Health
Found [447] Articles :: Page 10 of 30
Digg this article
Deciding whether or not to "fix" your Gordon Setter can be difficult, but it doesn't have to be. The basic decision comes down to how long you want your Gordon Setter to live. Studies have shown that Gordon Setters, like many dogs are very susceptible to certain diseases and illnesses if they aren't spayed or neutered. To spay or neuter your Gordon Setter is an important decision to make early on, to prevent complications later. [...]
Digg this article
The Alaskan Klee Kai exhibits many of the best characteristics of its arctic working ancestors. A pressing question for potential owners then is, whether this small member of the spitz dog family is a healthy choice.The Alaskan Klee Kai, a small breed dog related to the Alaskan Husky, is just a baby in the world of dog breeds. The breed was begun in the mid-1970's through the private efforts of Linda Spurlin. Since this is such a young and rare breed, public informational resources are limited and to some extent are subject to change with the growth of the breed. [...]
Digg this article
Hair follicle tumors are not pretty to have to deal with, but are typically not malignant or an indicator of cancer in dogs. There are several different types of hair follicle tumors, one that can be serious, so it is important to have any skin growths or tumors checked through a biopsy to ensure they are benign.Some breeds are more prone to hair follicle tumors than others. Poodles of all sizes are somewhat predisposed to this condition as are Cocker Spaniels and Basset Hounds. There is no indication that either males or females will be more prone to having the condition and it can occur at any age and with any type of diet. It has also not been linked to any particular grooming procedure and it seems from the research it may be an inherited condition but conclusive research has not been completed to be able state this as a fact. [...]
Digg this article
"Shock and awe" is more than a military tactic - it's a good description of a potentially deadly allergic reaction that occurs in all types of mammals and, without prompt emergency treatment, is fatal.Anaphylaxis, commonly known as "anaphylactic shock," is a rare but rapidly-developing allergic reaction that results in respiratory failure, heart failure and death. It's most often caused by an allergic reaction to a bite from a stinging insect or snake, or after ingesting a certain food. It can also be brought on by vaccines, antibiotics and select hormones and medications. [...]
Digg this article
Anesthesia has a well documented place in both human and animal medicine, and it's especially critical as a way to calm and treat animals who are frightened and in pain.The anesthetics that are used in veterinary medicine today are much safer than ones used in the past, and their results are much more predictable. Gas anesthetics can be quickly eliminated by simply removing the mask. Injectable anesthetics, meanwhile, all have a reversal agent that can be quickly administered if there are any adverse effects, such as a drop in the dog's blood pressure. This additional safety is very important, since veterinarians use anesthetics more than regular medical doctors. That's because many animals become extremely terrified or agitated while at the vet's. Therefore anesthesia is often used in procedures like X-rays, joint examinations and laparoscopic procedures. [...]
Digg this article
The Alaskan Klee Kai is a very young breed that has only entered the ranks of the dog world within the last 30 years. Although this dog has been very stable and reliable thanks to careful and controlled breeding practices, there is still work to be done to maintain the integrity of the Alaskan Klee Kai breed. The Qualification Examination for the Alaskan Klee Kai is a necessary tool to accomplish the goals of the breed. [...]
Digg this article
One of the myriad heart problems which can affect your pet is a condition known as aortic stenosis or subvalvular aortic stenosis. With this condition, the blood flow is partially blocked as it leaves the left side of the heart (the left ventricle) into the aorta, which is the major blood vessel that transports blood to the rest of the dog's body. The obstruction can be a small nodule or a fibrous band of tissue, either of which is usually located just below the aortic valve, which is the dividing structure between the heart and the aorta.Because of this obstruction, the dog's heart must work harder to pump an adequate supply of blood to the dog's body. Over time, this valve usually narrows even further, a condition known as stenosis. [...]
Digg this article
Among the many inherited conditions that can affect your dog's eyes are a group known as corneal dystrophies. These conditions cause abnormal corneal development, usually in both eyes, and lead to various problems with the animal's vision. Depending upon the type, one or more layers of the cornea (the transparent lens that covers the front of the eye) will be affected. The major types of corneal dystrophies are:Epithelial Dystrophy, which causes shallow but painful ulcers and erosion on the surface of the cornea.Endothelial Dystrophy, which affects the function of the endothelial cells, causing a buildup of fluid in the cornea (also known as corneal edema). [...]
Digg this article
If your dog has a multicolored coat then it may be susceptible to a rare condition known as Black Hair Follicular Dysplasia, or BHFD. A hereditary disorder carried through recessive genes, BHFD can appear in any purebred or crossbreed dog with a multi-colored coat. An as-yet-unidentified genetic defect in the skin pigment (melanin) and in the hair shaft formation is believed to be the cause.This condition causes the black or dark-haired portions of the coat to fall out when the animal is still a puppy or young dog, leaving behind bare skin. In the early stages, the pup's dark hair will gradually fade and take on a washed-out, gray or bluish cast. [...]
Digg this article
A "stoned" dog is not a healthy dog. Especially if the "stones" are located within the animal's bladder, where they can cause pain and interfere with urination.Clinically known as urolithiasis, bladder stones (urinary calculi) actually can be found anywhere within the urinary tract, including the kidneys, bladder, ureter (the tube connecting the kidneys to the bladder) and the urethra (the tube from the bladder to the outside of the animal). More than 85 percent of the time, however, these stones are found within the bladder itself. [...]
Digg this article
In human beings, bloating may sound like a fairly mild problem, brought on by a too-large meal or perhaps water retention.In dogs, however, bloat is only one name for a life-threatening condition that's also known as gastric dilation-volvulus (GDV), stomach torsion or twisted stomach. Affected dogs will die within several hours if left untreated, and even with treatment more than a quarter of dogs with GDV die.Bloat is a two-fold illness with several causes. First, for a variety of reasons, the stomach can fill up with air, putting pressure on nearby internal organs, on the large veins in the abdomen and the diaphragm. This in turn makes it difficult for the dog to breathe and prevents blood from returning to the heart. [...]
Digg this article
If you notice your dog is bruising easily or bleeding with no obvious cause, a trip to the veterinarian is in order. Your pet may have one of several types of bleeding disorders that can affect canines. These disorders occur when the blood does not clot normally, in turn causing the dog to bleed abnormally or excessively after any minor injury or cut.There are a number of warning signs that indicate your dog may have a blood disorder. Be watchful for any bleeding or bruises that have no obvious cause, frequent nosebleeds and blood in the animal's urine or feces. Also, the gums may be pale, and there may be tiny pinpoint-sized red spots on the gums or the whites of the eyes. If your dog becomes tired easily, he also may have anemia, which results from a reduced number of oxygen-carrying red blood cells. [...]
Digg this article
If you're fond of dogs that have a "smashed in" face, then your pet likely falls into a special category of canine known as brachycephalic. The term comes from two Greek words: "brachy," which means short, and "cephalic," which means head.These types of dogs have been bred through the generations to have a normal lower jaw in proportion to their body, and a compressed, or shorter, upper jaw. Because of selective breeding, these dogs also have developed a number of health conditions that may cause concerns.Specifically, these dogs often have brachycephalic respiratory syndrome, a condition that affects different areas of the respiratory tract. Breeds most often affected are Boston Terriers, Bulldogs, Pekingese, Pugs and Shih Tzus. [...]
Digg this article
One of the more recently recognized disorders in dogs is one known by several terms, including Canine Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome, CECS, or "Spike's Disease." A tricky disease that is often misdiagnosed as epilepsy, CECS is considered to be a problem of multiple body systems, including the metabolic, neurological and muscular systems.The symptoms of CECS vary, and an affected animal may display many of them or only a few at one time. Symptoms include trembling, staggering, dizziness, exaggerated stretching, and an unusually slow or methodical posture while walking. Also, the dog's abdominal and lumbar (back) muscles may cramp severely, and the animal may fall over and be unable to rise. [...]
Digg this article
Among the many diseases that can strike the human and canine heart is a disease of the heart muscle itself. Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, causes the walls of the heart's four chambers to become enlarged and thus not function properly, and it usually is found in larger breeds of dog. [...]
|
Health
Comments
Email to a Friend