Page 30 - Canine-Diseases

G gastritis are excessive vomiting and anorexia. Other clinical signs
may include diarrhea, dehydration, fever, weight loss, lethargy,
depression, increased thirst, blood in the vomit or feces, and
abdominal pain.
Garbage toxicosis: Commonly called “Garbage Gut”, refers to a
condition caused by ingestion of food or garbage contaminated Gastrointestinal cancer: Is uncommon in dogs, but occurs in
with bacteria and potentially with bacterial toxins. The syndrome is dogs mostly in the age group of 8-10 years or more and accounts
similar to food poisoning in humans. Symptoms include diarrhea, for less than 1% of all malignant tumors. The most common
vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, borborygmus (a rumbling or type is lymphoma. Non-lymphomatous esophageal cancer is
gurgling noise), abdominal pain, and fever. This condition may especially rare, the most common types being squamous cell
also be referred to as Bacterial food poisoning, Song Bird Fever, or carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, leiomyosarcoma, and osteogenic
Carrion toxicosis. Ingestion of spoiled food is often contaminated sarcoma associated with the parasite Spirocerca lupi. Non-
with bacteria such as Streptococcus spp., Salmonella spp., lymphomatous stomach cancer is usually an adenocarcinoma, and
Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens and/or Bacillus spp., non-lymphomatous intestinal cancer is usually polyps, adenomas,
which can produce toxins that cause shock, collapse and death. adenocarcinomas, leiomyosarcomas, and leiomyomas. Dogs
Seizures and high fevers can result from some toxins. which have been under the influence of nitrosamines (found in
food stuffs preserved with nitrite pickling salt) over a prolonged
Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV): More commonly referred to period are believed to be more susceptible to the disease. Signs
as gastric torsion or bloat, is a rapidly progressive life-threatening of stomach cancer may include chronic vomiting, loss of appetite,
condition of dogs. GDV is a condition caused by a twisting of and weight loss. Additional symptoms may include vomiting
the stomach and thus trapping the stomach contents and gases blood, passing black tar-colored stools, and abdominal cramps.
resulting in a rapid swelling of the abdomen accompanied by pain German shepherds, Chow Chows, Rough-coated Collies, Belgium
and eventual death if untreated. The increased pressure and size Shepherd Dogs, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers are predisposed to
of the stomach may have several severe consequences, including developing gastrointestinal cancer.
prevention of adequate blood return to the heart from the abdomen,
loss of blood flow to the lining of the stomach, rupture of the Giardiasis: An intestinal infection in dogs caused by the protozoa
stomach wall, and pressure on the diaphragm preventing the lungs Giardia lamblia. A dog becomes infected with Giardia when
from adequately expanding leading to decreased ability to maintain it swallows the cyst stage of the parasite. It can be transmitted
normal breathing. It is an emergency, requiring immediate veterinary by eating or sniffing the cysts from contaminated ground, or by
action. Symptoms include continuous pacing and/or lying down in drinking contaminated water. In susceptible dogs, once the cyst
odd places, salivating, panting, whining, unproductive vomiting passes into the dog’s intestines, it goes through a transformation
or retching (may produce frothy foamy vomit in small quantities), to the trophozoite, or feeding form, and attaches to the intestinal
excessive drooling, usually accompanied by retching noises, and wall to feed. Symptoms are more visible in younger animals than
swelling in abdominal area (may or may not be noticeable). This in older animals and can be either acute, transient, intermittent, or
condition is most often found in large, deep chested dog breeds chronic in nature. In some cases, dogs will exhibit diarrhea that
including Great Danes, St. Bernards, Weimaraners, Irish Setters, is soft, frothy, greasy, and with a strong, awful odor or excessive
Irish Wolfhounds, Borzois, Bloodhounds, Gordon Setters, Basset mucus.
Hounds, Doberman Pinschers, German Shorthaired Pointers, Gingival hyperplasia: Is overgrowth of the gingiva (gum tissue)
Newfoundland, German Shepherds, and Standard Poodles. Anxiety characterized by firm, non-painful swelling of the gums. The
is the foremost causative factor in GDV. Studies have shown that gums may appear reddened or inflamed, and the gums may be so
dogs fed primarily dry kibble and ingesting gastric foreign bodies enlarged that it is difficult to visualize the teeth. Enlargement is
are at significantly increased risk for GDV. In addition, ingestion typically caused by irritation due to dental plaque or other bacterial
of excessive amounts of food or water, delayed emptying of the growth along the gum line. It is seen in brachycephalic breeds,
gastrointestinal system, and too much activity after eating can also especially Boxers. Other predisposed breeds include Bulldogs and,
lead to GDV.
less commonly, Cocker Spaniels.

Glomerulonephritis: Also known as glomerular nephritis, is
Gastritis: Is defined as inflammation of the gastric mucosa or a specific type of kidney disease characterized by inflammation
lining of the stomach. Gastritis can be acute, where symptoms of the glomeruli, which are a tuft of small blood vessels within
appear suddenly and severely, or chronic, where they appear Bowman’s capsule in the kidneys that act as filters for the
steadily and worsen over time, and it may be associated with blood. Glomerulonephritis occurs when immune complexes
other serious conditions. Acute cases are often secondary to are filtered out of the bloodstream and become trapped within
inflammation. Chronic gastritis may be seen with conditions such the glomeruli. It can be caused by cancer, heartworm disease,
as allergy or parasitic infection. Causes of gastritis in dogs include pyometra, chronic periodontal disease, Ehrlichia canis infection,
foreign bodies, drug or toxin ingestion dietary indiscretion, food Lyme disease, endocarditis, lupus erythematosus or discoid
intolerance, systemic bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections, lupus, pancreatitis, and prostatitis. It can result in chronic kidney
tumors, and pancreatitis. Common clinical signs associated with failure, hypoalbuminemia, which can cause ascites and peripheral

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