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4342 results for “how to pet a dog”
Hair Loss (Alopecia) in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Causes, and Care
Hair loss in dogs and cats ranges from localized patches due to friction or harsh shampoos to generalized shedding from parasites, fungus, or endocrine disease such as hypothyroidism. Identifying the cause guides the right treatment.
Ataxia Syndrome in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Ataxia syndrome is incoordination of the limbs from disease of the central nervous system, peripheral nerves, or the limbs themselves, often secondary to infection, poisoning, or inflammation. Signs vary by cause - from whole-body illness to local swelling, fracture, or tendon rupture. Treatment targets the underlying disease.
Interdigital Cysts in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Interdigital cysts (interdigital furunculosis) are a chronic inflammatory skin condition of the paws, not true cysts, starting as small papules between the toes that enlarge, suppurate, and form nodules causing pain, lameness, and licking. Antibacterial care controls it; stubborn cases need surgical removal of the web.
Torticollis in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Torticollis is a head tilt or twist from neck-muscle spasm or paralysis, cervical rheumatism, vertebral dislocation or fracture, neuritis, or ligament injury - often after a fall, blow, or tight collar. Ear infection can also cause it. Treatment targets the underlying cause, with rest, pain relief, and, for fractures, cervical stabilization.
Degenerative Arthritis in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) is non-suppurative wear of joint cartilage from years of uneven load, more common in older pets. It causes pain, stiffness, limited motion, and lameness that worsens with activity and cold weather. Weight control, controlled exercise, pain relief, and surgery in severe cases manage it.
Suppurative Arthritis in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Suppurative arthritis is infection of a joint by pyogenic bacteria, either carried in the blood or introduced through a penetrating wound, causing hot, painful swelling, fever, and lameness. Prompt drainage and antibiotic therapy are essential to save the joint and prevent spread; untreated it can rupture through the skin.
Multiple Cartilaginous Exostoses in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Multiple cartilaginous exostoses (multiple osteochondromas) are benign bony outgrowths that can appear on the spine, ribs, and long bones of young dogs and cats, possibly inherited. They are painless until they press on a tendon, vessel, or nerve, causing lameness, pain, or incoordination; otherwise no treatment is needed, but symptomatic ones are removed surgically.
Hypertrophic Osteopathy in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Hypertrophic osteopathy (hypertrophic pulmonary osteopathy) is a secondary bone and joint disorder driven by underlying lung disease, marked by symmetric hard swelling of the distal limbs from periosteal proliferation and lameness. It is seen mainly in older dogs and improves only when the primary chest disease is treated.
Rheumatoid Arthritis in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, immune-mediated, erosive polyarthritis, often in small and toy breeds between 8 months and 9 years. It causes recurring lameness, stiff swollen joints, fever, and poor appetite, and can end in joint deformity. Treatment relieves pain, controls inflammation, and protects joint tissue.
Joint Contusion in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
A joint contusion is blunt injury to a joint and its surrounding tissues from a fall, blow, impact, or crush, causing bleeding under the skin, swelling, and pain worse than a simple sprain. Care combines sprain management with wound treatment for any scraped skin, plus rest and anti-inflammatories.