IV DISC DISEASE Disc Disease describes a bulging or ruptured Inter-vertebral (I.V.) Disc. The spine is made up of bony segments (vertebra) which are connected by ligaments. In between the vertebra are shock absorbing cushion-like structures called intervertebral discs. IV discs are comprised of a fibrous outer ring (nucleus fibrosis) and an inner jelly like substance (nucleus pulposis) much like a jelly donut. The outer ring can rupture, extruding the inner jelly dorsally up into the spinal cord causing serious problems. Symptoms include pain in the mildest cases, demonstrating a drunken staggering gait or paresis (partial paralysis), in more severe conditions. In most severe situations full paralysis is seen demonstrated by dragging of the rear limbs with no deep pain (cannot feel a toe pinch). If deep pain is lost, emergency neurosurgery at a specialist facility is required. In other words symptoms can range from pain, shivering, reluctance to jump to total paralysis of the rear limbs. In mild or moderate cases, treatment includes rest, pain medication, anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy. However, in the case of paralysis, emergency neuro-surgery is required. Weight control is essential to reduce chances of initial back disease, or recurrence of the problem. Strict cage rest is absolutely necessary for 2-3 weeks to increase chances of successful recovery. (No jumping on or off furniture, no steps, no rapid starts or turns, no standing on hind legs are allowed; leash walks only) Anti-inflammatory injections are sometimes administered reduce swelling in the spinal cord and minimize or prevent further neurological damage. If the condition staggering worsens, (stumbling, or loss of function of rear limbs) immediate surgical attention is required, usually costing several thousand dollars. Emergency spinal surgery can bring about complete and total recovery of normal motor function in a paralyzed animal if caught in time.

HYPERTHYROIDISM Hyperthyroidism describes the disease of having an overactive thyroid gland. It is seen mostly in middle-aged cats. Symptoms include weight loss in the face of a voracious appetite, nervousness, restlessness. Hyperthyroidism causes the body's metabolism to race at a rapid rate, causing multiple organ dysfunctions. Rapid heart rate (tachycardia) as high as 220 or 250 beats per minute (normal 90-110) is a key symptom. Sustained elevated heart rate possibly leads to heart failure if untreated. Three common treatment protocols include: surgery (thyroidectomy) radiation treatment of the thyroid gland performed at a licenced radiation treatment center such as UGA Veterinary Clinic in Athens medical (conservative drug) treatment "Tapazole" (methimazole) The medical approach is least expensive and least risky to the pet’s health. However, even generic methimazole is not inexpensive. A common symptom of methimazole treatment is vomiting, but the side-effect is usually temporary. Methimazole is often dosed once daily, but some cats need twice daily dosing (every 12 hrs). Although hyperthyroidism is a potentially deadly disease, many cats can lead high quality lives for years after diagnosing if treated properly. Annual thyroid testing is recommended to confirm that the proper dose is being administered. Hypothyroidism is seen commonly in middle aged dogs, females more often than males. It describes a diseased thyroid gland that has ceased to produced and secrete sufficient thyroxin. The metabolism slows and multiple organ systems are adversely effected. Symptoms include weight gain, skin problems, ear infections and in long term untreated severe cases lameness and other musculoskeletal disorders. The disease is diagnosed through a blood test. Treatment consists of oral thyroid gland supplementation. Drug names include Thyroxin, Soloxin, Levothyroxin, and several generic formulations that work very well. Dosing is usually once daily. Annual blood tests are needed to confirm proper blood levels of thyroid hormone. Once regulated many dogs are able to lose the extra weight and return to their normal activity level

HOT SPOT Hot Spots are a skin lesion described as purulent or moist bacterial dermatitis. Hot spots are areas of skin that become irritated, often under heavy coat or mats, where the skin is deprived of air and cannot “breathe. The skin itches causing the pet to chew aggressively making the skin raw and infected. The sooner treatment is effected, the better. Caught early the hot spot can be controlled before it becomes large and severe. Effective treatment includes shaving the hair off the area and applying a topical antibiotic such as Neopredef. Oral (systemic) antibiotics are administered to control the infection, and anti-inflammatories are prescribed to alleviate the itching (pruritis). Flea control is a necessity to prevent future hotspots. (Frontline Top Spot, Advantage, or Revolution).

HOOKWORMS Hookworms are a common intestinal parasite in dogs and cats. Hookworm eggs pass from dog to dog in feces. Additionally, the larvae can be ingested, as well as pass intradermally (through the skin) or transmit through the mother’s milk to newborn pups. Hookworms (Ancylostoma Caninum) can penetrate the skin of children’s bare feet and can cause blindness. Hookworm eggs live in the dirt in back yards, along sidewalks, public parks; anywhere dog’s have defecated. Hookworms cause illness and anemia by sucking blood from the intestines of dogs & cats. They tear out pieces of the intestinal wall for nourishment leaving bleeding wounds or suck blood directly from the wall of the intestine. Symptoms of hookworm infestation include dark stool, bloody diarrhea, weight loss, dry coat, lack of energy, and pale gums in an anemic patient. Hookworms are easily prevented by administering a dose of Pyrantel Pamoate on the first of every month. Pyrantel Pamoate is typically administered along with Ivermectin Heartworm protection in the form of Heartgard Plus, Iverheart Plus or Revolution. Treatment is accomplished by a three day protocol of Pyrantel Pamoate and all pets in the house should be treated simultaneously. Because of the wide prevalence of Hookworms twice yearly fecal testing is the safest course.

HIP DYSPLASIA Hip dysplasia describes very early onset arthritis in young or growing dogs. It is a developmental disease of the hip joint seen in most breeds of dogs and even in some cats. Lameness and exercise intolerance are the most common clinical signs. Hip dysplasia is treated with rest, restricted activity, pain medication, and, in severe cases, surgery. Causes of hip dysplasia are complex, mostly involving heredity factors from parents, but recent research indicates environmental factors such as overeating and too weight gain may be involved. Radiographs are required to diagnose the disease. Safe and effective analgesics and anti-inflammatories offer dysplastic pets considerable relief from pain. Drugs such as Rimadyl, Etogesic, and Zubrin are powerful pain relievers available for pets with arthritic joint pain.

HEMATOMA Hematoma looks like a swollen ear and results from vigorous flopping of long ears back and forth as a dog shakes its head. Hematoma describes a condition of accumulated blood between the cartilage and skin of the earflap. Hematoma is caused by excessive, severe head shaking or scratching at the ears with the back feet. The most common underlying causes of hematoma are ear infection, ear mites, fleas, or trauma. The head shaking caused blood vessels in the ear to rupture and bleed, causing the swelling. Surgery is required to drain the hematoma and re-attach the cartilage to the skin. Treating the underlying infection is required to allow healing and prevent reoccurrence.

HAIRBALL Hairballs are extremely common digestive disorders in cats, expecially long haired cats. Symptoms range from anorexia, gorging, vomiting and diarrhea. Vomitus can be just food, digested or undigested, or may have hair in it. As cats continually groom themselves (especially in spring and fall as they are changing their wardrobe) they ingest huge quantities of their own hair. The hair can wad into a ball too large to pass through the pyloric valve (passage from stomach into intestines). Instead it rolls around sometimes blocking digestion, causing nausia and sometimes vomiting. Treatment is simple and inexpensive. Elimination treatment involves administering 1 tbs Laxatone 3 X daily for 3 days to “gunk” up the hairball in the petroleum based substance and pass it down the intestinal tubes in the form of feces. Preventative maintenance is recommended throughout spring and fall, involving a mouthful of Laxatone 2 X weekly for months at a time. Laxatone is available in tuna a chicken flavor and most cats find it delectable. No cat should suffer unnecessarily from the nauseous discomfort of a hairball and Before expensive diagnostic or surgical remedies are attempted on vomiting cats, hairball should be considered and treated.

FAQs Archive - Page 5 of 13 - Waterloo Animal Hospital

IV DISC DISEASE

Dwight Boehm2015-09-25T16:40:35+00:00

IV DISC DISEASE Disc Disease describes a bulging or ruptured Inter-vertebral (I.V.) Disc. The spine is made up of bony segments (vertebra) which are connected by ligaments. In between the vertebra are shock absorbing cushion-like structures called intervertebral discs. IV discs are comprised of a fibrous outer ring (nucleus fibrosis) and an inner jelly like

IV DISC DISEASEDwight Boehm2015-09-25T16:40:35+00:00

HYPERTHYROIDISM

Dwight Boehm2019-01-16T22:14:42+00:00

HYPERTHYROIDISM Hyperthyroidism describes the disease of having an overactive thyroid gland. It is seen mostly in middle-aged cats. Symptoms include weight loss in the face of a voracious appetite, nervousness, restlessness. Hyperthyroidism causes the body's metabolism to race at a rapid rate, causing multiple organ dysfunctions. Rapid heart rate (tachycardia) as high as 220 or

HYPERTHYROIDISMDwight Boehm2019-01-16T22:14:42+00:00

HOT SPOT

Dwight Boehm2015-09-25T16:32:13+00:00

HOT SPOT Hot Spots are a skin lesion described as purulent or moist bacterial dermatitis. Hot spots are areas of skin that become irritated, often under heavy coat or mats, where the skin is deprived of air and cannot “breathe. The skin itches causing the pet to chew aggressively making the skin raw and infected.

HOT SPOTDwight Boehm2015-09-25T16:32:13+00:00

HOOKWORMS

Dwight Boehm2015-09-25T15:36:50+00:00

HOOKWORMS Hookworms are a common intestinal parasite in dogs and cats. Hookworm eggs pass from dog to dog in feces. Additionally, the larvae can be ingested, as well as pass intradermally (through the skin) or transmit through the mother’s milk to newborn pups. Hookworms (Ancylostoma Caninum) can penetrate the skin of children’s bare feet and

HOOKWORMSDwight Boehm2015-09-25T15:36:50+00:00

HIP DYSPLASIA

Dwight Boehm2015-09-25T15:36:17+00:00

HIP DYSPLASIA Hip dysplasia describes very early onset arthritis in young or growing dogs. It is a developmental disease of the hip joint seen in most breeds of dogs and even in some cats. Lameness and exercise intolerance are the most common clinical signs. Hip dysplasia is treated with rest, restricted activity, pain medication, and,

HIP DYSPLASIADwight Boehm2015-09-25T15:36:17+00:00

HEPATITIS – LIVER DISEASE

Dwight Boehm2019-01-16T22:14:42+00:00

HEPATITIS – LIVER DISEASE Hepatitis describes liver disease, including liver insufficiency, liver infection (bacterial or viral hepatitis) or liver inflammation. The disease can effect pets of all breeds, ages and any sex. Liver disease causes abnormal hepatic function and is diagnosed through blood chemistry analysis revealing elevated hepatic enzymes and bile acids. Causes: Hepatitis can

HEPATITIS – LIVER DISEASEDwight Boehm2019-01-16T22:14:42+00:00

HEMORRHAGIC GASTROENTERITIS

Dwight Boehm2015-09-25T15:35:05+00:00

HEMORRHAGIC GASTROENTERITIS HGE, Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis is a sudden onset of severe bloody diarrhea which is often explosive. The diarrhea is often seen along with symptoms of vomiting (emesis), hypovolemia, and dehydration which can cause dangerous electrolyte imbalance or anemia. Many problems can cause HGE. The direct cause is loss of the intestinal lining called the

HEMORRHAGIC GASTROENTERITISDwight Boehm2015-09-25T15:35:05+00:00

HEMATOMA

Dwight Boehm2015-09-25T15:34:28+00:00

HEMATOMA Hematoma looks like a swollen ear and results from vigorous flopping of long ears back and forth as a dog shakes its head. Hematoma describes a condition of accumulated blood between the cartilage and skin of the earflap. Hematoma is caused by excessive, severe head shaking or scratching at the ears with the back

HEMATOMADwight Boehm2015-09-25T15:34:28+00:00

HEART DISEASE – HEART FAILURE

Dwight Boehm2019-01-16T22:14:42+00:00

HEART DISEASE – HEART FAILURE One of the most common medical problems in dogs and cats is heart disease. Heart disease is broad term used to describe any destructive process within the heart. It occurs more often in senior and geriatric dogs than cats. All mammals have a four-chambered heart consisting of a right atrium

HEART DISEASE – HEART FAILUREDwight Boehm2019-01-16T22:14:42+00:00

HAIRBALL

Dwight Boehm2019-01-16T22:14:42+00:00

HAIRBALL Hairballs are extremely common digestive disorders in cats, expecially long haired cats. Symptoms range from anorexia, gorging, vomiting and diarrhea. Vomitus can be just food, digested or undigested, or may have hair in it. As cats continually groom themselves (especially in spring and fall as they are changing their wardrobe) they ingest huge quantities

HAIRBALLDwight Boehm2019-01-16T22:14:42+00:00