Serious Health Problems
Health and Care Sites for Your Dog
Info on ocular conditions that that may be referred by veterinarian general practitioners to board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists for diagnosis and treatment.
Bloat is a very serious health risk for many dogs, yet many dog owners know very little about it. If you believe your dog is experiencing bloat, please get your dog to a veterinarian immediately! Bloat can kill in less than an hour, so time is of the essence. Call your vet to alert them you're on your way with a suspected bloat case. Better to be safe than sorry!
One of the major problems for dog trainers in the south is heat. With the temperatures reaching near 100 degrees, you should be very careful with your dogs. This article by Nathan Baxter DVM will give you the necessary instructions to protect and treat your dog in the heat.
Heart-worms in dogs are easy to prevent, but difficult and costly to cure. WebMD asks Sheldon Rubin, 2007-2010 president of the American Heart-worm Society, to separate facts from the myths about heart-worm infestations in dogs.
WebMD isn't just for humans. Check out their Healthy Dogs Guide for health news and topics including:
The Mission of the OFA is to promote the health and welfare of companion animals through a reduction in the incidence of genetic disease.
The OFA is guided by the following four specific objectives:
-
To collate and disseminate information concerning orthopedic and genetic diseases of animals.
-
To advise, encourage and establish control programs to lower the incidence of orthopedic and genetic diseases.
-
To encourage and finance research in orthopedic and genetic disease in animals.
-
To receive funds and make grants to carry out these objectives.
The goal of our Canine Neuromuscular Disease Testing service is to provide highly accurate and reliable genetic testing for the condition known as Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC). This inherited disease is common in Labrador Retrievers, but is also found in other breeds, including Curly-Coated and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Boykin Spaniels, Bouvier des Flanders, German Wirehaired Pointers, Old English Sheepdogs, Cocker Spaniels and Pembroke Welsh Corgis. Affected dogs typically become weak in the hind limbs and collapse after 5-20 minutes of high intensity exercise, such as in field trials or upland game hunting, and in some cases simple fetch and retrieves.
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL) in Golden Retrievers
Researchers at the University of Missouri, College of Veterinary Medicine have used the latest gene discovery strategies to identify the mutation causing a fatal, hereditary degenerative disease of the brain in Golden Retrievers.
Add some more info about this item...
The Official Global Site for Centronuclear Myopathy is dedicated to controlling CNM and providing useful educational information.
Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM) is a grave disease that has been of concern in Labrador Retrievers globally since the 1970’s. The CNM DNA mutation was identified by the research teams of Drs. Laurent Tiret and Stéphane Blot at the Alfort School of Veterinary Medicine.
You can read additional information learn how to test your dog.
Dr. Cynda Crawford, clinical assistant professor in the Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville, recently answered dozens of readers’ questions on the New York Times Consults blog. Many readers had questions about flu symptoms, how the virus is spread and whether their pets should receive the newly approved vaccine for the disease. Here are 10 things Dr. Crawford believes everyone should know about canine influenza and the risks to pets and people. Also included is the original blog post “The Dog Flu Virus: Are You or Your Pet At Risk?”.
Laryngeal paralysis results when the abductor muscles of the larynx cannot work properly. This means no expanding and opening of the larynx for a deep breath; the laryngeal folds simply flop weakly and flaccidly. In other words, when one needs a deep breath, one doesn’t get one. This can create tremendous anxiety (imagine attempting to take a deep breath and finding that you simply cannot). Anxiety leads to more rapid breathing and more distress. A respiratory crisis from the partial obstruction can emerge creating an emergency and even death.
Laryngeal paralysis does not come about suddenly. For most dogs there is a fairly long history of panting, easily tiring on walks, or loud breathing. Ideally, the diagnosis can be made before the condition progresses to an emergency.
Dennis O'Brien, DVM, PhD
Diplomate, ACVIM, Specialty of Neurology
University of Missouri, College of Veterinary Medicine
"All the most acute, most powerful, and most deadly diseases, and those most difficult to be understood ... fall upon the brain."
--Hippocrates
Epilepsy was recognized in ancient times and was undoubtedly one of the "difficult" diseases Hippocrates referred to. Understanding what causes seizures, how epilepsy is treated and how current research may help decrease the incidence of the disease, will help you deal with the condition in your pet.