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301 results for “Breed genetics”
Leukemia in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Leukemia is a malignant disease of the blood-forming system in which abnormal white cells flood the marrow and blood, damaging other organs. Forms include myeloid, lymphoid, monocytic, and mast-cell leukemia, and treatment is difficult, relying on chemotherapy and supportive care.
Canine Mitral Valve Insufficiency: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Mitral valve insufficiency is a degenerative heart-valve disease in which blood leaks backward from the left ventricle into the left atrium, accounting for roughly three-quarters of canine heart disease. Older small breeds are most affected and show exercise intolerance, coughing, and night-time breathing distress.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a heart-muscle disorder in which the ventricular chambers enlarge and weaken, leading to poor pumping, congestive heart failure, and arrhythmias. Large and middle-sized breeds are most at risk, and signs include weakness, coughing, abdominal swelling, and fainting.
Demodicosis in Dogs and Cats (Demodectic Mange): Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Demodicosis is a skin disease caused by Demodex mites living in hair follicles and oil glands, producing localized or widespread hair loss, redness, and scaling. Most dogs carry the mites harmlessly, but stress, illness, or immune weakness allows outbreaks that need veterinary antiparasitic treatment.
What causes tear stains in my cat?
Common causes are a salty or greasy diet, flat-faced breed anatomy blocking tear ducts, eye diseases (conjunctivitis, keratitis, ingrown lashes), irritation, or infection. Treatment targets the underlying cause.
What causes tear stains in cats?
Cat tear stains can arise from diet (too salty or greasy food), genetics (flat-faced breeds with blocked tear ducts), or eye diseases like conjunctivitis and ingrown lashes. Proper treatment depends on identifying the specific underlying cause.
Why does a dog grow slowly?
Slow growth relates to genetics, breed, nutrition, and environment; supplement nutrition and rule out disease.
Can I keep my dog from growing big, and is that safe?
A dog's size is set by genetics and can't be changed by care or drugs. Growth-stunting medications seriously harm health and shorten lifespan, and severe diet restriction hurts bone and muscle development and can cause lethargy or even anemia. Choose a small breed instead.
Brachycephalic (Short-Nosed) Syndrome in Dogs: Diagnosis and Treatment
Short-nosed breeds can have several upper-airway abnormalities at once — stenotic nostrils, elongated soft palate, and more — that narrow the airway. Mild cases are managed; severe ones need surgery. Here is how it's diagnosed and treated.
Signs Your Cat Has Successfully Mated
Wondering whether a mating was successful? Understanding the feline heat cycle first helps — then you can read the body-language cues of a completed mating and confirm pregnancy the right way.