Arthritis A: Older dogs often suffer from arthritis, an inflammation of the joints in the hips, lower back, shoulders and knees. Joints tend to stiffen when they are not used for long periods of time, but become less uncomfortable as they warm up from moving. Painful, swollen, stiff joints and the resulting lameness is caused by degeneration of the cartilage. Cracks and erosion develop from injuries, autoimmune disease, and simple wear and tear due to age. Hip dysplasia and out-of-joint knees also are common causes of arthritis. Glucosamine is a nutrient naturally manufactured by the body which cushions the joints by thickening joint fluid. This makes the joint fluid more elastic, repairs cartilage in damaged arthritic joints, and creates more support by helping form new cartilage, tendons, ligaments and joint fluid. With age, the ability to manufacture Glucosamine decreases, resulting in degeneration of the joints. Cetyl Myristoleate (CM) is a potent anti-aging and anti-arthritis dietary supplement that functions as a lubricant, increasing resiliency and mobility of tissues and joints. CM also is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory nutrient -- NOT a drug -- thereby decreasing pain and swelling of joints and tissues. CM regulates the immune system, especially in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. The healing ability of CM is greatly enhanced when it is combined with other nutrients, such as Glucosamine, Boswellin, Zinc and Yucca. Your veterinarian probably will recommend X-rays to determine the cause and location of the diseases that might be causing the lameness. If your dog is overweight, an important part of treatment usually is a simple reducing diet. This decreases the work load on the affected joints. Light exercise should continue on a regular basis. For example, daily short walks on a leash over level ground would be appropriate if your pet doesn't seem to be sore the following day. Exercise also is important, even for older dogs, for maintaining muscle tone and keeping joints limber. However, overuse can aggravate the joins and accelerate degeneration. Swimming can be an ideal exercise for dogs with arthritis because it allows movement of the joints with the support of the water to reduce the effects of gravity. Be sure your dog is comfortable in the water and supervise the exercise. Afterward, rinse the coat with warm water and clean the ears with special ear cleaning and drying solution to prevent ear infections. Medical therapy using anti-inflammatory drugs such as steroids has been the most common approach to treatment of arthritis in the past. Dosage of such medications is very different for humans, so it is important to consult a veterinarian before starting treatment. Side effects caused by incorrect doses of such drugs include vomiting, stomach irritation, bleeding ulcers, decreased ability of the blood to clot and kidney problems. Nutritional supplements with high concentrations of marine lipids (fish oils) and borage oil together also can help control arthritis pain and inflammation in dogs. Never give a pet any of your own medications, such at Tylenol, Advil or Motrin. These drugs can be extremely toxic to pets and never should be used unless under direct medical supervision. Aspirin and Tylenol can kill cats and never should be used in their treatment. Surgery can be very beneficial in alleviating joint pain, increasing joint function and correcting instabilities for certain types of degenerative joint diseases. For example, it is now fairly common for dogs to have total hip replacements. Bloat A: Air that your dog swallows during exercise just before or soon after eating can cause problems if it becomes trapped in the stomach and expands without being released. The trapped air can result in a condition called gastric dilatation or "bloat," which happens most often in large breed dogs and is even more common in bigger animals like cows and horses. Sometimes the stomach also will twist, causing further complications. These torsions are extremely dangerous and often can be fatal. Bloat is a medical emergency. The first sign of the problem usually is a sudden distended, painful abdomen. The dog may be restless and try unsuccessfully to vomit. As the stomach continues to expand, it cuts off the blood supply to internal organs, and the blood also is prevented from returning to the heart to get oxygen. The larger the stomach becomes, the less space the lungs have to expand an fill with air. Breathing, therefore, becomes increasingly difficult. The dog might go into shock because of the lack of oxygen. A veterinarian will give immediate medical treatment by passing a tube down the throat into the stomach in an attempt to relieve the pressure. If the stomach is twisted, the tube usually will not pass all the way. In these cases, the stomach must be entered surgically through the abdomen. Treatment for shock includes fluids given through an intravenous catheter. X-rays are taken to evaluate the position of the stomach and to help determine if actually is twisted. Heart complications are fairly common, especially in the form of abnormal heart rates. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is used to monitor the heartbeat and rhythm. Often medication is needed to correct any abnormal rhythm. After the dog is stabilized from shock, surgery can be performed. First the stomach is decompressed, allowing the trapped gases to escape. Then it can be untwisted and inspected for areas of tissue damage which should be surgically removed. The spleen also may have to be removed if it is severely damaged. Next, the stomach is surgically sutured into place to help prevent a recurrence. To help prevent bloat in large dogs, feed several small meals instead of one large meal. Also, avoid giving your pet food or water just before or just after exercise. Breast
Cancer A: Female dogs can develop breast cancer, just like humans, especially as they start getting older. The incidence of breast cancer is dramatically reduced if your dog is spayed before her third heat cycle, usually between 6 and 12 months of age. Breast cancer is the second most common malignancy seen in dogs. Only skin cancer is more widespread. Any lumps anywhere on your pet's body should be checked immediately by a veterinarian because the key to curing cancer is early diagnosis and treatment. Your veterinarian will be able to determine if the lumps that you describe are dangerous malignant tumors or harmless benign tumors or cysts. Breast cancer lumps usually are firm, dense and often near the nipple. The mass can be movable or fixed underneath the skin, and may vary greatly in size. It may grow significantly and become open and sore within a few weeks. Other symptoms might include depression and weakness, fever, pale gums, decreased appetite or weight loss. Your veterinarian may be able to feel masses in other breast tissue, indicating the spread of the main cancer mass. Small amounts of a brown, watery discharge may be squeezed from nipples of the involved glands. When studied under a microscope, this fluid may show cancer cells. If breast cancer is suspected, your veterinarian will recommend a biopsy, blood work and X-rays to determine if the mass is malignant and has spread to other parts of the body. If there is no evidence of spread to the lungs, a partial or total mastectomy can be performed to remove the tumor and varying amounts of surrounding breast tissue. Since hormones often affect the growth of the cancer, an ovariohysterectomy (spay) usually is recommended. In addition, a vaccine sometimes is used to stimulate the animal's immune system to reduce the size of the cancer before surgery. Chemotherapy also may be recommended. Early diagnosis and treatment of cancerous tumors can prolong a pet's life. Unfortunately, malignant tumors can grow rapidly and spread to other parts of the body. Remember if a female dog is spayed before one year of age, the risk of breast cancer is reduced dramatically. Breath
& Body Odor A: Your pet probably has several different problems that all result in this stinky situation. Here's a four-step plan to follow: First, make sure that she is on a high-quality, premium pet food diet. Second, brush your dog's teeth and gums at least once a week. Dental hygiene can cause more serious problems than bad breath. Tartar and plaque indicate excessive bacteria in the mouth, which can result in infections, gum disease (gingivitis) and loss of teeth. Bacteria can even be released into the bloodstream, causing damage to the heart or other organs. Be sure to take your pet to the veterinarian for an annual dental checkup and cleaning. Third, shampoo your dog with an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal shampoo. Fourth, clean out your dog's ears before each bath. Cancer A: Dogs and cats get cancer just like humans do -- and for most of the same reasons. Cancer researchers are quite certain about three things: Cancer is influenced by genetic programming, so the tendency to get cancer can be hereditary; cancer can be influenced by various elements in the environment, including secondary cigarette smoke, radiation, radon gas, diet and toxic chemicals; and cancer takes advantage of weak immune systems, which in cats can be caused by such diseases as the feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or feline AIDS (FIV). Cancers can affect any organ system. Primary cancers originate in one organ and then can spread or metastasize from one site to other organ systems by the blood or lymph systems. Skin cancers are the most common type of tumors. Squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell tumors often are caused by excessive sun exposure, especially in white and pink-skinned dogs and cats. The cancers most often appear on the ears or noses, around the eyes and on sun-bathed tummies. Help your pet avoid the sun. Use waterproof No. 15 SPF sunblock on the exposed areas of your pet's skin. Black dogs are susceptible to melanomas, which are cancers of the cells that produce pigment. Melanocytes can grow out of control in the mouth and skin, causing a black mass or swelling. They are highly malignant. Mast cell tumors occur commonly in the skin of older dogs, especially boxers and Boston terriers. If the mast cell spreads to the bone marrow and spleen, it is very serious. The second most common type of cancer is mammary gland cancer in female dogs and cats. Breast cancers usually occur in older unspayed females. Spaying your female before her third heat cycle reduces the chance of breast cancer to almost zero. A mass or swelling may be the only sign of a tumor. Blood cancers are the next most common forms of cancer. Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. It affects any of the white blood cells and in cats is caused by the feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Bone tumors are more often seen in large or giant breed dogs. Cancer of the lymph nodes is called lymphosarcoma. Lung cancer in pets can be caused by secondary cigarette smoke, just like in humans. Dogs with longer noses are less likely to develop lung cancer but more likely to develop nasal cancer, because the nose acts like a filtration system. Male dogs sometimes develop cancer in a retained testicle.Females can suffer from ovarian cancer. Tumors that develop around the eye tend to be benign and grow slowly. However, squamous cell carcinomas may involve the skin around the eye and can be fatal. There are several ways to help protect your pet from getting cancer.
Cancer treatments depend on the type of tumor and the stage that it has reached when diagnosed. Early diagnosis is always very important for successful treatment. Surgical removal of the tumor is the preferred treatment. However, if the tumor is diffuse or has spread, radiation and chemotherapy often are used. Diabetes A: There are various medical problems that can cause dogs and cats to lose weight while increasing their intake of food and water. One of the most common, especially among older cats that have a weight problem, is diabetes mellitus. Diabetes is an inability to produce or use insulin properly. Low insulin levels result in an increase in the cat's blood sugar. When the blood sugar levels get too high, the sugar "spills" over into the urine. The body essentially begins starving for energy when the sugar is lost in the urine. If left untreated, diabetes can be fatal. The early symptoms include weight loss, weakness, excessive hunger and thirst, and excessive urination. Eventually, acids can build up in the blood, which may result in vomiting, coma and death. Your veterinarian can test for diabetes with a blood panel and a urinalysis. Diabetes in cats and dogs is controlled the same was as in humans -- usually with a special diet and insulin injections given each day at home. Pets with diabetes must have a very consistent diet, with exactly the same kinds and amounts of food at each meal. Your veterinarian can provide a prescription diet designed specifically for pets with diabetes. Your veterinarian also will show you how to give insulin to your cat each day. Learning to inject insulin under your cat's skin is not difficult after a little practice. In addition, you will need to test your cat's urine daily to determine the proper doses of insulin. Always keep some sugar syrup available to rub on your pet's gums if her blood sugar ever unexpectedly drops too low, causing convulsions. Your cat's blood sugar levels will be tested periodically in the veterinary hospital to make sure she is stabilized and on a maintenance level of insulin. If your pet's insulin level is kept under control, she can live a fairly normal life. However, cats with diabetes are prone to have suppressed immune systems, making them more susceptible to infections, cataracts and other medical problems. Diabetes usually occurs in animals older than 6 years of age. Spaying or neutering often is recommended for pets with diabetes because hormones can affect the level of insulin in their bodies. Epilepsy A: Poodles are more prone than most other breeds to suffer from epileptic seizures, which can result in the symptoms that you describe. An epileptic seizure is a recurring abnormal electrical pattern in the brain that can cause a variety of symptoms, including muscle spasms, shaking or collapse. Sometimes head injuries or the effects of medical problems such as liver or kidney disease or even distemper can result in epilepsy, although often the cause is unknown. Inheritance definitely plays a role in many cases. Epileptic dogs should never be used for breeding purposes. There are three stages of an epileptic seizure. In the aura stage, or pre-seizure, the animal can sense the onset and may act restless or show abnormal behavior such as whining, hiding or pacing. This stage may occur minutes or days before the seizure. The second stage, an actual seizure, usually lasts only a few minutes. In addition to shaking, your pet may run in circles, experience rhythmic muscle contractions or facial twitching, salivate, urinate, defecate, vomit, paddle wildly with the legs or completely collapse. The third stage, or recovery, can last for several hours or several days. Some animals seem disoriented or uncoordinated, and occasionally temporary blindness occurs. Other animals show virtually no symptoms except fatigue during the recovery stage. Your veterinarian should give your pet a complete physical examination and probably will recommend blood tests and X-rays to determine if there is a specific cause of the seizures other than a hereditary epilepsy. If an infection or tumor is not discovered, medication can be given to prevent or control abnormal electrical patterns in the brain. Epileptic seizures often become more frequent and violent if they are not treated, so it is important to seek medical help for your pet as soon as possible. Sometimes epileptic episodes can be so severe that anti-seizure medication must be injected directly into a vein to avoid a coma, irreversible brain damage or even death. When your pet has a seizure, remain calm and avoid getting bitten. Do not interfere other than removing any sharp objects from the area that might cause injury to your pet. If the seizure lasts for more than five minutes, call your veterinarian for emergency help. Heart
Attack A: Congestive heart failure occurs when a dog's heart is unable to maintain an adequate blood flow and cannot give the body enough oxygen. The options for treatment depend on the exact cause of the problem. There are many different kinds of heart failure in dogs. Congenital heart disease is an abnormality of the heart at birth. Your veterinarian will check for this condition during the puppy's first exam. Any puppy that doesn't gain weight or grow normally should be checked for heart problems. Another common heart ailment is due to problems with heart valves. This type of heart failure usually comes on very slowly, and dogs with this condition often can do very well on heart medications for long periods of time. Another heart problem involves abnormal conduction of the impulses in the heart. This often is seen in older cocker spaniels and dachshunds. Medications can act as a chemical pacemaker in many of these cases. Heartworm disease has become a more common cause of heart failure in dogs. Check with your veterinarian to determine if you live in a heartworm risk area. Prevention of heartworm-related heart disease is quite easy by giving your dog monthly medication. The first sign of heart disease often is coughing. The heart enlarges to compensate for less efficient pumping of blood and puts pressure on the bronchial tubes. Another common symptom of heart disease is fatigue or heavy panting after mild exercise. In heart failure, fluid can build up in the animal's chest or abdomen. The breathing can become very labored, rapid and shallow. The dog may extend its neck in an attempt to get more oxygen. The heart rate may be too fast or slow, the gums may become pale or blue and the blood circulation drops, leading to weakness, collapse and sudden death. A veterinarian may be able to hear heart murmurs that often are present if your pet is having heart problems. Special tests such as ultrasound, ECG studies and X-rays can help determine the exact causes of the heart disease. A veterinary heart specialist can even do special dye studies on the heart and its vessels, just like in human medicine. Treatment of heart problems often includes restricted exercise, heart medications and a special prescription diet that is low in salt and protein. Surgery may be necessary in some cases. Heartworm A: Heartworm is a deadly disease carried by mosquitoes, and in many parts of the country it has become a serious epidemic. Now the disease is gradually spreading wherever there are mosquitoes. In many parts of the world, heartworm is the single biggest health problem for dogs. Dog owners who want to be careful and protect their pets from this spreading, life-threatening disease should ask their veterinarians to test their pets for heartworm. If your dog tests negative, your veterinarian will recommend a simple preventive program, usually consisting of one tablet of medication each month. This not only protects your pet, but helps stop the spread of this disease. It is very important never to give heartworm medication to dogs that have not been tested or that have tested positive for heartworm because it can make them very sick. It is particularly critical for any dog that travels to areas where heartworm is a problem to be tested for heartworm and put on a preventive program. The spread of heartworm begins when a mosquito bites an infected dog. The mosquito withdraws blood containing microscopic immature heartworm larvae called microfilaria. Inside the mosquito, the microfilaria undergo a series of changes, and within two or three weeks develop into infective larvae. The larvae are then passed into another dog when the mosquito takes its next blood meal. Continuing their development in the dog, the larvae mature into adult worms in about six months. Adult heartworms are six to ten inches long and collect primarily in the right chambers of the heart and in blood vessels that take blood to the lungs. Microfilaria are continually released by female heartworms and circulate throughout the dog's body. The adult heartworms cause damage by increasing the work load of the heart and impairing circulation to the lungs, liver and kidneys. When heartworm begins affecting the dog's heart, signs include coughing, lack of energy and reduced appetite. If a blood test for heartworms is positive, the dog usually is given intravenous medication to kill the worms. The dog must be monitored very carefully during this time because it may become very sick as the heartworms die. Symptoms of heartworm disease usually are not evident until after major organs have been damaged. This makes early detection and prevention very important. Hypothyroidism A: Hypothyroidism is a common hereditary disease in dogs. The thyroid gland is like a thermostat that controls the metabolism of cells throughout the body, including the skin and hair. Often dogs that are hypothyroid have dull, dry, brittle hair coats, a slow metabolism, lethargy and fatigue. They tend to gain weight easily. Hypothyroidism also may cause excessive shedding, hair loss in a symmetrical pattern, dry scaling dandruff, oily scaling dandruff, skin infections, and a "sad dog" look, with sleepy or droopy eyes and puffy skin that results in a tragic facial expression. The skin often becomes hyperpigmentated so that it looks black. Hypothyroidism also can present a wide variety of other symptoms, including a slow heart rate and depressed immune system. As a result, veterinarians sometimes call it "the great impersonator." Your veterinarian can test your dog's thyroid. If there is a problem, thyroid medication can make a dramatic difference. In addition, medicated bathing, coat conditioning, and the addition of certain essential fatty acids to the diet are all very important for healing the hypothyroid dog. If laboratory tests indicate that your dog is hypothyroid, medication given daily in appropriate doses often clears up the abnormalities caused by low thyroid function within about three months. A post-pill test four to six weeks after medication is started will determine if the proper dosage of thyroid is being given. Hypothyroid dogs can live normal, active lives, but they must always stay on medication to compensate for their inability to produce proper levels of thyroid. In
addition to the medication, hypothyroid dogs should have a healthful
diet to provide the proper nutrients for the body to heal. Antibiotics
often are prescribed to treat skin infections. Medicated bathing and
coat conditioning are essential to remove the dead skin and falling
hairs, and to keep new skin and hair healthy. Pyometra A: Pyometra is an infection of the uterus. This condition is a life-threatening medical emergency, especially if bacterial infection is trapped in the uterus because the cervix, or neck of the uterus, is closed. Pyometras usually occur in middle-aged or older dogs and cats that haven't been spayed. The problem most often starts two to three weeks after a heat cycle. A pet with pyometra shows a wide variety of symptoms because toxins rapidly build up in its system. The animal often becomes depressed, refuses to eat, suffers from vomiting and diarrhea, wants to drink large quantities of water and urinates more than normal. If the cervix is open, you may notice a yellow or reddish discharge. Sometimes the pet may constantly lick the area, thereby eliminating any signs of discharge. Pet owners who notice any of these symptoms should get their animals checked immediately by a veterinarian. Emergency action must be taken to prevent kidney damage from the toxins or possible rupture of the uterus which would release pus into the abdomen. Diagnosis can be made by physical exam, blood test, X-ray, ultrasound and microscopic examination of vaginal discharge. Surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus (ovariohysterectomy) is the usually treatment. Certain drugs sometimes can be used instead of surgery in the treatment of pyometras in important breeding bitches. Researchers don't understand all of the factors that cause pyometras, but animals that have never been pregnant, that experience irregular estrous cycles or that have false pregnancies are more likely to develop pyometras as they get older. The best treatment for a pyometra is prevention. The potential problem can be eliminated by having female dogs or cats spayed before 1 year of age. This surgery also dramatically decreases the chances that the pet ever will have breast cancer. The Vet Clinic is not intended to be a substitute for visits to your local veterinarian, either for regular physical exams, annual dental checkups or necessary treatments when your pet has health problems. Instead, The Vet Clinic offers the pet owner information written by a veterinarian about animal health care and natural, premium-quality products that can have dramatic results without the use of drugs, chemicals, harsh pesticides, or low-grade ingredients.
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