Cynologist
Cynology: Puppies DogsArchive for the ‘Dog illnesses and diseases’ Category
Diseases Of Different Organs
Anal Sacs
Sometimes known as anal glands, these should not be confused with the tiny perianal glands which may develop into tumours. Anal sacs are the two pockets on either side and below the anus; they are also found in cats and foxes and are the source of the powerful odour of the skunk. The secretion from these sacs contain a viscid, fatty substance with a pungent, penetrating and sickly smell. Recent research has shown that the fluid changes in consistency through the year and when a bitch is in oestrus, and normal secretions are part of the communication system between dogs. Anal sacs are often evacuated forcibly in stressful situations, as when a nervous dog is handled by a stranger.
Anal sacs sometimes become impacted with their own secretion, causing first irritation, then pain. The dog pays more attention to its rear end, at the start gnawing away at the area around the tail root. The owner suspects the presence of fleas, which may well be correct, but the dog's behaviour is also characteristic of anal sac inflammation.
In the second stage, the dog scrapes its anus along the ground, often interpreted as evidence of worm infestation; this is rarely the reason for such characteristic Read more [...]
Diseases Of Different Organs
Allergy is a reaction to an environmental material, usually protein, which has invaded the body. The commonest allergies are seen as skin reactions or as digestive disturbances. The allergies - external sources causing allergy - can result in contact dermatitis of the type often seen in West Highland White Terriers. This breed seems to react to a large number of substances which come into contact with its skin; care is necessary in choosing bedding material.
A developing allergy is complex and more consequential than irritation, intolerance or inability to digest foods. It does not develop immediately, but begins as a period of sensitization. The identification of the substance which causes the reaction requires much detective work based on a process of elimination. Household cleaners, synthetic fibres in floor coverings and clothing, and aerosol sprays may be responsible for the occasional allergic reaction in dogs.
Food-induced allergies are relatively unusual, accounting for only one per cent of all canine allergies. The detection of the food substances which provoke an allergic reaction needs patience and relies for effectiveness on a strict regime of test feeding. The dog is put on Read more [...]
Diseases Of Different Organs
Alopecia
This skin condition shows as complete loss of hair right down to the hair follicles and is the equivalent of human baldness. Hair will not grow again where the follicles have become completely inactive, unlike ordinary hair- shedding where the hair breaks off but the follicles produce new hairs. Odd patches of alopecia, particularly in ageing dogs, are not a cause for anxiety, but extensive areas of complete hair loss are frequently associated with hormonal disturbances and indicate the need for veterinary examination. Extensive patches arranged symmetrically across the body could be an indication of thyroid of adrenal gland disturbance, or in males a tumour of the testis.
Acne
This skin condition of human puberty does not occur in dogs, but similar small abscesses are occasionally found around the mouth of a dog of any age. They are usually the result of the dog's exploration of deep cover, an encounter with a hedgehog or similar obstruction. Treatment is as for other abscesses, and care must be taken to ensure that no thorns or spines remain. Delayed healing or suspected infection under the skin (furunculosis), especially in Spaniels, need professional attention.
Abscess
This Read more [...]
Disease of Alimentary System
Pancreatic Failure
Inflammation of the pancreas, in the forward part of the abdomen, is usually acutely painful. The dog may stand with forequarters held low to the ground, hind parts normal in the so-called praying attitude. Attempts to move the dog are usually met with resentment because of the severe pain. Expert treatment is urgently needed or death quickly follows.
More chronic and less severe inflammation or degeneration of the pancreas leads to loss of its function in digestion. The pancreas produces enzymes for the process of digestion, particularly of fats, proteins and some carbohydrates, and with pancreatic failure the absorption of nutrients is poor. The dog may have an insatiable appetite but still be very thin, with a harsh, dry and scaly coat. The feces are foul-smelling, pale and often putty-coloured, and fat is passed in partly digested or undigested form. Carbohydrates ferment along the digestive tract, producing offensive-smelling flatus and strange digestive noises from within the abdomen. Degenerative disease commonly occurs in German Shepherd Dogs (Alsatians).
The condition must be distinguished from other bowel conditions, but once established, enzyme replacement Read more [...]
Diseases Of Different Organs
Cardiac Failure
Heart problems usually relate to either valve disease or deterioration in the heart muscle. Both make the heart less efficient in maintaining circulation, with consequent congestion due to accumulation of abdominal fluid in severe cases. Some dogs develop a characteristic dry cough on exercise. Hot summer days mean added stress on dogs with faulty heart function, and fainting and collapse can easily occur if the dog stays in the sun, especially if the dog is also obese.
Some infectious diseases result in deterioration of the heart muscle, but heart valve deterioration is usually associated with age, although the two diseases may occur simultaneously. Drugs are available for many heart conditions and suspected cases need veterinary attention sooner rather than later. With proper treatment and revised life style they need not be fatal.
Parasitism caused by heart worm (Dirofilaria immitis) can bring serious heart disorders. The parasite is widespread in the United States and in tropical areas of Asia and Africa. A mosquito is needed to complete the life-cycle of heart worms. Treatment and prevention are specialized areas of medicine, sometimes requiring surgical intervention.
Endocarditis
When Read more [...]
Disease of Alimentary System
Hypervitaminosis
Vitamins are essential for proper body functions, but excesses are in no way beneficial. Over supplementation of water-soluble vitamins - C and the B complex - is not likely to be harmful, but the fat-soluble vitamins A and D are stored in the liver and excesses can be cumulative. Over supplementation usually occurs through cod liver oil, vitamin tablets or from large amoun ts of food rich in vitamin A, such as liver; bone changes may result with deposition of bone in the soft tissues. Bone deformities are occasionally seen in the long bones of giant dogs such as Great Danes when cod liver oil has been given to dogs critically short of essential minerals in their diet. Far from improving bone structure an excessive intake of vitamin D depletes the skeleton as more calcium is absorbed than can be excreted.
Hypervitaminosis is easily avoided with a balanced diet and no unnecessary supplementation; where Hypervitaminosis is suspected, urgent veterinary attention is essential.
Infectious Canine Hepatitis (ICH)
Sometimes called Infectious Viral Hepatitis and formerly known as Rubarth's Disease (see also Blue Eye), this is a specific virus disease of the liver. It is highly infectious, Read more [...]
Disease of Alimentary System
Vitamin Deficiency
Although this is unusual, one important group of vitamins, the B complex, is destroyed through overcooked food. Unless it is replaced with, for example brewer's yeast, deficiency occurs as B vitamins cannot be stored in the body.The important vitamin B1(thiamin) is easily destroyed by heat as well as by an enzyme in raw fish. Deficiency of the vitamin causes loss of appetite, which worsens the situation, and a variety of neurological disorders may result. Adminstration of vitamin B by injuction rapidly reverses the situation, but an adequate diet must be given to prevent recurrence.
Vitamin A deficiency may result in growth deformities and is especially associated with serious eye problem. The chief source of the vitamin is animal liver and generally the probability of deficiency is low. A regular diet of properly formulated or prepared foods should prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencs.
Vomiting
Many dogs are careless feeders and frequently ingest potentially harmful materials. They also frequently over eat. In both instances they commonly and readily vomit, without much ill effect; unrestrained they may well eat the material again.They also eat fibrous grass as a prelude Read more [...]
Dental Diseases
Most canine dental disease is a result of deposits on the teeth. Second in occurrence is inflammation of the gums. Teeth may be misshapen, break off or not fit properly; the 'bite' should just overlap so as to give a scissors effect rather than meeting like a pair of pincers. A faulty bite also results from the upper or lower jaw projecting forward too much or too little (overshot and undershot respectively).
Teeth may lose patches of enamel while they develop; the resulting so-called distemper teeth may be an aftermath of any serious disease in puppyhood. Although such teeth are unsightly, they do not cause the dog much inconvenience.
Dogs develop temporary (milk) teeth soon after birth; they are replaced by permanent teeth by the age of six months. A temporary tooth may still be present alongside the canine tooth for a considerable period after it would normally be lost, but this does not distort the mouth. However, food debris may become lodged between the temporary and permanent tooth, and the former is best extracted. Although temporary teeth have only the shallowest of roots, they can remain securely in place and extraction is under light anaesthesia.
Deposits on teeth are common. They begin Read more [...]
Disease of Alimentary System
Gastric Dilation/Torsion
In certain types of dogs gas accumulates in the stomach so that it dilates to such an extent as to become a threat to life. Breeds usually affected by the disease, sometimes known as bloat, are particularly Bloodhounds, Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds and Irish Setters. Other breeds, such as Basset Hounds and Boxers, are also affected, and it may also occur in Dachshunds and Pekingese.
Dogs with gastric dilation usually make unsuccessful attempts to vomit and show an obvious, tight distension of the abdominal wall. If the condition is not resolved, the stomach may twist on its axis (torsion), trapping the gas and cutting off the blood supply to essential organs. A complete twist of the gut (volvulus) is life-threatening and needs urgent veterinary attention. Gastric Dilation is usually related to greedy feeders getting excited at meal times, with a tendency to overeat and to swallow air. Breeds likely to be affected should be fed smaller meals more frequently and outside periods of activity. A food bowl on to a low table is said to reduce the amount of air swallowed during feeding.
Jaundice
Liver failure or an obstruction in the excretion of bile can be caused by Read more [...]
Diseases Of Different Organs
Canine kidney diseases can occur for a variety of reasons, including the presence of tumours in the body, heart failure, bladder stones, or shock following a severe accident. Dr Bush explains how the kidneys work, how they can be affected by disease, and discusses the treatments available to dogs.
Understanding the nature of kidney diseases in the dog requires first of all a little knowledge of how the kidneys function. Normal kidneys perform a number of important tasks, espeially,
1) Removing from the body the waste products of metabolic processes (excretion), particularly those resulting from the breakdown of proteins such as urea.
2) regulating the amounts of "salts", for example, electrolytes such as sodium and potassium, and water in the body.
If there is an excess of any of these, the surplus is excreted; if in short supply, excretion is reduced as far as possible so that the substance is conserved. This excretion of substances is achieved by producing urine, the composition of which can be varied. In addition, although not germane to a general consideration of renal disease, the kidneys also control the degree of acidity or alkalinity within the body, secrete hormones affecting blood Read more [...]