Common Diseases in the Dog- K-O

COMMON DISEASES AFFECTING DOGS

[All diseases listed under commonly used name]

DISEASE

ALTERNATE NAMES

DESCRIPTION

SYMPTOMS

KENNEL COUGH

Bortadella

Infectious Tracheo Bronchitis

Common and very contagious disease of the respiratory system caused by the Parainfluenza virus or Bordatella bacteria

Dry hacking cough, sounding like a 'honk' which can be severe. Sometimes the dog will cough up mucus, have a discharge down the nose with difficulty breathing.. Depending on the severity of the infection, the dog may exhibit lethargy, reluctance to eat, fever, runny eyes and/or nose and depression. I pneumonia occurs as a complication the disease can even be fatal. [more information]

KIDNEY DISEASE

With proper diagnosis and treatment these infections can be treated effectively with antibiotics and, in most cases, result in complete recovery. Chronic Kidney disease progresses over a number of years, and often goes un noticed. Leptospira bacterium can cause acute renal failure. However, other bacteria can also cause kidney infections, invading the urinary tract, the bladder or prostate, and travelling into the kidneys

Dogs with chronic kidney disease drink copiuos amounts of water which leads to the production of huge amounts of urine.

DISEASE	ALTERNATE NAMES	DESCRIPTION	SYMPTOMS
LIVER DISEASE	-	Liver disease is a general term used to describe any medical disorder of the liver. The liver is responsible for removing toxins from your dog's bloodstream and can amazingly still perform this function with up to 75-80% of it affected by disease.	Jaundice - Eyes, Gums and skin turn a yellowy color, Vomiting, this may or may not be accompanied by blood, Diarroeah, again this may or may not be accompanied by blood, urinary changes may occur such as frequent urination and increased thirst, urine may turn orange, stools may be pale grey, orange or even yellow in color, depression or lethargy - your dog may seem withdrawn and apathetic along with other behavioural changes such as aimless pacing around and circling and sometimes a swollen abdomen. (more information)
LIVER SHUNT	-	Liver shunts are a congenital problem where the liver is bypassed by the blood stream. Since the liver cleans the blood, a shunt needs to be corrected to remove toxins that may accumulate. Treatment options include medications and surgery.	Symptoms of liver shunts in dogs usually show up at an early age and usually impact the central nervous system or the gastrointestinal system. Symptoms include: depression, faillure to grow at a normal rate behavioural changes, weaknes or lethargy, seizures, inability to gain weight, too much weight gain, vomiting and diarrhoea. In some cases, signs of a canine liver shunt don't show up until a dog is older, when kidney and bladder problems such as stones develop. Breeds more disposed of a Liver Shunt are Yorkshire Terriers Irish Wolfhounds Maltese Australian Shepherds Labrador Retrievers Toy Breeds (more information)
LYME DISEASE	Borreliosis	Caused by the spirochete bacteria transmitted through the bite of an infected tick.	Relatively rare in the UK. Majority of dogs have signs of limping (usually one foreleg), lymph node swelling in the affected limb, and a temperature of 103 degrees. (more information)
LEPTOSPIROSIS	-	A bacterial disease which is carried by wild animals. Dogs can contract the disease from infected animals or by drinking contaminated water which a rat has urinated into.	During the first 4-12 days following infection with Leptospira, the dog may experience sudden symptoms of fever (103-105 o F), depression, vomiting, loss of appetite, conjunctivitis, and generalized pain. Within 2 days of the onset of these primary symptoms, the body temperature may drop suddenly and there may be a noticeable increase in thirst. There will be a change in the colourr of the dogs urine (from lemon to deep orange colour) along with jaundice intensity of the urine may vary from lemon to deep orange. Frequent urination and subsequent dehydration are consistent with the invasion of the kidney tubule cells by the Leptospira organism and usually present within a few days of the primary symptoms. In advanced cases of infection, profound depression, difficulty breathing, muscular tremors, bloody vomitus and feces are often observed as the infection progresses to include the liver, gastrointestinal system and other organs.
LEUKEMIA	-	Leukemia is a cancer of the blood, whereby there is a large increase in the number of white blood cells. Leukemia results from a genetic change in the bone marrow. There are several types, which are classified by the main type of white blood cells involved.	Symptoms of canine leukemia include loss of appetite, weight loss, tiredness and sometimes a limp. Your vet will also look for an enlargement in the lymph nodes, spleen or liver. Other symptoms include increased drinking, more unitation, bleeding disorders and pale gums. The treatment consists in reducing the number of white cells which usually leads to temporary remission. If the number of white cells reaches a critical number, the treatment is repeated. The prognosis for acute leukemia is poor, it is more optimistic in case of chronic leukemia and some dogs have been reported to live from several months to years.
LUNGWORM	Angiostrongylus Vasorurnis	A parasite worm living off the heart and arteries of the lungs of the dog and fox. The larval form of the form is carried by slugs and snails. Infection occurs when a dogs eats an infected slug or snail when the larve or slug migrate from the intestine of the dog to the heart and lungs and develop into adult worms.	Can become infected by eating a slug or snail which contain the larval form of the worm. You may not see this, and owners of pets have suffered from this disease unaware that their pet ate a slug or snail. Signs are coughing, rapid breathing (which can seem like kennel cough), and signs associated with leeding such as bruises, vomiting, and diarrhoea with blood. Contact your vet immediately as this can be a life threatening infection and early treatment is essential. More information

DISEASE	ALTERNATE NAMES	DESCRIPTION	SYMPTOMS
MEGAESOPHAGUS	Megaesophaus Dilated Esophagus Esophagael Achalasia	Esophagael muscles fail to force food into the stomach, esophagus is stretched or dilated.	Regurgitation of undigested food, weight loss, and failure to thrive
MERTRITIS	-	Inflammation of the uterus associated with labour	Fever, vaginal discharge, loss of appetitie and listlessness. Potentially life-threatening.
MALASEZZIA	Yeast infection	Malassezia pachydermatitis is a common yeast organism that is found on normal and abnormal canine skin and ears. On normal healthy skin it causes no problems, but when the environment of the skin is altered for any one of many reasons, Malassezia can cause severe dermatitis or otitis (inflammation of the skin or ears respectively). Some of the factors that can lead to Malassezia dermatitis include moisture (as in dogs with skin folds or floppy ears with narrow ear canals), excessive waxy or scaly build-up (as in seborrhea), and allergic and bacterial skin disease.	Malassezia ear and/or skin infections are extremely itchy. It may be confined to the ears, lips, muzzle, inner thighs, or feet, and dogs may chew their feet or scratch in a frenzied manner at the muzzle or ears with its front paws. With ear infection there is often head shaking, pain if the ear is touched, and a waxy discharge. Dogs with more generalized Malassezia dermatitis have reddened, itchy, crusty skin, and are often greasy, scaly and smelly.
MAST CELL TUMOUR	MCT	Mast cell tumurs are the most common skin tumors in dogs. They have a wide range of appearance and behaviour, which can make them challenging to diagnose and treat.	Boxers and SBT's are more susceptible as a breed but tend to have less aggressive tumours. Shar-pei are also more susceptible but tend to have more aggresive tumors. Golden retrievers tend to develop multiple tumors. Animals with rapidly growing tumors and those having vomiting, loss of appetite, widespread swelling and reddness have a poorer prognosis. Those with tumors growing over months and even years have a much better prognosis.
MAMMARY TUMOURS	Growths within the mammary gland	A well defined lump in the mammary gland which shows increased growth when the bitch is in heat, and are quite common in bitches, with around 75% of bitches developing mammary tumours if they are left entire.	If a lump is detected early enough and is only the size of a pea, a vet can surgically remove them, together with sometimes removing some of the mammary glands and the local lymph nodes.

DISEASE	ALTERNATE NAMES	DESCRIPTION	SYMPTOMS
NERVOUS SYSTEM	-	Certain diseases, [Distemper and Rabies] attack the dog's nervous system. Rabies is deadly, and with Distemper the dog may be crippled. There are also diseases of lesser intensity that attack the nervous system only temporarily, such as Eclampsia, the result of an imbalance of calcium and other minerals in the female dog's system during pregnancy or nursing. Poison [chemical or natural] may also attack the nervous system.	The easiest indication that the nervous system has been affected is excessive shaking, barking, fits, convulsions, and often paralysis. While many of these conditions are frightening, some may clear up, dependant on the cause, provided they are treated in time.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs information	NSAID's	Often used to treat post-surgical pain, NSAIDs are more effective when used together with other pain relief medications, and in well-hydrated pets with normal blood pressure and kidney function. Although in many pets NSAIDs can be used safely for post-surgical pain relief for a short period of time (3 - 5 days), it is important to carefully follow the precribed dosage.	Older dogs who are often dehydrated, and take multiple medications, ie: heart medications, which can increase the toxicity of NSAIDs like Rimadyl, have suffered organ disease or failure. For long term use dogs should be regularly screened for underlying problems and side effects.
NOSE and Nasal Passages Diseases	Rhinitis Nasal Tumours	Inflammation of the nose ie: Rhinitis, may be symptoms of another disease, ie: Distemper, Kennel Cough.	A discharge from one nostril only may indicate a foreign body, such as a grass seed awn, or there may be a fungal infection. A nose bleed may be due to an injury, or can be a sign of a polyp and adenocarcinoma.
NORWEGIAN SCABIES	Sarcoptic Mange	Scabies is a very contagious disease due to the developmenet and reproduction of a specific mite on the skin. It is thought that 50% of exposed dogs will develop the disease. It represents 2 to 4 % of dermatology cases and is one of the major causes of pruritus (itching) in dogs.	The skin will become red, with hair loss in patches.
NEUTERING [Males]	Spaying	Evidence shows that spaying/neutering dogs gives both positive and adverse health effects in dogs. Apart from the obvious benefit of unwanted attention from a male while the female is in her heat cycle and unplanned puppies, listed are a few other benefits and negatives in both male and female canines. [for negative and positive on females - see Common Name 'Spaying'']	Benefits - [Males] Eliminates the small risk of testicular cancer Reduces the risk of non cancerous prostate disoders 'May' reduce the risk of diabetes Negative - [Males] iIf done before maturity, will increase the risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer) a common cancer in medium/large and larger breeds Increaes the risk of hemangiosarcoma The risk of hypothyroidism and obesity is trebled The risk of prostate cancer is four times as likely The risk of urinary tract tract cancers increases by double More likely to have an adverse reaction to annual innoculations An increase in the risk of orthopaedic disorders.
NYMPHOMANIA	Increased Libido	In bitches, used to describe those that come into heat more frequently than the average, and those which are perpetually pestered by male dogs.	Thought to be associated with enlarged or persistent follicles in the ovaries that produce increased amounts of the female sex hormone 'oestrogen'. Bitches may bleed for six weeks or more, and have a short oestrous cycle, ie: coming into heat more frequently than is normal.

DISEASE	ALTERNATE NAMES	DESCRIPTION	SYMPTOMS
OBESITY	-	Most dogs are opportunistic scavengers and Obesity is an important health issue because it may contribute to a shorter lifespan and increased risk of arthritis, cancer, diabetes and a need for surgery.	A dog at its ideal weight should have ribs that can be easily felt with a thin a thin layer of fat. An overweight pet has a noticeable paunch, a broader conformation and ribs cannot be seen or felt easily. Fat dogs don't have the "tuck" normally seen in front of the hindquarters. When a dog is overweight it should be examined by a vet to rule out endocrine or metabolic disorders before commencing a weight loss programme.
OTIS EXTERNA	Ear Disease	Inflammation of the ear	Pain and discomfort, and some degree of irritability. Ear scratching, head shaking and an unpleasant aroma. Causes are widespread from ear mites to allergies.
OSTEOARTHRITIS	Arthritis DJD	Osteoarthritis is by far the most common type of Arthritis in older dogs. It is properly known as degenerative joint disease (DJD), and involves a progressive deterioration of the articular cartilage in moveable joints.	Osteoarthritis is often noticed if a dog becomes lame and starts limping. This is much easier to spot when only one joint is affected because the gait will become abnormal with the "favouring" of one leg. A common symptom is the dog will be very stiff following rest but will improve once they start to move around. Sometimes the problem comes to light when a dog is less able to jump into the car or go up stairs.. Dogs do not often cry out in pain when affected with arthritis but they may become irritable, nervous and less active, because they are in chronic pain. If your dog shows any of these signs or just seems to be slowing down and getting old arthritis is a likely cause.
ORAL TUMOUR	Epuli Basal Cell Carcinomas Ameloblastomas	An epulis is the name for a swelling on the gums. Several different tumours share this name, often of different origins including the tooth-socket lining and lining epithelium of the mouth. Most epuli are not cancerous but overgrowths as a reaction to trauma .The tumors often have a fairly typical appearance. X-rays are useful in detecting whether tumors have invaded the bones and will guide surgery. Loss of bone adjacent to the tumour usually means a poorer outlook because malignant gum tumors destroy bone whereas benign ones tend to make the adjacent bone grow.	An Epuli is when a dog develops a hard, purplish lump surrounding a tooth. These lumps occur when the underlying bone gets a little knobby and pushes the gum outward. As with lumpy gums, Epuli are only a problem when they get big enough to interfere with chewing. They can grow quickly, and vets usually recommend removing them before they have a chance to cause problems.