Page 17 - Canine-Diseases

from veins in the limbs, causing swelling, known as peripheral Coonhound paralysis: Is a rarely occurring medical condition in
edema. The most common clinical sign of CHF is persistent dogs that is caused by the bite of a raccoon. The medical term
coughing accompanied by difficulty breathing. This is due mainly is polyradiculoneuritis. The symptoms of paralysis are typically
to pulmonary edema or the accumulation of fluid in the lungs. The present 7-14 days after the bite of the raccoon and is thought to be
enlarged heart will also push against the trachea, causing irritation a reaction to the saliva from the raccoon bite. There is paralysis
that can induce a cough. Many dogs with CHF will fatigue more of nerves to both front and back legs. In more severe cases, the
easily, have reduced stamina and not engage in playing or walking nerves controlling the breathing muscles can be affected, causing
as they once did. Coughing when at rest or sleeping, excessive an inability to breathe and possibly death. Symptoms include stiff
panting, persistent loss of appetite, a swollen belly, and pale or gait, generalized slow reflexes, low muscle tone, weakened vocal
bluish gums are also signs associated with heart failure. The dog ability, labored breathing, decre in muscle bulk, facial muscle
will develop generalized weight loss and muscle wasting due to weakness, muscular weakness in all four limbs, pain, and over
the effects of CHF on other body systems. In larger dogs, CHF is sensitivity to pain stimuli. Any breed is at risk, but dogs that
typically due to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), where the heart regularly come into contact with raccoons are at increased risk,
muscle becomes too dilated and weak. This is more commonly such as hunting dogs and dogs that live in rural or wooded areas.
seen in Doberman Pinschers, Irish Wolfhounds, and giant breed See Acute polyradiculoneuritis.
dogs. CHF may also be seen due to abnormal heart arrhythmias.
This is most commonly seen in Boxers. Coprophagia: Is the ingestion by a dog of feces, either its own or
those of another dog or animal. Any medical problem that leads
Conjunctivitis: Is an inflammation of the conjunctivam, the moist to a decrease in absorption of nutrients, causes gastrointestinal
tissue that covers the front part of the eyeball and lines the eyelids upset or causes an increase in the appeal of the dog’s stool,
that sometimes accompanies a respiratory infection or eye injury. could lead to coprophagia. In addition, any condition that might
In dogs it is most commonly caused by mechanical irritation cause an increase in appetite or an unusual appetite, such as
(such as by entropion, ectropion, or trichiasis), allergies, and diabetes, Cushing’s disease, thyroid disease, or treatment with
keratoconjunctivitis sicca (“dry eye”). It can also be brought on by certain drugs such as steroids may lead to an increase in stool
airborne irritants, or more serious illness such as canine distemper, eating. It can be caused by medical conditions such as exocrine
upper respiratory tract infection, or feline herpesvirus. Symptoms pancreatic insufficiency, overfeeding, or malabsorption. It can
include squinting or spasmodic blinking (blephora), redness of the also be a behavioral problem characterized by attention-seeking,
moist tissues of the eye, swollen eyelids, discharge from the eye(s) reinforcement, or as a learned behavior. The owner that uses the
and it may be clear or may contain mucus and/or pus, and rubbing outmoded, inhumane and useless training technique of “sticking
of the eyes. the dog’s nose” in its stool when it has soiled the home, may be
further encouraging coprophagia. Numerous health problems can
Contact dermatitis: Is a relatively rare skin disease that can arise from this activity, including internal parasites or infection
occur when a dog makes physical contact with a chemical or with canine parvovirus or toxoplasmosis.
other irritating substance and has a negative reaction. There are
two types of contact dermatitis - allergic and irritant. Allergic Cor triatriatum: Cor triatriatum literally means “heart with three
dermatitis occurs when a pet becomes hypersensitive to substances atria.” It is a rare, congenital cardiac defect in which the right
in their environment. Most allergic reactions require a period atrium is partitioned into two compartments, effectively creating
of repeated physical contact and skin sensitization. Common a triatrial heart. The clinical signs exhibited by the patient usually
chemicals and substances that cause allergic contact dermatitis relate to impeded venous return via the caudal vena cava. The first
include topical antibiotics, flea collars/flea powders, certain metals sign is a huge belly caused by the fluid retention from the lack of
(nickel), grasses and pollens, soaps/shampoos, carpet deodorizers, heart function and usually shows up in young dogs before the age
insecticides, dyes, and materials such as rubber, wool, leather, of 6 months. Often, this disorder is accompanied by other problems
and plastic. Irritant contact dermatitis, on the other hand, does such as valve anomalies, mitral regurgitation, pulmonic stenosis,
not require a period of sensitization. A reaction will occur the first and heart failure. Symptoms caused by cor triatriatum vary greatly
time the dog makes contact with an extremely irritating substance due to the complications that can accompany the disorder. The
such as poison ivy sap, road salt (for melting ice), detergents, most commonly reported signs of this condition include decrease
soaps, solvents, acids and alkalis, and petroleum by-products appetite, slow heart rate, heavy breathing, pale gums, cough,
(such as fertilizers, perfumes, and petroleum jelly). Contact enlarged liver, exercise intolerance, fainting, distended veins in
dermatitis generally appears on areas of the body that are not well the abdomen, diarrhea, slowed growth, and right sided congestive
protected by hair, such as the feet, nose, lips, chin, stifles, hocks, heart failure. Chow Chows and other large breed dogs such as
and underside of the body. The primary symptom of both types of Boxers, Rottweilers, Greyhounds, Golden Retrievers, Shorthaired
contact dermatitis is a skin rash characterized by itchy red bumps Pointers, German Shepherds, German Shorthaired Pointers,
and inflammation. There may be weepy, blister-like lesions, hives, English Bulldogs, and Cocker Spaniels are predisposed.
crusting, thickening, scaling, and hair loss. The dog will scratch,
bite, and lick the skin excessively, which may lead to a secondary Corneal degeneration: Is a one-sided or two-sided condition,
bacterial infection. There is an increased risk of allergic reaction secondary to other eye or systemic disorders. It is characterized
in German Shepherds, French Poodles, Wire-haired Fox Terriers, by lipid or calcium deposits within the corneal stroma, and/or
Scottish Terriers, West Highland White Terriers, and Golden epithelium. Calcium deposits in the stroma are seen less frequently
Retrievers. than lipid deposits. The cornea appears rough, with distinct
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