Search Results
219 results for “genetics”
Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Elbow dysplasia is a group of inherited developmental elbow joint diseases - ununited anconeal process, fragmented medial coronoid process, and osteochondritis of the medial humeral condyle - driven by genetics and rapid growth. It causes forelimb lameness, a reluctance to walk, and sometimes a crackling joint sound. Weight control, pain relief, and surgery in severe cases are the mainstays.
Osteochondrosis and Osteochondritis Dissecans in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Osteochondrosis is a disturbance of cartilage-to-bone conversion in the growing ends of long bones, and when cartilage separates it forms osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). It affects fast-growing large breeds, causing gradually worsening lameness and joint pain, and can lead to degenerative joint disease if untreated. Early surgery gives the best outcome.
Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Hypertrophic osteodystrophy (metaphyseal osteopathy) is a bone-growth disorder of the active growing ends of long bones in young, rapidly growing large-breed dogs. It causes symmetric swelling, heat, and pain over the metaphyses with lameness, fever, and lethargy, and is managed with pain control, infection prevention, and nutrition.
Bichon Frise: Health and Care Considerations Before You Adopt
The Bichon Frise is a gentle, low-shedding companion dog, but prospective owners should know its common care needs: pronounced tear staining from shallow tear ducts, a coat that mats and pulls the skin, separation anxiety, a sensitive stomach, and dental issues. Meeting these needs keeps the dog healthy.
Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs and Cats
Diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats is a disorder of insulin deficiency or resistance that causes persistently high blood sugar. Classic signs are excessive drinking, eating, and urinating with weight loss, and treatment centers on diet, insulin or other glucose-lowering medication, and monitoring.
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) in Dogs and Cats
Intervertebral disc disease occurs when a degenerate disc bulges or herniates and compresses the spinal cord, causing pain, incoordination, and paralysis. It is most common in small or older chondrodystrophic dogs and rarely resolves without treatment.
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.