Page 50 - Canine-Diseases

pemphigus), endocrine, epithelialization disorders, foreign bodies, the pancreas, surrounding organs and tissue. Chronic pancreatitis
glandular disorders, immune-mediated (e.g. drug reactions), takes time to develop and is thus more likely to occur in animals
fungal (e.g., aspergillosis), parasites, viral (e.g. canine distemper), two years and older. Also called exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
and miscellaneous (auricular chondritis, eosinophilic diseases, (EPI), it is characterised by an inability to secrete digestive
juvenile cellulitis). Signs may range from reddening (erythema) enzymes. Contributing factors include diabetes, hyperlipidemia,
of the skin of the ear canal, through to pruritus and head shaking, hypothyroidism, obesity, dietary indiscretion, medications and
scaling, inflammation (narrowing the canal), discharge (due to toxins such as cholinesterase inhibitors, calcium, potassium
increased waxy or purulent secretions), bad odour, scratching or bromide, phenobarbital, L-asparaginase, estrogen, salicylates,
pawing at the ear, pain on palpation of the auricular cartilage and azathioprine, thiazide diuretics, and vinca alkaloids. Classic signs
rotation of the head with affected ear. Dog breeds with floppy of pancreatitis in dogs include hunched back, repeated vomiting,
ears are more prone, since air flow is limited and a warm, moist pain or distention of the abdomen, diarrhea, anorexia, dehydration,
environment built up, which is conducive to infection. Animals weakness, lethargy, and fever. It is most commonly seen in middle-
with otitis externa can also develop otitis media. aged and older overweight dogs. German shepherds can constitute
up to two-thirds of cases reported for EPI, with Miniature
Otitis media: Is the inflammation of the middle ear structures which Schnauzers, Rough Collies, Yorkshire Terriers, Silky Terriers,
is usually caused by an extension of infection from the external Dachshunds, Miniature Poodles, and Cocker Spaniels also noted
ear canal or by penetration of the eardrum by a foreign object. to be at risk.
With otitis media, facial nerve and sympathetic nerve disturbances
can be expected because these nerves pass through the wall of the Panniculitis: Is an uncommon condition in dogs that is
middle ear and cavity of the middle ear, respectively. Hence, in characterized by inflammation of subcutaneous fat cells which
otitis media facial asymmetry, inability to blink, xerophthalmia, results in nodules, or bumps, on the skin surface. Most dogs
and ipsilateral Horner’s syndrome are the most likely neurological have a single nodular lesion on the trunk that vary from a few
signs to accompany the head tilt. millimeters to several centimeters in diameter. The nodule, which
is either firm or soft, is freely movable underneath the skin until
Ovarian cancer: Is uncommon in dogs. Ovarian tumors can be fully grown. In some cases, yellow-brown to bloody discharge
categorized based on their cell origin. They are epithelial tumors is excreted from the nodule, while the outer skin may turn red,
(papillary adenoma and adenocarcinomas), germ cell tumors brown, or yellow in color. The area may be extremely sensitive,
(dysgerminomas), and sex cord stromal cell tumors (granulosa cell especially immediately after rupturing. After the ulcers heal, a scar
tumors, thecomas and interstitial cell tumors [luteomas]). Epithelial or crusty layer of skin may form. It can result from many different
tumors and sex cord stromal tumors together account for 80-90% possible causes, including infections (bacterial, fungal, viral),
of all canine ovarian tumors. Signs include abnormal seasons, immunologic diseases, trauma, pancreatic disease, vaccination
persistent estrus, discharge from the vagina, and masculinization. or other drug-induced, or idiopathic Dachshunds appear to be
Granulosa cell and epithelial tumors produce the female hormone predisposed. German Shepherds and Weimeraners have also been
estrogen so they cause enlargement of the uterus, sometimes with reported as affected.
secondary infection (pyometra). Some studies have found breeds
like Boxers, German Shepherds, Yorkshire Terriers, and English Pannus: Also referred to as chronic superficial keratitis, is an
Bulldogs to be at an increased risk for granulosa-theca cell tumors, immune-mediated condition affecting the cornea and third eyelid
a type of sex cord stromal cell tumor. of a dog’s eye(s). Pannus appears as a grayish-pink film on the
eye, and as the disease progresses, the cornea becomes opaque.
P It is a non-ulcerative condition that affects both eyes at the same
time. Factors that can contribute to disease include exposure to
airborne irritants, entropion (eyelashes that turn inward), high
altitudes and continuous exposure to direct sunlight, immune-
mediated inflammation, and underlying eye conditions. Found
Pancreatic exocrine neoplasia: Are tumors that arise from the most commonly in German Shepherd Dogs, Belgian Tervurens,
glandular tissue of the pancreas that produces digestive secretions. Border Collies, Long-Haired Dachshunds, Greyhounds, and
They are aggressive tumors that invade nearby tissues and spread to Siberian Huskies.
distant organs. Neoplasias of the exocrine pancreas can be primary
or secondary and can be classified as benign or malignant. Most Panosteitis: Is an inflammation involving the bones of young,
exocrine pancreatic neoplasias in dogs are secondary. Symptoms growing dogs. It is sometimes called “growing pains” and also
include abdominal pain, vomiting, weight loss, lethargy, jaundice, known as juvenile osteomyelitis (inflammation of bone), enostosis
and anorexia. Most commonly found in Airedale Terriers and (bone lesion), eosinophilic (inflammatory) panosteitis, and canine
Boxers. panosteitis. This condition occurs spontaneously and ultimately
resolves on its own. It is short-lived (self-limiting) and painful
Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas which is common in condition characterized by limping and lameness. Some dogs
dogs. Pancreatitis in dogs can be either acute or chronic. Acute also exhibit fever, depression, weight loss, and anorexia. It is a
pancreatitis is a crippling painful disease whereby abnormal condition that affects the long bones in the legs of young dogs,
pancreatic function causes the release of digestive enzymes into usually between the ages of 5 to 18 months. Panosteitis tends

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