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
Read Full Article Here
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.
- Symptoms and Types
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Living and Management
Read Full Article Here
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
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Living and Management
Read Full Article Here
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
Read Full Article Here
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
Read Full Article Here
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
Read Full Article Here
Pododermatitis in Dogs
Pododermatitis is a medical term for skin inflammation, particularly inflammation in the feet or paws. With treatment, prognosis is positive. The disease is more common in dogs than it is in cats. However, if you would like to learn how it affects cats, please visit this page in the PetMD health library.
- Symptoms
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Living and Management
- Prevention
Read Full Article Here
Cutaneous Drug Eruptions
Cutaneous drug eruptions cover a spectrum of diseases and clinical signs. They can vary markedly in clinical appearance and pathophysiology – the functional change that accompanies the disease. It is likely that many mild drug reactions go unnoticed or unreported; thus, incidence rates for specific drugs are unknown and most of the facts available on drug-specific reactions have been extrapolated from reports in the human literature.
- Symptoms and Types
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Living and Management
Read Full Article Here
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) in Dogs
The bones of the spine are called vertebrae. Between the vertebrae are cushions called intervertebral (between two vertebrae) discs. These discs have two parts: the inner part has a soft, jelly-like consistency and acts as a shock absorber, protecting the vertebrae from rubbing together when a dog is moving and jumping; and an outer, firmer part, which helps the disc to hold its shape and protects the vertebrae from touching each other during activity. The discs themselves are held in place by ligaments that connect the vertebrae to each other and prevent the disc from entering the spinal canal, where the spinal cord is found. When a disc is damaged, it is referred to as intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). A dog that is affected with IVDD will have parts of the disc bulging out of their normal space and pressing on the spinal cord. Depending on where the damaged disc is, this pressure on the spinal cord can cause weakness or loss of feeling. The back legs, or all four legs may be affected. The most common location for a damaged disc is in the area of the spine where the chest meets the belly (thoracolumbar spine).
- Symptoms and Types
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Living and Management
- Prevention
Read Full Article Here
Spondylosis Deformans
Spondylosis deformans is a degenerative, noninflammatory condition of the spinal column characterized by the production of bone spurs along the bottom, sides, and upper aspects of the vertebrae of the spine. Spurs of the bone are simply projected growths of bone, usually grown in response to aging, or injury.
In dogs, spondylosis deformans occurs most often along the spine, in the area behind the chest, and on the upper section of the vertebrae of the lower back. Older, large-breed dogs are at highest risk for developing spondylosis deformans. In cats it tends to occur more often in the vertebrae of the chest.
- Symptoms and Types
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Living and Management
Read Full Article Here
