Page 41 - Canine-Diseases

disease or aseptic necrosis of the femoral head, is characterized an anterior luxation, where it blocks the drainage of fluid from
by a deformity of the head of the femur and hip pain. Legg-Calvé- the eye resulting in glaucoma or increased intra-ocular pressure.
Perthes syndrome results when the blood supply to the femoral This is extremely painful and can cause permanent blindness.
head is interrupted resulting in avascular necrosis, or the death Symptoms can vary depending on the type of luxation. Common
of the bone cells. Followed by a period of revascularization, the symptoms include change in appearance of the eye (abnormal
femoral head is subject to remodeling and/or collapse creating lens position, eye may turn white), aphakic crescent (an area of
an irregular fit in the acetabulum, or socket. This process of bone the pupil where the lens is missing), inflammation within the eye,
cells dying and fracturing followed by new bone growth and clouding in the eye, pain, squinting or holding the eye(s) closed,
remodeling of the femoral head and neck, can lead to stiffness and tearing, and iris or lens trembling. Weakness of the lens ligaments
pain. Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome is believed to be an inherited is known to be hereditary in the terrier breeds especially the Jack
disease, although the mode of inheritance is not known. Legg- Russell Terriers and the Fox Terriers, Chinese Shar Peis, Chinese
Calvé-Perthes syndrome is a painful condition. In affected dogs, Crested Dogs, Poodles, Beagles, Blue Heelers, Australian Cattle
pain may manifest as irritability, decreased appetite, and chewing Dogs, and Border Collies.
at the skin over the affected hip. Breeds at risk for Legg-Calvé-
Perthes syndrome include Affenpinschers, Australian Terriers, Leptospirosis: Is a zoonotic disease found in multiple wild
Bichon Frise, Border Terriers, Boston Terriers, Cairn Terriers, and domestic species, including dogs. Canine leptospirosis, or
Chihuahuas, Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, Fox Terriers, Jack “lepto,” is an infection caused by at least four species (serovars)
Russell Terriers, Lakeland Terriers, Manchester Terriers, Miniature of Leptospira bacteria. Dogs are the primary host of Leptospira
Schnauzers, Miniature Pinschers, Pomeranians, Pekingese, serovars, and many other mammal species can also be infected.
Poodles, Pugs Schipperkes, Scottish Terriers, Shetland Sheepdogs, It primarily affects the kidneys but can also affect the liver and
Silky Terriers, Welsh Terrier, West Highland White Terriers, and other organs. It is characterized by jaundice and fever. Also known
Yorkshire Terriers. as Weil’s syndrome, canicola fever, canefield fever, nanukayami
fever, 7-day fever, Rat Catcher’s Yellows, Fort Bragg fever, black
Leiomyoma: A leiomyoma is an uncommon benign tumor arising jaundice, and pretibial fever. The three main forms of leptospirosis
from smooth muscle in the gastrointestinal tract, vagina and/or are hemorrhagic (infection in the blood, causing bleeding),
uterus. There are no specific causes for leiomyomas. Like most renal (infecting the kidneys), and icteric (infecting the liver). 1.
tumors, it’s more common in older dogs, but it can occur at any Hemorrhagic leptospirosis: tends to start with a high fever, loss
age. Symptoms of leiomyoma in dogs include vomiting (often of appetite, and general lethargy. Small hemorrhages start to
with blood), weight loss, diarrhea, constipation, tenesmus (feeling occur in the mouth and eyes and the dog may develop extreme
an urge to clear the bowls often), hematochezia (blood in stool), bloody vomiting and diarrhea. This form of the disease is often
black tar-like stool with melena (dried blood), lethargy, abdominal fatal. 2. Renal leptospirosis: also starts with fever, appetite loss,
swelling, and pain. and lethargic depression, but eventually leads to kidney failure.
3. Icteric leptospirosis: will often start the same way as the
Leishmaniasis: Is a disease caused by the Leishmania species hemorrhagic form; with fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite. The
of protozoa that is transmitted by a small biting sand fly mouth and whites of the eyes will take on a yellow appearance,
(Phlebotomus spp.). The protozoa complete their life cycle similar to victims of jaundice. In some cases the dog’s skin may
between 2 hosts; sandflies and vertebrate hosts (such as cats, dogs also appear yellow and jaundiced. Leptospira bacteria can be
and people). In dogs, the parasite infects the lymphatic cells. Skin found worldwide in soil and water. Dogs can become infected
damage is usually the result of immune-complex deposition and and develop leptospirosis if their mucous membranes (or skin
granulomatous inflammation. Skin lesions vary and may include with any wound, such as a cut or scrape) come into contact with
fine scale, hyperkeratosis (thickening and hardening of the tissues infected urine, urine-contaminated soil, water, food or bedding;
on the muzzle and footpads), ulcerations or erosions, hypotrichosis, through a bite from an infected animal; by eating infected tissues
and alopecia particularly around the head, ears, pressure points or carcasses; and rarely, through breeding. It can also be passed
and extremities. The clinical signs associated with the visceral through the placenta from the mother dog to the puppies.
form include fever, anorexia, weakness, exercise intolerance,
severe weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, bleeding from the nose, Leukemia: Are progressive proliferation of cancerous white
and melena (blood in the stool usually seen as dark, tarry stools). blood cells within the bone marrow, resulting in destruction of the
The main organ systems affected are the skin, kidneys, spleen, bone marrow and pancytopenia (deficiency of all three cellular
liver, eyes, and joints. Leishmaniasis is considered endemic in components of the blood - red cells, white cells, and platelets) in
Foxhounds in the United States. many cases. Types of leukemia in dogs include acute lymphoblastic
leukemia, acute myelocytic leukemia, acute monocytic leukemia,
Lens luxation: Is the abnormal positioning or displacement of the acute myelomonocytic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia,
lens within the eye. Normally the lens is suspended between the chronic myelogenous leukemia, and chronic eosinophilic leukemia
iris (the colored portion of the eye) and the retina (located along (or hypereosinophilic syndrome). The causes of leukemia is not
the back of the eye). The support ligaments of the lens weaken or well understood, but it is believed to develop spontaneously from
break causing the lens to dislocate from its normal position. It can a mutation in the bone marrow. Certain factors that are believed to
fall backwards into the eye known as a posterior luxation, where it create an increased risk of the development of leukemia include
rarely causes discomfort, or it can fall forwards into the eye, called exposure to radiation, certain viral infections, and exposure to toxic

41 Alphavetscience.com