Dog Health Problems

Sebaceous Cysts In Dogs

Sofia — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 14:04:10 +0000

Sebaceous cysts are quite common in dogs. A sebaceous cyst is a small cyst or sac which contains the secretions that have been produced by sebaceous (oily) glands. These small cysts are also called wens, epidermal cysts, epidermoid cysts, and epidermal inclusion cysts. They are benign. They don’t cause your dog any pain. And they will often disappear on their own.

Cause

Skin has sebaceous glands that keep the skin lubricated. The oily substance that it produces is called sebum. The sebaceous glands have ducts that lead into the hair follicles. If one of these ducts become blocked it can cause a little cyst to form from the accumulation of the sebum which can’t escape. That is a sebaceous or oily cyst.

These cysts can occur with any breed or mix. They happen to dogs of all ages and to both male and female dogs. They are not harmful. They are benign and they don’t hurt your dog.

Symptoms

You can recognize a sebaceous cyst by the following signs:

They are round and smooth. They can be firm but they can also change in size. They are usually 5 mm up to 5 cm wide. They can be bluish in appearance.

They may release a gray-white or brown material that has a cheese-like consistency.

They usually occur on a dog’s head, body, neck, or upper legs.

Diagnosis

Your vet can diagnose a sebaceous cyst by doing a fine needle aspiration or inserting a needle into the cyst and removing some cells. Looking at the cells under a microscope can confirm that it is a sebaceous cyst.

Your vet can also perform a biopsy by taking a sample of tissue from the cyst after it has been removed surgically.

Treatment

In most cases it’s not necessary to treat a sebaceous cyst. They will usually disappear on their own as the sebum is reabsorbed into the body. Or your vet can surgically remove the cyst. In either case, your dog should not have any more problems with the cyst. It won’t return.

If you choose to wait for the sebaceous cyst to go away, keep an eye on it at home to make sure that there are no sudden changes in it. If the cyst should start growing rapidly or changing you should contact your vet and have it surgically removed as these would be indications that it could be malignant.

If your dog seems to be prone to sebaceous cysts or to oily skin or coat, bathe him regularly with a gentle dog shampoo for oily coats. Regular brushing will also help distribute the oils in your dog’s coat and may prevent sebaceous glands from becoming clogged. Make sure that you are feeding your dog a healthy diet. Many skin problems in dogs are due to poor nutrition. Look for a good quality dog food with good sources of protein and fat. Learn to read the ingredient labels on your dog’s food so you will know which foods are good quality and which ones are not.

Canine Bladder Cancer

Sofia — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 14:04:07 +0000

The most commonly diagnosed type of cancer found in the dog’s bladder is transitional cell carcinoma. This is a life-threatening malignant tumor. This kind of cancer generally grows from the inner surface of the urethra or the urinary bladder. However, it can also arise from the urinary tract. This type of cancer makes up about .5 percent of the cancers found in dogs.

Cause

The cause of canine bladder cancer, or transitional cell carcinoma, is not known. However, it is believed that carcinogens excreted in the urine may play a role in causing this cancer. These carcinogens may include dips used to kill ticks and fleas, sprays to kill mosquitoes, and even certain drugs to treat cancer and immune system diseases.

Canine bladder cancer can occur in any breed or mix but it seems to be found more often in Wirehaired Fox Terriers, Beagles, West Highland White Terriers, Scottish Terriers, and Shetland Sheepdogs. Female dogs are more likely to get bladder cancer than male dogs. Neutered dogs are more likely to get bladder cancer than dogs that remain intact. Dogs that are overweight are also at higher risk.

Symptoms

Symptoms of bladder cancer include:

Blood in the urine
Coughing
Difficulty breathing
Exercise intolerance
Straining to urinate
Straining while defecating
Urinating more often, but only small amounts

If your dog is showing any of these symptoms you need to see your vet. Tests should be done to find out if your dog has cancer and what kind of cancer it might be.

Diagnosis

Your vet will need to have a complete health history for your dog as well as making a physical exam of your dog. Your dog will need to have a rectal exam so your vet can check the dog’s urethra, parts of the bladder, and the prostate gland in the male. X-rays will be needed to see if the tumor has spread to any other places in your dog’s body. Urinalysis and blood tests will also be needed. Depending on the kind of technology your vet has available, there are also some other tests that can be done to measure the bladder tumor and identify exactly where it is. You may need to arrange to see a specialist or visit a university veterinary college for some of these tests.

Treatment

Your vet will discuss treatment options with you or he or she may refer you to a cancer specialist. There are several different ways of treating bladder cancer in dogs. If the tumor is limited to a small area then surgery is often recommended. Chemotherapy is another option. Drug therapy is another option. The drug Feldene, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory also known as piroxicam, has been used with some success in treating transitional cell carcinoma.

Bladder cancer is life-threatening unless it is treated. If it is not treated the tumor can block the urinary tract and your dog will not be able to urinate. This alone could kill him. This kind of cancer is also very likely to spread to other parts of the body. About half the time this kind of cancer is diagnosed, it has already spread to other parts of the body. Your dog’s ability to overcome bladder cancer will depend on where the tumor is located, whether it has spread, and what kind of treatment your dog can take and how effective it is. Some dogs can live more than a year after diagnosis with the right treatment.

Does Neutering A Dog Calm Them Down?

Sofia — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 14:04:04 +0000

Many owners wonder if neutering a dog will calm them down. The answer depends on how their dog behaves normally and what kind of expectations they have for their dog after he is neutered.

Dog Behavior

It is normal for all dogs to be playful and rambunctious when they are puppies. They will not normally have good manners or behave well unless you train them. Dogs can go on acting like this and having lots of playful energy until they are two or three years old. This is true whether a dog is neutered or not. This is simply part of being young and feeling good. If you want your puppy or young dog to behave well and to stop any behavior problems such as chewing on furniture or jumping on people, you will usually have to train for those things. Neutering your dog will not solve those problems.

However, if your male dog is coming in contact with female dogs when they are in heat and becoming over-excited at this time, then neutering him will definitely make a difference in his behavior. Neutering him will remove his testicles so he will be unable to produce any testosterone. He will stop having interest in the female reproductive cycle. So, if you have problems with your male dog’s behavior because he is too interested in female dogs, then yes, neutering him will calm him down, permanently.

Unintended Consequences

Unfortunately, there are some unintended health consequences from neutering male dogs. Neutering a male dog can increase his risk of certain cancers such as hemangiosarcoma, osteosarcoma, transitional cell carcinoma, and prostatic adenocarcinoma. It can also increase his risk of hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroiditis. And it can make him more susceptible to hip dysplasia and cranial cruciate rupture. And, a male dog may be more at risk for diabetes mellitus if he is neutered.

Your male dog will have a reduced risk of testicular and prostate cancer, however, though these cancers are not common.

So, you can see that there is more to consider than just your dog’s behavior.

Neutered dogs are also more likely to gain extra weight, due in part to a slowed metabolic rate that results from the change in hormones.

Conclusion

Neutering your male dog will calm him down if he spends any time with female dogs when they are in heat. Otherwise, it will not do much to alter crazy puppy behavior or behavior that is due to the dog being untrained. Before neutering your dog you should weigh the health consequences involved. Sometimes it makes more sense to work on training issues or to separate your dog from females when they are in heat.

Difficulty breathing
Exercise intolerance
Straining to urinate
Straining while defecating
Urinating more often, but only small amounts

If your dog is showing any of these symptoms you need to see your vet. Tests should be done to find out if your dog has cancer and what kind of cancer it might be.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Histiocytoma in Dogs

Sofia — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:04:00 +0000

A histiocytoma is a small skin tumor that arises on a dog. It usually occurs on a dog’s head, ears, or legs. The tumors are benign and they originate without any warning, usually on young dogs. These small tumors are rather common in dogs. Most of the time they will disappear on their own in a few months.

Cause

The exact cause of histiocytomas is not known. They originate in cells from the dog’s immune system called Langerhans cells. These cells give some immunity to tissues in the dog’s body that come in contact with the dog’s environment such as the dog’s lungs, intestines, stomach, and nose. But mostly these cells protect the dog’s skin, which is where histiocytomas occur. It has been suggested that histiocytomas occur as a way of expelling foreign bodies from the dog’s immune system.

About half the time histiocytomas occur in dogs that are less than two years old. They occur in both males and females. They can appear in any breed or mix but they seem to be more common in Shetland Sheepdogs, Great Danes, Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, Boxers, Bull Terriers, and Flat-Coated Retrievers for some reason.

Symptoms

A histiocytoma is a small, firm piece of cellular flesh that grows on the surface of the skin. It can be dome-shaped or button-shaped.

It may appear as a small mass that is ulcerated or like a wound.

A histiocytoma typically grows quickly. They are not painful to your dog. Most of the time they appear as a single small growth.

They usually appear on the dog’s legs, the tips of the ears, or on the head.

Sometimes histiocytomas appear in a clump.

Diagnosis

Your vet will probably have a good idea that your dog has a histiocytoma just by looking at it, but he or she may need to confirm the kind of tumor it is since dogs can have many different kinds of small tumors. Your vet will ask for your dog’s health history and give your dog a physical exam. A complete blood profile will be needed, including a complete blood count. Your vet will also need to do a urinalysis and some other tests. Your vet will also need to examine some cells form the tumor. This usually requires fine-needle aspiration.

Treatment

Some treatments are not recommended for treating histiocytomas, such as use of corticosteroids. In most cases a histiocytoma will disappear on its own in a few months and this is often the preferred approach for treatment. If the tumor does not disappear in a few months it can be surgically removed. Laser surgery is often recommended.

Either way, once the histiocytoma is gone, your dog should not have any more issues with it.

With the cause of histiocytoma unknown, there are no recommended actions to prevent histiocytomas from occurring. If your dog has a histiocytoma when he is young, it does not indicate that he will have any problems with tumors later in life.

t �ms0R�Un”‘> Urinating more often, but only small amounts

If your dog is showing any of these symptoms you need to see your vet. Tests should be done to find out if your dog has cancer and what kind of cancer it might be.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Scabs On Dogs

Sofia — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:03:57 +0000

Scabs on dogs are a natural part of healing if your dog has had any kind of cut, sore, injury, or anything else that has removed skin. When your dog has a scab it’s important that you make sure your dog leaves it alone so the skin can continue to heal. Many dogs will try to lick or chew on their skin when they have a scab. Scabs can also be caused by excessive scratching from parasites such as mites and fleas, or from allergies. If your dog is reacting to one of these problems, you need to take care of the cause of the problem so your dog will stop having the itching that is causing the skin problems.

Cause of Scabs

Scabs can be caused by many different things. If you know what is causing the scabs you should make sure that your dog leaves them alone so they can heal properly. If you don’t know what is causing the scabs you need to find out so you can take care of the underlying problem and clear up any health problems your dog may be having.

Parasites

One of the most frequent causes of scabs is parasites such as mites and fleas. Fortunately, this is also one of the easiest problems to solve. If your dog is chewing on his skin or scratching a great deal and making sores on his body which leave scabs, you need to get rid of the parasites. Give your dog a good bath to get rid of fleas. Talk to your vet about a good flea preventive. Many good topical flea preventives today will also kill mites.

Allergies

Many dogs will also have scabs if they have allergies, particularly if they have contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is an allergy that is based on the things your dog touches. It can include common things such as plants or pollens, detergents, and household cleaners. It can also include fertilizers and chemicals used in your yard. Any of these things can cause your dog to itch, scratch, develop sores, and then scabs. Your dog can also develop similar symptoms with other kinds of allergies such as food allergies.

Other Causes

Your dog can also develop scabs from scratching if he has hot spots or different kinds of mange. If your dog has these skin problems you will need to take him to the vet for treatment.

Stop Your Dog from Scratching

If your dog is scratching and creating sores and scabs on his body there are some things you can try to keep him from harming his skin. One thing to try is an Elizabethan collar or an “E-collar.” You can get one of these collars from your vet or from a pet store. It is a cone-shaped collar that your dog wears around his neck. It prevents him from being able to reach parts of his body to scratch and chew. Your dog may hate it and it is sometimes called “the cone of shame,” but it will prevent scratching and chewing.

You can also buy a thick “no-cone” collar for your dog to wear. This kind of collar will also keep your dog from being able to chew or scratch on himself.

Treatment

If your dog has scabs you can ask your vet for a good topical medication to put on them to help them heal faster. Ask for something that your dog won’t want to lick off. You can also use a triple antibiotic ointment or a lotion that contains vitamin B or E for healing. Hydrocortisone cream is also recommended for helping scabs heal faster. It can also prevent infection and make your dog more comfortable. Ask your vet before using a hydrocortisone product as they are not recommended for all conditions.

You can also prevent your dog from having dry skin by bathing him with a soothing dog shampoo such as one that contains oatmeal. Giving your dog fish oil capsules, which contain omega-3, will also improve the condition of his skin.

ml> t �ms0R�Un”‘> Urinating more often, but only small amounts

If your dog is showing any of these symptoms you need to see your vet. Tests should be done to find out if your dog has cancer and what kind of cancer it might be.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Choosing the Best Dog Shampoo for Odor

Sofia — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:55:00 +0000

Although we often think of dogs as having a “doggy odor,” in fact dogs should not be stinky. A clean dog smells like a clean dog. If your dog has an odor then he may have a bacterial or yeast infection affecting his skin. Otherwise, if he is smelly then he is probably just dirty or he’s been rolling in something that smells bad. In either case, a good bath will take care of the problem.

Dog Shampoos for Skin Odor Due to Infections

If your dog smells bad, even after a regular bath, then your dog may have a skin odor that is due to a skin infection. A bacterial infection can grow from the bacteria that are normally on your dog’s skin. This is not contagious to other dogs. If your dog has skin allergies the bacteria may multiply and a bad odor can accompany them. Other symptoms of skin problems may include hair loss in patches, shedding, and scaling on the skin.

Dogs can also have skin infections due to yeast infections. This leads to a red, itchy skin that is greasy. It also has a bad odor. This kind of skin infection can also accompany allergies.

If your dog has one (or both) of these skin infections, you will need to work with your veterinarian on the underlying problems. You can use shampoos that contain Benzoyl Peroxide or Chlorhexidine to help the skin condition and get rid of the odor, but you may have to shampoo often. Talk to your vet about which medicated shampoos are best for your dog.

Dog Shampoos for Ordinary Bad Odor

If your dog smells bad because he is dirty or because he has been rolling in something that smells bad, you can use a good shampoo with natural ingredients. You don’t have to use a strong shampoo. Look for a shampoo that has a low pH that is suitable for a dog’s skin. A dog’s skin has a lower pH than a human’s skin which is why you shouldn’t use human shampoo on your dog. Most human shampoos are also too harsh for your dog’s skin, including baby shampoos.

Avoid shampoos that have sulfates and other harsh ingredients. These shampoos can strip the natural oils from your dog’s coat. The natural oils protect your dog’s skin. You only need to remove the dirt and odors attached to the fur, not the dog’s layer of skin oil.

One good product line of natural shampoos, conditioners, and other products is Happy Tails. They have a set of products to make your dog smell good here: http://www.happytailsspa.com/SmellyDog.html Their Bubble ‘N Beads Shampoo and Conditioner contains natural ingredients such as lavender, honeysuckle, and aloe to make your dog smell good. Sparkle & Shine Shampoo contains yogurt, honey, vanilla, and flax seed. It is their gentlest formula, gentle enough even for puppies.

Both of these shampoos have a gentle coconut oil base.

Happy Tails products are sold in dog spas and grooming shops in many countries around the world and they have many happy clients. They are gentle and effective products with a good reputation.

Conclusion

Most dogs only smell bad temporarily. They may get dirty or roll in something stinky. It is easy to get them clean and smelling nice by bathing them in a shampoo that will make them smell better such as the ones discussed here. If your dog has a longterm bad odor then you should talk to your vet about possible skin problems or skin infections. There are shampoos that can help skin infections and your vet can recommend some good medicated shampoos

How To Brush A Dog’s Teeth

Sofia — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:57:22 +0000

Your dog can have dental problems just as you can. You can help your dog keep his teeth pearly white and his breath fresh by brushing his teeth regularly. Brushing a dog’s teeth is not hard to do and it will keep them clean and healthy. Here’s how to brush a dog’s teeth.

Why Brush Your Dog’s Teeth?

It’s estimated that most dogs will have some degree of dental or gum disease by the time they are three years old. Dental disease can include plaque, tartar, and gingivitis. These conditions will all worsen if you do not have your dog’s teeth cleaned.

You can keep your dog’s teeth much cleaner and reduce the risk of dental disease by simply brushing his teeth regularly. This will cut down on the growth of bacteria on the teeth that produces plaque. When plaque is allowed to keep forming on the teeth it can build up and mineralize into tartar which is much harder to remove.

Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth

Brushing your dog’s teeth only takes a few minutes and it’s easy to do. You need a toothbrush made for dogs and dog toothpaste. A dog toothbrush has soft bristles and it is specially angled so you can reach far back in your dog’s mouth. Dog toothpaste has flavors that dogs love such as peanut butter, beef, and so on. Most dogs think the toothpaste is a treat and they love it once they taste it. Don’t use human toothpaste when brushing your dog’s teeth. It contains a substance called xylitol which is harmful to dogs.

As far as how to brush your dog’s teeth, squeeze a little of the dog toothpaste onto the brush and insert the brush into your dog’s mouth, against the teeth. Then brush the teeth slowly and gently, the same way you would brush a child’s teeth. There is no need to rinse the toothpaste out. Your dog can safely swallow it. You should pay particular attention to the teeth on the sides and in back.

The American Veterinary Dental College recommends daily brushing for your dog’s teeth but this is probably unrealistic for most dog owners. Brush your dog’s teeth frequently. The more you brush them, the cleaner and healthier they will be.

Other Ways To Keep Your Dog’s Teeth Clean

You can also use dental wipes to clean your dog’s teeth and you can use finger brushes instead of a toothbrush.

There are also products containing chlorhexidine for dogs. This is an anti-plaque product that you can spray in your dog’s mouth or use as a gel. Chlorhexidine is bitter unless there are other ingredients to make it taste better to your dog, but this is an effective way to get rid of plaque.

You can also give your dog high quality rawhides and other dental chews to help keep his teeth cleaner. Good chews really do help to keep the teeth cleaner and healthier. There are also some dog foods and treats which have been approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council to improve oral health. You can find a list of those products for dogs and cats here: http://www.vohc.org/accepted_products.htm.

Conclusion

Regular brushing of your dog’s teeth will help prevent dental and gum disease. Try to brush your dog’s teeth often. Use a toothbrush and toothpaste specially designed for dogs. Give your dog chews to keep his teeth cleaner. And look for treats that will help remove plaque and tartar.

What You Should Know about Heart Murmur in Dogs

Sofia — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 14:56:07 +0000

A heart murmur in dogs sounds like a very frightening diagnosis but, in reality, they are not uncommon in large breed dogs, especially as dogs get older. Murmurs can range from being barely heard with a stethoscope to being very loud and causing a vibration you can feel when you touch your dog’s chest. A puppy with a heart murmur may never have any problems with it and it may go away. Here is some more information about heart murmurs.

Cause

Heart murmurs occur when the blood flow to the heart is disturbed. The blood flow can be disrupted enough to produce the sound associated with a heart murmur. The blood flow can be disrupted in one of several ways:

It can be disturbed when there is high blood flow through the heart’s valves, whether the valves are normal or not; the structures can vibrate from the high blood flow.

There can be disturbances in the blood flow connected with some obstruction in the heart and with the blood that flows out around it. Or, the blood can be disrupted by flowing forward through valves that are diseased or into a great vessel that is dilated.

There can be a disruption in the blood flow that is connected to a flow that is regurgitant. This can be due to a valve that is incompetent or not working properly, to a defect in the wall that separates the right and left sides of the heart or the septum, or to the patent ductus arteriosus.

There are several different kinds of heart murmurs and different diseases and conditions can lead to murmurs in each one.

If your dog has a

diastolic murmur

it could be caused by:

* Aortic and pulmonic valve endocarditis (inflammation of the inner layer of the heart)

* Mitral and tricuspid valve stenosis

Heart murmurs can be

To-and-Fro or continuous murmurs

. These murmurs can be caused by:

* Aortic stenosis with aortic regurgitation

* Patent ductus arteriosus

* Ventricular septal defect with aortic regurgitation

And, if your dog has a

systolic murmur

the following conditions may have caused the problem:

* Anemia

* Aortic stenosis

* Atrial and ventricular septal defect

* Cardiomyopathy and aortic valve insufficiency

* Dynamic right ventricular outflow obstruction

* Dynamic subaortic stenosis

* Heartworms

* Hyperthyroidism

* Mitral and tricuspid valve dysplasia

* Mitral and tricuspid valve endocarditis (inflammation of the inner part of the heart)

* Mitral and tricuspid valve heart failure

* Pulmonic stenosis

* Systolic anterior mitral motion (SAM)

* Tetralogy of Fallot

Symptoms

The symptoms of a heart murmur can vary, depending on the kind of heart murmur your dog has and what caused the murmur. Symptoms will also depend on how serious the murmur is and where it is located in the heart. If the murmur is a function of some defect in the heart’s structure your dog may show symptoms of congestive heart disease. These symptoms can include general weakness, coughing, and exercise intolerance.

There is a grading scale for heart murmurs so your vet can discuss with you how serious the murmur is. Grades of heart murmurs range from Grade I which is almost inaudible to Grade VI which is very loud; your vet can hear it with the stethoscope when it barely touches the chest; it vibrates enough so you can feel it when you touch the dog’s chest.

Heart murmurs can also have different “configurations.” This refers to the way the murmur behaves and often indicates the cause of the tumor. A plateau murmur is uniformly loud and can be typical of a regurgitant murmur. Murmurs that get louder and softer (crescendo-decrescendo) are indicative of ejection murmurs and associated with turbulent forward flow. Murmurs that start out loud and become softer (decrescendo) can indicate a diastolic murmur.

Diagnosis

Your vet will need to diagnose your dog’s heart murmur. It may require a complete blood count, x-rays, an echocardiogram, and other tests to identify what kind of heart murmur your dog has.

Treatment

Most dogs are treated as outpatients. You can take your dog to the vet for treatment and then take him home. He won’t have to stay overnight. Your vet will need to find the best treatment for your dog depending on the underlying cause of the heart murmur. If your dog is experiencing congestive heart failure, your vet will need to take some emergency measures. Otherwise, heart murmurs are treated at home.

If you have a puppy with a a heart murmur that is rated as low grade, it is possible that it will heal itself in a few months and no further treatment will be necessary. Even adult dogs that show some signs of having a heart murmur do not necessarily get any worse. In many cases your vet will simply need to check on the murmur every few months to make sure it is not getting any worse. Many dogs live long, healthy lives with a low grade heart murmur and it doesn’t affect their quality of life.

Heavy Breathing In Dogs

Sofia — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 13:35:53 +0000

Dogs may display heaving breathing as a symptom of several possible problems. Dogs pant as a normal way of dispelling heat from their bodies or trying to cool themselves. They may also wheeze or have problems breathing which can be indications of a more serious problem.

Normal Panting

The most common cause of heavy breathing in dogs is simply panting. Dogs typically pant when they are hot or after strenuous exercise. This is normal for a dog and it isn’t necessarily a cause of concern unless there are other indications that your dog has a problem.

Heat

Dogs may also pant when they are experiencing distress related to heat. In this case a dog may start panting very fast as he tries to cool himself. Dogs cannot sweat. Compared to humans, a dog has an inefficient way of cooling his body. He has to try to take in cooler air to cool down. Your dog could be experiencing a heat stroke.

You can look for the following symptoms if your dog is having a heat stroke:

Bright red tongue
Coma
Diarrhea
Eyes wide open
Staggering
Thick ropes of saliva
Vomiting

If your dog is experiencing a heat stroke you need to act immediately. Try to place him in a tub of cool water. (NOT cold water. The shock to his system would be too great.) You can also use towels that have been soaked in cool water and wrap them around him. Place him in a cool room with air conditioning or fans. You can also try to hose your dog down with cool water but, again, do not use cold water. Take your dog to the vet as soon as you can. This situation is a veterinary emergency.

Pain

Your dog may also breathe heavily if he is in pain. There could be different reasons for the pain. Most dogs rarely show that they are in pain but you may be able to tell that something is wrong with your dog is if he is having labored breathing. Possible causes of pain in your dog could include an infection, an injury, or arthritis, for example. You can check your dog for other possible symptoms such as an injury. Check his eyes, his legs, and his stomach. If you find any sensitive areas, that could be the spot that is hurting. Take your dog to the vet.

Congestive Heart Failure

Dogs can also breathe heavily if they are experiencing congestive heart failure. This is a condition that happens when the heart no longer pumps enough blood into the body. The lungs and other places in the body start retaining fluids. It becomes hard for your dog to breathe because he isn’t getting enough oxygen. Try to help your dog sit up so he can breathe easier. See your vet.

Heartworms

If your dog has heartworms they may cause him to breathe heavily. These worms migrate to the dog’s heart when they are microscopic and grow there until they are very large. They begin to choke off the heart’s ability to function. They can also infest the dog’s lungs. Your dog may also cough, coughing up blood, and have fluid in his stomach. You need to see your vet and have your dog treated for heartworms as soon as possible.

Conclusion

Most of the time when a dog breathes heavily it is due to hot weather or exercise and it’s nothing to worry about. However, there are some times when heavy breathing in a dog can indicate more serious conditions. If you are at all concerned about your dog or if he shows other symptoms, see your veterinarian.

What Is Insulinoma In Dogs?

Sofia — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:58:08 +0000

Insulinoma is a malignant pancreatic tumor. The cells of the tumor are made of cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. Dogs with this kind of tumor produce far too much insulin. This can lead to hypoglycemia or low blood sugar Too much insulin can lead to an increase in the amount of food taken in and result in producing too much tissue, such as fat. Insulinomas are not very common in dogs. When it does occur in dogs it usually occurs in dogs that are middle-aged or older, between the ages of eight and 12.

Causes

Insulinoma in dogs can appear in any breed, but mixed breed dogs seem to be affected most often. Medium and large-sized dogs are affected more often than small dogs. Among purebred dogs, the breeds affected most often seem to be Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Poodles, Boxers, German Shepherds, and Irish Setters.

The real cause of insulinoma is not known.

Symptoms

When a dog has insulinoma too much insulin is excreted which leads to hypoglycemia. Other symptoms include:

Blindness
Collapse
Dilated pupils
Fainting (also called syncope)
Generalized weakness
Increase in appetite
Intolerance of exercise
Lack of coordination
Lethargy
Muscle tremors
Nervousness
Seizures
Shaking
Trembling
Unusual behavior
Weakness in the rear legs

Diagnosis

If your dog is displaying some of the symptoms mentioned above you should take him to see a veterinarian. Your vet will need to do some tests to make a diagnosis. The tests will need to include a complete blood count, serum biochemistry tests, urinalysis, an examination of your dog’s serum insulin concentration and blood glucose concentration, possible chest x-rays or other x-rays, and possible ultrasound of the abdomen. Your vet may want to try to discern if the insulinoma has spread beyond the pancreas.

Treatment

Treatment for insulinoma in dogs will depend on how advanced the tumor is. Immediate treatment options include surgery and glucose therapy to raise the dog’s concentration of blood glucose and stop problems with hypoglycemia.

Surgery is considered the best option and, if your dog has one tumor that is easy to remove, this is your best course. However, in many cases the tumor has already spread to the lymph nodes and to the liver by the time a diagnosis is made. This makes treatment much more difficult. Surgery in this case is only a temporary measure. It can provide remission and improvement but it will not cure the dog.

Longterm treatment options for insulinoma in dogs include changes to the dog’s diet, use of prednisone or other drugs in the cortisone family, use of drugs that prevent the release of insulin from the insulinoma, drug therapy, and possible chemotherapy. These treatments will help avert a crisis due to hypoglycemia. A diet that is high in fat, protein, and complex carbohydrates is suggested. Avoid feeding your dog foods with simple sugars. Feed your dog several small meals during the day. Limit the dog’s exercise to short walks on a leash.

Giving your dog somatostatin is also recommended. This is the hormone produced by the pancreas that prevents the secretion of insulin. Your vet can teach you how to give this hormone to your dog in an injection.

For a dog with insulinoma, the short term survivability is good but the longterm outlook is not good. Some dogs may live up to two years after diagnosis, but an average survival time after surgery was one year, in one study.