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Dogs + Medical Conditions

  • The term hypocalcemia is used when the level of calcium in the blood is lower than normal. Pets with hypocalcemia may show signs of muscle twitching, loss of appetite, weakness, and listlessness. Low calcium levels are associated with several serious disorders including antifreeze poisoning, inflammation of the pancreas, kidney failure, and parathyroid gland failure. In nursing female dogs, heavy milk production can lead to hypocalcemia and may result in seizures.

  • Hypokalemia is a low concentration of potassium in the blood. Potassium is vital for the normal function of muscles and nerves. The underlying cause of hypokalemia is often chronic kidney failure. Hypokalemia and its associated clinical signs may be quickly corrected by potassium supplementation.

  • Hypothyroidism is an abnormality of the thyroid gland leading to a reduction in the dog’s metabolic state. This can cause many systemic changes including weight gain, hair loss, lethargy, and susceptibility to infections – most noticeably of the skin and ears. Diagnosis is made by a series of blood tests. Treatment is oral thyroid hormone replacement and is lifelong. Clinical signs and blood hormone levels must be monitored regularly as thyroid hormone requirements can change.

  • Ibuprofen is commonly used to treat fever, pain, and inflammation in humans. Ibuprofen poisoning occurs when a dog ingests a toxic dose of ibuprofen, either through misuse or by accident.

  • Ichthyosis is a rare skin condition in dogs that is the result of a genetic mutation. The mutation prevents the outer layer of skin from developing properly. It causes the skin to appear rough and covered with thick, greasy flakes. It is sometimes also referred to as "fish scale disease".

  • Icterus is also known as jaundice. It is an excessive accumulation of a yellow pigment called bilirubin in the blood and tissues, most easily seen in the gums and whites of the eyes. Icterus can be caused by hemolysis, liver disease, or obstruction of the bile duct. Your veterinarian will perform screening tests to determine the root cause of icterus.

  • Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia is a condition in which the body destroys its own platelets. Platelets are cells that help the blood to clot. Causes can be primary (autoimmune) or secondary to other underlying conditions. The prognosis is generally good, though relapses can occur.

  • Parvovirus in Dogs

    La infección por parvovirus canino es una enfermedad relativamente moderna que apareció por primera vez en 1978. Debido a la gravedad del proceso y su rápida propagación en la población canina, la parvovirosis constituye un problema de interés público.

  • Infertility in a female dog is defined as the inability to conceive and deliver viable puppies, even when mated multiple times with a known fertile male surrounding the time of ovulation. This handout outlines the varying causes of infertility in female dogs and how they may be diagnosed and treated.

  • 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.