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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Disorder of the Heart in the Sinus Node
The sinoatrial node (SA Node, or SAN), also called the sinus node, is the initiator of electrical impulses within the heart, triggering the heart to beat, or contract, by firing off electrical surges. Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) is a disorder of the heart’s electrical impulse formation within the sinus node. It is also a disorder of the conduction of the electrical impulse out of the sinus node. Sick sinus syndrome will also affect subsidiary (backup) pacemakers and the specialized conduction system of the heart. Pacemaker refers to the generation of electrical impulses within the muscle tissue, which set the pace for the heart’s rhythm.
On an electrocardiogram (ECG), the irregular contraction of the heart (arrhythmia) will be visible. Tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome, in which the heart beats too slowly, and then too quickly, is a variant of sick sinus syndrome. Clinical signs of sick sinus syndrome in animals will become apparent when organs begin to dysfunction because they are not receiving a normal amount of blood supply.
- Symptoms and Types
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Living and Management
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Vesiculopustular Dermatoses
A vesicle, or blister, is a small, defined elevation of the outer layer of the skin (known as the epidermis). It is filled with serum, the clear watery fluid that separates from the blood. A pustule is also a small, defined elevation of the outer layer of the skin (epidermis), but is filled with pus — a mixture of serum, white blood cells, cellular debris and dead tissue.
- Symptoms and Types
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Living and Management
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Contact Dermatitis in Dogs
Contact dermatitis may be caused by an allergy, or it may simply mean that your pet has touched something that has irritated its skin, such as the sap in poison ivy, or salt on a road. It is difficult to distinguish one from the other because the symptoms usually appear the same. Allergic reactions require a previous, sensitizing experience with the irritant. The next contact with the irritant is when symptoms occur. Both dogs and cats can suffer from allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis. It can occur at any age, and is a direct result of the irritating nature of the offending compound.
- Symptoms and Types
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Living and Management
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Atlantoaxial Instability
Atlantoaxial instability results from a malformation in the first two vertebrae in the neck of an animal. This causes the spinal cord to compress and results in pain or even debilitation for the pet. The disorder is uncommon in older dogs and larger breeds of dogs. It is generally found in smaller, toy breeds. To ensure the best possible chance for a full recovery, it is important to treat the animal once an occurrence or sign of distress is observed.
- Symptoms and Types
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Living and Management
- Prevention
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Degenerative Myelopathy in Dogs
Degenerative myelopathy is the general medical term that refers to the disease of the dog’s spinal cord or bone marrow. The condition does not have specific cause and may remain unidentified. While the disease can affect any breed and any age of dog, older animals are most often afflicted with the disease. Prognosis of this disease is not positive, as it is the degeneration of the animal’s spinal cord, leading to loss of numerous bodily functions.
- Symptoms and Types
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Living and Management
- Prevention
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Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Myelopathy in Dogs
Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy is a disorder of the spinal cord and nervous system. The term fibrocartilage is used to describe body tissue that is a combination of fibrous tissue, cartilaginous tissue and bundles of collagen fibers. In the spine, fibrocartilage is found in the intervertebral discs; the combination of these materials attributes to both the elasticity and stoutness of the spine. Any piece of material that blocks the blood vessel is called an emboli, and myelopathy denotes any disorder of the spinal cord.
- Symptoms and Types
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Living and Management
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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.
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- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Living and Management
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There are numerous reasons for why pet owners would like to prevent pregnancy in their pets. It is a common concern, and there are ways to perform a safe pregnancy termination if your dog has become pregnant. If you are considering ending a pregnancy in your dog, it is recommended that you first seek the advice and assistance of a medical professional, so that a full risk and side effects evaluation can be done.
- Symptoms and Types
- Diagnosis and Tests
- Treatment and Care
- Living and Management
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Metastatic Tumor of the Nosepad in Dogs
The epithelium is the cellular covering of all of the internal and external surfaces of the body, protecting the organs, inner cavities and outer surfaces of the body in a continuous layer of multi-layered tissue. The squamous epithelium is a type of epithelium that consists of the outer layer of flat, scale-like cells, which are called squamous cells.
- Symptoms and Types
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Living and Management
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