Osteoarthritis (OA), also called degenerative joint disease, is one of the most common chronic diseases in older dogs. It is characterized by the progressive degradation of the articular cartilage, inflammation of the synovial membrane, conversion processes in subchondral bones and the formation of osteophytes (bone growths). These structural changes lead to joint stiffness, pain and finally to restrict the movement.
In my daily work in the veterinary practice and in animal physiotherapy, I always experience situations that emotionally demanding both animals and humans. One of them is the question of whether an amputation is necessary or reasonable at all - both from a medical and an ethical point of view. Many animal owners are under great pressure in this decision, are unsure, full of fear and not infrequently also with guilt feelings. An amputation in the dog can not only be a life -saving measure, but also the beginning of a new, happy life on three legs.
For every patient with diabetes mellitus (DM), a long -term surveillance strategy should be developed that is medically well -founded, practical and effective. A close relationship between the vet and animal owners is crucial for success because the owner takes over daily care and carries out most routine monitoring. Pet owners should be able to recognize early signs of problems in DM management and pass on their observations to the practice team. Regular clinical examinations and laboratory tests are also of central importance and offer a good opportunity to discuss progress, analyze problems and to assess the quality of life. The restoration and maintenance of the patient's quality of life is of the utmost importance¹ ² and should be a central goal of every surveillance strategy.
For many pet owners, the holiday season is an occasion for anticipation - sun, beach, relaxation. But it is not uncommon for the beloved pet to come back with more than just beautiful memories. Traveling into the Mediterranean in particular mountains the risk of infectious diseases, the so -called travel sickness. These diseases primarily affect dogs, occasionally also cats, and are usually transmitted by parasites such as ticks, mosquitoes or sand flies.
Anesthesia or sedation is sometimes inevitable - be it for surgery, dental renovation or even more complex examinations. It can be queasy, especially when you hear that the anesthesia carries risks. The good news: thanks to modern veterinary medicine and careful surveillance, many of these risks can be controlled very well today.
Heart diseases are not uncommon in dogs, and especially tachyarrhythmias - that is, fast, irregular cardiac arrhythms - can be life -threatening for our four -legged friends. Two frequently used medication to treat these cardiac arrhythmias are amiodarone and Sotalol. But which of these drugs is more effective and safer for dogs?
In this article we take a detailed look at current research results, explain the advantages and disadvantages of both therapies and answer frequent questions that dog owners employ.
In recent times, cases of multi-resistant (MDR) hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum) have been observed, which are resistant to all three large anhelminthic classes. Originally, these resistant parasites seem to have developed in Greyhound breeding and racing knowledge. In the meantime, however, MDR hookworms are also increasingly appearing in other dog breeds.
Bully, a 5-year-old castrated male Labrador Retriever, was presented due to an increasing frequency of generalized seizures. Two years ago, idiopathic/primary epilepsy was diagnosed-based on the age of the first seizures (1–6 years), normal physical and neurological examinations between the seizures and unobtrusive metabolic laboratory values (e.g. large blood count, clinical-chemical profile, bile acids, urine examination).
Grass contact dermatitis in the dog is a rarely recognized but increasingly documented skin disease. This is an allergic reaction (type IV hypertensivity) that arises when certain plant substances-so-called hapta bearers-come into contact with the skin. This reaction occurs particularly often after contact with grasses, which can be a problem, especially for dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors.
The Alanin aminotransferase (Alt) is an enzyme that occurs mainly in the liver cells (hepatocytes) of dogs. An increased old value can indicate liver damage, but other factors can also lead to an increase. This article, among other things, illuminates current research results on old increases in healthy dogs and gives practical recommendations.
Lymphomas are among the most common cancer in dogs. Standard therapy is the so-called CHOP protocol, a combination scheme of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristin and prednison. This treatment scheme is effective, but requires weekly visits over several months - a challenge for many animal owners.
A promising alternative could be a combination of Rabacfosadin and Doxorubicin. This therapy offers comparable treatment results, but requires less frequent visits to the clinic. In this article you will learn how this new therapy option works, what advantages and disadvantages it has and for which dogs it is suitable.
Bacterial urinary tract infections are often diagnosed in dogs and cats. Although bacterial cystitis in dogs can occur in both sexes and in all age groups, it is observed older than 10 years, especially in castrated females and animals. The antimicrobial means used for treatment have not changed significantly, but concern about increasing antibiotic resistance increases. Careful and responsible handling of antimicrobial drugs is therefore essential. There are new recommendations for which types of bacteriuria should be treated, which antibiotics should be considered as first -line therapy and how long the treatment should take place.¹
The spine of a dog consists of many individual vertebrae, which are separated by intervertebral discs. These intervertebral discs act like shock absorbers and enable mobility. With a thoracolumbal intervertebral disc extrusion, the inner, gel -like material of a intervertebral disc leaves through the outer shell and presses onto the spinal cord. This can lead to pain, paralysis and in severe cases to loss of walking ability.
Acute thoracolumbale intervertebral disc extrusion read more »
If your dog has difficulty breathing or shows signs of heat, quick action is required. Respiratory strands and heat stroke can be life -threatening and require immediate measures. The most common causes of respiratory problems are paralysis of the larynx, a collapse of the trachea or the brachycephale respiratory syndrome, which occurs in dogs with a short snout.
The elimination diet is an important part of the diagnosis of feed -induced atopic dermatitis (FIAD) in dogs. Traditionally, such a diet attempt takes eight weeks, which is a challenge for many animal owners. A shorter alternative could make the process easier without affecting the accuracy. A recent study shows that the use of prednisolone or Oclacitinib at the beginning of the diet can be shortened.
