Dog Health

The function of the canine kidney is to rid the body of waste produced during metabolism. Removal of waste takes place within the kidneys through a system of nephrons. Contained in each nephron is...

Dog urine, even in a healthy animal, smells foul. Because of this, it is unhealthy for humans to be exposed to the smell constantly. Dog urine also transmits various diseases which can be...

The treatment for canine skin disease depends upon the cause of the condition. The causes of skin disease in dogs include: bacterial infections, fungal infections, parasite infestations,...

Crohn's disease is a term for a specific form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In dogs, this condition occurs when the immune system overreacts, causing an over abundance of certain cells...

Corticosteroids such as prednisone are used by veterinarians to alleviate the symptoms of many illnesses, including allergies, dermatitis, various cancers and inflammatory bowel disease....

Ticks may gross you out, but they can also cause a serious infection in your dog. Lyme disease can give your dog a lot of nasty side effects, including kidney disease and even death. It can also...

Lyme disease (borreliosis) is caused by the bacteria B. burgdoferi and is transmitted to your dog through the bite of a deer tick. In order for the bacteria to be transmitted, the tick must remain...

Alopecia is defined simply as the loss of hair. There are many causes of alopecia in Pomeranians including, but not limited to the black skin disease, hyperthyroidism, seasonal allergies,...

If your dog's cortisol levels are too low, he has a condition called Addison's Disease. This disease occurs when there is a decrease in the amount of corticosteriod being secreted from the adrenal...

The BUN, or blood urea nitrogen, is often tested as a measure of kidney function. Urea is one of the waste products that build up in the blood when the kidneys are not capable of performing...

Black skin disease, also called alopecia X and pseudo-Cushing's Syndrome, usually appears when a dog is between one and five years old, and causes severe hair loss, hyperpigmentation or darkening...

Liver disease is very complex, with many different causes and symptoms. Treatment includes dietary management, often by feeding Hill's prescription l/d food, along with supplements and medication....

Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi that enters the dog's body through a tick bite. Although it's estimated that 90 percent of dogs do not become ill from the bacteria,...

When the adrenal or the pituitary gland in dogs malfunctions and produces high amounts of glucocorticoid, then it's known as canine Cushings disease, otherwise known as hyperadrenocorticism....

Doxycycline (also known as Vibramycin) is a commonly used medication in the veterinary field. It is obtained by prescription and it is used to effectively treat a variety of conditions in dogs. It...

Lyme disease was first discovered in Lyme, Connecticut, when unusually large numbers of people and dogs developed severe rheumatoid arthritis. Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks and it is...

Cirrhosis of the liver is the end stage of many liver diseases that strike dogs. It is characterized by the presence of fibroids and scar tissue. Any progressive liver disease that causes...

Bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi, found in ticks and transferred from the tick to dogs through bites, causes canine Lyme disease. According to Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook (Debra M....

Dogs in the wild show fewer symptoms of gum disease because they chew on bones and bark that scrape the surface of the tooth and keep plaque from building up. Unfortunately, domesticated dogs are...

If your dog has liver disease, the right food can add months and possibly years to his life. Your vet can prescribe the best liver diet for your dog based on the cause and severity of the problem....

Wobblers disease is known by many names. It is nicknamed wobblers as the affected dog has an unsteady gait when walking. Other names include Wobbler syndrome, cervical spondylomyelopathy,...

Kidney disease is very common in older dogs. According to PetMD, nine in 1,000 dogs examined suffers from chronic kidney disease. When this happens, waste normally filtered by the kidneys enters...

Cushings disease in dogs happens most often with beagles, dachshunds, poodles, and terriers especially when they are advanced in age. Cushings disease happens when the dog's body begins over...

Diet is a critical part of managing your dog's kidney disease. There's no cure for kidney disease but with medication, diet and supplements you can increase both the quality and the length of her...

Ocular is a term that refers to any disease affecting the eye. There are several different ocular diseases that affect our canine companions. If an eye disease is suspected, veterinary care should...

Many dogs may suffer from kidney failure or petechia in their lifetimes. Kidney failure, commonly called renal failure, has two main forms including acute kidney failure and chronic kidney...

Dogs can suffer from inflammatory bowel disease just like human beings do. Oftentimes referred to as Crohn's disease in humans, it is usually just referred to as inflammatory bowel disease in...

Low cortisol levels in a dog is a condition called hypoadrenocorticism, or Addison's aisease. This occurs when the adrenal glands stop producing the proper amount of corticosteroids. Addison's...

A diagnosis of kidney disease in your dog can be frightening and upsetting. Kidney disease affects up to 10 percent of the canine population and is more common in older dogs. Kidney disease is a...

Black skin disease in pugs is a condition that can cause inflammation and darkening of the skin as well as balding. The dog may lose fur and suffer from minor skin irritation. In more extreme...

There are four types of canine bone cancer: osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, fibrosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma. Osteosarcoma is the most common of these cancers, and is always terminal. The final...

Canine meningitis is a life-threatening disease that can often be successfully treated if medical care is sought as soon as symptoms are observed.

Rimadyl is the brand name for the veterinary prescription medication carprofen. Despite its effectiveness in treating the pain of arthritis in dogs and cats, Rimadyl poses a risk for side effects...

If you wish to improve the cortisol levels in your dog, there are several ways in which to do so. First, you must determine if the levels are too high to too low. If your dog has too much cortisol...

Potassium is an electrolyte necessary for the proper functioning of the kidneys, nerves, muscles and digestive system, as well as regulating the rhythm of the heart. Hyperkalemia is the term used...

Chronic kidney disease in a dog ultimately culminates in kidney failure. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, signs of the disease do not become apparent until Stage IV, at which time 75...

Measuring the cortisol levels in your dog can determine if she has certain hormonal conditions, such as Addison's disease or Cushing's disease. There are a variety of tests that your veterinarian...

Kidney disease and subsequent renal failure in animals can be considered either acute (happening quickly) or chronic (occurring over a period of time). In both types of this disease, the...

Black skin disease, also known as Alopecia X, is a condition in which the skin on a dog's body can become irritated and inflamed, turn black and the hair falls out. While this odd disease can...

Degenerative eye disease in dogs is an unfortunate part of pet ownership. It is sad to see your companion's eyesight diminish as she ages. Two specific types of degenerative eye...

Many dogs have skin problems, but among those pemphigus foliaceus is perhaps the most serious. This skin disease can be fatal if not treated. The dog's body begins to see a part of its own skin as...

Canine Cushing's disease is caused by a problem in the pituitary or adrenal gland that results in the production of too much glucocorticoid. Both standard and holistic treatments are available to...

Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria called Borrelia. Contracted from an infected vector, such as a tick, it's characterized by lameness, swollen joints, pain, dehydration and lack of appetite. It...

Parvovirus is a very serious canine disease. The disease is most common in puppies; however, older dogs are not immune to it. The parvovirus attacks the rapidly diving cells that are found in a...

Rabies, a deadly disease, is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. The virus is usually transmitted by a bite from an infected animal. Once the visible symptoms of the disease appear,...

Dogs are infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease when they are bitten by an infected tick--usually a deer tick. Many dogs will test positive for Lyme disease but show no symptoms. At...

Shih Tzus, typically a healthy dog breed, are prone to developing Cushing's disease in older ages. As they age, Shih Tzus become more prone to the glandular disease which causes an overproduction...

Liver disease, says the Canine Liver Disease Foundation, is one of the five leading causes of natural death among dogs. Your dog's liver plays such an important role in so many of its bodily...

Liver disease is a common problem in dogs. According to the Canine Liver Disease Foundation website, it's "among the top five leading causes of non-accidental death." If your dog suffers from...

Liver disease is not necessarily a death sentence for your dog. A diet geared specifically toward treating your dog's liver and his symptoms could add years to his life. Some foods should be...