Category — dog health care

Abnormally High levels of Parathyroid Hormone due to Chronic Kidney Failure in Dogs

Parathyroid glands are the small endocrine glands that produce parathyroid hormone (PTH). The major function of the parathyroid gland is to control concentrations of calcium in the blood and within the bones. This is not to be confused with the thyroid gland, which has a different function.

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Idiopathic and Genetic Epilepsy in Dogs

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes the dog to have sudden, uncontrolled, recurring physical attacks, with or without loss of consciousness. This may sometimes occur for unknown reasons (idiopathic) or due to genetic abnormalities. However, idiopathic epilepsy is often characterized by structural brain lesions and is more likely seen in male dogs. If left untreated, the seizures may become more severe and frequent.

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• Causes
• Diagnosis
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• Living and Management
• Prevention

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Separation anxiety in dogs usually are destructive or otherwise inappropriate when an owner leaves the pet or is not in close proximity. Behaviors that may be seen include vocalization, destroying objects, digging or even depression. However, these behaviors may also be due to other conditions or environmental cues. Therefore, it is important for the behaviorist or veterinarian to obtain the history of the dog before attributing separation anxiety as the primary or sole cause of the behavior.

• Symptoms and Types
• Diagnosis
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• Living and Management
• Prevention

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Pain (Acute, Chronic and Postoperative) in Dogs

One of the biggest challenges in animal care is determining your dog’s source of pain. This is partly due to their limited ability to convey the pain. Dogs vary greatly in their specific responses to pain; the animal’s age, species, experience, and current environment will all affect their response levels.

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• Living and Management
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Salmon poisoning disease (SPD) is an often fatal condition, occurring when a dog eats raw salmon that is infected with the Neorickettsia helminthoeca parasite. This disease typically begins in the tissues of the small intestine, where it causes hemorrhaging. It gradually becomes systemic, invading the entire body.

• Symptoms and Types
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Living and Management
• Prevention

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Salmonellosis in Dogs

Salmonellosis is an infection found in dogs caused by the Salmonella bacteria. It often leads to disorders, including gastroenteritis, spontaneous abortions, and septicemia. This bacterial disease is also zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted to humans.

Salmonellosis affects both dogs cats. If you would like to learn how this disease affects cats, please visit this page in the PetMD health library.

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Cirrhosis and Fibrosis of the Liver

The liver is the largest gland in the body, and one of the most important for overall health. One of the liver’s many functions include production of bile, a fluid substance involved in the digestion of fats. The gallbladder, situated in the concave of the liver, acts as a storage unit for bile, releasing the concentrated bile into the common bile duct as it is needed for fat digestion. The bile ducts begin within the liver itself as tiny channels to transport bile. The ducts join together to form larger bile ducts and finally enter the extrahepatic bile duct, or common bile duct, which empties into the upper small intestine. This system of bile ducts is known as the biliary tree.

• Symptoms
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• Living and Management

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Abnormally High levels of Parathyroid Hormone due to Chronic Kidney Failure in Dogs

Parathyroid glands are the small endocrine glands that produce parathyroid hormone (PTH). The major function of the parathyroid gland is to control concentrations of calcium in the blood and within the bones. This is not to be confused with the thyroid gland, which has a different function.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism refers to the excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone due to chronic kidney failure. The major cause of secondary hyperparathyroidism is absolute or relative lack of calcitriol production – a form of vitamin D that stimulates the absorption of calcium in the intestines, calcium resorption in bone, and promotes the effectiveness of the parathyroid hormone in aiding bone resorption. Low concentrations of calcium also play a role in increased levels of PTH in blood.

• Symptoms
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Living and Management

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Idiopathic and Genetic Epilepsy in Dogs

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes the dog to have sudden, uncontrolled, recurring physical attacks, with or without loss of consciousness. This may sometimes occur for unknown reasons (idiopathic) or due to genetic abnormalities. However, idiopathic epilepsy is often characterized by structural brain lesions and is more likely seen in male dogs. If left untreated, the seizures may become more severe and frequent.

• Symptoms and Types
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Living and Management
• Prevention

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Megacolon

The colon is the section of the large intestine that begins at the cecum, the sac that joins the colon to the end of the small intestine (ileum), and ends where the rectum begins. All are part of the larger digestive tract. The main purpose of the colon is to serve as a temporary storage conduit while it performs the function of extracting useful water and salt from the waste. Megacolon is a condition in which waste is remaining in the colon, causing the diameter of the colon to become abnormally enlarged. It is typically associated with chronic constipation, or obstipation – severe, obstinate constipation that blocks the passage of gas as well as feces. Medically, the colon is described as exhibiting minimal colonic activity – that is, the colon is not releasing its contents.

• Symptoms and Types
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Living And Management

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