Page 20 - Canine-Diseases

the normal hosts, or on stones or vegetation in these areas. Dogs that are deaf. Symptoms of deafness in dogs include no response
are accidental hosts of Cuterebra larvae. They are most commonly to squeaking toys, clapping, snapping fingers behind the head,
infected when they are hunting rodents or rabbits and encounter doorbells, loud noises, when called by name, and to other dogs
the botfly larvae near the entryway to a rodent’s burrow. The larva barking. Other symptoms include difficulty to wake-up, startled
migrates to an area under the skin of the pet, typically on the head, when woken, and excessive barking.
neck, or trunk. A cyst or thick capsule is created under the dog’s
skin as the larva grows. A circular breathing hole may appear as an Deer ticks: Refers to Ixodes scapularis, also called the black-
open wound with matted hair. There is often fluid drainage from legged tick. Preferred hosts are deer. I. scapularis may act as a
the opening and the dog may lick or scratch the area excessively. vector for diseases such as Borrelia (Lyme disease), Anaplasma
and Babesia.
D Degenerative joint disease (DJD): Refers to arthritis or

osteoarthritis, which is the result of the gradual deterioration of
the articular cartilage within one or more the joints. Arthritis is the
medical term for inflammation of the joints, while osteoarthritis
Dancing Doberman disease: Is a type of myopathy that primarily is the term referring to a form of chronic joint inflammation
affects the gastrocnemius muscle in Dobermanns. Dancing caused by deterioration of joint cartilage. Obese dogs are more
Doberman disease is only seen in the Doberman Pinscher breed likely to develop DJD, as a direct result of the mechanical stress
of dogs. It has been reported in both sexes and most often between that excessive weight puts on the joints. Additionally, older dogs
6 months and 7 years of age. Dancing Doberman disease usually are prone to osteoarthritis because of the years of wear and tear
begins with the flexing or lifting of a hind leg while the dog is on their joints. Symptoms of DJD vary. The dog may exhibit a
standing. Over a couple months, this may also spread to the other decreased level of activity, lameness, a stiff gait that worsens with
hind leg, causing the Doberman to shift their weight between legs, exercise, joint swelling, wasting away of muscle, and thickening
which explains the “dancing” term. Eventually, the dog may prefer and scarring of the joint membrane. These symptoms may
to sit instead of stand when stationary, but this disorder usually increase with exercise, long periods of inactivity, or cold weather.
does not affect walking or running. There are many disorders Many large and giant breed dogs are genetically predisposed to
that present similar signs as the dancing Doberman disease degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis, especially Golden
such as wobbler syndrome, arthritis, disc disease, hip dysplasia, Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Rottweilers,
neuropathy, and myasthenia gravis. One of the main differences Great Danes, Golden Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers, Mastiffs,
is that dogs with dancing Doberman disease seem to be in no pain St. Bernards, and Newfoundlands.
at all.
Degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD): This disease goes
Dandruff: A condition where the skin is covered in dry bran- by the names endocardiosis, chronic valvular disease, chronic
like scales. The underlying causes of dandruff on dogs include valvular fibrosis, and canine myxomatous, is a common cause of
skin infections, yeast, parasites, obesity, Cushing’s disease, congestive heart failure in dogs. The leaflets of the valve become
hypothyroidism, abnormalities in diet, low humidity levels, and thickened and nodular, leading to mitral valve regurgitation and
seasonal allergies. A dog with dandruff will present with either volume overload of the left side of the heart. Approximately one
dry, flaky skin, or oily, flaky skin, depending on the breed. Breeds in ten dogs (10%) will develop some form of heart disease during
predisposed to oily dandruff include Labrador Retrievers, Sharp- their lifetime, and approximately 80% of the heart disease is due
Peis, West Highland White Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, and Basset to degenerative mitral valve disease and is more common in small
Hounds. Breeds predisposed to dry dandruff include German dogs than large breeds. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have an
Shepherds, Irish Setters, Doberman Pinschers, and Dachshunds. inherited form of this disease and will develop DMVD during the
course of their lifetimes. The earliest sign of DMVD is normally
a heart murmur which is caused by the valve leak. Later on,
coughing, exercise intolerance, rapid breathing, or fainting may
Deafness: Refers to temporary, partial or total loss of hearing in develop. Dogs with advanced or severe mitral valve disease may
one or both ears. In dogs it can be either acquired or congenital. also experience symptoms consistent with heart failure. Any dog
Predisposing factors for acquired deafness include chronic can develop mitral valve disease. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels,
infection, use of certain drugs, trauma, wax build-up, and most Dachshunds, Poodles, and Chihuahuas are among the breeds that
commonly, age-related changes in the cochlea. Congenital are predisposed.
deafness can be genetic, seen sometimes in dogs with merle or
white coats, or caused by in utero damage from infections or Degenerative myelopathy: Is a spontaneously occurring, adult-
toxins. Typically, deafness is more common in senior dogs. More onset spinal cord disorder that affects dogs, and is similar to
than 80 breeds of dogs have a known susceptibility for deafness, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease in humans.
including the Australian Shepherds, Boston Terriers, Cocker With degenerative myelopathy, there is degeneration of the
Spaniels, Dalmatians, German Shepherds, Jack Russell Terriers, “white matter” of the spinal cord and the peripheral nerves. The
Bull Terriers, English Setters, Maltese, Toy and Miniature white matter tracts of the spinal cord contain fibers that transmit
Poodles, and West Highland White Terriers. The most commonly movement commands from the brain to the limbs and sensory
affected breed is the Dalmatians, of which there are almost 30% information from the limbs to the brain. Initial symptoms of the

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