Dog Tremors

Tremors in dogs, much like tremors in humans, are rhythmic involuntary movements that can affect all or part of the body. There are many causes of tremors. Tremors involving the head are often caused by abnormalities of the brain (i.e. cerebellum) or the organ of balance (i.e. the vestibular). Inflammation, trauma, toxins and immune system problems are only…

Dog Stomach Reflux Problems

Vomiting is a common clinical sign in dogs. It can be associated with many disorders. Chronic vomiting may occur when the stomach is constantly inflamed and irritated (gastritis). This irritation usually leads to chronic and episodic vomiting that may occur over a period of weeks or months. Chronic gastritis is usually not associated with eating, and it may or…

Dog Skin Allergies

Dogs can get allergies just as people can. Atopy, also known as allergic inhalant dermatitis, is a disease that occurs in humans, dogs and cats. It is an inherited disorder that causes patients to become sensitized or allergic to allergens in the environment. It is a common disease that affects 10 to 15 per cent of the…

Dog Skin Lumps and Bumps

There are many different kinds of skin tumors. Some are serious but most are benign. Most skin growths are likely to be either skin papillomas (i.e. warts) or sebaceous gland adenomas. Skin papillomas are common in dogs. Their cause is unknown, although viral infections appear to be involved in some cases. These growths often appear…

Dog Rabies

The rabies virus affects dogs and all other warm-blooded animals. In wildlife animals, rabies is  commonly seen in foxes, skunks, raccoons and bats. Each of these species carries a variant strain of the rabies virus. All of these strains can affect animals. Domesticated animals such as cows, horses, dogs and cats commonly act as a source for human infections…

Dog Ticks and Lyme Disease

Ticks are small, grayish insects that usually live in fields and forests, particularly around burrows of wild rodents (e.g., moles, voles, mice). The Ixodes deer tick is a common vector for Lyme bacteria, the cause of Borreliosis or Lyme disease. Lyme disease is one of many diseases that ticks transmit. Dog Lyme Disease Symptoms

Lyme…

Dog Skin Infections

Dog skin infections, or what are often called “Hot Spots,” are usually caused by a bacterium called Staphylococcus Intermedius, although other bacteria can also cause skin infections. In most cases, the cause remains unknown, although they are often due to some underlying factor such as fleas, mites, bacteria, allergies, or irritants such as harsh shampoos. In some…

Dog Prostate Cancer

All intact (not neutered or not castrated) male dogs are more prone to prostate problems as a result of the effects of testosterone (male hormone) on this gland over time. The testosterone most commonly leads to benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) in older male dogs. Dog BPH Symptoms

This condition results in an enlargement of the gland that as the name suggests…

Dog Obesity

Obesity affects dogs and other pets adversely in many ways. Overweight dogs tend to play and exercise less and don’t live as long as healthy pets. In fact, the list of harmful effects of obesity on pets is a long one.

Overweight dogs have a lower resistance to infection and tend to be less able to fight infectious…

Dog Meningitis

Dog Steroid Responsive Meningitis is a condition that primarily involves a dog’s central nervous system. The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis means inflammation of the meninges, or otherwise the covering layer of the central nervous system. The condition is referred to as SRMA, or steroid responsive meningitis-arteritis because it affects the arteries in…

Dog Liver Disease

Dog liver disease encompasses a wide spectrum of conditions. A dog’s liver may malfunction for example because a cancer has invaded. Other times, an abscess may have formed or infection may have moved into the tissues or the bile duct system. Cirrhosis of the liver is an end-stage condition where scar tissue replaces normal functioning liver cells….