Acquired Disorders
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There are few things as painful as cuts, lesions or warts on your feet, can you imagine how painful it would be for a dog to have a growth between their toes? Interdigital cysts are fairly common in most breeds of dogs, especially those with longer hair between the pads of the feet. In most dogs cysts start very similar to pimples or ingrown hairs and are infections in the sebaceous glands (oil glands) or the hair roots called follicular cysts. These cysts will occur between the toes and around the bottoms of the feet and, in the case of true cysts, will often occur in more than one foot. Typically dogs that are prone to cysts will have them reoccur throughout their life and there is little that owners can do to prevent the problem. They can, however, keep the hair trimmed between the pads and watch for any early signs of redness, swelling or lesions between the toes. [...]
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There are many different ways that a dog can injure his or her elbow or elbow joint, but one of the most challenging to diagnose without surgery or good x-rays is a condition known as fragmented medial coronoid process. In this situation, typically associated with breeds that have a problem with elbow dysplasia, a small piece of bone, often just a tiny chip, breaks off from the top of the ulna and lodges in the joint.The ulna is one of the two long bones found in the front leg below the elbow. As the largest joint of the two into the elbow, it often runs the greatest risk of becoming damaged or fractured, leading to chipping of the head of the ulna at the elbow joint. This can occur due to stress on the joint because of a dislocated elbow, problems with softening of the bones, or trauma or injury to the joint that causes splintering and fractures. [...]
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Genetic hemolytic anemia goes by many different names including immune mediated hemolytic anemia and autoimmune hemolytic anemia or AIHA. It can be caused by something as simple as a bee sting a vaccination or even a complication from a basic skin infection or cut. It is a disease that is most common in both intact and spayed females and typically effects a wide number of dog breeds, both mixed and purebred. Within the purebred group the most common breeds to experience genetic hemolytic anemia are the Basenji, Cocker and Springer Spaniel, Old English Sheepdog, Poodle, Dachshund, Malamute, Shih Tzu and West Highland White Terrier. Mixed breeds that have lineage from one or more of these breeds are also at risk. [...]
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Fractures are often one of the most difficult to diagnose or detect skeletal problems in dogs. Fractures are a result of any type of pressure or strain on the skeletal system, which may cause just a hairline fracture or slight crack through the bone or it may cause a complete break. Depending on the severity of the fracture and the location in which it occurs you may not notice any symptoms other than a slight favoring of the limb or area right up to a complete paralysis if the spinal cord is fractured or broken.Fractures can become more problematic as dogs age and mature, especially if the dog has other health conditions or metabolic problems that are preventing the proper development and maintenance of bones, joints and connective tissue. [...]
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One can imagine how uncomfortable dry, irritated eyes can be. Our dogs, who don't have the means to tell us what is bothering them, must often suffer in silence if this disorder isn't quickly detected. But Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or KCS as it is usually abbreviated, can have grave consequences if it is not treated or is misdiagnosed. In this article, we'll discover what causes KCS, which breeds may be naturally predisposed to suffer from it, and what treatments are available.What is KCS?KCS is caused by insufficient or abnormal tear production. It is for this reason that KCS is also sometimes called Dry Eye. Tears are mostly made up of watery secretions produced by the lacrimal glands, and a deficiency in this area can cause the dry eyes. Tears are very important to the health of the eyes; they clean and lubricate the corneas and help play a role in the healing of eye infections. [...]
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Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or KCS as it is sometimes called, is a disease affecting the eyes, causing the eyes to become dry and irritated. One can easily imagine the pain that dry eyes can cause, and it must be doubly frustrating for our dogs who cannot always tell us what ailments are troubling them. Unfortunately, this disease is sometimes misdiagnosed, and leaving the disease untreated can cause grave problems and even blindness. In this article, we'll learn what causes Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, who can be affected, and what treatments are available. [...]
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Kidney stones in dogs, just like in humans, can be very painful and can lead to serious health issues if not treated. While some breeds may be predisposed to inherit the ability to create kidney stones, there are a certain number of factors that if combined could cause kidney stones to form in any dog. In this article, we'll look at what kidney stones are and how they form, what their symptoms are and how they can be treated.What are kidney stones?Dogs, just like humans, naturally have minerals in their bodies, such as calcium, magnesium, ammonia or phosphorus. Where there is too much of these mineral salts in the urine, they are filtered out through the kidneys. Because it can be difficult for these minerals to be soluble in the naturally acidic urine of dogs, these minerals can form stones. [...]
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Lip fold pyoderma is a condition that can affect dogs that have pendulous lower lips. This is not a life threatening condition, but will take a commitment on the part of the dog's handler to make sure the areas concerned are well taken care of. Even in the most severe cases, a simple surgery can be performed to help stop the condition from returning permanently. In this article, we'll take a closer look at lip fold pyoderma, which breeds are predisposed to develop it, and what can be done to treat it.What is lip fold pyoderma?"Pyoderma" is the medical term for a skin infection that produces pus. In some breeds that have very large lower lips, gravity creates a natural fold where saliva and food can become trapped. [...]
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There are a number of liver diseases that can affect the health of any number of breeds of dogs. Unfortunately, there are no cures for some of them, but much can be done to help the dog stay active and comfortable during its shortened life. The liver is one of the most important organs in the body, including detoxifying the blood supply, removing waste, producing bile and aiding in digestion. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the diseases the liver can develop and what kinds of treatments are available. [...]
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Our immunity systems are our strongest line of defense against viruses, bacterial infections and other illnesses. The same is certainly true for our dogs. For newborn puppies, receiving nutrients through their mother's milk in the first few days of life is essential for building that line of defense. Adult dogs may encounter low immunity issues as the result of fighting other illnesses. In this article, we'll look at why a puppy's first three days are critical for its future health and what can by done for adult dogs with low immunity to help boost their immune systems. [...]
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The thyroid gland performs a number of important functions, but it is mostly known for regulating the metabolism. When the thyroid malfunctions by not producing enough of the thyroid hormone, this can result in a disorder called hypothyroid and is often called low thyroid. While hypothyroid is easily treatable, a dog may suffer for years with this disorder before it is diagnosed. In this article, we'll take a look at how low thyroid is caused, which breeds are usually affected, and what treatment is available.What causes low thyroid?When the production of the thyroid hormone is impaired or reduced, the result is a disorder called hypothyroid. This hormone is produced in coordination between the pituitary gland, the hypothalamus and the thyroid gland, but 95% of cases of hypothyroid occur because of a breakdown in the thyroid. [...]
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Lymphoma is a cancer that affects the cells of the immune system. This cancer in dogs is not dissimilar to non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in humans. While in some cases, a dog can have a complete remission of lymphoma, in most cases it can be life ending and a dog that does not undergo any treatment can have as little as two months to live after diagnosis. In this article, we'll learn about some of the causes of lymphoma, its symptoms and the various treatments that are available.Lymphoma usually manifests itself as tumors in the lymph nodes, which are the closest to the skin's surface. This can happen in dogs of any age or any breed, though it usually occurs in middle aged dogs and Golden Retrievers are considered to have a higher risk of developing lymphoma. [...]
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Lymphosarcoma, better known as lymphoma or lymphoma cancer, is a disease that affects the cells of the immune system. This grave disease, not very different from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in human beings, is often fast moving and difficult to detect. Many dogs can only expect a life expectancy of two months after diagnosis if they do not undergo treatment. In this article, we'll take a closer look at how Lymphosarcoma develops, its symptoms and the best way to treat it.Like any other cancer, Lymphosarcoma begins when a group of cells "go wrong." They usually group together and attack other cells or form tumors. With Lymphosarcoma, these tumors form in the lymph nodes, which are the closest to the skin's surface. [...]
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Malignant Histiocytosis, also sometimes called Disseminated Histiocytic Sarcoma, is a relatively rare disease that is usually fatal. This disorder involves white blood cells that infiltrate a variety of organs, causing them to fail and the life expectancy can be anywhere from hours to weeks after diagnosis. Even more frustrating, this disease can be very difficult to diagnose. In this article, we'll learn how Malignant Histiocytosis develops, its symptoms and what options are available for those that are suffering from this disease.What is Malignant Histiocytosis?Histiocytes are a kind of white blood cell that derives from the bone marrow. Their purpose is to latch on to material that should not be in the body and dispose of them. From the bone marrow, they travel to different organs in the body to help keep them healthy. [...]
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Mast cell tumors are a cancerous disease that is common in dogs. Usually found on the skin, this disease can also develop in other areas of the body. While most dogs that develop the disease have reached middle age, Mast cell tumors can develop in dogs of any age, breed or sex. In this article, we'll take a closer look at Mast cell tumors, their symptoms, and what treatments are available.What are Mast cell tumors?Mast cells are cells that work in conjunction with the immune system. They are distributed throughout the body to help fight infections and inflammation. Once dispatched to an affected area, they can release several different chemicals including histamine, heparin and serotonin. While these cells are vitally important in the body's natural defense against infection, they can severely damage the body when produced in excessive amounts. [...]
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Acquired Disorders
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