Articles
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Vaccinations are important to prevent serious illness in dogs. Even dogs that spend all their time indoors should be vaccinated. Some viruses can be carried into your home on inanimate objects such as shoes and clothing. Your veterinarian can help you determine what vaccinations your dog needs to be protected.
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Infectious canine hepatitis (ICH) is a viral infection caused by a member of the adenovirus family. Young dogs are at the highest risk of contracting this virus and signs of disease usually occur within two to five days after exposure. In severe cases, usually in young puppies, along with the fever, depression, and loss of appetite, there is abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, edema (fluid swelling under the skin) of the head and neck, and possibly jaundice. Such cases are often fatal. Treatment is aimed at reducing symptoms and giving time for the dog's immune system to respond, including hospitalization, intravenous fluids, and medications. Vaccination has been very successful at reducing the prevalence of this disease.
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Infertility in a female dog is defined as the inability to conceive and give birth to live puppies, even when mated multiple times with a known fertile male around the time of ovulation. This handout outlines the varying causes of infertility in female dogs and how they may be diagnosed and treated.
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Infertility in a male dog is defined as the inability to produce a successful pregnancy in a fertile female, even with multiple breedings near the time of ovulation. The causes of infertility fall under three broad categories: failure to copulate or ejaculate, poor semen quality, and prostatic disease. This handout explains the possible causes in detail, as well as methods to diagnose and treat them.
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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a syndrome affecting the stomach and/or intestines that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or weight loss. It is a chronic condition, and in most instances, an exact underlying cause cannot be identified.
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Foreign body obstruction is a common and potentially life-threatening condition in veterinary practice. Some foreign bodies pass through the intestinal tract, but if an obstruction occurs, surgical removal of the blocked object is the only treatment.
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An inguinal hernia occurs when abdominal organs or tissues push through the inguinal ring (a natural opening in the abdominal wall near the pelvis) and bulge into the groin area. Inguinal hernias may be present at birth or develop later in life, possibly due to muscle weakness or trauma. This handout discusses signs, treatment, prognosis, and prevention.
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Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive, degenerative disease of the joints. This handout explains and outlines the use of disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs) in treating dogs with OA. DMOADs slow or change how OA progresses. This handout explains the common DMOADs and how they are used in OA treatment.
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Otitis interna is inflammation of the inner ear, most often caused by infection. Signs depend on the severity and extent of infection. They may include reluctance to eat, head tilt, alteration in balance, and reduced hearing on the affected side.
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Bee stings and bites from spiders, fleas, and ticks are the most common causes of insect bite reactions in pets. Insect bites can cause mild to severe allergic reactions in many dogs. Fortunately, most reactions are minor and have an excellent prognosis for recovery. Treatment typically involves antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs.