Disease #4
Bladder stones are caused by the initial presence of struvite, oxalate or uric acid crystals in the urine. Over time they snow ball and become larger. They are ultra common in all Miniature Schnauzers, Bichon Frise amongst others. In cats, bladder stones form a component of Feline Urological Syndrome (FUS).
In dogs and cats, struvite crystals are the most common crystal found in the urine. Struvite crystals coalesce to form magnesium phosphate stones. Oxalate crystals form oxalate stones and uric acid crystals form urate stones. Urate stones are most common in Dalmatian dogs. Rather than secrete urea like all other mammals, Dalmatian dogs secrete uric acid (like chickens) and are at a high risk of urate stone production. In the presence of a urinary tract infection, organisms such as E. Coli split urea into various components causing the pH of the urine to rise. This alkaline environment favors the formation of urinary calculi (stones). Once formed, stones irritate the bladder lining causing blood in the urine. The bladder volume decreases making the animal want to urinate more frequently. Bladder stones hurt and cause the animal to strain to urinate. Male dogs and male cats have a narrow urethra. Small stones can block the outflow of urine and cause a urethral obstruction. Obstructions never happen in most females.
Sometimes the only clinical sign observed by owners is the periodic presence of blood in the urine. This is the most common sign presented to clinicians. The same thing happens with cats. Upon further questioning, many dogs are urinating more frequently and straining to do so. Sometimes the owner reports zero clinical signs. I once had to spay a dachshund and noticed a huge bump on the skin in the lower abdomen while it was on its back getting prepared for surgery. On palpation; I could feel a huge bladder stone.
A urinalysis is the order of the day here. It will not only give the doctor specifics regarding cells and urine pH but many times visible crystals will be seen that are easy to diagnose. Once the bladder calculi are removed, stone samples are sent off to the lab for definitive diagnosis. This facilitates which diet to put the animal on post op or after stone dissolution. In suspect cases, radiographs are taken (or ultrasound) which will demonstrate the presence of calculi in the urinary bladder.
Treatment of urinary calculi in the dog is usually done by surgical excision. This is called a cystotomy. The stones are removed and sent to the lab for definitive diagnosis. If there is only one or several stones, veterinarians may opt for dietary dissolution of the stones. The most common diet is Hill's® Prescription canine s/d. Long term use of this diet is not recommended for over 6 months. This diet is also restricted in Magnesium; one of the components of struvite (Magnesium Phosphate) stones. Dogs will be put on antibiotics and a urinary culture may be performed. Once the stones are removed and or via special diet, dogs are put on a special urinary tract diet such as Hill's® Prescription canine c/d for long term control. Periodic urinalyses are recommended to stay on top of the condition. Stones may recur though and many animals have to undergo several cystotomy procedures over their lifetimes.
In cats, surgical removal is rarely done unless the bladder is full of struvite grit. The big problem with male cats is that they may obstruct. This is a medical emergency and the animal is anesthetized and the obstruction is relieved by effective catheterization using a tom cat catheter. The grit is sent away for chemical analysis. Dissolution of feline struvites stones may also be dissolved via Hill's® Prescription feline s/d. This diet should not be fed for longer than 6 months. After the stones have been dissolved, the cat has to be maintained forever on Hill's® Prescription feline c/d or Royal Canin feline SO diet. Even if cats are off of this diet for just a few days, signs of cystitis can start up again. Veterinarians may also prescribe glucosamine/chondrointin which is often used to treat idiopathic cystitis in cats as well as arthritis.
The prognosis for urinary calculi in dogs and cats is excellent as long as medical care is sought in a timely manner and the owner continues to follow up with periodic urinalyses plus the appropriate urinary diet.
Blindness is defined as the inability or only partial ability to see from either one or both eyes. The causes of blindness are many. Congenital causes such as animals born with toxoplasmosis may demonstrate a retinopathy that inhibits vision. Older animals and diabetics develop cataracts that can lead to blindness. Glaucoma can lead to blindness. Eye trauma, such as ocular proptosis, can also lead to blindness. Proptosis is when the eyeball is forced out of its eye socket. Chronic corneal ulcers, chronic pannus in the German Shepherd and dry eye are leading causes of blindness.
Vision is a very complex wonder. The front of the eye and the iris physically see a flower. That flower image is transmitted through the lens to the retina in the left eye. From the retina it passes through an optic nerve. The same thing happens in the right eye. Those nerve impulses in the optic nerve cross at the optic nerve chasm behind the eyes. Those sensory nerves connect to the cortex and than via other motor neurons the impulses are than sent back to the eye where the image is than visualized. Any disease process that interferes with any of these steps may lead to blindness.
Regardless of the cause, vision loss is easily detected often by the actions of the dog or cat in the home environment. Both dogs and cats may bump into objects, become disoriented outside or inside, become startled when pet or touched, reluctant to jump on sofas and beds, unable to find the door to go out, inability to find its food and water bowls. Cats are very agile creatures. They may jump up on an object they previously did with ease but miss the mark and fall down. Owners often report that they see "something milky colored" in the eye; referring to cataracts.
Prognosis on blindness is proportionate to the rapidity at which the causing agent of blindness is diagnosed. Prevention is key. Medical care must be immediately sought after ANY eye injury. There is something positive though. Blindness does not inhibit a good quality of life in dogs or cats. Dogs can only visualize a few colors and greys plus are near sighted their entire lives. Both cats and dogs depend on their ability to smell. This is far superior to a human's ability. This sensory ability allows, with a little bit of human help & TLC, to live a satisfying life.
The Bufo toad is an animal seen throughout Florida and other subtropical areas. It is most commonly seen during the long summer rainy season; usually at night or early evening hours.
Bufo toads are active in the evenings and dogs see them jumping around and are fascinated by them. They chase after them and get the toad in their mouths and often eat the creature. The toad secretes a potent neurotoxin on its skin which causes seizures. The effects are even worse if the animal ingests the toad.
The most common clinical signs noticed are: drooling and salivating excessively, lethargy, staggering and seizure activity that will not resolve on its own. Smaller dogs are more prone to the toxic effects compared to a large breed of dog.
Bufo poisoning is a medical emergency. Veterinarians often do not get a history of bufo involvement unless the owner reports seeing the dog with the toad. Therefore a CBC and Chemistry profile are immediately drawn for study.
Diagnosis is readily made if the owner actually sees the toad in the dogs mouth. If the time of year is the hot, rainy season and a seizuring dog is in front of you Bufo poisoning is at the top of your medical rule out list. To get a doctor on the case STAT, they are called "frog dogs" in emergency clinics.
Owners at home are the first line of defense. They should carefully rinse out the mouth of the dog with fresh water yet prevent the animal from swallowing it. Bufo poisonings are treated like any other seizuring patient. They are hospitalized and giving convulsant therapy such as diazepam, pentobarbital or an inhalant anesthetic to bring the seizuring under control. Other supportive care measures such as an intravenous line with fluids and dextrose maintain body functions until seizure activity stops. Most dogs are discharged in a day or so with no further seizuring IF the seizuring was actually caused by the Bufo Toad.
The prognosis for Bufo Toad poisoning is excellent if it is recognized early and the animal receives appropriate treatment. Problem is, is that dogs are presented multiple times for said poisoning. Prevention is key. Keep the pet on a leash at night or indoors all the time; particularly during rainy, humid summer nights.
A bone fracture is a break in any bone in the body. Fractures can occur anywhere and are caused by many different means. The most common type of fractures seen are those produced by trauma. This includes car accidents and fights with other animals. Other fractures can be pathologic, that is caused by a disease process. Osteosarcoma is an example of this type of fracture. Fractures can most easily occur in tiny breeds such as the Maltese. Just dropping them from your arms on to a tile floor can cause fractures. Cats suffer from "high rise" syndrome. They can survive relatively falls from medium height by twisting and turning but often land wrong causing head and pelvic fractures. Fractures are classified as open or closed. Open fractures are those that penetrate through the skin and can be seen. Closed fractures are those that do not penetrate the skin surface.
As an animal matures, bones become calcified and are more prone to fractures than young animals. Young animal bones are more flexible and often do not cause a break compared to a mature dog going through the same trauma experience. These are called greenstick fractures. Depending on the amount and direction of the force, fractures can occur in many different forms. Some are sheared off perpendicular (transverse), others form a spiral pattern yet many are obliterated and have no remaining blood supply to the bone.
Bone Fractures are characterized by pain, swelling and lameness on the effected limb. Fractures can mimic other medical conditions such as a bite wounds, muscle tears or soreness and hip dislocations. Additional signs are seen depending on the fracture location. Fractures of the lumbar vertebrae may cause paralysis of the hindquarters and inability to hold urine.
The most important lab tool is to radiograph the suspected fracture site. This is crucial. Many fractures are trauma induced so veterinarians will do a CBC and Chemistry profile to rule out other issues. Since all fractures are repaired under a general anesthetic, having blood work available prior to surgery insures it is safe to anesthesize the animal.
Diagnosis of a fracture is made from a good history, physical exam and radiographs.
The initial treatment of a suspected fracture should start at home. It is ultra important to be careful how the animal is handled. It is wise to put a cloth muzzle on the animal. It may bite otherwise. This is not out of anger but is born out of acute pain! Gently attach a newspaper or magazine around the effected area and gently tape it. It is much easier at this point to pick the dog or cat up so that the fractured area is not touched while moving the pet. In the car, try to initially position the animal by placing it on the OPPOSITE side of the fracture site. Once at the hospital, veterinarians will diagnose than treat the condition. If the animal was hit by a car, that trauma is taken care of first so that the animal is stable than the fracture repair can be addressed once the pet is a good anesthetic risk. Fractures can be repaired by: direct reduction, bone pinnings, plus metal plates and screws. External fixation devices such as casts and splints are commonly employed. Cats are superb healers. Many suffer from severe pelvic fractures. In 8 weeks, without doing anything, they heal like nothing has happened to them! However, the female must be spayed to prevent obstetrical complications due to a small birth canal caused by the pelvic fracture. Post reduction, animals are put on and sent home on painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics. Other medications depend upon the actual cause of the bone fracture.
The prognosis for fractures depends upon the type of fracture and how long it took for the animal to receive medical attention. Fractures in young, healthy dogs have a very good prognosis; normally healing in about 8 weeks. Fractures that have a poor bone supply may not heal at all. These are called non union fractures. Fractures caused by cancers such as osteosarcomas have a poor prognosis. Prognosis is variable in all cases.
The prostate gland is an accessory sex organ in the male animal whose main function is to contribute fluids to semen. It is located behind the bladder close to the neck of that organ. The outflow tract of urine from the bladder goes through the middle of the prostate as it courses to the outside as the animal urinates. BPH is an enlargement of the prostate seen in UN-NEUTERED male dogs. Enlargement is under hormonal control (testosterone). Most non neutered male dogs over the age of 5 have an enlarged prostate gland. Prostate bacterial infections, adenomas, cysts and hyperplasia are possible but the most common is BPH due to testosterone.
When the prostate gland enlarges certain things happen. The gland grows upward putting pressure on the rectum making it harder for the animal to defecate. This is known as tenesmus. As the gland enlarges it puts pressure on the urethra compressing the diameter of it making it harder for the dog to urinate. In some cases this narrowing of the urethral lumen (opening) can cause a complete urethral obstruction. This is a medical emergency.
The most common clinical signs noticed are un neutered dogs that are straining to urinate or defecate. Some dogs will have a blood tinged urine (hematuria) or speckles of bright red blood in the stool (melena).
Radiographs or other imaging devices may be employed to visualize the prostate gland. To rule out bacterial prostate issues amongst others, a CBC and Chemistry profile are routinely performed. A urinalysis is always done.
Diagnosis is made by the history of an un neutered middle aged male dog (and up) plus clinical signs. Physical exam confirms a diagnosis by rectal palpation of the prostate. In most dogs with prostate enlargement, the prostate can be palpated yet difficult to touch as the gland grows and hangs over the cranial pelvic rim. Lab Work also aids in the diagnosis.
Treatment of prostate enlargement depends upon the cause of the enlargement. Infections require long periods of antibiotics as it is very difficult for antibacterials to reach the prostate gland itself. In hormonal enlargement, most dogs are neutered and the prostate gland usually shrinks back to normal in 2-4 weeks.
Prognosis for most prostatic enlargements is fairly good once the animal has been neutered or on long term doses of antibiotics for prostatitis. Prostate cancers, at the moment, carry a poor prognosis. I have only diagnosed one in my career. Prevention is key here. To avoid prostate enlargements, all animals should be neutered at 6 months of age. If used for breeding, neutering should be performed after stud services are complete.