Signs and Symptoms When we think of rabies, we often conjure up the picture of a ferocious dog with a foaming mouth. With its name derived from the Latin word for madness or fury, this disease has been around for thousands of years and still poses a significant threat to both animals and humans. In […]
Dog Cognitive Dysfunction–Alzheimer’s in Animals Signs and Symptoms Due to advances in veterinary medicine and the quality care of loving pet owners, dogs are now living longer than ever before. This also means that the incidence of geriatric-related illnesses and diseases has increased. As an animal ages, its internal organs and systems inevitably undergo changes […]
Overview Dog Aspergillosis is a fungal infection that invades the respiratory system, ears, throat and mouth. Dogs can inhale fungi spores or “conidia” naturally present in the environment, such as in straw, grass or grain. Common species are Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus tereus. The Aspergillus fungi develop in tissue and lead to cell death and […]
Overview Dogs have 2 small anal sacs located on either side of the rectal opening. Ranging in size from a pea to a kidney bean depending on the size of the dog, these small, firm nodules are also known as “scent glands” that allow a dog to mark its territory and identify other canines. The […]
Overview Alopecia is hair loss that does not harm the patient. Although the physiological mechanisms of Dog Alopecia X are not fully researched, this hormonal condition may have many causes, including genetic, stress, parasites or bacteria, nutrition, endocrine problems, and corticosteroids. Hair follicles may be the problem as receptors for sex hormones and growth hormones. […]
Overview Addison’s disease is an endocrine disorder, which occurs when the adrenal gland fails to produce sufficient amounts of corticosteroid hormones (hormones that are produced by the cortex of the adrenal gland). These hormones act on the blood sodium/potassium balance and the energy metabolism of an animal, and are vital to an animal’s ability to […]
Overview “Brachycephalic” literally means “short-face” or “short-head,” and is a term used to refer to dog breeds with facial features that include a compressed upper jaw and a short muzzle. Common brachycephalic breeds include the Pit Bull Terrier, Pug, Shih Tzu, Bulldog, Boxer, and more. There are a number of health concerns directly associated with […]
Overview Von Willebrand Disease (vWD) is the most common inherited bleeding disorder. This platelet defect results in platelet dysfunction. A deficiency of the von Willebrand factor (vWF) causes the condition linked to a missing factor in clotting. The vWF is the large multimeric glycoprotein that helps blood platelets (thrombocytes) adhere to the damaged blood vessel […]
Overview Hemivertebrae is a congenital spinal abnomality, in which the vertebrae fail to develop into a normal, symmetrical shape, resulting in an angle in the spine. This abnormal development occurs in the womb, and inadequate blood supply is suspected to be a probable cause. In dogs, several breeds are more predisposed to have this condition, […]
Overview The vertebral column is made up with individual verterbrae, which are cushioned by intervertebral discs that allow an animal to flex its back. These discs are soft and gelatinous on the inside in order to absorb the forces exerted on the vertebral column when the animal is moving. When a microscopic piece of this […]
