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321 results for “dog muscle disease”
What Is Pseudorabies in Dogs
Pseudorabies, also called Aujeszky's disease, is an acute infection of dogs, cats, and other livestock caused by the pseudorabies virus. Dogs usually catch it by eating infected pig or rat tissue, and the hallmark is intense, localized itching. It is almost always fatal in dogs, so prevention and not letting a sick dog bite people are what matter.
Why Is Your Dog Having Trouble Breathing
Difficulty breathing means changes in a dog's breathing rate, depth, and rhythm, often with the chest muscles working overtime to compensate. It is a common and serious sign of respiratory or other system disease. The causes fall into a few mechanistic types, and a sudden breathing struggle is always an emergency.
How to Care for Your Dog in Autumn
Autumn's cool, dry, changeable weather feels great to us but asks for a few adjustments in dog care. Fatigue from summer, dropping temperatures, and dry air all affect a dog's body, coat, and digestion. A few simple habits around food, grooming, exercise, and disease prevention keep your dog comfortable through the season.
Why a Dog That Stops Moving in Winter May Have Arthritis
As the deep cold of winter sets in, some owners notice their dog no longer wants to go out or play, blaming the weather, but the real cause may be osteoarthritis. OA affects 30 to 50 percent of dogs and cats and is not only age-related; even young dogs can develop it, with breed, age, sex, weight, and genetics all playing a role. It is a whole-joint disease where cartilage breakdown outpaces repair. Signs include less activity, stiffness after rest, painful swollen joints, and irritability. Management combines weight control, sensible exercise, NSAIDs for pain, and therapy with joint supplements.
Why Is Your Dog Drooling So Much?
A dog that drools a lot is not always just greedy. Drooling has many causes, and often it is a signal of illness worth noting. It may be dental problems or teething, a throat obstruction or injury, fear and anxiety, overheating, old age, or even car sickness. Most drooling is normal behavior, but if disease is suspected, see a vet.
What Is Storage Disease in Dogs?
Storage disease is a hereditary metabolic disorder where certain substances build up abnormally in the body's tissues. The two most reported forms in veterinary medicine are lysosomal storage disease and glycogen storage disease. It strikes dogs and cats, is very rare, and appears early in puppies and kittens because it is inherited. Nerve-related signs include poor growth, ataxia, seizures, exercise intolerance, behavior changes, and vision loss. Diagnosis uses blood, urine, imaging, biopsy, and enzyme tests; care is supportive, and affected dogs should never be bred.
8 Common Health Issues in Senior Dogs
Aging brings: (1) hearing/vision loss—train hand signals, leash outdoors, pad the home; (2) arthritis (osteoarthritis) in weight-bearing joints causing pain on walks/stairs—vet care; (3) kidney disease, often chronic, with thirst, more urine, nausea, lethargy—manage, not cure; (4) incontinence from organ/muscle/nerve decline—vet check, more walks; (5) obesity raising arthritis/heart/diabetes risk—cut food, keep gentle exercise (walks, swim); (6) dementia (disorientation, anxiety, poor sleep)—meds for quality; (7) lumps/tumors, mostly benign—let the vet judge; (8) cancer, common and varied—regular checkups catch it early. Older dogs need closer diet and exercise management, and more patience.
What to Do If Your Dog or Cat Has Tapeworms
Many species of tapeworms parasitize dogs and cats, and the adult worms seriously harm their health, while the larval stages often use livestock or humans as intermediate hosts, threatening both animals and people. Common species include Dipylidium caninum, Taenia spp., Echinococcus granulosus, Mesocestoides, Spirometra mansoni, and Diphyllobothrium. Infection causes intestinal inflammation, malnutrition, and in severe cases intestinal blockage, with signs like vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and odd behavior. Diagnosis relies on clinical signs plus fecal egg exams. Prevention means regular deworming, not feeding raw offal, and controlling fleas. Treatment uses praziquantel (5 mg/kg dogs, 2 mg/kg cats), arecoline hydrobromide, bunamidine, or fenbendazole under veterinary guidance. Because some tapeworms (like Echinococcus) also endanger human health, prompt and correct control matters.
Why Is My Dog Walking Weakly or Lacking Energy?
A dog that suddenly walks weakly or seems unable to move may be showing signs of an underlying problem. Common causes range from simple fatigue, hunger, thirst, low blood sugar, or calcium deficiency to musculoskeletal issues such as osteoporosis, fractures, sprains, or bone tumors. Other diseases—heart conditions, parasite infections, gastrointestinal disease, anemia, or viral infections—can also cause weakness. Because the cause can be minor or serious, have your dog examined by a veterinarian promptly; the vet can diagnose the issue accurately and recommend effective treatment, while proper diet, rest, and exercise help keep your dog healthy.
Why Is Your Dog Suddenly Drooling a Lot? 4 Causes to Watch
Dogs pant to cool off, so some drool on a hot day is normal. But sudden, heavy salivation in normal temperatures can signal trouble. The causes worth flagging are oral disease, poisoning, heatstroke, and neurological problems, with severe kidney or liver disease and even rabies as grave possibilities. Teething, car sickness, or excitement explain milder cases. When drooling pairs with collapsing, seizures, or suspected toxin exposure, head to the vet at once.