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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Acral Lick Dermatitis
Acral lick dermatitis is a firm, raised, ulcerative, or thickened plaque usually located on the back side of the wrist, on the ankle, or between the toes. This disease primarily affects dogs, and most commonly large breeds, especially Doberman Pinschers, Labrador Retrievers, Great Danes, Irish and English Setters, Golden Retrievers, Akitas, Dalmatians, Shar-peis, and Weimaraners. The age at which it occurs in animals varies with the cause. Some experts suggest that it is more common in males; others indicate there is no preference.
- 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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Melanocytic Tumors of the Skin and Digits in Dogs
Melanocytic tumors are benign or cancerous growths, arising from melanocytes (pigment-producing skin cells) and melanoblasts (melanin-producing cells that develop or mature into melanocytes). These tumors do not seem to have a genetic basis; however, males, especially Scottish Terriers, Boston Terriers, Airedale Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Boxers, English Springer Spaniels, Irish Setters, Irish Terriers, Chow Chows, Chihuahuas, Schnauzers, and Doberman Pinschers, seem to have a predilection to the condition. Dogs 10 years or older are also more prone to melanocytic tumors.
- Causes
- Symptoms and Types
- 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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Gastroenteritis
The most common cause of gastroenteritis in dogs is due to a food borne illness. Immediate veterinary care is required, as it can be fatal when it not diagnosed and properly managed.
- Symptoms and Types
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Living and Management
- Prevention
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Helicobacter Infection in Dogs
Under normal conditions, the Helicobacter bacteria are benign inhabitants of the intestinal tract, being found in several species, including domestic animals such as dogs, cats, ferrets and pigs, in wild animals such as cheetah’s and monkeys, and in humans. While gastric infection due to Helicobacter pylori is a major health problem in humans – it has been associated with gastritis, gastric tumor, and peptic ulcer in affected people – the significance of the Helicobacter bacterium in dogs and any correlation to gastric dysfunctions is still largely unclear (H. pylori specifically is not found in dogs).
- Symptoms and Types
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Living and Management
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Optic Neuritis in Dogs
Optic neuritis refers to a condition in which one or both of the optic nerves are swollen, resulting in impaired visual function. The optic nerve, sometimes called the cranial nerve, is a nerve in the eye that takes visual information and transmits it to the brain. Optic neuritis affects the ophthalmic and nervous systems of the body.
- Symptoms and Types
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Living and Management
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