Page 45 - Canine-Diseases

that are predisposed to MCT include Boston Terriers, Boxers, or ulceration from neoplasia or foreign object), and chronic or
Pugs, English Bulldogs, Beagles, Bull Terriers, Bullmastiffs, recurrent gastric dilatation with or without volvulus were also
Dachshunds, Australian Cattle Dogs, Cocker Spaniels, Fox associated with increased risk of developing megaesophagus.
Terriers, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Rhodesian Symptoms of megaesophagus include halitosis, fever, rapid
Ridgebacks, Schnauzers, Staffordshire Terriers, Shar-Peis, and breathing, abnormal lung sounds, muscle weakness, and muscle
Weimaraners. wasting. Breeds with increased prevalence of megaesophagus
include Wire-haired Fox Terriers, Miniature Schnauzers, Great
Masticatory muscle myositis (MMM): Is an inflammatory Danes, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Newfoundlands,
disease in dogs affecting the muscles of the jaw. Signs include Greyhounds, Shar-Peis, and Irish Setters.
swelling of the jaw muscles and pain on opening the mouth. This
disease is an autoimmune process in which circulating antibodies Melanoma: A malignant tumor of melanocytes (melanocytic
specifically target the masticatory muscles. In chronic MMM there tumor), the cells responsible for pigment production. They account
is atrophy of the jaw muscles, and scarring of the masticatory for 5-7% of all canine skin tumors. There are different types of
muscles due to fibrosis may result in inability to open the mouth melanocytic tumors like melanocytic nevus, melanocytoma, and
(trismus). MMM occurs in all breeds, but appears to be more malignant melanoma which can further divided into cutaneous
common in German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, Golden melanoma, oral melanoma, uveal or intra-ocular melanoma,
Retrievers, and Labrador Retrievers. and limbal (epibulbar) melanoma. Lesions are usually solitary
and tend to occur on the head, lips, limbs, digits, scrotum, and
Mastitis: Is a bacterial infection of the mammary glands, mostly trunk in dogs. About 50% of the melanomas are of the nail beds
seen in females, usually lactating females. However, male dogs and foot pads which spread to other sites of the body. Lesions
can also develop mastitis. Escherichia coli, Staphylococci, and are often ulcerated but otherwise vary in size, shape and colour
β-hemolytic Streptococci are some of the main bacteria that are (grey, brown, or black). Tumour may grow up to 10cm diameter
found to be most commonly involved. Mastitis can quickly change in dogs. On palpation lesion may be poorly or well circumscribed.
from a mild, localized infection to an abscess in the mammary Dog breeds that are predisposed to melanoma include Scottish
gland or a potentially deadly systemic illness. Dogs that have had Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Gordon Setters, Chow Chows, Vizslas,
mastitis are more prone to developing it again. Mastitis in dogs is Miniature Schnauzers, Doberman Pinschers, Airedale Terriers,
categorized into two different types. 1. Acute Septic Mastitis: the Boston Terriers, Springer Spaniels, Bay Retrievers, and Golden
female has developed an infection or abscess within a mammary Retrievers.
gland and has become very ill. Bacteria have entered the mammary
gland and can be fatal if not treated quickly; and 2. Galactostasis: Meningiomas: Are a kind of brain tumor that affects dogs and
referred to as caked breasts, galactostasis occurs during the later arise from the meninges (the covering surrounding the brain).
stages of pregnancy. The milk can start to accumulate and make Meningiomas are among the most common brain tumors in dogs,
the teats painful and distended. The mammary glands are not accounting for about 40% of all canine primary brain tumors.
infected and therefore the female is not ill. This also happens when Meningiomas are classified into three types: benign (Grade
a female experiences a false pregnancy. Symptoms of mastitis I), atypical (Grade II), and anaplastic (Grade III or malignant).
include firm, swollen, warm, and painful mammary gland(s) from In dogs, the incidence of Grade I tumors is 50-60%, 40-45%
which purulent (pus-like) or hemorrhagic fluid can be expressed. for Grade II tumors, and < 5% for Grade III tumors. Symptoms
Other symptoms are not wanting to nurse puppies, snapping or include seizures, confusion or aggression, and loss of equilibrium.
growling at puppies, discolored or blood in the milk, restlessness, Boxers, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Miniature
crying, dehydration, fever, weight loss, and lethargy. Schnauzers are predisposed to the development of meningiomas.

Medial patella luxation (MPL): Is a condition in which the Meningoencephalomyelitis: Indicates inflammation of the
knee-cap no longer glides within its natural groove in the femur, coverings of the brain and spinal cord, brain tissue itself and spinal
the upper bone of the knee joint; instead, it becomes displaced cord tissue. Meningoencephalomyelitis is a compound word that
to the inside of the joint. MPL is considered congenital and also indicates inflammation of the meninges (coverings of the brain
reported to be hereditary. Congenital causes are most common in and spinal cord), encephalo (brain tissue itself) and myelo (spinal
small- and toy-breed dogs, including Maltese, Poodles, Yorkshire cord tissue). The ‘–itis’ part of the term simply refers to the
Terriers, and others. Larger breed dogs may also be affected by inflammation. It is uncommon but can be seen in any animals,
MPL, however, due to trauma or congenital causes. See Luxating often with devastating results. Symptoms include lethargy, fever,
patella. disorientation, stupor, seizures, unsteady gait, behavior changes,
photophobia, stiff neck or back, stumbling, falling, paresis, and
Megaesophagus: Can be defined as loss of tone and motility of the paralysis.
esophagus, often resulting in diffuse dilation and clinical signs of
regurgitation. It can be either congenital or acquired. Other causes Metritis: Is the medical term used to describe inflammation of
of megaesophagus include myasthenia gravis, lead poisoning, and the endometrium (lining) of the uterus due to a bacterial infection.
Addison’s disease. In addition, one study found that peripheral Unlike pyometra (infection in the uterus), metritis most often
neuropathies, laryngeal paralysis, severe esophagitis (caused by develops just after giving birth and may be associated with a
gastroesophageal reflux, hiatal hernia, Spirocerca lupi infection, retained fetus or placenta. It can also develop after a natural or

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