Page 10 - Canine-Diseases

Bloat: Also known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) complex, time, increased strain is placed on the heart. Precautions must be
is a medical and surgical emergency. The causes of bloat aren’t taken in conditions where overheating, excitement and exercise
often known, but the signs and symptoms are. A dog can go into causes increased panting. This increased panting can cause further
shock from bloat because the stomach expands, putting pressure on swelling and narrowing of the airways. Gastrointestinal problems
several large arteries and veins. Symptoms of bloat in dogs include causing vomiting, gagging, or aspiration pneumonia may also be
swollen stomach, excessive salivation/drooling, panting, distress, due to this syndrome. This syndrome is most common and severe
restlessness, pacing, unproductive vomiting, and repeated turning in the English Bulldogs. Other brachycephalic breeds in which
to look at flank. Any dog can have bloat, but it is much more this has been found are the Pugs, Boston Terriers, Cavalier King
common in deep-chested, large breeds such as Akitas, Boxers, Charles Spaniels, Pekingese, Lhasa Apso, French Bulldogs, and
Basset Hounds, German Shepheards, Great Danes, Doberman Shih-Tzus. A recent BTCA Health Survey indicates that over 6%
Pinschers, Weimaraners, Irish Setters, Standard Poodles, St. of Boston Terriers are born with either stenotic nares or elongated
Bernards, and Newfoundlands. palates (or both).
Body fold dermatitis: See Skin fold dermatitis Brain tumors: Are generally classified as either primary or
secondary. Primary brain tumors in dogs originate from the tissues
Bordetellosis: Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacterium that of the brain or the membranes covering the brain (meninges).
is commonly associated with respiratory disease in dogs. It Secondary brain tumors are also called “metastases” as they
is an easily contracted bacteria that causes a hacking cough or, typically originate from cells that have traveled to the brain from
occasionally, a snotty nose. A persistent honking, hacking, and/ a tumor in another part of the body (i.e., metastasized). Symptoms
or gagging cough is typical of Bordetella infection. Many owners of brain tumor include seizures, abnormal behavior, decreased
describe the cough as “vomiting” or believe something is stuck in cognitive function, hearing loss, abnormal vision, abnormal pupil
their dogs’ throats. Fever and lethargy (tiredness) may also occur. size, circling, wobbly gait, head tilt, and hypersensitivity to neck
Sometimes, a whitish or greenish nasal discharge is also observed. pain. Types of brain tumor include meningioma, astrocytoma,
It is one of the more common bacterial causes of canine infectious oligodendroglioma, and undifferentiated sarcoma. The dog breeds
tracheobronchitis - also known as kennel cough. In healthy adult that seem to be disposed to developing brain tumors in general
dogs, Bordetella usually causes no more than a mild, self-limiting include the Boxers, Golden Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers,
illness. In puppies or in dogs with other underlying health issues, Scottish Terriers, and Old English Sheepdogs.
however, it can cause severe illness (such as pneumonia) or even
death in rare cases. All breeds of dogs are equally susceptible to Bronchopneumonia: Is an inflammation of the lungs and the
Bordetella. bronchi that causes breathing difficulties and deficiency of oxygen
in the blood. Bronchopneumonia is usually related to a bacterial
Borreliosis: See Lyme disease infection and may be caused by many different kinds. Bacterial
Bronchopneumonia is commonly referred to by the shortened
Bowen disease: The disease was first reported by Bowen in name “Pneumonia”. The most common bacteria that cause
1912 as a precancerous dermatosis, and the adjective Bowenoid bronchopneumonia in the dog are Bordetella bronchiseptica,
is often used to connote the distinctive epithelial features of the Streptococcus zooepidemicus, Pasteurella multocida,
lesions. Bowenoid in situ carcinoma (multicentric squamous cell Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia
carcinoma in situ, Bowen disease) is characterized by heavily coli and Mycoplasma species. Bordetella bronchiseptica is
scaled, crusted, and pigmented papules and plaques with some highly contagious and may spread easily to other dogs. It usually
erosion. Lesions can present in any location but mostly appear on causes ‘kennel cough’, an infection of the trachea and bronchi.
the face, shoulders, and limbs. Clinical signs include tachypnea (rapid breathing), respiratory
distress, productive cough, fever, depression, mucopurulent nasal
Brachial plexus avulsion: The brachial plexus are the last 3 exudates, anorexia, and listlessness. Sporting dogs, hounds, and
cervical and first 2 thoracic nerves in the dog’s spine which impacts larger mixed-breed dogs seem to be at greater risk for bacterial
its shoulders. When these nerves are torn, ripped or injured it is pneumonia than other breeds.
referred to as an avulsion. This tends to happen if the dog is hit
by a car, or if it falls and there is displacement of the thoracic Brucellosis: Is a contagious disease caused by bacteria from the
(backbone) limbs. Symptoms of brachial plexus avulsion include genus Brucella. There are different species of Brucella that infect
Horner’s syndrome, paralysis of a limb, difficulty controlling a sheep, goats, cattle, deer, elk, pigs, dogs, and other animals. Canine
limb, limbs dragging, not putting weight on limb, and lack of pain brucellosis is a contagious infection caused by the bacterium,
or significant pain when examined. Brucella canis. It is one of the leading causes of infertility in
breeding stock. In dogs, the bacteria tend to attack the reproductive
Brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (BAOS): Is organs but can also migrate to the eyes, spinal column, liver,
a condition seen in brachycephalic dogs (breeds which have spleen, and lymph nodes. It occurs worldwide, affects all kinds
a comparatively short head), characterized by the presence of of dogs, purebred and not, and can also be transmitted from
stenotic nares, elongated soft palate, narrow trachea, collapsed dogs to humans. With dogs, the main mode of transmission of
larynx, and everted laryngeal saccules. Signs include difficult and brucellosis is by direct contact with infected body fluids, such as
noisy breathing, coughing and gagging, fainting or collapsing semen, vaginal secretions, urine, and chewing placental material
episodes, and a decreased tolerance for exercise. In addition, over

10 Alphavetscience.com