Canine Osteosarcoma

Canine osteosarcoma is a tumor that can develop in any bone, but affects the limbs in most cases. Larger dogs have a far greater risk of developing this type of cancer. The disease normally affects middle-aged to older dogs, but has been known to affect younger dogs as well.

Causes

Canine osteosarcoma can be caused by various things. Two of the most common causes include chemical carcinogens and radiation. Foreign metal objects inside your dog may also cause him to develop canine osteosarcoma. Abnormalities such as healed bone fractures are also a common cause.

Symptoms

The most common sign of canine osteosarcoma is lameness in the affected limb. The tumor develops deep inside the bone and causes more pain as it grows. You may also notice swelling as the tumor grows and replaces normal bone.

Diagnosis

The veterinarian will first take an x-ray to try to determine the cause of your dog’s lameness. If nothing can be determined from the x-ray, then a biopsy may be performed. A small area of bone will be removed and sent to the lab for analysis. This is the most definitive method of diagnosis.

Treatment

Canine osteosarcoma causes severe pain as the tumor grows. Therefore, treatment involves trying to limit spread of the disease as well as limit the amount of pain your dog suffers. Chemotherapy and radiation are the main methods of treatment. If your dog experiences too much pain, amputation of the affected limb may be necessary. Some vets advise for euthanasia in cases of severe pain.

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Canine Diabetes Mellitus

The pancreas is responsible for producing insulin which regulates the levels of glucose in the blood. Canine diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or the body doesn’t use the produced insulin properly.

This condition can be caused by various factors. Certain dog breeds naturally have an increased risk for developing canine diabetes mellitus. Also, different diseases such as pancreatitis and hyperadrenocorticism can cause your dog to develop diabetes. Canine diabetes mellitus can also occur as the result of prescription medications such as reproductive hormones and steroids.

Initial symptoms of canine diabetes mellitus include excessive thirst which leads to excessive urination. Your dog will also start to lose weight as fat and muscle starts to break down. The symptoms of canine diabetes mellitus get worse as the condition advances. Advanced symptoms include dehydration, anorexia, and increased onset of infections. Your dog may also become blind if cataracts develop over the eyes.

In order to diagnose canine diabetes mellitus, the veterinarian will have to perform a physical exam of your dog and review the symptoms. A blood sample will also be sent to the laboratory to check blood sugar levels. A urine sample will also prove useful to check for levels of glucose.

If your dog is diagnosed with canine diabetes mellitus, he will have to receive regular insulin shots. The amount of insulin that must be administered depends on your dog’s weight and the stage of the diabetes. Some dogs with canine diabetes mellitus receive short-range insulins which last between one and four hours. Medium-range insulins last from four to 24 hours and the long-range variety lasts from eight to 28 hours.

It may also be necessary to put your dog on a special diet. A diet high in protein and fiber is usually best. You should also make sure that the diet has few carbohydrates and fats. Dogs with canine diabetes mellitus also benefit from plenty of exercise.

Canine Diabetes Insipidus

Canine diabetes insipidus is a rare disease that can occur in two forms. The central form occurs when your dog’s pituitary gland doesn’t produce enough of an anti-diuretic hormone called vasopressine. The nephrogenic form occurs when the dog’s kidneys don’t respond to the secreted vasopressine. Vasopressine is the hormone responsible for controlling water resorption by the kidneys, so this condition is sometimes referred to as water diabetes instead of the more common sugar diabetes.

Central canine diabetes insipidus is most commonly caused by a congenital defect. However, it can also be caused by diseases of the hypothalamus or pituitary. It can also occur as a result of trauma. The nephrogenic form of canine diabetes insipidus can be caused by a congenital defect too. Other causes of this form include medications, kidney disease, and trauma.

The two most common symptoms of canine diabetes insipidus are increased thirst and urination. You may also notice that your dog’s urine will be clearer than normal.

Diagnosis of canine diabetes insipidus is done by excluding other diseases that can cause similar symptoms. These diseases include renal failure, liver disease, Cushing’s disease, and canine diabetes mellitus. Also, the veterinarian will likely perform a sonogram to take a close look at the pituitary gland.

Central canine diabetes insipidus is treated using a drug called desmopressin. This drug can be administered as nose or eye drops as well as injected under the skin. The nephrogenic form is treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and diuretics. The veterinarian may also have you place your dog on a salt-restricted diet.

Canine Bloat

Canine bloat is a life-threatening condition in which your dog’s stomach swells. This can be caused by excess fluid, gas, or both. Bloat is one of the leading causes of death for dogs and can be fatal in under an hour.

There are a few things that can cause canine bloat. One of the most common causes is exercising too soon before or after a meal. Your dog can also get canine bloat if he eats with a raised food bowl. Two other common causes include stress and gulping too much air.

The symptoms of canine bloat can be difficult to spot easily. Your dog’s abdominal area will be swollen, but it may be difficult to notice. He will also pant and salivate excessively. Dogs with canine bloat will also walk around agitated and may whine. Some dogs also retch or vomit, although nothing will come up.

As mentioned earlier, canine bloat can kill in less than an hour. Therefore, treatment is usually administered even before a definitive diagnosis has been made. Two of the most common methods of diagnosis include blood tests and x-rays.

If your dog gets canine bloat, the vet will likely administer steroids, IV fluids, anti-arrythmics and antibiotics. Then, he may insert a tube down your dog’s throat to allow the excess gas or fluid to escape. If this method of treatment fails, then the only solution is to perform surgery. A cut will be made into the stomach to give the gas or fluid a passage for escape.

You should be aware that many dogs that suffer from canine bloat have another episode in the future. To avoid a second episode, your dog may have his stomach anchored into its normal position. This will prevent it from blowing up or twisting if the dog has another case of canine bloat.

There are a few things you can do to minimize the risk of your dog getting canine bloat. You should make sure that your dog doesn’t exercise too soon before or after eating. The amount of time should be at least one hour. Also, since stress can cause canine bloat, you should try to make sure your dog doesn’t experience too many stressful situations. Dry food can also cause the condition, so you should avoid feeding your dog too much dry food.

Canine Arthritis

Canine arthritis is a condition in which your dog’s joints become inflamed. It can affect your dog if his joints are damaged by a disease or injury. Arthritis is common in older dogs.

There are a variety of things that can cause canine arthritis. One of the most common is a traumatic injury. Obese dogs are also at risk because more force is applied to the joints due to the excess weight. Although it commonly affects older dogs, canine arthritis can occur in young dogs if their bones don’t develop properly.

In cases of canine arthritis, you may notice that your dog starts to favor one of his limbs or starts to limp around. The condition can also cause the joints to become swollen. Dogs with canine arthritis also don’t like walking, jumping, or playing because of the pain. He may not even like for you to touch him.

Canine arthritis is diagnosed based on the dog’s medical history and the symptoms mentioned above. The veterinarian will also palpate the joints. An x-ray is also important so that the veterinarian can determine if there have been any joint changes caused by the case of canine arthritis. Another method of diagnosis includes drawing out and analyzing some of the joint fluid.

The most common method of treatment for canine arthritis is a course of anti-inflammatory drugs. These medications will help control inflammation and pain. If the case of canine arthritis was caused by a traumatic injury, it may be necessary it repair the ligaments surgically. If obesity was a major factor in the development of the disease, it should also be treated.

There are a few things you can do to prevent canine arthritis. They include making sure that your dog has plenty of exercise. This will also help prevent your dog from becoming overweight. A quality diet is also important when dealing with canine arthritis. You should feed your dog food that doesn’t contain preservatives, wheat, corn, soy, or food coloring.

Canine Osteosarcoma

Canine Diabetes Mellitus

Canine Diabetes Insipidus

Canine Bloat

Canine Arthritis

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