Page 64 - Canine-Diseases

factors may also produce a conducive environment for skin sun exposure, actinic folliculitis, follicular cyst formation, and
problems in dogs, which can co-exist with skin tags as a secondary dermal fibrosis occur. Dog breed predisposed to solar dermatitis
growth or infection which includes exposure to chemical pollution include Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Bull Terriers,
in the, environment, ill-fitting collar, parasitic infestation, poor Boxers, Dalmatians, American Bulldogs, and Whippets, but any
skin care, and insufficient nutrition. Dogs, of any breed or age, dog with white or lightly pigmented hair and skin is at risk.
may develop skin tags. It is most common in older dogs, as well
as specific breeds, such as Cocker Spaniels due to their genetic Spermatocele: Is a cystic distension of the epididymis, the
component. elongated cordlike structure that provides for storage, transit, and
maturation of sperm. This condition is usually associated with
Smoke inhalation: Causes direct damage to the upper airways, a blockage of the epididymis. Spermatoceles often cause sperm
which include the nose, sinuses, pharynx (nasopharynx, back-up and create areas of low-level inflammation which are
oropharynx, and laryngopharynx), and larynx. Injury to the tissue referred to as sperm granuloma. Both of these conditions may
is seen after inhalation of carbon monoxide, which decreases tissue make a dog less fertile.
oxygen delivery by binding to red blood cells; inhalation of other
toxins that directly irritate the airway; and inhalation of particulate Spondylosis deformans: Is a condition that affects the vertebral
matter that adheres to the airways and small air sacs in the lungs. bones of the spine and is characterized by the presence of bony
Important agents involved in smoke inhalation include thermal spurs or osteophytes along the edges of the bones of the spine. A
injury, soot, carbon monoxide, cyanide gas, nitrogen, methane, bony spur may develop in a single spot on the spine or multiple areas
oxides of nitrogen, zinc oxide, phosphorus, sulfur trioxide, titanium of the spine. The most common places that spondylosis deformans
tetrachloride, oil fog, Teflon® particles, and Teflon® pyrolysis lesions develop are along the thoracic vertebrae (chest), in the
products (polymer fume fever). Symptoms include facial burns, lumbar spine (lower back) and in the lumbosacral spine (around
extreme coughing or wheezing, oropharyngeal blistering and/or the hips and back legs). These bone spurs can form bridges from
edema, changed voice, carbonaceous discharges, reddened eyes, one vertebrae to the next, limiting flexibility and range of motion.
mucous membranes may be cherry red, pale, or cyanotic (blue), The bone spurs of spondylosis deformans develop to re-establish
rapid breathing, vomiting, and shock. Polymer (Teflon®) fume the stability of the weakened joint or joints. The causes for bone
fever typically presents as general malaise, cough, sternal pain, spur include repetitive bone wear and stress, major injury, and
voice changes, and fever. Smoke inhalation caused by fires is a genetic predisposition. Poor nutrition, stress, and lack of exercise
major cause of fatalities in animals. are also considered causes of some cases of spondylosis. Older,
large-breed dogs are at highest risk for developing spondylosis
Soft palate disorders: Are usually congenital defects of the deformans. Boxers are thought to be more commonly affected
fleshy tissue at the back of the throat that separates the oral and than other breeds.
nasal cavities. The most common disorders are a “cleft” in the
palate or an elongation of the palate. The soft plate disorders Spongiosis: A histopathology term describing edema of the
in dogs include brachycephalic syndrome, congenital oronasal intercellular spaces of the epidermis, and is characteristic of
fistulas, occlusal anomalies, macroglossia, microglossia, eczematous dermatitis, manifested clinically by intraepidermal
epitheliogenesis imperfecta, and tight-lip syndrome of Chinese vesicles (fluid-containing spaces), “juicy” papules, and/or
Shar-Peis. Symptoms include noisy breathing, retching or gagging lichenification. A common feature of many subacute or acute
especially while swallowing, cyanosis (blur tongue or gums), inflammatory skin conditions.
difficulty suckling, drinking or licking, and difficulty vocalizing.
Predominantly seen in brachycephalic, short-faced breeds of dog Sporotrichosis: A fungal disease caused by Sporothrix schenckii
such as English Bulldogs, Boston Terriers and Pugs. that affects both dogs and humans. In canine cases of sporotrichosis,
the fungus typically enters into the body through an open wound,
Solar dermatitis: A chronic inflammatory reaction in the a sore or some other orifice (direct inoculation). The origin of
skin caused by long term exposure to sunlight. It is a common the fungus is environmental; it is naturally found in soil, plants
dermatologic disorder in hot, sunny climates. It can also affect and sphagnum moss, but it can be communicated zoonotically
animals that live in high altitudes or that spend a great deal of time between different animal species, and between animals and
outside, even in temperate zones. Solar dermatitis lesions are more humans. Sporotrichosis may be grouped into three forms which
commonly seen in white or light-skinned animals and in areas include lymphocutaneous, cutaneous, and disseminated. The
where the coat is thinned such as tips of ears, nose, eyelids and lymphocutaneous form is the most common. Small, firm dermal
ventral abdomen. Sun damage of epithelial structures of the skin to subcutaneous nodules develop at the site of inoculation. As
leads to increases in inflammatory cytokines, prostaglandins, and infection ascends along the lymphatic vessels, cording and new
leukotrienes as well as toxic oxygen intermediates that perpetuate nodules develop. Lesions ulcerate and discharge a serohemorrhagic
and amplify tissue injury. Prolonged and repeated sun damage exudate. The cutaneous form tends to remain localized to the site
leads to keratinocyte proliferation, mutagenesis, atypia (structural of inoculation, although lesions may be multicentric. Disseminated
abnormality in a cell), and premalignant actinic keratosis sporotrichosis is rare but potentially fatal and may develop
(precancerous skin), which can progress to invasive squamous with neglect of cutaneous and lymphocutaneous forms or if the
cell carcinoma. The initial signs of sun exposure damage are animal is inappropriately treated with corticosteroids. The disease
erythematous, scaly lesions, which may be tender. With repeated occurs more commonly in hunting dogs because of the increased
likelihood of puncture wounds associated with thorns or splinters.

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