Page 3 - Canine-Diseases

A muscles and different muscle groups can affect different dogs,

making clinical signs different as well and diagnosis of MG can
be difficult. A common sign is regurgitation. Excessive salivation
Abscess: An accumulation of pus within body cavity following as well as multiple attempts at swallowing food may be another
tissue breakdown. Abscesses are typically described anatomically signal. A high-pitch bark or no bark may also be another sign
by where they are located – for instance, a “tooth root abscess” as well as the dog appearing to sleep with his eyes open as the
occurs at the tip of a tooth root, and a “subcutaneous abscess” eyelid muscles may be too weak. This disease occurs congenitally
occurs under the skin. Typically, an abscess appears suddenly as in some dog breeds. Jack Russell Terriers, Springer Spaniels and
a painful swelling (if it is not located inside a body cavity or deep Smooth Fox Terriers are affected. It can also occur as an acquired
within tissue) that may be either firm to the touch, or fluctuant problem in older dogs.
like a water balloon. The abscess may be large or small, will often
cause redness if it is under the skin, and may cause local tissue Acral lick dermatitis: Also known as acral lick granuloma or acral
destruction. Some abscesses will rupture and drain foul-smelling lick furunculosis, is a self-induced dermatologic condition in dogs
material. A dog with an abscess will often have a fever, even if the that develops secondary to compulsive or excessive and chronic
abscess has ruptured and drained to the outside of the body. incessant licking in one or more areas. The name for this condition
stems from its location (acral - meaning on the extremities) and
Acantholysis: Loss of intercellular connections, such as from its cause (licking). Usually seen on lower limbs especially
desmosomes, resulting in loss of cohesion (binding) between carpal or metatarsal regions. More than half of dogs with acral
keratinocytes. Separation of cells may result in clefts, vesicles lick dermatitis are suspected to have concurrent fear- or anxiety-
and bullae. Seen in inflammatory, viral and autoimmune diseases based conditions or both (e.g. separation anxiety, noise phobia,
especially pemphigus complex. anxiety-related aggression). The condition incites the affected dog
to excessively lick an area or areas, causing hair loss and erosion
Acanthosis nigricans: Is a disorder of hyperpigmentation, also of the superficial skin layers. The result is self-trauma that leads to
known as the blackening of the skin and may affect canines of a focal infection, and the consequence is even more licking. This
all ages. Primary acanthosis nigricans is a genodermatosis that cycle is thought to be further exacerbated by the idea that local
can occur in many breeds but particularly Dachshunds. Clinical cells or nerves that become damaged release endorphins that act
signs are usually present by 1 year of age in this breed. Secondary not only as strong analgesics but provide a natural “high” and lead
acanthosis nigricans or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation to affected patients licking more and more. Other causative factors
can occur in any breed of dog and at any age; it is most common may include itching due to allergy, pain, boredom, and obsessive-
in breeds predisposed to conditions that result in inflammation compulsive disorder. See Lick granuloma.
of the axillary or inguinal region due to conformational
abnormalities, obesity, endocrinopathies (e.g. hypothyroidism, Acute cystitis: Is defined as inflammation of the urinary bladder
hyperadrenocorticism, sex hormone abnormalities), axillary and usually caused by a bacterial infection. Most cases are caused by
inguinal pruritus associated with atopic dermatitis, food allergy, bacteria from the intestinal tract that migrate up into the bladder.
contact dermatitis, primary disorders of keratinization, and skin Other common causes include bladder stones, tumors or polyps in
infections (e.g., Staphylococcal pyoderma, Malassezia dermatitis). the bladder, and abnormal anatomy (especially in female dogs).
Some dogs will experience interstitial or “sterile cystitis”, a
Achondroplasia: Is a form of osteochondrodysplasia in which the condition that causes inflammation and associated clinical signs
bones do not grow to the normal size, based on what is expected without any infection. The most common clinical sign is hematuria
of the breed. This is caused by a mutation of the fibroblast growth or blood in the urine. Cystitis causes discomfort and pain. Dogs
factor receptor gene. The result is abnormally short limbs, a with cystitis may spend several minutes squatting and straining
condition called dwarfism. In some breeds this trait is selectively (dysuria) to produce only a small amount of urine, and they may
encouraged, such as with the Dachshunds, Skye Terriers, and urinate more frequently than normal (pollakiuria). Dogs of all ages
Welsh corgi. Other breeds that are reported to be affected are can be affected, but vulnerability increases with advancing age.
Bulldogs, German Shepherds, Basset Hounds, Boston Terriers, In such cases, stone formation, prostate disease, and tumors are
Pugs, Pekingese, Japanese Spaniels, Shih-Tzus, Beagles, English frequently seen. Additionally, female dogs are more susceptible to
pointers, cocker Spaniels, and Scottish Terriers. bacterial infections of the lower urinary tract than males.

Acne: A chronic inflammatory disorder. A benign self-limiting Acute moist dermatitis/Acute moist pyoderma: Also referred
disease of the chin and lips of young dogs that starts at puberty to as hot spots or pyotraumatic dermatitis, is a skin condition
around 5 to 8 months of age. Canine acne is a localised form of characterized by localized, moist, erythematous areas. Hot spots
deep pyoderma, also called muzzle folliculitis or furunculosis. are self-induced. Hot spots may appear suddenly with a very
Comedones are rarely seen in canine acne. rapid progression. The lesion is erythematous, swollen, alopecic,

Acquired myasthenia gravis (MG): Acquired MG is a relatively exudative, and plaque-like. The area is often painful. Crusting and
rare autoimmune disorder in which antibodies form against matting of the hair may be present if the patient does not traumatize
acetylcholine nicotinic postsynaptic receptors at the neuromuscular the area for a few hours. Pruritus is usually intense and the severe
junction of skeletal muscles. Muscle weakness is the distinctive self-trauma can cause large lesions (10 cm or more) within hours.
feature of MG. The muscles affected are voluntary or striated The exact etiology is unknown, but anything that can initiate an

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