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Health
Conditions and Diseases from A to Z in Dogs
There are probably
more health conditions and diseases than days in the year that could affect your dog. All breeds have their Achilles'
heel/s and before acquiring a dog of the breed of your choice it is prudent to
research the breed and any disease to which it may be genetically predisposed.
Not all health conditions and diseases are considered of a genetic nature in
all breeds and some dogs may develop a condition not considered inherited
within that breed. I have listed below some diseases and a brief description as
well as links to sites with further information, diagrams and slide shows on
those conditions. These may be seen in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels but in
most cases are not considered an inherited breed specific problem. The
Achilles' heel of Cavaliers is Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) and for information
on this condition please visit http://www.rhiannon-cavaliers.com/mvd.htm
By keeping your dog or puppy fit, in correct weight (not obese),
feeding a balanced diet containing all the recommended vitamins and minerals
and regular visits to a veterinarian for health checks it is possible to
prevent or mitigate many health problems.
If you are concerned that
your dog may have any of the following please talk to your veterinarian for
proper assessment and treatments. Often these conditions are very treatable
with medication, diets or treatments.
Allergies: like
people dogs can have allergies. They can manifest in different ways, some dogs
may have skin problems, others may have itchy eyes and ears and others may
suffer from stomach problems. However it is often difficult to track down the
cause and much of this is done by a process of elimination. The causes may be
food, inhaled substances (eg. Grass, ragweed, pollen, dust mites), reactions to
drugs, vaccines or insect bites. In some cases dogs may have such severe
reactions that they could go into prophylactic shock which requires emergency
treatment. In many cases itching, hair loss, chewing, rubbing themselves and
persistent stomach ailments can be the signs of allergies. With the help of a
veterinarian you can look for the cause of the allergies. If at a certain time
of the year, the cause could be an inhalant like ragweed. Many times the cause
is food related and by methodically trying different foods the cause can be
found. For inhalant or contact type of allergies skin tests may be done.
Treatments vary from changes in food, special baths, antihistamines and/or
steroids.
Go to http://www.vizsladogs.com/ARTICLES/demom.htm
Anal Glands: these are two glands found on either side of
the anus under the tail also known as "scent glands" which is why you often see
two dogs sniffing in that location when they meet, as it is manner of
identification. These two glands will normally express a brown, smelly liquid
on their own during defecation. They can also be expressed by muscular
contraction when the dog is frightened or excited. Sometimes the glands are not
naturally expressed and become full or cause irritation which will cause a dog
to "scoot" along the ground. An owner, groomer or veterinarian can express
these glands manually when required. In some cases the glands become impacted
and infected which will require manually expressing the glands, sometimes under
anaesthetic and then treatment with an antibiotic.
Go to - http://www.barkbytes.com/medical/med0029.htm
Arthritis: there are different types of arthritis in
dogs. Osteoarthritis which is a form of degenerative joint disease such as hip
dysplasia (HD) and is progressive with the symptoms worsening with age. In this
form the area around the cartilage and bone often deteriorates causing bone
spurs which are painful. Rheumatoid Arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis and
immune-mediated. This condition may be seen in all the dog's joints. Less
common is Infectious Arthritis caused by a bacterial, viral or fungal
infection. The causes of arthritis is diverse ranging from genetic (HD),
previous injuries or accidents, immune system problem, repetitive strain injury
or infections. The different types of arthritis are treated differently ranging
from pain medications, natural treatments such as glucosamine, steroids or
antibiotics. Some natural stiffness in older dogs is normal but if excessive
the dog should be assessed by your veterinarian.
Go to -
http://www.dogs-with-arthritis.com/
Auto-immune (mediated) diseases: under ordinary
circumstances the body's immune system recognizes an invading infectious
disease and sends cells to attack this disease. In the case of an auto-immune
disease the body's signals become crossed and the immune system inadvertently
starts to attack the body's own tissues and organs. There is much discussion
about the causes of auto-immune diseases, in some cases there are genetic
predispositions for auto-immune diseases, however there are indications that
over-vaccination, drugs, diet may also have some role in these diseases. There
are many diseases which may be considered auto-immune in nature, ranging from
certain skin conditions, to diseases that attack specific organs like
hypothyroidism and addisons or system wide problems such as lupus and AIHA
(autoimmune hemolytic anemia).
Go to
http://bccc.pair.com/autoimmu.htm
Cherry Eye: is a prolapsed gland of the third eye
characterized by a bulge of the gland in the inner corner of the eye which is
often very red in colour hence the name "cherry eye". Often requires surgical
intervention to correct the condition.
Go to -
http://www.eyevet.org/
Colitis: is caused by inflammation of the colon. There
are many reasons for colitis including stress factors (boarding, thunderstorms,
moving, etc.), parasites, digesting something that doesn't agree or may be
secondary to another condition. One of the main symptoms of colitis is diarrhea
which may have the following characteristics: fresh blood, slime or mucus in
the stools, not associated with weight loss, involves a stool that starts
normal and finishes loose. Colitis often lasts for a short period of time but
if chronic or episodic the actual cause should be looked for and treated by
medication and/or change in diets.
Go to -
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/colitis.html
Corneal Ulcers: is caused when the surface of the cornea
receives a scratch or a tear and is more often seen in breeds with a larger eye
such as the Cavalier, Shih Tzu and Bulldog. It is often caused when the eye
comes into contact with a plant or bush, another dog, foreign body in the eye,
scratching, etc. May be characterized by a blueish tinge to the eyeball and/or
discharge from the eye. Some may not heal easily and require veterinary
attention to save the eye from further serious damage.
Go to -
http://www.eyevet.org/
Diabetes Mellitus: is a disorder where the body is unable
to regulate body sugar levels adequately, caused by a lack of insulin. Signs of
diabetes may be excessive thirst, urination and/or appetite, weight loss and
lethargy. In advanced cases blindness, depression, lack of appetitie and
vomiting may be seen. Generally seen in older dogs at 7 plus with obese dogs or
unspayed females at higher risk. There may be a genetic breed disposition or
the condition can be caused by viral disease, pancreatitis, steroid or
reproductive hormone drugs, predisposing diseases or be immune-mediated.
Treatment usually involves insulin replacement therapy and diet control.
Go to - http://www.petdiabetes.org/
Elongated soft palate: this condition is seen in some toy
and brachycephalic breeds. It is caused when the soft palate (the flap which
prevents food and drink from entering the nasal passages) is elongated
obstructing the airway or larynx. The main symptoms are usually snorting,
reverse sneezing and excessive snoring. Reverse sneezing is commonly seen in
Cavaliers, often when the dog is pulling against a leash, and is not a cause
for alarm. Left alone it will correct itself though there are certain exercises
that can be done to quicken the end of a spasm, such as holding the nostrils
closed and gently tilting the head downwards towards the chest for a few
seconds.
Epilepsy: is a term used for multiple seizures. Some
seizures may be symptomatic (or secondary) in nature i.e. as a result of a
condition or disease such as brain tumours, heart conditions, liver shunt,
hormonal imbalances, poisoning, etc. Idiopathic epilepsy is multiple seizures
with an unexplained cause. Generally in idiopathic epilepsy the first episodes
occur between the age of 1 and 3 years of age. Some breeds seem to have a
predisposition for this condition and so may be inherited. Idiopathic epilepsy
does not present in the same way for each dog. Some dogs may only have the
occasional seizure throughout their lifetime, others may have more frequent
seizures, all with varying degrees of severity. Dogs who seize infrequently may
not require medication. In most cases those dogs that require medication will
live reasonably normal lives with only the occasional seizure.
Go to -
http://www.canine-epilepsy.net/basics/basics_index.html
Epithelial/stromal (Corneal) dystrophy: is a condition
where there are whitish crystalline lipid deposits, usually cholesterol, found
on the surface of the cornea. In some cases they may come and go. They
generally do not present any long-term problems though a white or grey opacity
may be noticed in the affected eye.
Flycatching:
continuous behaviour of a dog snapping at non-existant flies. It is unclear
whether this condition is epileptic in nature or of a repetitive
obsessive-compulsive problem.
Fontanel (open):
some dogs, particularly toy or brachycephalic breeds, may be born with an open
fontanel or soft spot on the top of the skull where the skull plates join. As
the puppy grows this spot generally disappears as the skull develops and the
plates join and fuse. In most cases this soft spot closes usually by 3 or 4
months of age. Occasionally they never close completely but are not a problem
unless secondary to another condition called hydrocephalus or "water on the
brain". In the case of this condition other symptoms such as seizures, vision
and eye tracking problems, extreme domed head, restlessness and unthriftiness
are also present.
Go to - For information
on hydrocephalus
http://www.upei.ca/~cidd/Diseases/nervous%20system%20disorders/hydrocephalus.htm
Hip Dysplasia: this is an inherited condition where there
is abnormal development of the ball (femoral head) and socket (acetabulum)
joint of the hip. In the case of a dysplastic dog if the joint is not
structurally correct there may be too much laxity of movement which causing
further injury to the joint over time. The only way to really diagnose Hip
Dysplasia is to take an x-ray of the hip joint and have it graded. There are 9
different gradings ranging from Excellent to Severe Dysplasia. There may be
clinical signs involved with this condition but they do not indicate the level
of severity. Some dogs are able to "manage" the condition better than others.
Some symptoms of Hip Dysplasia may include lameness, morning stiffness,
reluctance to move, pain particularly on first rising, overdevelopment of
shoulder and fore-limb muscles and underdevelopment of hindquarter muscles.
Treatment can range from arthritis medications to surgical repair of the hip
socket.
Go to -
http://clubs.akc.org//fcra/healthmanual/chd.html
Hypoglycemia: is most often seen in puppies of toy and
small breeds and is caused by low blood sugar often brought on by stress
situations such as visits to the vets or over exercise. Some of the symptoms
may include weakness, confusion, wobbly gait and seizure-like episodes. They
can often be avoided by feeding a suspectible dog frequent small meals. During
an episode sometimes a water and glucose solution will help, though in severe
cases intravenous glucose may be necessary.
Go to -
http://www.dog.com/vet/nutrition/03.html
Hypothyroidism: is a condition where there is a deficiency of
thyroid hormone. It may have several causes such an immune-mediated destruction
of the thyroid gland, natural atrophy of the gland, a deficiency in the diet,
etc. The symptoms of this condition may be varied from dog to dog and can
include skin conditions, dry, brittle coats, lethargy, obesity, temperament
problems and infertility. Testing for this condition usually involves a blood
test to measure levels of T3, T4 and TSH. Treatment for this condition is
relatively simple requiring daily oral administration of replacement hormone
for the life of the dog.
Go to -
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/hypothyroidism.html
Inflammatory Bowel Disease: relates to a chronic irritation of
the stomach or intestines. If the irritation is in the stomach then chronic
vomiting often occurs, if in the intestines then accompanied by chronic
diarrhea. With some dogs both stomach and intestines would be involved so may
have both vomiting and diarrhea. Generally seen in middle aged to older dogs,
it may be an immune related condition, though bacterias such as Helicobacter
may be involved. To diagnose the condition a biopsy is generally required.
Treatments may involve diet changes and steroid use.
Go to -http://www.pethealthcare.net/html/body_inflammatory_bowel_disease_in_.html
Inquinial Hernias: a protrusion of soft tissue, possibly fat or
abdominal organs through the inquinial ring found in the groin region. They can
be on one side or both. They may be congenital or acquired. In the congenital
form they are usually seen before 12 weeks of age and may be self-correcting
but can require surgical repair. If aquired it may occur in middle age, usually
in unspayed bitches. This condition should be checked by a vet. This is an
inherited condition and an affected animal should not be bred.
Go to -
http://www.westieclubamerica.com/health/hernia.html
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (Dry Eye): is a condition where there
is insufficient tear production which can result in dryness to the corneal
surface. Tear production is needed to keep the aqueous surfaces of the eye
moist and without proper tear production damage can occur leading to permanent
damage including blindness from secondary causes. Most likely auto-immune.
Go to - http://www.eyevet.org/
Liver Shunt (Portosystemic): a portosystemic shunt is a blood
vessel present in fetal animals which bypass the liver carrying blood directly
from organs such as the stomach and pancreas to the heart. Upon birth the shunt
closes down allowing the liver to take over filtering, storage and production
functions. In some cases the shunt does not close down properly and the liver
is unable to grow or function properly. Symptoms are generally seen at a young
age and may include poor growth, excessive drinking and urinating, vomiting,
diarrhea, behaviourial problems such as seizures, circling, staggering,
unresponsiveness and depression. Quite often the signs are seen several hours
after being fed. In some dogs the condition may be acquired and clinical signs
would be seen later in life. In less severe cases treatment may involve low
protein diets and drugs but generally surgery to close the shunt is required.
Go to - http://papillonclub.org/PapillonHealth/shunt.html
Megasophagus: this condition is characterized by a dog's
inability to properly swallow their food due to poor muscle contraction and
relaxation of the esophagus and so instead of being moved into the stomach the
food remains in the esophagus, causing the dog to regurgitate. There are two
forms of megasophagus - congenital which is seen when a puppy is put on solid
food and adult which may be caused by diseases which may cause nerve/muscle
damage and leads to megasophagus. Once diagnosed this condition may be managed.
The major danger is aspiration pneumonia as the dog may inhale regurgitated
food materials.
Go to -
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/megaesophagus.html
Pancreatitis: an inflammation of the pancreas causing the
digestive enzymes to become active while still in the pancreas which may cause
acute (rapid in onset) or chronic (develops over a period of time)
pancreatitis. The exact cause is unknown but may include an incorrect diet,
tumours, injuries, other conditions such as Cushings or diabetes, or drug
complications. Some of the symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal
pain (tucked up posture) and lethargy or depression. There is no long term cure
for this condition but treatment is to allow resting of the pancreas to reduce
inflammation and prevent secondary complications such as dehydration or
bacterial infections. Often pain medications are required as this condition is
extremely painful during an onset. Long term management includes low fat diets
and weight loss in obese dogs.
Go to -
http://www.petdiabetes.org/pancreatitis.htm
Patella Luxation: may also be called "slipped stifles" and
describes the dislocation of the stifle (knee cap). It is seen when the
trochlea groove on the femur is shallower than normal and so the tibia and
femur are not correctly aligned allowing the patella to slip. The degrees of
patella luxation have been graded some from a Grade 1 where the examiner can
luxate the joint manually to a Grade IV where the patella cannot be manually
returned to a normal position. Symptoms may include occasional lameness in the
rear, a hopping or skipping action to dragging the rear leg in severe cases.
Surgical repair is possible.
Go to -
http://www.italiangreyhound.org/patella.html
Retinal Dysplasia: the retina is the neurological structure in
the back of the eye which receives light (images) and converts it to an
electrical signal which transmits it to the brain for interpretation. Retinal
Dysplasia is a defective development of retina where the 2 primitive layers of
the retina do not fit together properly. There are 3 degrees of retinal
dysplasia, folds (mild dysplasia) where there are folds in the inner retinal
layer, geographic where there are larger areas of defective retinal development
and detachment (severe dysplasia) where the retinal layers do not come together
at all. Retinal dysplasia is a congenital defect (a dog is born with it) and
does not progress as the dog ages.
Go to
http://www.eyevet.org/
Rough
Coats in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: little specific is known about
this condition and much information is anecdoctal. The following is compiled
from breeders who have seen this syndrome. An affected dog has a wirey, coarse
type of coat which often pulls out similar to a terrier. Almost immediately
apparent at birth. It may be accompanied by a parrot mouth (extreme overshot
bite). Many don't survive and those that do may suffer from auto-immune health
problems especially dry eye. It is most likely genetic but may have some
multi-factorial components involving mineral and vitamin deficiencies such as
selenium and/or folic acid during gestation.
Syringohyromyelia:
a disorder where a cyst or herniation known as a syrinx forms within the spinal
cord causing the flow of cerebrospinal fluid to become obstructed and
accumulate. Common symptoms of this condition are hypersensitivity around the
neck and shoulders causing an uncontrollable urge to scratch in that area.
There is quite often accompanying pain and discomfort in the neck and ear
areas. Diagnosis may be both clinical and through use of an MRI unit.
Treatments may include the use of steroids, decompression surgery or
installation of a shunt.
Go to - http://www.rhiannon-cavaliers.com/syringohydromyelia.htm
Thrombocytopenia: is where there is a reduction of the platelets
(thrombocytes) from the norm. Platelets play an important role in blood
clotting and so the decrease can mean increased bleeding. Thromocytopenia can
be of a secondary nature which means the result of another condition, eg.
Infection, tumour or drug reaction, or of a primary nature where no other
causative factor is found and thought to be an auto-immune problem. Some
symptoms might include nosebleeds, bruising on the skin or lips, blood in its
stool or urine and lethargy or weakness. Treatment generally includes steroids
and in more serious cases transfusions.
Go to
http://www.upei.ca/cidd/intro.htm
under blood disorders.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel owners please
note:
Cavaliers may have a pseudothrombocytopenia where they may have a
lower than normal platelet count or larger than normal platelets which cannot
be counted by machine and should not be considered pathological. In Cavaliers
manual counting of the platelets should be done. Unless symptomatic no
treatment is required.
For information relating to Cavaliers go
to
http://web.vet.cornell.edu/public/popmed/clinpath/CPmodules/coags/inhpltno.htmand
http://www.candog.com/cavaliers/Health/platelet.htm
Umbilical Hernia: often seen as a lump or mound of fat found on
a dog's belly. This is where the umbilical cord was attached through the
abdominal wall to the placenta allowing for the fetus to receive nutrition and
blood from the mother. After birth this area generally closes up. In some cases
the area may be slow in closing or not close at all. In the case of those that
do not close properly surgical repair may be required. However generally what
is seen is a little fat left on the outside of the abdominal wall and rarely
requires surgery. Often breeders will recommend gently massaging the fat
through the opening while the puppy is growing and the hole is closing.
Go to -
http://www.showdogsupersite.com/kenlclub/breedvet/umbilical.html
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on this site is copyrighted by Rhiannon Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and
Creature Comforts Inn. Redistribution on any other website is only
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