Pet Health Articles
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Heart disease is more common in dogs than in cats. It can be due to congenital defects or adult-onset disease. The two most common types of adult heart disease are mitral regurgitation (valve disease) and dilated cardiomyopathy or DCM (heart muscle disease). Diagnosis involves X-rays, ECG, and echocardiography. Treatment depends on the cause of heart disease.
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This handout discusses what a heart murmur is, how it is detected, what recommended tests are advised to determine the underlying cause, and potential treatments or monitoring that should be undertaken when a murmur is detected in your cat.
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This handout discusses what a heart murmur is, how it is diagnosed, what recommended tests are advised to determine the underlying cause, and potential treatments or monitoring that should be undertaken when a murmur is detected in your dog.
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Heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) are blood-borne parasites that reside in the heart or nearby large blood vessels of infected animals. Recent studies of cats with heart and respiratory diseases have found an incidence of heartworms that is far greater than previously thought. Veterinarians now strongly recommend that all cats receive year-round monthly heartworm preventives. There are excellent heartworm preventives now available for cats, making prevention of heartworm disease safe and easy.
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Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease. It is caused by a blood-borne parasite known as Dirofilaria immitis. Adult heartworms may live for five to seven years and, during this time, the female produces millions of offspring called microfilaria. You can prevent your dog from getting heartworms by using a heartworm preventive.
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Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive, degenerative disease that worsens over time. This handout discusses steps you can take to help your cat deal with osteoarthritis (OA) or degenerative joint disease (DJD). In addition to medications that may be prescribed by your veterinarian, other treatment options such as weight loss, exercise, and complementary therapies such as chiropractic and physiotherapy are outlined.
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Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive, degenerative disease that worsens over time. This handout discusses steps you can take to help your dog deal with osteoarthritis (OA) or degenerative joint disease (DJD). In addition to medications that may be prescribed by your veterinarian, other treatment options such as weight loss, exercise, and complementary therapies such as chiropractic and physiotherapy are outlined.
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An aural hematoma is a collection of blood between the cartilage and skin of the ear flap. It is most likely caused by trauma but can also be due to a bleeding disorder. If an underlying cause is determined such as infection, this needs to be treated as well. Hematomas may eventually resolve on their own, but there is a risk of permanent damage and they are painful, so prompt treatment is recommended.
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An aural hematoma is a collection of blood between the cartilage and skin of the ear flap. It is most usually caused by trauma but can also be due to a bleeding disorder. Hematomas in dogs can be treated in different ways but should be treated early to minimize pain and disfigurement. If an underlying cause is determined such as otitis externa, this needs to be treated as well. Hematomas may eventually resolve on their own, but there is a risk of cauliflower ear and they are painful, so prompt treatment is recommended.
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Hemophilia A and B are clotting disorders involving a deficiency of a specific clotting factor (A: Factor VIII, B: Factor IX) needed for appropriate homeostasis. They are caused by a sex-linked recessive genetic mutation. Affected dogs will show inappropriate hemorrhage including bruising, lameness induced by bleeding into joints and body cavity hemorrhage. It can be diagnosed with a slow APTT and demonstrating low levels of the factor involved. Hemophilia A is more common than B and is generally, more severe. Because it is sex-linked recessive, males are more likely to be affected than females but females still act as carriers, so genetic screening is important prior to breeding to prevent this disease.
