Personal Care Products and Your Pet
Human personal care products are usually not meant for pets. Commonly used human shampoos, conditioners, medical ointments, and even toothpaste can cause uncomfortable side effects for our pets. Some ingredients in human care products may be toxic. It’s best to gather information about what to share and what not to share with your pet. When in doubt, consult your veterinarian.
Brain Tumors in Dogs
Brain tumors are generally classified as either primary or secondary. Several studies suggest that the prognosis for a dog with a primary brain tumor may be improved significantly by surgical removal of the tumor, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy.
Blepharitis in Dogs
Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid) can affect one or both eyes. The affected eyelid will usually be red, swollen, and itchy. Any condition that can cause irritation of the eyelids can lead to blepharitis. The numerous potential causes of this condition, along with the clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis are outlined in this handout.
Baylisascaris in Dogs
Baylisascaris procyonis, also known as the raccoon roundworm, is a parasite found in the intestinal tract of many raccoons. In some cases, this parasite may also spread to dogs and cats.
Autoimmune Skin Disease in Dogs
The body has an immune system that protects from foreign invaders that can cause disease and infection, however, if with an autoimmune disease, the immune system attacks itself by mistake, causing illness.
Atrioventricular Valve Dysplasia in Dogs
Atrioventricular (AV) valve dysplasia is a developmental malformation of the mitral or tricuspid valve in the heart. Signs include exercise intolerance, accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, weight loss, and stunted growth. Difficulty breathing or collapse may occur if congestive heart failure develops. Treatment of AV valve dysplasia is focused on managing signs of congestive heart failure and/or disturbances in heart rhythm, generally using medications.
Atrial Fibrillation in Dogs
Atrial fibrillation describes very rapid contractions or twitching of the heart muscle, specifically in the atria. Most of the time, atrial fibrillation in dogs occurs secondary to heart disease. In some large breed dogs, atrial fibrillation occurs as a primary heart problem. Most dogs who develop atrial fibrillation have underlying heart disease, so the signs that are observed are related to that disease and may include exercise intolerance, cough, or difficulty breathing. Treatment varies depending on whether the dog has primary or secondary atrial fibrillation. Your dog will need to be monitored on a regular basis.
Atopic Dermatitis (Atopy) in Dogs
This handout explains atopic dermatitis (atopy) in dogs, a form of allergic skin disease brought on by an abnormal response to allergens in the environment. The clinical signs, diagnosis, and treatment are outlined.
Atlantoaxial Luxation
This handout summarizes atlantoaxial (AA) luxation, a condition in which instability or excessive movement is present between the first two vertebrae within the neck. Atlantoaxial luxation can be caused by trauma, hereditary factors, or a combination of these two factors. The most common sign of AA luxation is neck pain, though severely affected dogs may lose their ability to breathe due to paralysis of the diaphragm.
Ataxia in Dogs
What is ataxia? Ataxia is incoordination within the nervous system. The abnormal movement can occur in the legs, the head, the body, or all three. There are several forms of ataxia, depending on where in the nervous system the abnormality occurs. The first type involves a failure of awareness of where the limbs are in […]
