Articles
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In cats, diseases of the lower urinary tract (bladder and urethra) are often grouped under the term feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). Typical signs in cats with FLUTD are those of inflammation and irritation of the lower urinary tract. There are many potential causes of FLUTD, and diagnosis is based on assessing clinical signs and laboratory testing. There is no universal treatment for FLUTD. Each case has to be investigated to determine the underlying cause, and then the treatment has to be tailored to the individual cat.
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Dandie Dinmont Terriers are live-wire dogs that enjoy rousing play, yet can be as tough as nails when extracting a rodent from its den or when standing up to a challenge.
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Cat food labels can be confusing. These labels are an important way that pet food manufacturers communicate nutritional information to consumers. It is important to understand some of the rules regulating cat food labels to better interpret the information they contain.
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This handout describes and illustrates this condition, and discusses the causes, clinical signs, diagnosis, and treatment options for degenerative disc disease in dogs. Surgical intervention is specifically outlined and rule-outs for other conditions causing similar signs are also discussed.
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Degenerative myelopathy (DM), a disease affecting the spinal cord, results in slowly progressive hind limb weakness and paralysis. DM is like some forms of human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment, and it is a progressive, incurable disease.
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Diabetes insipidus results in excessive drinking and urination. As many conditions cause these signs, a number of diagnostic tests including bloodwork and urinalysis need to be performed to rule out other causes. After more common causes are ruled out, a modified water deprivation test can confirm disease and an MRI or therapeutic trial can be performed. Diabetes insipidus results from reduced production of ADH from the brain or reduced sensitivity to ADH in the kidney. Treatment depends on the cause of the disease either replacing the lack of ADH with a synthetic replacement or using a hydrochlorothiazide and a low salt diet to decrease urine production.
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Cats with diabetes have the potential to go into remission where they may no longer need to receive insulin. Factors that can affect the likelihood of remission include the type of insulin given, your cat's diet, and how long your cat has been diabetic. It is important to recognize the signs of hypoglycemia, as they may be your first indication of remission.
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Discospondylitis is a bacterial or fungal infection of the intervertebral discs and the adjacent vertebral bones in the back. It primarily affects dogs, though rarely can affect cats. It affects large-breed dogs more often and generally starts as back pain. This handout outlines the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
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Just like people, your dog can mourn when there has been a loss in their world, and the symptoms are similar. There are ways that you can help, with some guidance from your veterinarian or a behaviorist if needed.
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If your dog has threatened or displayed any signs of aggression, the problem is likely to continue until appropriate steps can be taken to identify the cause and modify the pet's behavior. A necessary first step is prevention and avoidance of further incidents. Not only is this essential to ensure safety, but each aggressive display may actually serve to increase the chances that the aggressive behavior will continue.