Page 31 - Canine-Diseases

edema, and nephrotic syndrome, which can cause hypertension or visceral. Hemangiosarcoma can theoretically arise from any tissue
hypercoagulability. There are several breeds of dogs known to have where there are blood vessels, they usually appear in the skin, soft
familial glomerular diseases including Bernese Mountain Dogs, tissue, pericardium, heart, spleen, and liver, with the most common
Bull Terriers, English Cocker Spaniels, Dalmatians, Doberman site being the spleen. Because these tumors start in blood vessels,
Pinschers, Samoyeds, Newfoundland, Shar-Pei, and Soft-Coated they are frequently filled with blood and when a blood-filled
Wheaten Terriers. tumor ruptures, it can cause problems with internal or external
bleeding. The most common symptom will be a lump under the
Gluttony bloat: Severe distention of the stomach can be caused by skin, visible bleeding, sometimes in the form of nosebleeds, tiring
over eating referred to as “gluttony bloat” or by a life threatening easily, episodes of unexplained weakness, pale color in the gums,
condition in which the stomach not only is distended but also twists difficulty breathing, abdominal swelling, seizures, abnormal heart
called “Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus”. Bloat, or gastric dilatation, rhythms, depression, and collapse. Hemangiosarcoma usually
occurs when the stomach distends with gas, food and/or fluid. The occurs in middle-aged to older dogs 6 to 13 years of age, although it
extended stomach can put pressure on vital organs and decrease has been seen in dogs less than one year of age. It tends to develop
blood supply. Symptoms include drooling, nausea, restlessness, in mid to large size breeds and especially German Shepherds,
rapid or labored breathing, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Golden Retrievers, Dalmatians, Pit Bulls, Labrador Retrievers,
Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, and English Setters.

Heart valve dysplasia: Is a congenital heart defect in dogs.
Granulomatous meningoencephalitis (GME): Also known Dysplasia of the mitral and tricuspid valves - also known as the
as inflammatory reticulosis, is an inflammatory disease of the atrioventricular (AV) valves - can appear as thickened, shortened,
central nervous system in dogs that is characterised by focal or or notched valves. This condition can result in the valves not
disseminated granulomatous lesions within the brain and/or spinal closing sufficiently to stop blood flow when it supposed to, or
cord, nonsuppurative meningitis and perivascular mononuclear to blood outflow obstruction due to a narrowing of the valves.
cuffing. There are three types of GME: focal (limited to one location Dysplasia may occur in both the mitral and tricuspid valves. Signs
in the nervous system); disseminated or multifocal (involving specific to mitral valve dysplasia include heart murmur, possibly
many locations in the nervous system); and ophthalmic (involving with vibrations that can be felt; rapid breathing; coughing from
the optic nerve/eye). Depending on where the lesions are located, fluid accumulation in the lungs; and Bluish discoloration of the
symptoms may include neck pain, a rigid stance, reluctance to mucous membranes. Signs specific to tricuspid valve dysplasia
move, muscle spasms along the spine, loss of function of limbs, include heart murmur; jugular veins in the neck may be enlarged
fever, and loss of vision. GME can affect any sex, breed, or age or have a pulse; and Fluid may accumulate in the abdomen or in
of dog. The disease frequently affects young to middle-aged dogs, the soft tissues of the legs. Breeds predisposed are Bull Terriers,
with a mean age around 5 years. Some studies have reported Newfoundland, Dalmatians, Golden Retrievers, Labrador
higher prevalence in female dogs, and breed predilections for Retrievers, German Shepherds, Great Pyrenees, Old English
Pugs, Poodles, and Terriers. Sheep Dogs, and Great Danes.

H Heartworm disease: Also known as dirofilariasis, is a serious
disease that results in severe lung disease, heart failure, other
organ damage, and death in pets, mainly dogs, cats, and ferrets.
It is caused by a parasitic worm called Dirofilaria immitis and is
spread through the bite of a mosquito. The dog is the definitive
Hemangioma: is a benign neoplasm (tumor) of canine skin host where the worms mature into adults, mate, and produce
originating from the endothelial cells of blood vessels in the offspring called microfilaria while living inside a dog. The life
dermis and subcutis. Sun damage may be a contributing factor. cycle begins when a female mosquito bites an infected dog and
Though this type of tumor can occur anywhere on the skin, the ingests the microfilariae during a blood meal. The microfilariae
most common locations for cutaneous hemangiomas are the ventral develop further for 10-30 days in the mosquito’s gut and then
abdomen and inguinal regions, extremities, or other areas of skin enter its mouthparts. At this stage, they are infective larvae and
that are sparsely haired and light in color. Older animals, ages 9 can complete their maturation when they enter a dog through the
and up, are more likely to develop these tumors. Hemangiomas mosquito’s bite. They migrate into the bloodstream and move to
usually appear as single to multiple circumscribed nodules that are the heart and adjacent blood vessels of the dog, maturing to adults,
red to black in colour. Those on the skin may be ulcerated and may mating and reproducing microfilariae within 6-7 months. As many
bleed due to self-trauma, particularly if located on the face. Breeds as 30 species of mosquitoes can transmit heartworms. The worms
predisposed to hemangiomas include Gordon Setters, Boxers, are called “heartworms” because the adults live in the heart, lungs,
Airedale Terriers,, Scottish Terriers, Kerry Blue Terriers, Pit Bulls, and associated blood vessels of an infected animal. Inside a dog,
Greyhounds, and Whippets.
a heartworm’s lifespan is 5 to 7 years. Adult heartworms look
Hemangiosarcoma: Also called malignant hemangioendothelioma like strands of cooked spaghetti, with males reaching about 4 to
or angiosarcoma is an aggressive cancer that originates in the 6 inches in length and females reaching about 10 to 12 inches
endothelium and invades the blood vessels. There are three types in length. The number of worms living inside an infected dog
of hemangiosarcomas which includes dermal, hypodermal, and is called the “worm burden”. The average worm burden in dogs

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