Page 74 - Canine-Diseases

seizure disorders may also develop in sensitive pets. The stress of skin which causes blood to leak into surrounding tissues. Fluid
vaccination may be enough to activate an infection already present accumulation in the skin results in oedema, wheals, papules,
in the animal. The majority of reactions are mild and short lived. pustules, plaques and nodules with skin also developing alopecia,
scarring, necrosis and ulceration. Lesions more commonly occur
Vaginal hyperplasia/prolapse: Refers to a mass which protrudes on the extremities (such as ear tips, paws), areas of friction (e.g.
from the vaginal area. It is a proliferation of the vaginal mucosa, elbows and hocks) and dependant areas (those nearest the ground).
usually originating from the floor of the vagina anterior to the Location of lesions may be closely associated with vascular
urethral orifice, occurs during pro-estrus and estrus as a result of pathways. Skin may be the only organ affected or other systemic
estrogenic stimulation. Type 1 hyperplasia occurs when there is signs may be observed (rare). The inflammation is thought to be
a slight protrusion, even though it does not exit the vulva itself. the result of an abnormal immune response. Many drugs have
Type 2 hyperplasia, on the other hand, is when the vaginal tissue been implicated in the formation of vasculitis. Vaccines can
actually protrudes through the vulvar opening. While Type 3 also be responsible for many cases of vasculitis. In particular,
hyperplasia refers to the donut-shaped mass, which can be seen a characteristic presentation of vasculitis has been reported
externally. Normally the prolapse or hyperplasia resolves at the following the administration of rabies vaccinations. Various
end of the season when the ovarian production of oestrogen infections including bacteria, viruses and protozoa have also been
elapses. However, the prolapse may recur in each succeeding implicated in cases of vasculitis and rare cases can be triggered
season. The noticeable sign and symptom is a tongue-like bulge, by internal cancer. Additionally, a subset of cases do not have an
protruding through the dog’s vulva. Other symptoms include identifiable trigger and are termed ‘idiopathic’. Genetics may well
pain during urination, extreme licking of the vulva, swelling, have a part to play in the development of cutaneous vasculitis. In
and difficult delivery. Vaginal prolapse/hyperplasia occurs most dogs, breeds such as the German Shepherds, Saint Bernards, Jack
commonly in large breed dogs, especially in young bitches (2 Russell Terriers, Greyhounds, and the Chinese Shar Peis appear
years or younger) during their first three seasons. Breeds that particularly prone to vasculitis. Breeds such as the Yorkshire
are more likely to suffer from the condition include Labrador Terriers, Poodles, Silky Terriers, and the Maltese Terriers appear
Retrievers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Boxers, Mastiffs, German to be more prone to develop vasculitis as a result of vaccination.
Shepherds, Springer Spaniels, Walker Hounds, Airedale Terriers,
English Bulldogs, and American Pit Bull Terriers. Ventricular septal defect (VSD): A ventricular septal defect is a
hole (“defect”) in the muscular wall inside the heart (the septum)
Vaginitis: Is the medical term used to describe inflammation that that separates the two main pumping chambers of the heart: the
is often associated with an infection or irritation of the delicate right ventricle and the left ventricle which are the main pumping
lining of the vagina. Two forms of vaginitis are recognized in dogs chambers of the heart and are normally completely separated from
- juvenile, or puppy, vaginitis and adult-onset vaginitis. Juvenile one another by this septum. This results in blood being diverted,
vaginitis is vaginal inflammation and associated clinical signs in or shunted, from one side of the heart to the other. VSD may be
female dogs that have not yet undergone puberty. Most affected seen with other congenital cardiac anomalies. Most VSDs in dogs
dogs show minimal or no clinical signs; scant mucoid discharge at are subaortic (below the aortic valve) and have a right ventricular
the vulvar lips is most commonly described. Adult-onset vaginitis hole that is beneath the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve. A
is much more common in spayed female dogs than in intact ones. loud heart murmur may be the only symptom of the VSD. Other
In 80% to 90% of cases, the presenting complaint is mucoid to symptoms of VSD may include decreased energy, less desire to
purulent vulvar discharge. The next most common presenting exercise, weight loss, anorexia, cough, severe panting, pale gums,
complaints are vulvar licking, pollakiuria (extraordinary daytime increased or irregular heart rate, and fainting. VSD affects many
urinary frequency), and urinary incontinence. The causes of breeds sporadically and its method of inheritance has not been
vaginitis in dogs include urinary tract infections, vaginal trauma, determined. English Bulldogs and Keeshonds are an exception.
foreign bodies, urine or fecal contamination of the vulva, ectopic
ureter, urinary incontinence, vaginal tumors, bacterial or viral Vertigo: Known as vestibular disease in dogs, is an uncommon
infections, vaginal hematomas or abscesses, and congenital condition in older dogs, and refers to a sudden, non-progressive
anatomical abnormalities. The most common clinical signs of disturbance of balance. The vestibular system governs an animal’s
vaginitis include discharge from the vulva, increased frequency sense of balance and includes components in the inner ear and
of urination, licking of the vaginal area, vaginal discharges of brain. There are two parts to the vestibular system that work
blood, mucus, or pus, and scooting or rubbing the vaginal area. together, the peripheral and the central. Peripheral vestibular
The vagina will often appear red and swollen. Vaginitis can appear disease can be caused by ear infections, infection or inflammation
in any female, spayed or intact, and at any age. Intact females may of the cranial nerve, injury to the ear or head, polyps, punctures
be reluctant to mate. All affected females, regardless of the stage to the eardrum, and reactions to antibiotics. Central vestibular
of their heat cycle, spay status, or age, may attract the attention of disease can be caused by bleeding in the brain, brain tumor,
male dogs. fungal infections of the brain stem, and infection or inflammatory
disease. Most cases are idiopathic. Signs include nystagmus (a
Vasculitis: Inflammation of the blood vessels. Cutaneous vision condition in which the eyes make repetitive, uncontrolled
vasculitis is a term used to describe a variety of skin diseases that movements), head tilt, circling, vomiting, loss of coordination,
are caused when inflammation targets the blood vessel walls. In and falling to one side. Idiopathic vestibular disease will usually
dogs, inflammation tends to affect the small blood vessels of the resolve in a few days to a few weeks.

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