Fondren Pet Care Center, Mary Fondren, DVM (561) 627-7688
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Cruciate Ligament Injury and Repair
Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Heart Failure
Hematoma of the Ear (Aural Hematoma)
Luxating Patella (Dislocated Kneecap)
Mitral Valve Disease and Heart Failure
Staph Dermatitis and Hypersensitivity
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DISEASES FOUND IN DOGS Below is a list of diseases found in dogs. Click on the link to read the information. Anal Sac Disease
The anal sacs are located on either side of the anus at the 9:00 and 3:00 positions; they are positioned just under the skin. They connect to the anus by means of small canals, or ducts. Anal sacs produce and store a dark, foul-smelling fluid. These are the same types of organs that a skunk has to scare away its enemies. Although dogs can use these for the same purpose, most dogs live in an environment that has no enemies. Because the sacs are rarely emptied, the fluid builds up, solidifies, and becomes an ideal environment in which bacteria can grow.
Anemia is defined as a reduced number of red blood cells or hemoglobin, or both. It is a clinical sign, not a specific disease. It is a significant finding because red blood cells, or erythrocytes, are needed to transport oxygen to the tissues. When the total numbers of red blood cells are reduced, there can be insufficient oxygen delivery to vital organs.
Bladder stones, or uroliths, are rock-like collections of minerals that form in the urinary bladder. Uroliths may occur as a large, single stone or as dozens of smaller stones. Individual stones can vary in size from tiny stones, which can be voided in the urine stream to larger stones the size of a golf ball.
Blastomycosis is a fungal disease caused by the organism Blastomyces dermatitidis.
This is a term that is synonymous with the more scientific term "Gastric Dilatation/Volvulus." It is often called GDV. It means that a dog's stomach distends with gas to the point that the dog goes into shock and may die.
Chronic kidney disease is a relatively common disorder in dogs, especially geriatric dogs, although it can occur in young dogs. It occurs when the kidneys are no longer able to perform their normal function of removing waste products from the blood. This is not the same as the inability to make urine. In fact, most dogs with renal disease are producing large volumes of urine. This disparity between the large volume of urine produced and declining kidney function are often a source of confusion for owners.
Chronic vomiting is a common problem in dogs. It may be related to relatively minor causes, such as chronic swallowing of hair, or it may be due to much more serious diseases.
Intestinal coccidiosis is an infection with a one-celled organism; these organisms are classified as protozoa and are called coccidia. Coccidia are not worms; they are microscopic parasites that live within cells of the intestinal lining. Because they live in the intestinal tract and commonly cause diarrhea, they are often confused with worms.
The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is an important structure that connects the throat to the lungs. It serves the purpose of directing air into the respiratory tract. The normal trachea is tubular. It maintains its shape because of a series of rings made of cartilage. These rings do not completely encircle the trachea. Instead, they go from the 2 o'clock to 10 o'clock positions. The remainder of the trachea composed of a flexible membrane that joins the ends of the cartilage rings.
The cornea is the clear, shiny membrane that makes up the surface of the eyeball. It is much like a clear window. To understand a corneal ulcer, you must first understand how the cornea is constructed.
Canine coronavirus is one of the infectious causes of enteritis, or intestinal inflammation, in puppies and dogs. The first reported outbreaks of this disease came in the 1970’s. It is highly contagious between susceptible dogs but, fortunately, most dogs recover without complication. Because of this, it not generally considered a serious pathogen (infectious agent) of dogs.
The knee (stifle) joint of the dog is one of the weakest in the body. Just as athletes (football players, in particular) frequently suffer knee injuries, the dog also has knee injuries. The knee joint is relatively unstable because there is no interlocking of bones in the joint. Instead, the two main bones, the femur and tibia, are joined with several ligaments. When severe twisting or excessive extension of the joint occurs, the most common injury is a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). When it is torn, instability occurs that allows the bones to move in an abnormal fashion in relation to one another. When this happens, it is not possible to bear weight on the leg without it collapsing.
Cushing's Disease is a disorder in which the adrenal glands overproduce certain hormones. Another medical term disease for this disease is hyperadrenocorticism. There are two adrenal glands, one on each side of the abdomen; they are located just above each kidney.
The term "cystitis" literally means inflammation of the urinary bladder. This term is rather general and applies to any disease that inflames the urinary bladder.
The spinal cord is one of the most important and most sensitive organs in the body. If it is traumatized, its cells will not regenerate; injuries usually result in permanent damage. Therefore, the spinal cord is protected in a very special fashion. It goes through a bony canal within the spine where it is surrounded by protective bone everywhere except over the disks. This extreme protection reflects its importance and its fragility.
Mange is a parasitic skin disease caused by microscopic mites. Two different types of mange mites are significant in dogs. One type lives just under the surface of the skin, while the other type resides in the hair follicles. Although both types of mites share some similar characteristics, there are also important differences. It is important not to confuse the two types of mange because they have different causes, treatments, and prognoses.
Dental disease is a common and often overlooked problem in dogs. While cavities represent the most common dental disease of humans, dogs are more frequently bothered by tartar buildup on the teeth. Tartar accumulation leads to irritation of the gums around the base of the teeth, ultimately leading to exposure of the roots. Potential outcomes of this tooth root exposure include gum infections and tooth loss.
There are two forms of diabetes in dogs: diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus. Diabetes insipidus is a very rare disorder that results in failure to regulate body water content. Your dog has the more common type of diabetes: diabetes mellitus. This is a fairly common disorder and is most often seen is dogs 5 years of age or older. There is a congenital form that occurs in puppies, but this is not common. Diabetes mellitus is a disease of the pancreas.
Diarrhea is not a disease; rather, it is a symptom of many different diseases. Many mild cases of diarrhea can be resolved quickly with simple treatments. Others are the result of fatal illnesses, such as cancer. Even diarrhea caused by mild illnesses may become fatal if treatment is not begun early enough to prevent severe fluid and nutrient losses.
The heart has four chambers. The upper chambers are called atria (singular: atrium), and the lower chambers are called ventricles. In addition to the upper and lower chambers, the heart is also considered to have a right and a left side. Blood flows from the body into the right atrium. It is stored there for a few seconds, then pumped into the right ventricle. The right ventricle pumps blood into the lungs, where it receives oxygen. It flows from the lungs into the left atrium; it is held here for a few seconds before going into the left ventricle. The left ventricle contains the largest muscle of the heart so the blood can be pumped out to all parts of the body. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) means that the heart muscle, called the myocardium, becomes much thinner than normal. In particular, the thick muscle wall of the left ventricle is affected. The pressure of the blood inside the heart allows this thinned wall to begin to stretch, resulting in a much larger left ventricular chamber. Therefore, the two characteristics of dilated cardiomyopathy are a heart wall that is much thinner than normal and a chamber that is much larger than normal.
The prostate (commonly mispronounced as "prostrate") is a gland located near the neck of the urinary bladder of male dogs. The urethra passes through it shortly after leaving the bladder. The purpose of the prostate is to produce some of the fluids found in normal canine semen.
Canine distemper is a contagious viral disease of dogs. It was a fairly common disease in the United States until the introduction of effective vaccines in the 1960’s. In some parts of the world, it remains an important and devastating disease.
Infection of the external ear canal (outer ear) by bacteria or yeast, is one of the most common types of infections seen in dogs. We call this otitis externa. Some breeds, such as Cocker Spaniels and Miniature Poodles, seem more prone to ear infections, but they may occur in any breed.
Ehrlichiosis is an infectious disease of dogs. It first gained attention as a significant disease when military dogs returning from Vietnam during the 1970's were found to be infected. The disease seems to be particularly severe in German Shepherd dogs and Doberman pinchers.
An esophagostomy tube is a small, soft rubber tube that enters a surgical incision on the side of the neck into the esophagus. It allows you to syringe food into the esophagus. From there it will flow down into the stomach. The tube is not placed directly into the stomach.
One of the most common conditions affecting dogs is allergy. In the allergic state, the dog's immune system "overreacts" to foreign substances (allergens or antigens) to which it is exposed. These overreactions are manifested in three ways. The most common is itching of the skin, either localized (one area) or generalized (all over the dog). Another manifestation involves the respiratory system and may result in coughing, sneezing, and/or wheezing. Sometimes, there may be an associated nasal or ocular (eye) discharge. The third manifestation involves the digestive system, resulting in vomiting or diarrhea. The specific response that occurs is related to the type of allergy present.
Successful flea control has two aspects. Fleas must be controlled on your dog, and fleas must be controlled in your dog's environment. Since cats and dogs share the same fleas, the presence of a cat in your dog's environment can make flea control much more difficult.
One of the most common conditions affecting dogs is allergy. In the allergic state, the dog's immune system "overreacts" to foreign substances (allergens or antigens) to which it is exposed. These overreactions are manifested in three ways. The most common is itching of the skin, either localized (one area) or generalized (all over the dog). Another manifestation involves the respiratory system and may result in coughing, sneezing, and/or wheezing. Sometimes, there may be an associated nasal or ocular (eye) discharge. The third manifestation involves the digestive system, resulting in vomiting or diarrhea.
Your dog has been scheduled for an endoscopic examination of the gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal tract is composed of the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine (or colon). The purpose of this procedure is to visually inspect the lining of the gastrointestinal tract for the presence of obvious abnormalities and to obtain a small amount of tissue for microscopic study. An endoscope is a flexible tube that contains fiberoptics. This technology allows study of the gastrointestinal tract and offers the potential for diagnosis of many diseases without abdominal surgery.
Giardia are sometimes confused with worms because they invade the gastrointestinal tract and can cause diarrhea. They are not worms; instead, they are one-celled parasites classified as protozoa.
Heartworm disease (dirofilariasis) is a serious and potentially fatal disease in dogs. It is caused by a worm called Dirofilaria immitis. Heartworms are found in the heart and large adjacent vessels of infected dogs. The female worm is 6 to 14 inches (15 to 36 cm) long and 1/8 inch (5 mm) wide; the male is about half the size of the female. One dog may have as many as 300 worms.
An aural (ear) hematoma is a collection of blood, serum, or a clotted blood within the pinna (earflap). When present, the pinna will be very thick. The swelling may involve the entire pinna or it may involve only one area.
Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE) is a fairly common disorder of dogs that is characterized by the sudden development of vomiting and/or diarrhea. The vomitus and the diarrhea may contain variable amounts of bright, red blood or dark, digested blood.
Hip dysplasia (HD) is defined as a deformity of the coxofemoral (hip) joint that occurs during the growth period. Hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition that creates a poorly fitting hip joint. As the dog walks on this joint, arthritis will eventually develop, causing pain in the joint. The degree of lameness that occurs is usually dependent upon the extent of arthritic changes in the hip joint.
Dogs have many parasites, both internal and external. Internal parasites are those which live in the various organs inside the dog's body. Some of the internal parasites migrate through a number of different organs. Intestinal parasites are internal parasites that live in the small or large intestine (colon). External parasites, such as fleas, ticks, and mites, live on the outside of the body.
The thyroid gland is one of the most important glands in the body. It is located in the neck near the trachea and is composed of two lobes, one on each side of the trachea (windpipe). This gland is controlled by the body’s master gland, the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain. The thyroid gland regulates the rate of metabolism. If it is hyperfunctional, metabolism speeds up. If it is less functional than normal, metabolism slows down. The latter is the basis for the clinical signs of hypothyroidism.
Icterus is also known as jaundice or yellow jaundice. It means that a yellow pigment is found in the blood and in the tissues. It is most easily seen in the gums, the sclerae (white part of the eyes), and the pinnae (ear flaps). However, if these tissues normally have a dark color, icterus will probably not be seen.
The word “hepatitis” is a nonspecific medical term describing any inflammatory process of the liver. A number of different diseases can cause hepatitis. One infectious cause is Infectious Canine Hepatitis, or (ICH). This viral disease was first recognized as a unique disease of dogs in 1947.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an important and relatively common medical problem of dogs. It is not a specific disease; rather, the term IBD represents several processes that are manifested as inflammation of the bowel. It may involve only the small intestine, large intestine, or stomach; in some cases, all parts of the gastrointestinal tract are affected.
Canine infectious tracheobronchitis, or “kennel cough,” is an important respiratory disorder because it is highly contagious between dogs. A number of different infectious agents may be involved with this disease. It is characterized by bouts of nonproductive (dry) coughing lasting from days to even weeks.
Leptospirosis is an important and relatively complex infectious disease of dogs. It can affect almost all species of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Recognition of the disease is sometimes difficult because clinical signs will vary depending upon the particular serovar, or strain, of the Leptospira organism that has infected the dog. At least ten different serovars are known to infect dogs. Most commercial vaccines contain antigens (proteins) which stimulate immunity against the icterohemorrhagiae and canicola serovars. The incidence of disease caused by these two serovars has decreased because of vaccines; however, other serovars are becoming more common in the animal population.
A lick granuloma is an open sore on the skin caused by and perpetuated by constant licking. It is generally located on one of the legs, especially near the carpus (wrist) joint. Typically, the hair will be licked off and the area will be either raw and weeping or thickened and scar-like. Lick granulomas usually begin with an itching or tingling sensation on the leg. The dogs respond to that by licking; this may serve to further increase the itching or tingling. Very shortly, a viscous cycle develops, creating a habit much like a child sucking its thumb. Even if the problem that initiated the itching or tingling sensation is gone, the habit of licking continues.
This is a disease that occurs at the lumbosacral junction. The term “lumbo” refers to the lumbar vertebrae. These are the bones in the lower part of the spinal column. The term “sacral” refers to the sacrum, which is the part of the spine that joins the lumbar spine and the pelvis. Changes that occur in the vertebrae, supporting ligaments or adjacent disks can all contribute to this pathologic narrowing of the spinal cord canal.
The patella, or kneecap, should be located in the center of the knee joint. The term "luxating" means out of place or dislocated. Therefore, a luxating patella is a kneecap that moves out of its normal location.
Lyme Disease (not Lyme's Disease) is caused by a spirochete called Borrelia. A spirochete is a type of bacterium. It is transmitted to dogs through the bite of a tick. Once in the blood stream, it is carried to many parts of the body. It is especially likely to localize in joints. It was first thought that only a few types of ticks could transmit this disease, but now it appears that several common species may be involved. Lyme Disease is named after the city in which it was first discovered, Old Lyme, Connecticut. Thus, it is called “Lyme Disease” and not “Lyme’s” Disease.
The heart has four chambers. The upper chambers are called atria (singular: atrium), and the lower chambers are called ventricles. The heart is also divided into right and left sides. Blood flows from the body into the right atrium. It is stored there for a few seconds, then pumped into the right ventricle. The right ventricle pumps blood into the lungs where it receives oxygen. It flows from the lungs into the left atrium where it is held a few seconds before going into the left ventricle. The left ventricle is surrounded by the largest and strongest of the heart muscles. This large muscle is necessary to pump blood to all parts of the body. Each side of the heart has a valve to keep blood from going backward from the ventricles to the atria. The valve between the left atrium and left ventricle is called the mitral valve. Because of the very large pressures created when the left ventricle contracts and the eventual process of “wearing out,” the mitral valve becomes leaky in many dogs. Because this is a progressive disease, we assign each dog to one of four stages based on clinical signs, historical findings, and x-ray findings. Stage 1 is the earliest stage of mitral valvular disease. Stage 4, the final stage, is the presence of life-threatening heart failure.
The pancreas is a vital organ that lies on the right side of the abdomen. It has two functions: 1) to produce enzymes which help in digestion of food and, 2) to produce hormones, such as insulin. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, the disorder is called pancreatitis. It is a disease process that is seen commonly in the dog. There is no age, sex, or breed predisposition. There are two main forms of acute (sudden onset) pancreatitis: 1) the mild, edematous form and, 2) the more severe, hemorrhagic form. A few dogs that recover from an acute episode of pancreatitis may continue to have recurrent bouts of the acute disease, known as chronic, relapsing pancreatitis. The associated inflammation allows digestive enzymes to spill into the abdominal cavity; this may result in secondary damage to surrounding organs, such as the liver, bile ducts, gall bladder, and intestines.
Canine parvovirus (CPV) infection (sometimes called “parvo”) is a relatively new disease that struck the canine population in 1978. The classic signs are vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Because of the severity of the disease and its rapid spread through the canine population, CPV has aroused a great deal of public interest. The virus that causes it is very similar to feline distemper, and the two diseases are almost identical. Therefore, it has been speculated that the canine virus is a mutation of the feline virus. However, that has never been proven. The virus has a selective effect on the most rapidly dividing cells of the body. For this reason, the lining of the small intestine and the cells of the bone marrow are most severely affected.
Pyometra is defined as a bacterial infection of the uterus. Unfortunately, most cases of pyometra are much more difficult to manage than a routine infection.
Ringworm is a skin disease caused by a fungus (plural: fungi). Because the lesions are often circular, it was once thought to be caused by a worm curling up in the tissue. However, there is no truth to that; it has nothing to do with a worm. There are four fungal species affecting dogs which can cause the disease that we call ringworm. These may also affect humans. The fungi live in hair follicles and cause the hair shafts to break off at the skin line. This usually results in round patches of hair loss. As the fungus multiplies, the lesions may become irregularly shaped and spread over the dog's body.
Dogs have many parasites, both internal and external. Internal parasites are those which live in the various organs inside the dog's body. Some of the internal parasites migrate through a number of different organs. Intestinal parasites are internal parasites that live in the small or large intestine (colon). External parasites, such as fleas, ticks, and mites, live on the outside of the body. Roundworms represent a common intestinal parasite of the dog. They are also sometimes called ascarids. Typically, they are large, heavy-bodied worms and average 3-5 inches in length. They live in the dog's intestines, consuming partially digested food. In contrast to the behavior of the hookworm, the roundworm does not attach to the intestinal wall; rather, this worm literally swims in its food.
Dogs have many parasites, both internal and external. Internal parasites are those which live in the various organs inside the dog's body. External parasites, such as fleas, ticks, and mites, live on the outside of the body. Mange is a parasitic skin disease caused by microscopic mites. Two different types of mange mites are significant in dogs. One type lives just under the surface of the skin, while the other type resides in the hair follicles. Although both types of mites share some similar characteristics, there are also important differences. It is important not to confuse the two types of mange because they have different causes, treatments, and prognoses.
Seizures are one of the most frequently seen neurological problems in dogs. A seizure is also known as a convulsion or fit. A seizure represents a period of abnormal brain wave activity that leads to a variety of clinical signs.
Staph is a commonly used abbreviation for Staphylococcus, a group of bacteria commonly found on the skin. Dermatitis is a term that means that the skin is inflamed. Staph is a normal resident of the skin of animals and humans; however, it is considered an opportunist. As long as the skin is healthy, Staph is dormant. But once the skin is irritated, Staph can invade the area and multiply rapidly.
The most common tapeworm of dogs (and cats) is called Dipylidium caninum. This parasite attaches to the small intestinal wall by hook-like mouthparts. Adult tapeworms may reach 8 inches (20 cm) in length. The adult worm is actually made up of many small segments about 1/8 inch (3 mm) long. As the tail end of the worm matures, the terminal segments break off and pass into the stool. Occasionally, the mobile segments can be seen crawling near the anus or on the surface of a fresh bowel movement. These segments look like grains of rice and contain tapeworm eggs; the eggs are released into the environment when the segment dries. The dried segments are small (about 1/16", or 2 mm), hard and golden in color. These dried segments can sometimes be seen stuck to the hair around the dog's anus.
Plaque is a gummy substance that forms on the teeth within a few hours after a meal. Within 24 hours, plaque hardens into tartar. Tartar is harmful in two ways. First, it serves as a place where bacteria can reside and multiply in the mouth. There is substantial scientific evidence that bacteria from tartar enter the blood stream and are deposited in various organs. Heart and kidney disease can result. Second, tartar builds up at the gum line. As the tartar deposit gets larger, it pushes the gums away from the roots of the teeth. Eventually, the teeth will loosen and fall out.
Since dogs have tonsils, it is possible for them to have tonsillitis. The tonsils are much like lymph nodes (lymph glands). There are two of them, and they are located in the back of the throat. When they are normal, they are not easily seen because they reside in crypts (pouches). Like lymph nodes, their job is to fight infection. When they are doing this, they often become infected themselves and will enlarge.
Von Willebrand's disease (VWD) is the most common inherited bleeding disorder of both man and animals. It is caused by a deficiency in the amount of a protein needed to help platelets (a blood cell used in clotting) seal broken blood vessels. The deficient protein is called von Willebrand factor antigen.
Whipworms are intestinal parasites of the dog. They parasitize the lower intestine (cecum and colon) and cause signs related to intestinal irritation. Infection with whipworms can be significant because they are one of the more pathogenic intestinal parasites found in the dog. They are small, about 1/4" (45 to 75 mm) long, and have a characteristic “whip” or “lash” at one end. After the worm burrows into the intestine, it is this “whip” that causes damage to the lining of the bowel. The tip of the “lash” is able to slash and shred tissue. The worm then feeds on the blood and damaged lining of the intestine. |
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