Search Results
850 results for “dog disease”
Common Bone and Joint Diseases in Dogs
Poor care often deforms a dog's legs. Know the risks: hip and elbow dysplasia in retrievers and shepherds, osteochondrosis in large fast growers, femoral head issues in small breeds, and degenerative joint disease eased by weight control, gentle exercise, and glucosamine. Home setup matters too, slippery floors and stairs cause lasting damage.
What Are the Symptoms of Kidney Disease in Dogs?
Kidney disease comes in two forms, acute and chronic, and kidney tissue cannot regenerate. Once damage is done it is permanent, and signs appear only after two-thirds to three-quarters of kidney function is lost. Early warning signs include changes in urination, increased thirst, lethargy, poor appetite, and digestive upset. Late-stage failure brings severe, unmistakable symptoms. Recognizing these signs early gives your dog the best chance at management and comfort.
Common Oral Diseases in Dogs
Many owners struggle with their dog's bad breath and the distress of dental pain. This article shares the common oral diseases behind that odor and how to prevent and treat them. From tartar and gingivitis to periodontal disease, cavities, broken teeth, and malocclusion, understanding the causes is the first step to a healthier mouth.
Kidney Disease: The Silent Threat to Cats and Dogs
Kidney disease is a silent killer of pets—early signs are subtle, and by the time you notice lethargy, weight loss, excessive thirst, frequent urination, reduced appetite, vomiting, or bad breath, treatment may be overdue. Studies suggest 1 in 3 cats and 1 in 10 dogs has kidney disease. Newer testing (SDMA) can flag problems when only 25% of function is lost, far earlier than traditional tests (75%). Management means vet-guided diet and medication, no table scraps or treats, encouraging water, and regular monitoring.
Common Old-Age Diseases in Dogs
Dogs are seniors from about seven years, showing grey fur, clouded eyes, weaker hearing, slower movement and lost teeth, all normal aging. But the risk of heart disease, joint trouble and mouth disease also climbs. Aging hearts can cause fluid buildup and breathlessness, a fading pancreas can bring obesity and diabetes, joints stiffen, eyes cloud with cataracts, coats thin, and tartar and gum disease appear. Adjust diet to avoid excess calories and keep weight down to protect joints and metabolism.
Should You Shave a Dog With Skin Disease?
Whether to shave a dog with skin disease depends on the cause. Fungal ringworm, mange mites, severe inflammation and eczema often benefit from clipping so medicine reaches the skin and the area stays clean and observable. But allergy- or hormone-driven skin problems do not improve with shaving and may even weaken the skin's defences. Always have a vet examine the dog under a microscope first, then treat the cause, and keep the environment cleaned with disinfecting tools.
Dog CoQ10 and Heart Disease: What the Research Points To
Clinical data puts heart-disease incidence in dogs aged 5–8 at around 10%, and early signs—frequent panting, coughing, poor appetite—can progress to pulmonary edema, thrombosis, or kidney strain. CoQ10 fuels the heart muscle and may slow heart failure and hypertrophy, but products vary widely. Knowing what a sound formula looks like helps you choose past the marketing.
Acanthosis Nigricans (Black Skin Disease) in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Care
Acanthosis nigricans is a skin syndrome of itching and friction leading to thickened, darkened skin, seen mainly in certain dog breeds. Causes include allergy, hormonal imbalance, and obesity, and care combines itch relief, diet, and anti-seborrheic care.
Intervertebral Disc Disease in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Intervertebral disc disease occurs when a degenerating disc bulges or ruptures and presses on the spinal cord, causing pain, numbness, and movement loss. It favors the thoracolumbar (about 85%) and cervical (about 15%) spine in small or chondrodystrophic dogs. Conservative rest and anti-inflammatories help mild cases; severe ones need decompressive surgery.
Selenium Metabolism Disorders in Dogs and Cats: Deficiency (White Muscle Disease) and Toxicity
Selenium is an essential trace mineral that supports antioxidant defence and immune function in dogs and cats. Both too little and too much are harmful: deficiency causes nutritional myodegeneration (white muscle disease) affecting skeletal and heart muscle, while excess produces acute and chronic poisoning.