasites from the bitch's milk.
A heavy infestation can mean significant loss of nutrients and result in stunted growth or anemia. Vomiting of whole worms is common, and occasionally the gut may be perforated or completely obstructed, endangering the puppy's life. Older dogs harbour far fewer adult roundworms.
Roundworms are comparatively easy to eradicate in the mature form. Worming agents, preferably obtained from the veterinarian, will deal with developing and adult worms but will not affect immature or dormant stages. Worming of puppies should begin as early as three weeks Read more [...]
Diseases of the Urinary System
The infectious disease leptospirosis can cause chronic kidney failure, and although vaccination has reduced the incidence of the infection, kidney disease is still a frequent cause of serious illness in adult dogs. Acute kidney failure is equally serious; with prompt treatment the prospects of recovery are reasonably good, but with age chronic disease may occur in damaged kidney tissue. Acute kidney failure is usually characterized by a sudden rise in temperature, accompanied by severe, often continuous vomiting. Thirst is usually increased, with profuse or no urination. The latter symptom is serious and indicates that the kidney has stopped functioning.
Although chronic kidney failure tends to be progressive, a large proportion of the kidney tissue must be out of action before signs of the disease develop. Once kidney function is inadequate, the dog is unable to conserve water by concentrating its urine, and large amounts of very dilute urine are passed. The dog tries to avoid dehydration by drinking more fluid, resulting in a cycle of increased thirst (polydypsia) and increased urination (polyuria).
The kidney is the route whereby the end-products of protein digestion are excreted Read more [...]
Chorea
Involuntary regular muscle twitching is a serious sign, usually indicating a complication of distemper or related infectious disease. Tremors characteristi- cally occur around the head and shoulders, often appearing worse when the dog is asleep. Unfortunately Chorea often begins a couple of weeks after apparent recovery, then progresses to generalized muscular spasms and culminates in fits. The dog is in a poor state which usually requires euthanasia to stop further suffering.
Occasionally, twitching remains limited to a single group ofinuscies, on top of the head, and may even regress altogether. Whatever the course of the illness, professional attention is urgent as soon as such signs are noticed.
Distemper
Canine Distemper is a most miserable, often fatal affliction, caused by a virus still prevalent in Europe, although a highly effective vaccine is available. The disease, which is highly infectious, is usually seen in young dogs, but can affect individuals of any age. It is often fatal, but not immediately so, and an afflicted dog may endure a long illness, seem to recover only to succumb to com- plications several weeks later.
The classic signs of Distemper, not always immediately apparent, include thick Read more [...]
Bladder Stones
Solids can appear in the urine for a variety of reasons and at locations from the kidney, down the ureter to the bladder; they may also form in the bladder and pass down the urethra to be voided as urination. They range from sandy (sabulous) material to large concretions of urinary calculi or stones and may become lodged at any point in the urinary system. Stones are apparent within the bladder itself; occasionally they remain in the kidney or in the urethra, particularly in males, and are then unable to pass beyond the os penis.
Solids in the urine usually grow around a tiny nucleus of material; eventually they become large single stones or a collection of smaller ones, causing local inflammation and some degree of obstruction, partial or complete. Further inflammation results, with discomfort or pain and more urinary stasis, which again increases the size of the solids. Dogs with bladder stones characteristically pass small, frequent amounts of urine as if unable to completely evacuate their bladders. There is often evidence of blood in the urine and there may be pain or obvious difficulties on urination. In small dogs, such as Miniature Dachshunds, or dogs as large as Corgis, it may be possible to Read more [...]
Diseases Of Different Organs
A correspondent whose letter appeared in the issue of 4th January refers to the note on this subject and exprsses a wish that had gone more fully into details instead of merely stating simple facts which in the writer's view, every amateur wuld be acquainted with the correspondent referes to various Toy breeds, like Pekingese and Toy Spaniels, which have large protruding eyes, and suffer from watering and other troubles. To point out at the start that these notes are intended for "novices" in dog keeping, and it is not desirable that those who are inexperienced in such matters should be encouraged to undertake treatment of diseases of such a delicated organ as the eye when even experienced fanciers may very well shrink from amateur treatment. There is no doublt that we want at the present time some veterinary surgeons who have made a special study of the eye and its complaints. We do not myself profess to be at all expert in the knowledge of eye treatment, and any advice We can give must of necessity therefore be to a large extent amateurish, and only intended to apply to simple matters which can be safely left to amateus to doctor at home. Such matters as deep-seated ulcers on the pupil Read more [...]
Diseases Of Different Organs
Eye Diseases
A large number of conditions affect the dog's eyes and range from retinal changes to problems associated with the structure at the front of the eye. Deeper changes are rarely immediately obvious; the effects are mainly in a degree of vision difficulty, apparent as reduced visual acuity or disturbed vision. Distorted vision presents many difficulties as the dog may see objects in a different place and fail to avoid obstructions. Professional attention is necessary. The front chamber and outer covering of the eye is subject to injury and penetration by foreign bodies. Occasionally there is hemorrhage into the front chamber following an accident, resulting in a 'curtain' of blood in front of the lens. Although most cases resolve, urgent attention is needed to prevent blindness. Most eye injuries and infections cause inflammation and discharge, with the eye firmly closed. Veterinary examination is urgent; food should be withheld as the dog will probably have to be anaesthetized before the extent of the damage can be explored. Severe inflammation of the outer eye surface is known as Keratitis and can arise from injury or infectious disease. Occasionally, ulceration follows which Read more [...]