Page 4 - Canine-Diseases

itch-scratch cycle may predispose a pet to this condition. The dog kidney infections can occur spontaneously, usually there is a pre-
is generally so intensely itchy that an area is traumatized in a very existing condition that reduces the dog’s ability to fight infection
short period of time; severe lesions can be induced within hours in easily (such as kidney stones, partial urine blockage or chronic
some dogs. Once the damage is started, a self-perpetuating cycle kidney disease). Leptospira is a type of bacteria that can cause
of itching, scratching, and chewing is initiated. acute kidney failure in dogs, but very rarely in cats. Dogs get
leptospirosis from urine or water contaminated by infected animals
Acute pancreatitis: Pancreatitis means “inflammation” of the (deer, cattle, rats, raccoons, mice or other dogs).
pancreas and acute means “sudden.” The pancreas is responsible for
releasing enzymes that aid in digestion. When the organ is working Addison’s disease: Also known as hypoadrenocorticism, is a
normally, the enzymes become active only when they reach the reduction of production of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids
small intestine. In a dog with pancreatitis, however, the enzymes by the adrenal glands. Addison’s disease in the dog is primarily
activate when they are released, inflaming and causing damage to caused by an immune-mediated destruction of adrenal tissue.
the pancreas and its surrounding tissue and other organs. According Less commonly, the adrenal glands may be damaged by trauma
to the Whole Dog Journal, the enzymes can actually begin to or infection. Addison’s disease can also occur following treatment
digest the pancreas itself, which causes extreme pain to your of Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism), in which too much
dog. Classic signs of pancreatitis in dogs include hunched back, cortisol and aldosterone are produced. If the medication used to
repeated vomiting, pain or distention of the abdomen, diarrhea, treat Cushing’s disease inadvertently suppresses too much adrenal
loss of appetite, dehydration, weakness/lethargy, and fever. During gland activity, deficiency of cortisol and aldosterone may result.
an attack, dogs may take a “praying position”, with their rear end Mild symptoms include lazy behavior, lack of appetite and muscle
up in the air while their front legs and head are lowered onto the weakness. Addison’s disease progresses to other symptoms that
floor. Causes of pancreatitis in dogs include high fat diet, a history are more noticeable, such as vomiting right after a meal, excessive
of dietary indiscretion (eat anything), obesity, hypothyroidism, thirst, frequent urination and diarrhea. When the disease progresses
sever blunt trauma, diabetes mellitus, medications or other to a critical stage, the dog may suddenly collapse, go into shock and
toxins (cholinesterase inhibitors, calcium, potassium bromide, be near death. This acute attack is called Addison or Addisonian
phenobarbital, L-asparaginase, estrogen, salicylates, azathioprine, crisis and requires emergency veterinary care. Certain breeds seem
thiazide diuretics, and vinca alkaloids), and genetic predisposition. to be at increased risk for developing Addison’s disease. These
Acute pancreatitis may either take a mild, edematous form or a include, but are not limited to: Portuguese Water Dogs, Bearded
more severe, hemorrhagic form. Pancreatitis can occur in any dog, Collies, Standard Poodles, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers,
but some breeds are more susceptible to this disease and include Leonbergers, and Labrador Retrievers.
Yorkshire Terriers, Miniature Schnauzers, and Cocker Spaniels.
Allergic dermatitis: Is a general term to describe a group of
Acute polyradiculoneuritis (Coonhound paralysis): Describes a inflammatory skin allergies that may be caused by a multitude of
sudden inflammation of multiple nerve roots and peripheral nerves factors. The clinical signs of all allergic hypersensitivity reactions
in dogs, and occasionally cats. It has a sudden onset and is most are similar: pruritus, erythema, hair loss, papules, and, with time,
commonly seen in hunting dogs following exposure to raccoons. hyperpigmentation and lichenification. The unifying characteristic
The presumed raccoon contact is with the raccoon’s saliva. Signs of these diseases is that they cause pruritus and subsequent
will typically appear 7-14 days after contact with raccoon saliva inflammation. Depending on the etiology, the event may be short-
through a bite or scratch (true coonhound paralysis). These dogs lived or become a lifelong condition. Dogs normally show signs of
start out with a stiff-legged gait that rapidly progresses to limp the disease between 3 months and 6 years of age.
paralysis of all four legs. The nerves that connect the spinal
cord and muscles are the nerves that are affected. The symptoms Alopecia X: Is also known as Black Skin Disease, Adult Onset
typically progress over 4-5 days, although it can take up to 10 days Growth Hormone Deficiency, Growth Hormone-Responsive
for maximum symptoms to appear. These dogs have decreased Alopecia, Castration-Responsive Alopecia, and more recently,
reflexes, decreased muscle tone, and can lose muscle mass. The Adrenal Hyperplasia-Like Syndrome. This syndrome is recognized
rear legs are sometimes more severely affected than the front in both male and female dogs as an adrenal imbalance of the sex
legs, and in dogs with a severe disease, their chest muscles may hormones (estrogen or testosterone), in combination with depleted
be affected, causing labored breathing. The facial muscles may production of melatonin. Low melatonin levels stimulate pigment
be affected preventing the dog from blinking normally, leading to cells, making the skin appear to darken over time, while the
“dry eye” and the need to provide artificial tear treatment. Also, hormonal imbalance contributes to an arrested growth phase in
the dog’s bark may become altered or lost. A more accurate term the hair follicle, causing hair loss and/or the inability to regrow
for the symptoms that occur in dogs who have not encountered a the coat. Some breeds that are predisposed to the congenital or
raccoon is “acute idiopathic polyradiculoneuritis.” inherited defect include Pomeranians, Chow Chows, Siberian
Huskies, Keeshonds, Samoyeds and Miniature Poodles. Hair loss
Acute renal failure (ARF): The kidneys filter blood, remove the can first occur as early as 1 year of age or as late as 10 years of
waste products of metabolism, and eliminate them in the urine. age. The primary clinical presentation is the symmetrical gradual
ARF is characterized by an abrupt decline in kidney function that loss of hair over the trunk and caudal thighs, sparing the head and
can affect almost every system of the body. Severe infections in the front limbs. Sometimes the guard hairs are lost first leaving a soft
kidney from bacteria can cause sudden kidney failure. Although “puppy” coat. The skin may become intensely hyper-pigmented.

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