Canine Kidney Failure

Canine kidney failure is a condition in which your dog’s kidneys can no longer remove toxins from the blood. Since the kidneys can’t remove the toxins, they simply build up. This is a very serious condition and is usually fatal once finally diagnosed.

Types

There are two types of canine kidney failure, namely acute and chronic. Acute kidney failure occurs suddenly and can sometimes be reversed. Chronic kidney failure occurs over the course of months and years. This type of canine kidney failure is not reversible.

Causes

There are many different factors that can cause both acute and chronic canine kidney failure. One of the most common causes is when your dog ingests chemicals such as pesticide, herbicide, and antifreeze. Certain medications can also bring about a case of canine kidney failure. These include antibiotics, blood pressure, and anti-inflammatory medications.

Symptoms

If your dog is suffering from canine kidney failure, he will display a variety of symptoms. They include loss of appetite, depression, fever, and weight loss. Your dog will also experience increased thirst which in turn leads to increased urination.

Diagnosis

As mentioned earlier, chronic canine kidney failure occurs over the course of months and years. Therefore, it is often diagnosed only when it has reached later stages. The veterinarian will have to perform a complete physical exam and also go over your dog’s medical history. A blood and urine test will also need to be performed in order to diagnose canine kidney failure accurately.

Treatment

Kidney tissue can’t regenerate, so treatment focuses on making your dog more comfortable. Like the human version of the disease, canine kidney failure can be treated with dialysis. In severe cases, your dog may need a kidney transplant. Both of these treatment methods are expensive for the owner. Dialysis will also prove to be time-consuming.

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Canine Pancreatic Cancer

The pancreas is responsible for producing hormones and digestive enzymes. Canine pancreatic cancer is a difficult condition to treat, and usually proves to be fatal. Your dog will likely only show symptoms once the disease has progressed to an advanced stage.

Tumors usually develop in the pancreas as a result of canine pancreatic cancer. Therefore, you may notice that your dog’s stool has blood in it. Most dogs also experience seizures, lethargy, and loss of coordination. Other symptoms of canine pancreatic cancer include vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.

As mentioned earlier, symptoms of canine pancreatic cancer usually don’t show until the later stages. Therefore, diagnosis isn’t made until the condition has already progressed. The veterinarian will have to perform enzyme and blood tests in order to determine if canine pancreatic cancer is to blame for the symptoms.

Unfortunately, canine pancreatic cancer is very difficult to treat effectively. Surgery is one of the common methods of treatment, but is useless if the disease has already spread to other organs. Gastrointestinal bypass surgery may also be performed if the tumor will eventually cause bowel obstruction.

Other treatment options for canine pancreatic cancer include radiation and prescription drugs. So that the pancreas won’t have to secrete digestive enzymes, the veterinarian may choose to withhold food from your dog. In this situation, your dog will need an IV to provide vital nutrients and vitamins.

The prognosis for a dog with canine pancreatic cancer is poor. Most dogs don’t live longer than a year after displaying symptoms of the disease.

Canine Prostate Cancer

Canine prostate cancer is an extremely aggressive disease that usually targets older dogs. The cancer cells can spread to other areas of the body such as lymph nodes, bones, and lungs. The disease can occur with no known cause and can affect castrated and non-castrated canines. To make matters worse, the condition usually goes undetected until it has advanced to the later stages.

Two of the most common symptoms of canine prostate cancer include general pain and weight loss. The prostate gland will become enlarged and push against the wall of your dog’s urethra. This will make it very difficult for him to urinate and blood may be present in the urine. Also, canine prostate cancer usually weakens a dog’s hind legs. You may notice that your dog has an arched back and takes shorter steps while walking.

As mentioned earlier, canine prostate cancer usually goes undetected until the later stages of the disease. The disease can be detected via urine tests, ultrasound scans, and contrast x-rays. The veterinarian may even insert a camera into your dog. Although these methods prove useful, the most definitive method of diagnosing canine prostate cancer is to perform a biopsy of the rectal wall.

Treatment for canine prostate cancer includes radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, most dogs with the disease won’t respond to anti-androgen drugs to fight the cancer. Also, a dog’s prostate is more complex than a human’s prostate, so surgery can prove to be very dangerous. Most cases of canine prostate cancer are treated with chemotherapy and radiation.

The prognosis for a dog with canine prostate cancer is very bleak. After diagnosis, the average dog will survive for approximately six weeks. Most dogs with canine prostate cancer won’t survive for more than a year.

Canine Lymphoma

Canine lymphoma is a condition in which cancer cells can grow anywhere there is lymph tissue. Therefore, the cancer cells can grow in almost any organ in your dog’s body and will eventually cause one of them to fail. This disease commonly occurs in middle-aged dogs.

The most common symptom of canine lymphoma is swelling of the lymph nodes. Since the disease can invade virtually any part of the body, other symptoms will depend on the location affected. If canine lymphoma occurs in the chest, your dog will have likely experience shortness of breath. If the disease occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, your dog may suffer weight loss, lack of appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Two of the most common methods of diagnosis for canine lymphoma include urine and blood tests. The veterinarian will also notice that lymph nodes near the skin surface are enlarged. A biopsy may be performed on one of the swollen lymph nodes to confirm the diagnosis. The biopsy will also give more information on the severity of the disease.

The preferred method of treatment for canine lymphoma is chemotherapy. Most dogs that undergo this treatment go into remission. The chemotherapy drugs can be given orally at home or as an injection at the vet’s office. Dogs that are in stage 5 of canine lymphoma, the stage where bone marrow is affected, don’t respond well to chemotherapy drugs.

Treatment for canine lymphoma is relatively effective, but can also get expensive. Dogs that have one remission can usually go into remission a second time. However, the second remission usually lasts half as long as the first. Most dogs undergoing treatment for canine lymphoma can survive one to two more years after diagnosis.

Canine Anemia

Canine anemia is a condition that occurs when there is a lack of red blood cells in your dog’s body. It occurs when red blood cells aren’t produced fast enough or when the body loses them too quickly. Anemia is a symptom of disease, but is not a disease itself.

There are many things that can cause canine anemia. One of the most common is blood loss caused by injury or trauma. Another cause is a disease that prevents blood from clotting. Canine anemia also occurs because of parasites such as worms, ticks, and fleas. Other causes include cancer and hypothyroidism.

Canine anemia causes a variety of symptoms. The most noticeable symptoms include pale eyes, ears, and gums. Dogs with anemia may also suffer from depression and start to sleep more than they usually do. Other symptoms include fatigue, increased heart rate, and decrease in appetite.

Diagnosis involves trying to find a cause for canine anemia. This may involve a bone marrow biopsy to check for leukemia. Blood tests will also be performed to check for the presence of immature red blood cells and parasites. A stool sample can also be tested for parasites, while a urine sample will provide information about organ function.

If the case of canine anemia is severe, a blood transfusion may be necessary. This will give time to look for the cause of the anemia and treat it. Mild cases don’t require a blood transfusion. If the condition occurs because of an autoimmune disease, prednisone may be given to suppress the immune system.

Canine Hyperthyroidism

Canine hyperthyroidism is characterized by the overproduction of thyroxine, a hormone secreted by the thyroid gland. Although a rare condition for dogs, it usually affects middle-aged to older dogs. The disease progresses slowly, but can affect many different organ systems.

The most common cause of canine hyperthyroidism is cancer of the thyroid gland. The cancer cells cause a mass to form on the gland which impedes proper functioning. The gland will then start producing too much thyroxine.

The most common symptom of canine hyperthyroidism is weight loss. Your dog will lose weight although he will have a larger than usual appetite. Other symptoms of this condition include elevated heart rate, increased urination, and hyperactivity. In some cases, dogs may have decreased activity, weakness, and a small appetite.

There are a number of blood tests used to diagnose canine hyperthyroidism. Although your dog may have this condition, the levels of thyroid hormones in the blood may be normal. Therefore, the veterinarian may request a second test be done in a couple of weeks. The vet will also need to perform a physical exam to check for an elevated heart rate or enlarged thyroid gland.

Canine hyperthyroidism can be treated with a drug to control the production of thyroid hormones. Another treatment option is surgery. Your dog will have one or both of his thyroid glands removed surgically. However, surgery to treat hyperthyroidism can result in your dog developing canine hypothyroidism. This is a condition in which there are too few hormones produced.

Canine Scabies

Canine scabies is a condition caused by an infestation of mites. This infestation is highly contagious. The mites can easily infest cats and other animals as well as humans.

The mites that cause canine scabies burrow just below the surface on your dog’s skin. However, they sometimes crawl around on the surface of the skin. The mites live by feeding on material on and in the skin.

If your dog is suffering from this condition, he will suffer intense itching. The severe itching causes your dog to scratch and bite the area a lot. This normally leads to secondary skin infections. Canine scabies can also cause crusting and hair loss. The areas around the ears and elbows most often lose hair first.

Diagnosis of this condition is usually made based on visual symptoms. The veterinarian may also choose to take skin scrapings from the affected areas. These scrapings will need to be examined microscopically to check for the presence of mites. However, these mites are usually found on dogs anyway, so this method isn’t entirely accurate.

If your dog has a localized infestation, it can usually be treated with various medicated shampoos. Your dog will need to be washed with these shampoos once a week for at least a month. After this, it’s best to take your dog back to the veterinarian to see if the condition requires additional treatment.

As mentioned earlier, canine scabies is highly contagious. If you have other dogs in the home that have come into contact with an infected dog, you should have them checked out. It’s also a good idea to throw away all bedding that was used. At the very least, you should wash all bedding materials thoroughly to get rid of any mites that may be present.

Canine Valley Fever

Dogs who live in the desert regions of the Southwest United States primarily contract canine valley fever. These states include Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and the central deserts of California. It is usually not a life-threatening disease, but does require extensive treatment.

Canine valley fever is caused by fungus that lives in desert soil. When the soil is disturbed, your dog may inhale the spores. Usually the dog’s immune system will be able to kill the infection. However, if the immune system fails to act quickly enough, the infection will spread to the lungs and throughout the body and result in canine valley fever.

The infection that causes canine valley fever can infect any tissue of the body, but the lungs are the most commit site. When the infection occurs in the lungs, your dog will show symptoms such as coughing, fever, weight loss, and lack of energy. He can also develop a severe pneumonia as the infection progresses.

If canine valley fever spreads to other parts of the body, the disease will worsen. This will lead to symptoms like swelling of the limbs, neck or back pain, seizures, and swollen lymph nodes. Your dog may also have skin ulcerations and inflammation of the eyes.

Treatment

Treatment of canine valley fever requires anti-fungal medication taken over a period of six to 12 months. If the disease has spread to the bones, skin, or internal organs, treatment may take much longer. Some dogs may require lifetime treatment with anti-fungal medication to keep the symptoms from returning. In addition to anti-fungal medication, the veterinarian may also prescribe cough suppressants and pain relievers to help your dog deal with the symptoms of canine valley fever.

Most dogs will successfully recover from canine valley fever when given the proper medication. Many will resume normal behavior after the first week of treatment, but will still need to continue taking the medications. Antibody tests will be given periodically to determine when medication can be discontinued. Although most dogs recover, a few dogs will die of canine valley fever despite being given the anti-fungal medications. Young puppies, older dogs, and dogs with a weakened immune system are at higher risk for developing a serious case of the disease.

Canine Ringworm

Canine ringworm is a skin disease. It has nothing to do with a worm. It is a highly contagious fungal disorder.

Canine ringworm can be caused by many different species of fungus. These fungi live deep in the skin, in the hair follicles. They can be transmitted from animal to animal, human to animal, and even animal to human. Lesions will usually develop within 12 days of exposure to the fungus.

There are a variety of symptoms of canine ringworm. The most common sign is a round patch of skin where the hair has fallen out. The dog’s bare skin will either be crusty or scaly. These lesions aren’t usually painful or itchy to your dog.

The most common method of diagnosis for canine ringworm is through use of a Wood’s light. This is a special type of ultraviolet lamp that will cause some species of fungi to glow under the light. Canine ringworm can also be diagnosed by taking a sample of the hair near the lesions and examining them. This method can take a few weeks because fungi grow slowly.

If your dog is diagnosed with canine ringworm, you will have a few treatment options. You can give your dog a bath with antifungal shampoo three times, waiting every other day to administer the bath. Canine ringworm can also be treated using a topical antifungal cream that is spread around the lesions. This cream is usually applied daily for a period of 10 days.

Oral medication is also effective for treating canine ringworm. These medications are typically given for a month. It is also necessary to treat the environment surrounding the dog to prevent reinfections of canine ringworm. You should destroy all items used by the dog such as combs, collars, and bedding.

The best way to prevent canine ringworm is to limit your dog’s contact with other dogs that may be infected. You should also give your dog a bath on a regular basis.

Canine Parasites

There are many canine parasites that can infect your dog. Some of them live on the skin. Others live inside the body and can damage various organs. This page will discuss some of the common canine parasites.

Ear mites are canine parasites that can live anywhere on your dog’s body. They are extremely contagious and can easily spread to any other pets you have in your house. Dogs infected with these canine parasites usually shake their heads and scratch around their ears. If the infestation becomes too severe, the ear canals may begin to bleed. If it goes untreated, the ear canals and eardrum can become severely damaged and lead to permanent hearing loss.

Heartworms are also common canine parasites. They spend most of their life in the right side of the heart and in the large blood vessels that connect the heart with the lungs. Dogs with severe infestations of these canine parasites can be home to several hundred heartworms.

These worms can obstruct the blood vessels and chambers in the heart. The liver can also become damaged as the blood begins to back up. Dogs with these canine parasites will show symptoms such as decrease appetite, loss of weight, and coughing. On rare occasions, heartworms can cause the dog to die of sudden heart failure.

Hookworms are canine parasites that attach to the small intestine and suck the blood from your dog. They can cause severe anemia. If left untreated, this will lead to severe diarrhea, hemorrhaging, shock, and death. The females can lay up to 20,000 eggs each day, so it’s extremely important to have your dog treated if you spot symptoms of an infestation.

These canine parasites are normally treated with oral or injected medications that destroy the adults. These medications are unable to kill the larvae, so they will have to be taken again in two to four weeks to kill the larvae that have become adult hookworms. In some cases, your dog may even need to have a blood transfusion.

Lice

Lice are big enough to be seen with the naked eye. These canine parasites either suck blood or chew on the skin of your dog. They can only infect your dog if he comes into direct contact with another infected dog. The most common symptom of an infestation is a dry, scruffy coat of hair. These canine parasites can also cause hair loss and severe itching.

To get rid of lice, you will need to bath your dog in pyrethrin shampoo. After drying him off, you will need to apply a pyrethrin spray or powder. You will have to repeat this process in two weeks because all of them will not be killed after the first session.

Cuterebra are canine parasites that look like a large bee. The larvae can infect your dog by entering through the nose or mouth whenever he grooms. The larva will become very large as it matures under the skin. Small openings will also appear on the skin so that they can breath.

To get rid of these canine parasites, the veterinarian will have to surgically remove it through an incision on the skin. If the larva is cut or crushed, your dog may develop a severe skin irritation or have an anaphylactic reaction. If these canine parasites are left untreated, they will eventually break through the skin and fall to the ground.