Page 42 - Canine-Diseases

chemicals. Symptoms of leukemia in dogs include pale gums, genetically predisposed. Dogs with hypothyroidism are also prone
pale or white color in the tongue, anorexia, dyspnea (difficulty in to developing fatty tumors.
breathing), weight loss, irregular heart rate, anemia, swelling of
the lymph nodes, enlarged spleen, fever, vomiting, dehydration, Liver cancer: Is usually metastatic in dogs. Primary tumors are and
bruising, recurring infects, lameness, and behavioral changes. The include benign hepatocellular adenoma (hepatoma) and malignant
condition mostly occurs in older dogs, with no strong connection hepatic carcinoids. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most
to gender or breed. common type of primary liver cancer (cancer that originates from
the liver), but there are a few other types of liver cancer that can
Lichenification: Is a term describing a common cutaneous affect dogs, including bile duct carcinoma, neuroendocrine tumor,
reaction to chronic disease. The skin becomes markedly thickened and mesenchymal tumor (sarcoma). HCC can present in three
with exaggerated markings so that the end result in severe cases different ways. The tumor could be massive, which means the
may resemble elephant skin Often skin has increased pigment cancer is made up of a single large tumor and is not necessarily
(hyperpigmentation). The majority of cases are the result of an a description of tumor size; it could be nodular, which means
underlying pruritic skin disease with selftrauma from rubbing there are several masses spread throughout the liver; or it could
and scratching responsible for the lesion. The underlying causes be diffuse, which involves the entire liver. Metastatic cancer of
include atopy, food hypersensitivity, food intolerance, pyoderma, the liver is usually associated with pancreatic cancer, lymphoma,
demodicosis (manage), sarcoptic mange (scabies), chronic intestinal carcinoma, thyroid cancer, fibrosarcoma, osteosarcoma,
endocrine disorders, Malassezia dermatitis acanthosis nigricans, mast cell tumors, hemangiosarcoma, mammary carcinoma,
and keratinisation disorders. pheochromocytoma, and transitional cell sarcoma. Symptoms
include weight loss, anorexia, fever, lethargy, weakness, excessive
Lick granuloma: Also known as acral lick dermatitis or acral thirst (polydipsia), abdominal distension, and diarrhea.
pruritic nodule, is a skin condition occasionally seen in dogs. The
name for this condition stems from its location (acral-meaning on Liver failure: Is common in dogs. Signs include vomiting, loss of
the extremities) and from its cause (licking). The excessive licking appetite, weight loss, and jaundice. Causes include bacterial or viral
causes a well circumscribed, raised, firm, alopecic, and eroded to infection, toxic insult, cancer, copper storage diseases, or it may
ulcerated plaque or nodule. The lesions are prone to infections, be idiopathic. Acute hepatic failure is a condition characterized by
which make them itchier, and leads to a self-perpetuating cycle the sudden loss of 70 percent or more of the liver’s function due to
of itching and licking. Some of the factors that may contribute sudden, massive, hepatic necrosis (tissue death in the liver).
to lick granulomas include itching (allergy may initiate the lick
granuloma); pain (painful joint or bone); boredom (focusing their Lumbosacral syndrome: Also known as Cauda equina (Latin
attention on excessively licking a limb); stress (licking relieve their “horse’s tail”), is the compression of the nerve roots and spinal
anxiety); obsessive-compulsive disorder; and foreign body (thistle cord as they pass through the lower back; it can be congenital
spine, splinter or bee sting might start up a reaction in the skin). (present at birth) or acquired (developed after birth). The term
Breed predisposed to lick granuloma include Airedale Terriers, sacral refers to the sacrum, which is the part of the spine that joins
Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, the lumbar spine and the pelvis. The lumbosacral joint is one of the
Labrador Retrievers, Great Danes, Boxers, Irish Setters and highest-motion joints of the spine. The pressure may be due to a
Weimaraners. narrowed spinal canal, an infection in the disc at this joint, trauma,
a spinal tumor or instability at this joint. Dogs with lumbosacral
Lip fold dermatitis: Is a form of superficial pyoderma that occurs syndrome often have a long-term history of one or more of the
in the dog and most commonly occurs in the lip folds, but it may following problems: lower back pain, reluctance to jump or work,
occur in any skin fold on the body. The infection occurs secondary hind limb pain, hind limb lameness, hind limb weakness, hind
to irritation, poor ventilation and moisture from tears, saliva, limb incoordination, urinary or faecal incontinence, and weakness
glandular secretions or urine. In severe cases, skin and subcutis of, or reluctance to wag their tail. The average age of onset is 7
may slough. Obesity is also considered to be a factor in some years, and the condition is seen most often in large breed dogs,
cases. Certain breeds are more susceptible, which include Basset particularly the German Shepherds.
Hounds, Bloodhounds, English Bulldogs, Pekingese, Pugs, Saint
Bernards, Shar Peis, Shih-Tzus, and Spaniels. Lung cancer: Is usually the result of metastasis in dogs.
Primary tumors are rare. The most common type is pulmonary
Lipoma: One of the most common benign neoplasms (tumours) adenocarcinoma. There are two type of lung cancer diagnosed
of canine skin originating from subcutaneous fat cells (lipocytes). in dogs. The first is primary lung cancer which is defined as
Tumours are often found in older dogs particularly on the thorax lung tumors that originate in the lung tissue. The second type is
and may be single or multiple, well circumscribed, soft lesions metastatic lung cancer which is cancer that originates elsewhere
in the subcutaneous tissue. Another sub-classification of benign in the body such as a leg bone, the mouth, or the thyroid gland,
lipomas are infiltrative lipomas. These typically invade locally but has spread to the lung via the bloodstream. The environment
into muscle tissue and fascia and may need to be removed. in which the dog lives is an important factor to the potential
Fatty skin tumors develop more easily in some dog breeds than threat of developing lung tumors. Just as with humans, second-
others. Labrador Retrievers, Shetland Sheepdogs, Schnauzers hand smoke in the dog’s home due to a smoking owner correlates
(miniatures), Golden Retrievers, and Doberman Pinschers may be with an increased incidence of lung cancer in dogs. Symptoms

42 Alphavetscience.com