Page 34 - Canine-Diseases

dermatitis, are red, moist, hot and irritated lesions that are typically of cortisol in the body. Elevated cortisol levels are caused by
found on a dog’s head, hip or chest area. Hot spots often grow at increased production from the adrenal cortex. Increased production
an alarming rate within a short period of time because dogs tend may occur as a result of disease or tumors in the pituitary gland
to lick, chew and scratch the affected areas, further irritating the in the brain (responsible for modulation of secretion from the
skin. Some common triggers are atopy (allergies to things in the adrenal gland), or a tumour of the adrenal gland. Of dogs with
environment such as grasses, trees, weeds, dust mites, etc.), food hyperadrenocorticism, 85% have pituitary gland tumors and 15%
allergies, fleas, mites, insect bites and skin wounds. A bacterial have adrenal gland tumors. Iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism
infection of the skin (typically caused by Staphylococcus) may also occur in dogs treated with excessive levels of
develops by taking advantage of the damaged inflamed skin. See glucocorticoids (corticosteroids). Common symptoms associated
Acute Moist Dermatitis. with hyperadrenocorticism in dogs include polydipsia (increased
thirst), polyuria (increased urination), increased hunger, increased
Hydrocephalus: Literally means “water on the brain”, is a panting, pot-bellied appearance, obesity, fat pads on the neck
neurological disease in which there is excessive accumulation of and shoulders, loss of hair on the flanks, neck, and perineum,
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the ventricular system (a set of lack of energy, muscle weakness, thinning and darkening of the
hollow structures in the brain continuous with the central canal skin, easy bruising, and hard white scaly patches on the skin.
of the spinal cord) of the brain causing abnormal dilation. This Hyperadrenocorticism in dogs generally affects middle-aged to
abnormal dilation may affect only on one side of the brain, or older animals. Poodles, Dachshunds, Beagles, German Shepherds,
both sides. It may involve the entire ventricular system, or only and many Terrier breeds are commonly affected. Others include
elements next to a site of ventricular system obstruction. This Beagles, Boxers, Labrador Retrievers, American Eskimo Dogs,
accumulation puts pressure on the brain, causing signs such as an Australian Shepherds, Maltese, and Cocker Spaniels.
enlarged, dome-shaped head, seizures, blindness, and behavioral
changes. Other signs can include head pressing, eyes that gaze Hypercalcemia: Refers to an abnormally high blood concentration
downward and outward (called ventrolateral strabismus), and gait of calcium, which can indicate certain diseases. Hypercalcemia
abnormalities. The congenital form of hydrocephalus is called is worrisome, because the most common cause in dogs, as in
primary hydrocephalus. Secondary hydrocephalus is acquired later humans, is cancer (hypercalcemia of malignancy). Some other
in life and is often associated with tumors, trauma, or inflammation, causes of hypercalcemia in dogs include acute and chronic renal
which may block the flow of CSF or alter the normal production failure, primary hyperparathyroidism, hypoadrenocorticism,
or drainage of the fluid. Small dog breeds are predisposed to hypervitaminosis of D, bone diseases associated with osteolysis,
the condition, including Cairn Terriers, Chihuahuas, Maltese, and granulomatous inflammation. Hypercalcemia can be toxic to
Pomeranians, Toy Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers, Boston Terriers, all body tissues, but major deleterious effects occur in the kidneys,
Manchester Terriers, English Bulldogs, Lhasa Apsos, Pekingese, nervous system, and cardiovascular system.
Pugs, and Shih Tzus.
Hyperkeratosis: Also known as hairy dog feet, is a condition that
Hydronephrosis: Is the distension or enlargement of the pelvis of manifests as excessive accumulation of keratin on the dorsum of
the kidney (renal pelvis - the funnel-like dilated proximal part of the nasal planum and/ or footpads. Keratin is a protein that makes
the ureter in the kidney) with urine as a result of obstruction of the up the outer coating of the skin. Hyperkeratosis causes the skin
ureter, which is the tiny tubular structure that allows the passage to thicken and harden, sometimes to the point of cracking, thus
of urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder. This can occur for leading to the emergence of secondary infections. Aside from
a variety of reasons, including kidney obstruction, kidney stones, inherited or idiopathic occurrences, hyperkeratosis can occur as
tumors, ureteral stenosis (narrowing of the ureters), prostatic a symptom of leishmaniasis, canine distemper, zinc responsive
disease, perineal hernia, radiotherapy, postoperative complication dermatosis, and pemphigus foliaceus. Boxers, English Bulldogs,
from ectopic ureter surgery, and trauma. Symptoms may include Boston Terriers, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Dogues
anorexia (loss of appetite), restlessness, polydipsia and polyuria de Bordeaux, Irish Terriers, and Bedlington Terriers are all known
(excessive thirst and urination), hematuria (blood in the urine), to develop this condition.
uremia (urea in the blood), halitosis (bad breath), mouth sores,
abdominal pain, lower back pain, and abdominal distension. Hyperparathyroidism: Is a disorder resulting from excessive
secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) by one or more of the
Hygroma: The formation of a bursa (a fluid-filled sac) in the parathyroid glands located in the neck. Hyperparathyroidism
subcutaneous tissue overlying a bony prominence (e.g. the elbow). affects calcium and phosphorus regulation in dogs. Primary
The bursa forms as a result of chronic trauma and tissue necrosis hyperparathyroidism refers to a condition in which a tumor in
over a pressure point particularly of the leg joints. Initially fluid- the parathyroid gland produces excessive levels of parathyroid
filled, the lesion may become an abscess or granuloma (a mass of hormone, leading to increased blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia).
granulation tissue). A hygroma is more likely to occur in larger Secondary hyperparathyroidism can be caused by a deficiency
breeds of dogs, where more weight is put on the bony area, as well of calcium and vitamin D, and is associated with malnutrition
as those that are more sedentary. Hygromas are not tumors. or chronic kidney disease. Dogs with hyperparathyroidism will
usually exhibit a gradual onset of symptoms, including increased
Hyperadrenocorticism: Also called Cushing’s syndrome, is a thirst, increased urination, and/or urinary incontinence; weakness,
common endocrine disease of dogs resulting from excessive levels stiffness, decreased muscle mass, and/or lethargy; and anorexia,

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