Illnesses and Diseases

• What is osteosarcoma?
• My dog was diagnosed with diabetes!
• How can I give my dog insulin shots without upsetting us both?
• My six-year-old dog has bumps which look like moles. What are they?
• What is parvovirus?
• What is dry eye?
• What is wet tail in a hamster?
• Our dog was diagnosed with whip worm. What is it, and what caused it?
• What is canine distemper?
• What is Addison's disease in dogs?
• My dog has degenerative myelopathy. What can we expect?
• What is dry eye?
• My dog constantly chews on her feet and hind legs. What can I do?
• My elderly cat has hyperthyroidism. Is this rare?
• What is asthma in cats?
• My cat won't let me brush her teeth. Is it true that tartar and gum disease can cause other problems?
• A dog I know has been exposed to parvovirus. Can cats also get "parvo" or is it only a canine virus?
• Please provide information on kidney failure.
• What should I do about my cat's heartworm prevention?

Osteosarcoma is a common and serious form of bone cancer. It typically occurs in large and giant breed dogs. Leg pain, swelling, and limping are usually the first noticeable signs. Unfortunately, by the time symptoms begin to show, this disease may have spread to other parts of the body.

The good news is that cancer is one of the most curable of all chronic diseases in companion animals. Early detection is critical for a successful treatment. Recent advances have brought forth different treatment options for osteosarcoma and other cancers. Options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Diabetes is a serious disease in both dogs and cats. It requires life long treatment which includes insulin regulation, diet control on high fiber foods, and regular exercise. Because every patient is a little different to regulate, it is very important to keep excellent records at home of daily insulin dosages given as well as daily urine sugar and ketone levels. Regular check ups and blood sugar measurements by your veterinarian are mandatory to periodically fine tune regulation to prevent associated diseases. With daily commitment to a strict regimen, your dog can live a long, full life.

If there were a way to treat diabetes other than with insulin injections, it would be much easier for a lot of people. Unfortunately, there is no other effective treatment.
Do not give up! This is usually the most difficult time for pet owners. The dog is getting irritable and you are getting a little frustrated.

First, relax. Often when giving injections, we get nervous or agitated and the dog picks up on those emotions. Then, the pet gets edgy and we both get jumpy. So, it helps to start the process by taking a deep breath and thinking positive thoughts.

Second, you need to reward your pet during all of this. For example, putting a dish of the dog's favorite food down while you are administering the insulin injection often helps. Once you get good at the injections, with practice you should be able to give the injection with no more disturbance to your pet than petting it while it's eating. In the meantime, if you must use a muzzle, be sure to give your dog a special treat and breakfast right after administering the shot.

A few other tips: Teach "sit and stay." If your dog can do this, you can teach him to sit still for the injections. If you have not done this yet, it will take longer, but if you're strong and persistent, you may literally save your dog's life. Also, practice "sit and stay" and putting the muzzle on without giving shots. Eventually, your dog will not immediately assume that sitting, eating or wearing a muzzle means he's getting a shot.

If you continue to have problems, consult your veterinarian for advice. Most diabetic pets and their owners become able to deal with the inconvenience of insulin injections, thus adding years more of enjoyable pet-owner companionship.

The most common raised bumps in middle-aged to older dogs seem to papillomas, which are caused by a virus. They grow in multiple places on the body as the dog ages and can be a nuisance as they enlarge and stick out, getting caught in combs, clippers, etc. With any mass, it is most important that you get an accurate diagnosis before any treatment is started, as there are some more harmful tumors that can mimic others. If the masses on your pet are papillomas, they are best removed surgically, as they have a deep stalk that will grow back again if not removed properly.

Parvovirus is a dangerous virus that attacks dogs’ intestinal tracts. It can cause severe bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and electrolyte imbalances and can lead to severe dehydration, a buildup of toxins or poisons in the bloodstream, and eventually death. When puppies under 12 weeks old are infected, the virus can damage the heart muscle and cause lifelong cardiac problems.

Parvovirus is extremely contagious and can be transmitted by any person, animal, or object that comes in contact with a infected dog’s feces. The virus can survive extreme heat and cold for long periods of time, and may remain alive on a surface long after the feces has been removed.
There are many ways you can protect your dog from parvovirus. Most veterinarians recommend multiple vaccinations for growing puppies. As dogs get older, their immunity is maintained with annual booster shots. Use a solution of one part bleach to thirty parts water to clean areas frequented by other dogs, and use the solution on the soles of your shoes if you think you’ve walked through an infected area. If your dog experiences vomiting, severe diarrhea, depression, or loss of appetite, see your veterinarian as soon as possible. Though there are presently no drugs to kill the virus, there are treatments proven to control its symptoms.

The simple answer is that whip worms are contracted by your pet ingesting the fecal matter of other pets that have been infected and passed the worm eggs. Usually this occurs when they are digging in the dirt because the eggs can remain viable in the soil for years after the stool dissolves. There is much more that you need to know, and your veterinarian will be your solid ally as you battle this persistent condition. Your pet will need to be checked for parasites often because these worms are hard to get rid of, and they suck blood through the intestinal wall.

Canine distemper virus can cause a variety of symptoms related to the central nervous system. Canine distemper is a member of the parymyxovirus class. It is spread from dog to dog in secretions like saliva, urine and tears. It affects a variety of systems within the dog, such as the immune system (by suppressing the ability to make white blood cells and fight off infection), the central nervous system (resulting in seizures and erratic behavior), the gastrointestinal system (resulting in vomiting and diarrhea), and the respiratory system (resulting in coughing). In short, canine distemper is a very nasty little virus.

Classically, however, canine distemper affects puppies and dogs that have not been vaccinated against it. Most dogs are presented to the veterinarian for depression, lethargy and thick green eye discharge. Some dogs will come in for seizures. Dogs that recover initially from the disease may have seizures or other central nervous system disorders later in their old age.

Addison's disease is an uncommon-even rare-disease that can affect any dog. Standard Poodles, Rottweilers, Great Danes and several other breeds, however, seem to have a higher incidence of affliction. The disease occurs when injury to or disease of the adrenal gland causes a deficiency in the gland's ability to produce normal amounts of cortisone or the mineral-regulating hormone called aldosterone. As a result, various symptoms such as weakness and gastrointestinal disorders develop. Diagnosis can be made by measuring electrolyte levels or through specific adrenal gland function tests. Treatment consists of hormone replacement therapy using one of several different drugs depending on the animal's response. The drugs may be administered in injectable or pill form. Treatment is usually lifelong, but once regulated, the dog can live a normal life. As always, you should rely on your veterinarian's advice, since he or she will have a more thorough and direct understanding of your pet's problem.

Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is thought to be a possible immune disorder of the spinal cord that results in destruction of the neural pathways. This disease is common in German Shepherds and collies, but it's also seen in other breeds. There is no specific test used to diagnosis the disease; rather, diagnosis is made by ruling out other possible causes of posterior weakness, such as disk disease. Usually the diagnosis is based on findings of hind leg weakness and dragging of the paws, or "knuckling," which results in abnormal wear of the nails.
The disease is incurable, but supportive treatment can help. Supportive treatment includes moderate exercise to keep the muscles strong. Also, vitamin supplementation with high-potency B-complex and Vitamin E seems to slow the disease's progression in some cases, as can another drug called aminocaproic acid. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) do not help unless arthritis of the joints is also present. Please consult your veterinarian for further details on the best treatment options for your dog.

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS), or "dry eye," involves inflammation of the cornea due to decreased tear production. The disease usually affects middle-aged or older dogs and has been reported in cats, as well. The watery part of the tears is no longer made, so only the mucous remains. One or both eyes may have a mucous type of discharge in or around the eye. Other signs of dry eye include redness or irritation in the eye and squinting. Your pet may constantly rub its eyes, as well. Dry eye is more than just an annoyance. The corneas will become chronically dry and irritated and then cloudy, and brown pigmentation may appear. Left untreated, dry eye will lead to blindness.

If your veterinarian suspects dry eye, he or she will check your pet's tear production. This is done through a simple, inexpensive, one-minute test called a Schirmer tear test. If the tear production is impaired, there are many medications that can help. 

Chewing on the feet and hind legs is a classic sign of allergies in dogs, much like itchy eyes and a runny nose in humans. Dogs have the same allergy-sensitive cells people have in their eyes and nose, but they are located in dogs' skin and ears. Therefore, dogs with allergies show signs of itchy feet, itchy skin, and ear infections.
Finding out what your dog is allergic to can sometimes be challenging. Dogs can be allergic to all kinds of things in their environments or diets. The most common allergy dogs experience is a reaction to flea bites, called flea allergy dermatitis. Even if your dog is protected against flea by a collar or treatment, one flea can secrete enough saliva in a bite to cause itching and discomfort. Dogs can also be allergic to ingredients in their food or the shampoo they're bathed with. They can even have reactions to some of the same things that cause human hayfever: pollen, dust, mold, and grasses.

Your veterinarian can help you determine which of these allergies is bothering your dog. If it is a food allergy, you may be able to simply change your dog's diet. Other allergies can be treated with an antihistamine or steroid prescription. Consult your veterinarian about the best way to make your dog more comfortable.

Hyperthyroidism, the overproduction and overabundance of thyroid hormones, is relatively common in older cats, both male and female. In fact, it's the most common hormonal abnormality there is. In a cat with hyperthyroidism, the elevated levels of thyroid hormones, which normally work to regulate the metabolic processes, speed up the metabolism and cause many of the body's functions to run much faster than normal. This can lead to a number of complications, including enlargement of the heart muscle, high blood pressure, kidney function impairment, and intestinal problems. Hyperthyroidism can be caused by thyroid cancer, but it is generally caused by benign nodules of tissue in the thyroid that hyperproduce—work too hard and produce too much hormone.
There is no way to prevent hyperthyroidism, but you can catch it early by bringing your cat to the veterinarian for regular checkups and keeping a close eye on his health. As your cat gets older, watch him for the symptoms of overactive thyroid: weight loss, hyperactivity, and an increased appetite. Other common symptoms include vomiting, unkempt fur, patches of hair loss, and increased water intake and urination.

The good new is that hyperthyroidism is usually not difficult to diagnose or treat. Veterinarians can generally diagnose the disorder through a physical exam and routine blood test. Hyperthyroidism can be treated with medication, by surgically removing thyroid tissue, or by destroying thyroid tissue through radioactive iodine therapy. Treatment is often very successful.

Feline asthma is a chronic inflammatory respiratory disease. Cats get the same airway spasms or smooth muscle contractions that lead to acute constriction of breathing as people do. Sometimes cat litter is blamed for this disease, but it's role is limited. The aerosolized dust when breathed in can initiate symptoms in an already asthmatic cat. It cannot cause the disorder. See your veterinarian for full diagnosis and treatment options if you believe your cat has asthma. Often the same drugs that work for people can work for cats as well, but only your veterinarian can dispense the correct drugs in the correct dosages. Never give your pet medications intended for your use.

Tartar management is cats can be challenging, as you have found. If you have seen that there is significant tartar on your cat's molars and premolars, you are already at a stage where you will need your local veterinarian to perform a complete dental prophylaxis under anesthesia. This tartar is probably causing the gingivitis that you are seeing. Dry kibble diets help in tartar prevention, however, even cats who eat nothing but dry food occasionally need dental prophylaxis. The most important thing is to have the tartar taken care of because leaving it in the mouth can cause kidney infections and heart valve disease.

Canine parvovirus will not infect cats. Cats have their own parvovirus, which is commonly known as feline distemper. Feline distemper is also not contagious to dogs.

Unfortunately, kidney failure is very common in older cats and is usually a result of the natural progressive deterioration of the kidneys that comes with age. Kidney disease can also be caused by certain bacteria, kidney stones, urinary obstructions, or exposure to toxins, such as antifreeze. Symptoms, including increased drinking and urination, often do not appear until the disease has progressed quite a bit. At this point, decisions must be made as to what, if any, treatment options should be pursued, taking into account the quality of the cat's day-to-day life. While kidney disease is eventually fatal, many cats can live well for years with only partially functioning kidneys.

Because kidney disease is so prevalent in our feline friends, all cat owners should discuss with their veterinarians things they can do to try to minimize the chances of the disease occurring in their pet. While the disease is not always preventable, a good quality diet; access to clean, fresh water at all times; a low-stress lifestyle; and keeping toxic materials out of reach of your kitty can help. Also, all cats, but especially those eight years old or older, should receive physical examinations at least once a year so health problems can be detected as soon as possible.

Cats that are in kidney failure go through good and bad times. They have some days that are definitely of high quality and others during which they don't feel very good.

There are two types of severe kidney disease. One is reversible and the other is not. Some older cats with kidney failure respond to heavy intravenous (IV) fluid therapy and stabilize enough to go on and live months or even several years with just diet changes and intermittent fluid treatments. Other cats do not respond well to fluid therapy and their health continues to decline.

You should discuss the full spectrum of treatment options with your veterinarian. Some options include having your cat hospitalized and given IV fluids, administering IV fluids to the cat on an outpatient basis several times weekly, administering fluid therapy at home, or engaging in no therapy at all. Another treatment that can help manage kidney failure is injecting a bone marrow stimulant that helps correct the anemia associated with chronic kidney disease. The injection can be given at home under the direction of your veterinarian, but the cat must have a red cell level under about 25 percent before this treatment can be used. The drug will help your cat make more red blood cells, which helps him live longer and feel more energetic. Another option is kidney transplant surgery. This is expensive, and it can be hard to find a veterinarian who does this. To explore this option, your best bet would be to contact the veterinary college nearest you.

Nobody knows your cat as well as you do, and with your veterinarian's advice, you should feel comfortable making whatever decision you think is in your cat's best interest.

Heartworm disease is a serious but preventable condition. Whether or not your cat belongs on preventive medication depends a lot on the incidence in your area. We're not presently aware of any literature that notes serious risks or side effects of the preventive medicine. However, your veterinarian will take into account any other problems your cat has before prescribing the drug for your cat. Healthy kidneys and normal liver functions are essential in metabolizing most medications. For both dogs and cats, a heartworm blood test must be done before any preventive medications are given.

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS), or "dry eye," involves inflammation of the cornea due to decreased tear production. The disease usually affects middle-aged or older dogs and has been reported in cats, as well. The watery part of the tears is no longer made, so only the mucous remains. One or both eyes may have a mucous type of discharge in or around the eye. Other signs of dry eye include redness or irritation in the eye and squinting. Your pet may constantly rub its eyes, as well. Dry eye is more than just an annoyance. The corneas will become chronically dry and irritated and then cloudy, and brown pigmentation may appear. Left untreated, dry eye will lead to blindness. If your veterinarian suspects dry eye, he or she will check your pet's tear production. This is done through a simple, inexpensive, one-minute test called a Schirmer tear test. If the tear production is impaired, there are many medications that can help.

Wet tail is caused by a bacterial infection of the intestine and can often be fatal. Treatment includes antibiotics as well as electrolyte and fluid replacement. Some hamsters that survive the initial infection will later experience intestinal or rectal problems.

An increasing number of veterinarians treat small pocket pets like hamsters. Information on treating the diseases common to these pets is becoming more sophisticated all the time. The veterinary profession will continue to increase its knowledge of these pets' diseases as it has for cats, dogs, birds and reptiles.