medical

Muscle spasms happen when your dog’s muscle contractions are interrupted. This is often caused by intense physical activity or a lack of sufficent fluids. These localized twitches can be a sign of muscle strain or damage, and though they aren’t life-threatening, they can be painful for your pet, especially if he’s been having them for a long period of time. They could point to a more serious condition like physical injury, slipped disc, pinched nerve, or even neurological damage that … Read more

Crystalluria is the presence of crystalized, concentrated minerals naturally found in your dogs’ urine. There are different types of crystals, and they can lead to different types of bladder stones or kidney stones. Identification of the type of crystal in your dog’s urine is important as it can indicate an underlying disease, but even healthy dogs can have crystals in his urine. Some breeds are more susceptible to certain crystals: Miniature Schnauzers, Yorkshire Terriers, Lhasa Apsos and Miniature Poodles to … Read more

An umbilical hernia occurs when the lining, fat, or organs of the abdomen pass through an opening in the abdominal wall. It’s seen in newborn pups, as it’s caused by a failure of the umbilical ring to close after birth. Genetic conditions are often to blame but there are other causes. They’re often found in Airedale Terriers, Pekinese, and Basenji breeds.   Symptoms of Umbilical Hernia in Dogs The hernia will be visible on the dog’s abdomen, and looks like … Read more

Anal gland cancer is fairly uncommon, but is very serious when it occurs as it produces malignant tumors. Should your dog have an issue with his behind, it’s more likely to be a blockage, infection or impaction of his anal sac. Regular yearly check ups with your vet will include a rectal examination, which can detect a tumor early on. Your dog’s anal glands are small sacs that are found on either side of his anus. They produce a little … Read more

Your dog’s stomach contains acid and digestive enzymes to break his food down. Acid reflux is when these enzymes and acid enter the esophagus, which can cause damage to the tissues. It can be caused by a weak lower esophageal sphincter, improper emptying of the stomach, or obesity. Some medications, like prednisone can also make a dog more susceptible to acid reflux. If you have acid reflux, you know that it’s uncomfortable and can even be dangerous. The tissues of … Read more

You may notice your dog’s nose running – and whatever is coming out of it could be watery, thin and clear, or may be thicker and contain blood or pus. Whatever it is, it’s a discharge from your dog’s upper respiratory organs, and although runny noses and sneezing are normal for dogs, you should be concerned if it becomes severe or happens frequently, as it could be a sign of a serious health issue. A mild runny nose will be … Read more

Staph infection is caused by the bacteria S. aureus, which can infect almost any part of the body. These infections have been known to be resistant to antibiotics, depending on where they’re located, and can be a serious threat to your dog’s health. The most common infection is that of the skin, where a cut, wound or scratch has let bacteria enter the body. If left untreated, serious Staph infections can progress to blood poisoning and death.   Symptoms of … Read more

Your dog has a pelvic floor, same as you do. These are the muscles between his anus and genitals that support the organs in his lower body. A rupture in these muscles can lead to a perineal hernia – this is when the organs protrude through the rupture, appearing as a swollen area between his tail and scrotum. This happens most often in older dogs who weren’t neutered. A perineal hernia can affect your dog’s ability to “go,” and may … Read more

An inflammation of the bone or bone marrow can be caused by bacterial or fungal contamination from a wound or fracture, or spread through the bloodstream from another part of the body. Bone infection is very serious and your dog should be taken to a vet immediately.   Symptoms of Bone Infection in Dogs Symptoms can vary depending on where the infection is. Some of the first signs you may notice are: – Pain – Swelling – Fever – Lethargy … Read more

Your dog’s blood glucose level could change for several reasons – diet, stress, medications, etc. Moderately elevated blood glucose can be indicative of an infection, hormonal imbalances, or inflammatory conditions. Persistent high glucose levels can mean Diabetes Mellitus. The normal blood glucose level for a healthy dog falls between 75 mg to 120 mg. Anything above that is considered hyperglycemia. It could be temporary, stress-induced, or a sign of a serious underlying disease like diabetes. It’s more common in female … Read more

Eye injuries can range from mild to severe, and need a vet’s attention the moment you notice your dog showing symptoms to determine the cause and severity, as they can lead to permanent scarring or blindness if ulcerative lesions develop. Even if you can see what might be bothering your dog, your dog’s eyes are very sensitive and important, and you shouldn’t try to treat the issue at home. Eye injuries include foreign bodies in the eye, scratches, chemical exposure … Read more

Poor dental care can cause plaque to build up on your dog’s teeth. If it’s not removed with regular brushing, the plaque will harden into tartar. Tartar is porous, and can harbor bacteria that can cause pain, inflammation and redness in your dog’s gums – gingivitis. Gingivitis is only the first step down the very painful road that is dental disease. Eventually, toxins and bacteria entering the bloodstream could cause complications with organs like the heart and liver, and more … Read more

Your dog’s renal system removes waste from his blood and helps produce red blood cells. Kidney cancer can lead to acute renal failure, so early detection and treatment is important and will lead to a better prognosis. Kidney tumors are not often found in dogs, but when they are, they’re usually found in middle-aged and older dogs and require the affected kidney to be removed. Malignant renal tumors can be found in one or both kidneys, either developing in the … Read more

No one knows what, exactly, causes ear canal tumors, but some believe that long-term inflammation of the ear canal can lead to abnormal tissue development, and the formation of tumors. They can develop from any of the structures along or supporting the ear canal, including the outer layer of skin, the glands that produce earwax and oil, or any of the bones, connective tissues, or middle layers of skin. If your dog has an inflamed ear that doesn’t respond to … Read more

What’s causing your dog’s eyes to turn red? It could be something as simple and easily remedied as allergies, or it could be much more serious, like in cases of glaucoma. There are several things that might cause the whites of your dog’s eyes to turn red, even cases of disease in other places in the body can lead to an inflammation in the eye. The best way to get a diagnosis is to see your vet, especially if you … Read more

Should something cause the vessels in your dog’s ears to rupture, the bleeding can form fluid-filled sacs called hematomas. Hematomas are common in dogs with floppy ears, but dogs of any breed can get them, regardless of what kind of ears they have. They’re usually pretty easy to see, and a quick trip to your vet can confirm whether or not they’re hematomas. Ear hematomas come in various sizes on the concave (inside) surface of your dog’s ear. Doctors aren’t … Read more

Leukopenia is a drop in the number of circulating white blood cells (leukocytes). This makes a dog more susceptible to infections, as he has fewer white blood cells available to fight it off. Neutropenia is the most common type of leukopenia, which is a condition in which there are low numbers of neutrophils, the most abundant type of leukocyte. Leukopenia usually the result of an underlying cause, such as infection, cancer, or a genetic abnormality. Your dog’s white blood cells … Read more

Normal temperature for a dog is 101 – 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3-39.2º Celsius), but anything above 103F is abnormally high and considered a fever. It can be mild, like in cases where your dog is coming down with a viral infection, but severe fevers can cause seizures or organs to shut down. It can be caused by infection, environment, or excessive exercise. Any temperature of 106ºF (41.1ºC) can be life-threatening and should be considered an emergency. Symptoms of Fever in Dogs … Read more

Your vet may refer to your dog’s unusually low body temperature as “hypothermia.” At a temperature below normal, your dog’s physiologic and metabolic systems will function much slower. He may experience an irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing, and impaired consciousness, even to the point of a coma. Because hypothermia is a progressive condition, your dog’s body will have less ability to bring itself back to normal temperatures the longer it persists. Symptoms of Low Body Temperature in Dogs Hypothermia will become … Read more

What your vet might call pulmonary edema is just another term for fluid in your dog’s lungs. Fluid may accumulate over time in the air sacs (alveoli) of your dog’s lungs, making it seem as though he only has a breathing problem when he exerts himself. Or it may accumulate quickly, causing acute respiratory distress. If the air sacs are filled with fluid instead of air, they will not be able to function properly and his breathing will be less … Read more

There are many things that might cause a skin ulcer, from everyday annoyances like bug bites, or even cancer. Skin ulcers themselves aren’t serious, but the cause for them may be, so you’ll want to have your dog examined by a vet as soon as possible to find out what it may be. A skin ulcer is an open sore that oozes pus, and could be a sign of injury, infection or disease. Treatment will vary depending on the underlying … Read more

You may have noticed your dog scratching and licking at an ugly, red oozing spot on his skin. A hot spot. Hot spots are a type of skin infection caused by bacteria. The spots will be red, moist, and irritated that started with your dog’s picking at it, and made worse by bacteria. The patch can get bigger in just a few hours and will be very painful for your pet. You’re likely to find them on your dog’s head, … Read more

Chronic leukemia is cancer of the blood, and occurs when an abundance of white blood cells are produced quickly. It usually affects middle aged and older dogs. You may not notice it right away, as it usually begins without any visible symptoms and progresses slowly. Although it isn’t curable, it can be maintained through observation and chemotherapy, allowing your dog to live a happy life perhaps years after being diagnosed. Symptoms of Chronic Leukemia in Dogs Since chronic leukemia develops … Read more

Toxoplasmosis is an aggressive disease that can affect both humans and animals, and is caused by a parasitic single celled organism (protozoa). It is dangerous, highly contagious, and can be found all over the world. The protozoa that causes toxoplamosis, Toxoplama gondii, can affect both dogs and humans, and is spread through the feces of infected cats, or by eating undercooked, infected meats. Once they’re consumed, the protozoa invade the lining of the stomach and lower intestine, then spread quickly … Read more

Your dog’s vestibular system is what’s responsible for maintaining and stabilizing the position of his head, and stabilizing his body and eyes during head movements. Vestibular Disease will interfere with this system, causing disorientation, head tilt, and loss of balance. It’s important to take your dog to the vet to correctly diagnose, since other conditions like a stroke or hyperthyroidism can look similar. Depending on the cause, your dog may experience disorientation only once or twice, or it may develop … Read more

It’s important to use your dog’s flea and tick medication according to your vet’s directions, but do you know why? Flea and tick control products contain insecticides that can be toxic if not used according to the label. They are meant for external use only, and can be dangerous if they’re swallowed or applied in larger doses than they’re meant to be. Remember, it’s a poison meant to kill the tiny bugs that want to make their homes on your … Read more

What is Droopy Eye? Horner’s syndrome refers to a nervous system disorder affecting the eye. The pupils will be small, the eyelid partially closed, and the 3rd eyelid will be elevated and protruding slightly. While not serious on its own, Horner’s syndrome may indicate problems with the nervous system. “Droopy eye” is a condition in which the nerves to a dog’s eye have been inflamed or damaged. This leads to a number of highly identifiable characteristics that veterinarians refer to … Read more