Page 6 - Canine-Diseases

inflammation is called true uveitis or pan-uveitis. If only the ciliary compost piles, or other decaying vegetation. The Aspergillus
body and the iris are inflamed it is called iridocyclitis or anterior species includes more than 150 types of mold that occur widely
uveitis, while inflammation of the choroid is choroiditis or posterior in the indoor and outdoor environment. It is commonly found
uveitis. The symptoms of uveitis are swelling of eyeball or eye as a lacy mold that grows on foods. Aspergillus is considered
area, severe pain, intense reddening, change in appearance of iris, an “opportunistic pathogen”, and usually afflicts animals that
constant tearing, excessive blinking, decreased vision, discharge, are immunosuppressed. Infection is usually in the nasal cavity
shut eye, light avoidance, squinting, cloudiness, bleeding, and and is called nasal aspergillosis. In systemic or disseminated
pawing at eye. aspergillosis, the fungus enters the body through the respiratory
tract and travels to other organs via the bloodstream, creating a
Aortic stenosis: The word “stenosis” means “narrowing,” and more serious generalized or systemic fungal infection. According
aortic stenosis describes a narrowing along the aorta as it leads out to some studies, German Shepherd Dogs may be predisposed to
of the heart. Aortic stenosis is typically present at birth and worsens systemic aspergillosis. Typical signs of nasal aspergillosis include
over the first year of life. Clinical signs of heart disease can occur sneezing, nasal discharge, bleeding from the nose, and ulcerations
at any age and depend upon the severity of the obstruction of blood of the nose. The clinical signs of systemic aspergillosis depend upon
flow out of the heart and into the aorta. The defect can occur above the location in which the fungus becomes established in the body.
the valve, just inside the aorta, at the valve itself, or below the Common sites of infection include the bones and the intervertebral
valve, closer to the heart itself. If the narrowing is beneath the aortic discs of the spine; clinical signs include lameness, weakness, and
valve of the left ventricle; the condition is then called subvalvular incoordination. Many dogs develop draining tracts (holes with pus
aortic stenosis or SAS for short. The signs of aortic stenosis are or bloody discharge oozing out) in the areas of infection. Fever,
related to the severity of the narrowing, and range from no signs weight loss, appetite loss, and uveitis (deep inflammation of the
at all, to congestive heart failure, fainting, or sudden death. It is eye) are also commonly associated with systemic aspergillosis.
inherited in Newfoundland, and also found in Golden Retrievers,
Rottweiler, Boxers, Bulldogs, Bouvier des Flandres, Bull Terriers, Aspiration pneumonia: Is an inflammatory lung disorder that
Great Danes, German Shepherd Dogs, and Samoyeds. occurs as the result of inhaling or aspiration of a foreign substance.
This usually occurs after a dog vomits and inhales a portion of
Aseptic femoral head necrosis: Also known as Legg-Calvé- the regurgitated material, and it happens more commonly in
Perthes disease, osteochondritis juvenilis, Perthes disease, coxa young puppies. Aspiration pneumonia can also be a direct result
plana, and aseptic or avascular necrosis of the femoral head. The of a neuromuscular disorder, which would cause difficulty with
hip is a “ball and socket” joint. The femoral head is the “ball” swallowing, as well as problems associated with the esophagus,
part of the joint. Necrosis is due to loss of the blood supply to with possible paralysis of the esophagus. Other causes for a
the femoral head. Aseptic femoral head necrosis is a progressive dysfunction of the lungs may be an obstructed airway, or inhalation
deterioration and collapse of the femoral head, which may be the of gastric acids, which can cause extensive damage to the internal
result of a growth abnormality or trauma to the hip. It is a hereditary tissues of the lungs. Bacteria present in the inhaled foreign matter
condition of small breed young dogs, especially terriers. Clinical may also bring about infection. Clinical signs include breathing
signs include hind-limb lameness, atrophy of the thigh muscles, difficulties, swallowing difficulties, coughing, fever, discharge
and pain during manipulation of the hip joint. from the nasal passages, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, a
bluish tinge to the skin (cyanosis), and a possible intolerance to
Aseptic meningitis: Is an inflammation of the meninges, which exercise due to weakness.
are three membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Some
cases of aseptic meningitis can progress to encephalitis, which is Asteroid hyalosis: The vitreous is the clear, gel-like substance
the inflammation of the brain that causes similar symptoms but that fills the space between the lens and the retina. This gel
includes headache and possible seizures. Aseptic meningitis is aids in keeping the retina positioned against the back wall of
believed to be an immune-mediated disease. The cause of aseptic the eye. Asteroid hyalosis is a rare degenerative phenomenon
meningitis is most often due to a disease in another part of the in the vitreous body. Ophthalmoscopically it is characterized by
dog’s body such as fungal, parasitic, bacterial, protozoan, or viral spherical, small bodies which gleam brilliantly in the vitreous
infection. Symptoms of aseptic meningitis in dogs include high like stars in the night sky. Histochemically these spherical bodies
body temperature, stiff walking and standing, painful back and neck are a multifocal refractile calcium-lipid complex, attached to the
(spine), muscle spasms, dizziness, trouble walking, and fainting. fibrillar framework of the vitreous. The cause of asteroid hyalosis
Aseptic meningitis is most often discovered in large or medium is unclear but aging changes result in these calcium-lipid deposits
sized dogs including Beagles, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Boxers, attaching to the degenerating collagen network of the vitreous.
German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Nova
Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, and Weimaraners. It tends to affect Atlantoaxial instability (Luxation): Is a condition in which
dogs between three and 18 months of age. there is abnormal movement in the neck, between the atlas (first
cervical vertebra) and axis (second vertebra). This instability
Aspergillosis: Is an infection, growth, or allergic response allows abnormal bending between the two bones, which causes
caused primarily by Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus compression of the spinal cord. The severity of the injury to
terreus. Aspergillus fungus grows on dead leaves, stored grain, the spinal cord depends both on the amount of pressure, and

6 Alphavetscience.com