Page 39 - Canine-Diseases

location in the gastrointestinal tract from the stomach to the large denotes a yellow discoloration of mucous membranes of the gums,
intestine. However, most commonly, the bowel segments involved eyes, nostrils, genitals, and other areas due to a high concentration
are the middle of the small intestine (jejunum) or the where the of bilirubin, a normal bile pigment formed as a result of a breakdown
small intestine joins the large intestine or colon (ileocecocolic of hemoglobin present in red blood cells. Higher concentrations
junction). Intussusceptions are most commonly associated with of bilirubin are toxic and may cause discoloration of the skin,
some problem that causes inflammation of the intestine (enteritis). liver and kidney injury, and may also affect brain tissue. Causes
Common causes include intestinal parasites, bacterial or viral for jaundice in dogs include diseases, toxins, drugs, systemic
infections, foreign bodies, abrupt dietary changes, congenital infections impairing processing of bilirubin in liver, hepatitis,
collagen deficiency, and intestinal tumors. Symptoms include tumors, liver cirrhosis, liver damage, parasites, incompatible
abdominal pain, abdominal distension, vomiting, straining to blood transfusion, heartworm, and obstruction in secretion of
defecate, regurgitation, bloody diarrhea, anorexia, and weight bilirubin due to inflammation of pancreas. The most obvious
loss. German Shepherds are vulnerable to invagination in the symptom of jaundice in dogs is a yellow discoloring of the eyes,
gastroesophageal region. gums, or skin, especially on the ear flaps. Other symptoms include
yellow discoloration of the skin, paleness, orange colored urine
Iris cysts: Also known as uveal cyst, is a small hollow structure and feces vomiting, polyuria (increased urination), polydipsia
either attached to the iris of the eye or floating free in the anterior (increased thirst), anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding, lethargy,
chamber. Cysts arise from the posterior pigmented iris epithelium and fever. Jaundice is fairly easy to spot in dogs, though it may
or the inner ciliary body epithelium and may be free-floating within be more difficult to see on darker dogs than dogs with light fur or
the anterior chamber or adhered to the pupillary margin or within skin pigment.
the posterior chamber. It is most commonly seen as secondary to
inflammation in the eye, especially with canine glaucoma. Iris Joint effusion (swelling): Is a painful condition that causes fluid
cysts are often benign and occasionally they may be large enough to accumulate in the joint space. This increase in joint fluid often
to interfere with vision or with the function of the eye. Congenital leads to a distention of the joint capsule and a swelling of the joint.
cysts are caused by a developmental abnormality in the eye and The general causes of joint effusion include traumatic injury to
affected dogs are born with the cysts. Acquired cysts may be the the joint, osteoarthritis, infectious joint disease, immune mediated
result of trauma to the eye or of uveitis. Symptoms may include polyarthritis, and tumors of the joint capsule or bone. Symptoms
vision alteration, obstruction of the drainage angle of the eye, of joint effusion include lameness, fever, reluctance to move, and
development of glaucoma, and change in behavior. Spontaneously lethargy. Many animals with joint effusion in multiple joints often
occurring iris cysts are relatively common in dogs with Golden have a very stiff gait and appear to be “walking on egg shells.”
Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Great Danes, and Boston Terriers
most frequently affected. Juvenile pyoderma: Also known as puppy pyoderma, is a
condition of young dogs characterized by pustules of infection,
Iris prolapse: Is the protrusion or forward movement of the iris, most notably on the hairless surface of the lower abdomen. See
the colored membrane or tissue of the eye, through a traumatized canine Juvenile cellulitis.
or diseased cornea. It is a common sequel to penetrating corneal
wounds and/or ruptured corneal ulcers. The protruding iris is often
covered with a blob of mucus that appears yellow or white. The K
underlying iris itself is usually brown-black in color. Symptoms
include swelling and clouding of the eye, ocular pain with marked
squinting and tearing, blood in the eye, and distortion of the pupil.
Kennel Cough: Is a condition that affects the upper respiratory
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): It is not a well-defined disease tract of dogs and is characterized by the inflammation of the
process in veterinary medicine, but is believed to be associated trachea and bronchi. There are often multiple infectious agents
with some sort of functional disorder of intestinal motility or that are working at the same time to infect the dog. Which is why
movement, rather than an infectious, inflammatory, or cancerous it is also referred to as Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease
problem. In addition, some of the suspected factors are thought to (CIRD) or Infectious Tracheobronchitis. Viral pathogens include
be related to diet intolerances, dietary fiber deficiency, allergies, canine distemper (CDV), canine parainfluenza (CPIV), canine
abnormal colonic myoelectrical activity and motility, and mental adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2), canine influenza (CIV), canine
distress. The most common symptoms of IBS is chronic diarrhea, herpesvirus (CHV), canine respiratory coronavirus (CRCoV),
frequent passage of small amounts of feces and mucus, and pantropic canine coronavirus, canine reovirus, and canine
constipation. Abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, and nausea may pneumovirus (CnPnV). Bacterial pathogens include Bordetella
also occur. bronchiseptica, Mycoplasma spp., and Streptococcus equi subsp.
zooepidemicus. It is a highly contagious respiratory disease. Dogs
J commonly contract kennel cough at places where large amounts
of canines congregate, such as boarding and daycare facilities, dog
parks, training groups, and dog shows. Dogs can spread it to one
another through airborne droplets, direct contact (e.g., touching
noses), or contaminated surfaces (including water/food bowls).
Jaundice: The term icterus (or yellow jaundice; yellow skin) Symptoms include a strong cough, often with a “honking” sound –

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