Page 48 - Canine-Diseases

types of kidney stones than others. For example, kidney stones as a bilateral bluish-grey haziness at the nucleus, or center of the
containing calcium and oxalic acid (calcium oxalate nephroliths) eye lens. The haze is often more apparent when viewed from the
are more likely to be found in Lhasa Apsos, Yorkshire Terriers, side, rather than directly. The symptoms of nuclear sclerosis in
and Miniature Poodles. Kidney stones containing uric acid (urate dogs can include hazy/cloudy eyes, a blue or grey tint in one or
nephroliths), on the other hand, typically affect Dalmatians, both eyes, and lack of distance and depth perception,
Yorkshire Terriers, and English Bulldogs. Genetic predisposition
breeds include (but are not limited to) the Bichon Fries, Lhasa Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism: Is a nutritional/
Apsos, Miniature Schnauzers, and Yorkshire Terriers. metabolic disorder caused by an elevation of parathyroid hormone
(PTH), usually secondary to poor nutrition. Feeding diet with
Nephrotic syndrome: Is defined as the concurrent presence of inappropriate calcium: phosphorus ratio is the most common
hypoalbuminemia (low levels of albumin), proteinuria (protein cause. Usually seen in dogs fed on pure meat diet. Symptoms of
in urine), hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol levels), and fluid nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism in dogs include bone
accumulation in interstitial spaces and/or body cavities, is a rare deformities especially in growing puppies, limping, reluctance to
complication of glomerular disease in dogs. Affected animals walk, slowness to get up or lay down, poor body condition, bone
frequently have markedly abnormal urine protein: creatinine ratios fractures, and lack of energy.
because of urinary loss of large amounts of protein. Nephrotic
syndrome is often developed from renal amyloidosis or severe
glomerulonephritis. Symptoms of nephrotic syndrome include O
uncomfortable breathing, swelling in limbs, abdominal distention
due to fluid accumulation, paralysis of the hind legs, excess of fats
in blood, high blood pressure, and abnormal blood clots. A form of
glomerulonephritis known as familial glomerulonephritis is most Ocular melanosis (OM): Also known as pigmentary glaucoma,
common in dog breeds including Doberman Pinschers, Cocker ocular melanocytosis or melanosis oculi, is an inherited condition
Spaniels, Samoyeds, Greyhounds, Rottweilers, Bernese Mountain found in Cairn Terriers and occasionally observed in other
Dogs, and Wheaten Terriers. breeds such mas Boxers and Labrador Retrievers. The disease
is caused by an increase of melanocytes in the iris, sclera, and
Nocardiosis: A rare bacterial skin disease caused by Nocardia surrounding structures. The abnormal deposits of melanocytes
spp. which are common gram positive bacteria in soil, organic clog the trabecular meshwork, which is unable to drain the buildup
material, freshwater and saltwater, dust, compost vegetation, of aqueous fluid. The trabecular meshwork is responsible for
and other environmental sources. The most common species normally draining the aqueous humor from the eye. When the eye
of the Nocardia bacteria that can cause severe illness in dogs is unable to drain the aqueous humor, the increased fluid causes
include N. asteroids, N. otitidiscaviarum, N. nova, N. brasiliensis, pressure under the eye. The increased fluid inside the eye results
N. Africana, N. abscessus, and N. elegans. Nocardiosis is an in secondary glaucoma. This is a painful condition that potentially
uncommon infectious disease affecting several body systems, can lead to partial loss of vision or blindness. Ocular melanosis
including the respiratory, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems. is an inherited, probably autosomal-dominant condition with a
Mastitis, pneumonia, abscesses, and cutaneous/subcutaneous variable age of onset and rate of progression.
lesions are the major clinical manifestations of nocardiosis in
companion animals. Dogs become exposed to the bacteria from Ocular trauma: Is the result of blunt, piercing, pointed or jagged
decayed matter or vegetation in soil. Wound contamination, objects inflicted directly to the eye, including cat claw injuries,
inhalation or ingestion especially in immunocompromised animals thorns, branches, writing instruments, or small airborne objects.
may lead to the formation of pyogranulomatous and suppurative In addition, pre-existing visual impairment or deformity in the
lesions in the skin or lungs. Signs of infection include cellulitis, structure of the eye and young, naïve, or highly excitable dogs that
ulcerated nodules and draining abscesses. Lymph nodes are often have not learned caution may be prone for ocular trauma. Ocular
enlarged. Lesions often occur in areas which have been wounded, trauma can affect pets of any age. Symptoms of an injury to the
particularly those in contact with soil (e.g. limbs and feet). eyeball may be represented by the suddenness of the symptoms
(e.g., pawing at the eye, blinking rapidly, swollen, inflamed); blood
Nodular skin diseases: Diseases characterised by the formation of in the eye, or a blood filled mass (subconjunctival hematoma), left
discrete cell clusters within the skin. Nodules may be described as from a sealed laceration; a foreign object in the eye that can be
papular lesions which have expanded in height, width and depth. visually detected; the pupil is distorted, either reacting abnormally
Potential nodular diseases include parasitic, pyodermas, mycoses, or shaped differently; the front clear covering of the eyeball, the
dermatophytoses, neoplasia, cysts, lupus, juvenile cellulitis, cornea, is clouded (cataract); or, the eye is protruding. Any of
sebaceous adenitis or mycobacterial infections. these symptoms may be indicative of an injury to the eye.

Nodule: A solid well circumscribed raised skin lesion of greater Ocular tumors: In dogs ocular tumors are found in the eyelid,
than 1cm diameter. Often extends into deeper skin layers. Nodules conjunctiva, third eyelid, cornea, sclera, iris, ciliary body,
are a primary skin lesion. retina, choroid, optic nerve, and orbit. The most common types
are Meibomian gland adenoma (eyelid), papilloma (eyelid),
Nuclear sclerosis: Also known lenticular sclerosis, it is a consistent melanoma (eyelid, conjunctiva, sclera, iris, ciliary body, choroid),
finding in dogs greater than six years old. Nuclear sclerosis appears squamous cell carcinoma (conjunctiva), adenoma (ciliary body),

48 Alphavetscience.com