14 Black-and-White Dog Breeds That Are Too Cute to Ignore
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) In Dogs
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a condition in which your dog's intestine or digestive tract becomes inflamed consistently. The continuing inflammation damages the lining of their digestive tract in a way that prevents food from being properly digested. It can also lead to other health problems if nutrients are not absorbed as they should be.
While the symptoms are similar for IBD and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the two conditions are very different. Inflammatory bowel disease is a physical abnormality — the presence of an overgrowth of abnormal inflammatory cells. Irritable bowel syndrome is usually caused by stress, changes in diet, or infection, and primarily affects the large intestine.
There is no one cause of IBD in dogs, and the condition is not clearly understood by veterinarians. They suspect that IBD may actually be the body's response to other underlying conditions. Causes may include:
The location within the digestive tract and the severity of inflammation affect symptoms of IBD in dogs.
Chronic vomiting. If your dog's stomach is inflamed, it can lead to chronic vomiting. While their symptoms may not seem to have any identifiable cause, there may be a pattern in certain food or treats that irritate the condition.
Chronic diarrhea. If inflammation is primarily located in the small intestine, your dog may have diarrhea or the presence of blood and mucus in their poop. While occasional diarrhea and mucus are normal, blood is always considered an emergency.
Weight Loss. If your dog has unexplained weight loss, they may not be eating because of their IBD symptoms. If you notice a decrease in your dog's appetite that is causing weight loss, talk to your veterinarian.
They may seem lethargic or have a slight change in appetite if their inflammation is mild or in beginning stages of the condition. Early intervention is key for addressing IBD in dogs. Any changes in your dog's bowel habits or appetite that persist for more than a couple of days are cause for concern and should be addressed with your veterinarian.
Your veterinarian will ask questions about your dog's condition symptoms. If they suspect your dog is suffering from IBD, the condition requires a biopsy of the intestine lining for a diagnosis. The biopsy will confirm the presence of inflammatory cells as well as show how severe the condition is.
Before completing a more invasive biopsy, blood work and a fecal exam may be completed. Ultrasounds and x-rays are also common if your dog's veterinarian suspects IBD. These can help to rule out other possibilities like parasites, cancer, or illness.
Any dog can have IBD, but there are some breeds that receive a diagnosis more than others, including:
There is no cure for IBD, but the condition can be managed through prescription medication like antibiotics and steroids and changes in diet. Since each dog and their case of IBD is different, the condition can take some trial-and-error to find the right treatment plan.
Keep in mind that it could take several weeks to see an improvement. Be patient with your pet as you try new things to help improve their condition. It helps to take detailed notes on their diet and other habits. Make note of:
Once you find something that works for your dog, their intestines can begin to heal. Eventually, your dog may reach the point that they are no longer reliant on medication every day. Instead, you can reserve their prescription for bad days when they have a flare-up of IBD.
Using lab results from blood work, fecal examination, and intestinal biopsy, your vet will make a diet recommendation. This may include:
To consider your efforts a true "food trial," you should commit to a regimen for 6 to 12 weeks. If you don't see enough of an improvement, your vet may suggest a small tweak or addition to your dog's diet to see if you notice any changes — good or bad.
Vomiting or diarrhea that persist longer than a few days without an identifiable cause will likely require a vet visit. You may notice blood in their stool or vomit if their condition has progressed.
Some dogs begin to eat and drink less in an effort to prevent their symptoms and end up losing weight. This can lead to lethargy and disinterest in playing. Any negative changes in your dog's behavior that persist are a reason to visit your vet.
Kidney Problems In Dogs: Kidney Failure, Kidney Disease, And More - WebMD
Even though dogs are a different species, their bodies function very similarly to human bodies. Dogs have kidneys to balance nutrients in their bodies and filter out waste.
Kidneys also help control blood pressure, increase red blood cell production, and help calcium metabolize.
If kidney function is impaired, it can cause a domino effect of health problems for your pet. Know the signs of kidney disease in dogs and what you can do to prevent and treat their condition.
Kidney problems in dogs can be acute or chronic. Acute kidney failure happens quickly over several days, while chronic kidney failure happens slowly over time.
Causes of Acute Kidney Failure
Acute kidney problems are most frequently attributed to your dog ingesting a toxin. It may be a chemical like antifreeze, household cleaners, or bad food.
Problems also occur due to a urinary obstruction in your pet's body. When blood flow decreases, it leaves your dog's kidneys less oxygenated and more prone to infection.
Kidney issues may also result from:
Causes of Chronic Kidney Failure
Chronic kidney disease is most common in older dogs, and the exact cause is often difficult to pinpoint because of its slow onset. Early symptoms of chronic kidney disease are easily overlooked or dismissed because they are mild in nature.
Dental disease is a leading cause of chronic kidney failure in older dogs. Bacteria build up on your dog's teeth and enter the digestive system when eating and drinking. While your dog's kidneys are designed to filter waste, bacteria can lessen kidney function over time.
A few signs to watch for include:
Keep Your Dog Away From Chemicals
Kidney disease doesn't have to be a problem for your dog. Keep your dog safe by taking preventative measures to ensure they don't have access to household chemicals and cleaners.
It is important to keep in mind that dogs are chewers by nature, so keeping chemicals in a closed cabinet isn't enough. You may also have false assurance that "child-proof" seals will keep your dog safe, but they won't.
Dogs can easily chew through plastic bottles and drink dangerous chemicals. Make sure bottles are kept in locked cabinets or up high where dogs cannot reach them.
Avoid Exposure to Medications and Other Harmful Substances
In addition to keeping your dog away from dangerous household cleaners and chemicals, it may also be important to avoid having your pet near medications, food, and other substances.
These could include:
Dental Hygiene
Since chronic kidney disease can occur from poor dental hygiene, keeping your dog's teeth clean is crucial for long-term health.
Talk to your vet about how often you should have your dog's teeth cleaned and ask about food and treats that may help with dental hygiene in dogs.
While damage from acute kidney problems is more easily treated, damage to your dog's organs from chronic kidney disease is irreversible unless caught early.
Since some damage is irreversible, preventative measures listed above are essential for your dog.
If kidney disease or kidney failure is diagnosed in your dog, treatment will depend on the severity of his condition. Your vet will begin by addressing issues related to underlying conditions like chemical poisoning, dehydration, or infection.
Your dog's treatment plan may also include:
While you may be tempted to create a DIY home-cooked diet for your dog, that may not be best. Dog food has the correct balance of nutrients your dog needs to stay healthy.
Your veterinarian may suggest a specific type of dog food with additional nutrients your dog needs for his condition.
You may be tempted to feed your dog from your plate, but some foods can hurt your dog and/or contribute to kidney issues, like:
Kidney problems in dogs that go untreated can be life-threatening. If you suspect your dog has kidney failure, don't try to self-diagnose and treat the condition at home.
Kidney problems often lead to life-threatening conditions that require immediate hospitalization and treatment. If left untreated, end-stage kidney failure may occur, leading to a fatal outcome.
Talk to your vet or take your dog to an after-hours emergency clinic for a diagnosis and treatment.
The Deadly Stomach Disease That Targets Large Breed DogsWkyc.com
Early detection could lead to a surgery that could save your pet's life.
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — For 11 wonderful years I was luck to be Griffin's human. A protector, couch companion and all-around great dog. It wasn't old age that robbed him of more years in 2018, but a disease known as Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus.
GDV can strike large breed dogs with deep chests such as Great Danes, Saint Bernards and Great Pyrenees like Griffin. In GDV a dog's belly can fill with gas, food, or liquid (known as bloat) and then twist or flip on itself.
"It can lead to death of the stomach and because of the shock, it's deadly quickly. Usually within 24 to 36 hours."
Dr. Sheldon Padgett is Senior Surgeon specializing in soft tissue disease at Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital in Highland Heights. He says understanding the signs of GDV can save your dog's life.
"One of the biggest things you're gonna see is him being anxious and whatnot, and also widening below the ribcage here," Dr. Padgett demonstrated on a dog.
In addition, look for pale gums, excessive drooling, rapid breathing, and non-productive retching. You may also notice your dog's head pointing to his belly. Diagnosed by x-ray, veterinarians first work to stabilize the dog, insert a tube to relieve some of the stomach pressure - before they work to untwist it during surgery.
"It's the most common disease that we see, in the middle of the night that we take them to surgery for. So it it's a life-threatening disease. Twenty to thirty-percent of those patients don't make it," Dr. Padgett said.
We recognized the symptoms in Griffin and got him into emergency care within 45 minutes. He survived the surgery, but didn't fully recover. Sadly we said goodbye to him a few days later.
"These dogs that are predisposed to it, if we know they're predisposed to it, if they're having surgery for another reason like a spay or a neuter, it's a common time for us to say, let's do something to keep this from happening so you don't have to worry about it ever," Dr. Padgett said of a preventative surgery known as Gastropexy. It is not new, but has changed over the years. Traditional surgery involves an incision from chest to abdomen. But now it can also be done via a laparoscopic procedure.
" If we do it from a minimally invasive standpoint, they tend to do really well from a preventive surgery, tend to go home either the same day or the day after surgery," Dr. Padgett said.
That's the route we took with Fergus, who turned five last year, a choice we made after talking to our veterinarian. And if a larger dog is part of your family too, talking with your vet about GDV is the first step in reducing the chance it happens to your gentle giant.
To reduce the chances of GDV in your dog, follow these steps:
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