Category Archives: Internal diseases of Dogs
Bloat or the dreaded GDV
In bloat, also known as gastric dilation, a dog’s stomach is over distended with gas. Often it twists as well, sending the dog into shock. When this happens it is called gastric dilation and volvulus, or GDV. Factors thought to … Continue reading
Heartworm
Heartworm live in the heart and major blood vessels of infected dogs. How do dogs get heartworm? Female heartworm produce millions of young, or microfilaria, which live in the bloodstream. Mosquitoes ingest microfilariae when they bite an infected dog. The … Continue reading
Heart care for dogs
Dogs suffer from heart failure, just like humans. If dog owners recognise the warning signs of heart failure they can seek help earlier and enjoy a healthy, happy pet for longer. Research shows that most dog owners are not aware … Continue reading
Hookworm
Hookworms attach to the intestinal wall with hook-like mouthparts. They are hard to see because they are only about 3 mm long and very thin. Dogs are infested with hookworms in one of three ways: 1. Hookworm larvae pass from … Continue reading
Roundworm
Roundworms, also known as ascarids, have round bodies and are 7-12 cm long. They live in dogs’ intestines on partially digested food. Pups infested with roundworms lose weight and look pot-bellied. They lose their appetites and may vomit or develop … Continue reading
Whipworm
Whipworms live in the large intestine of dogs and irritate the lining causing watery, bloody diarrhoea and weight loss. Whipworms produce microscopic eggs that pass out in the dog’s faeces. The eggs resist drying and heat, and can infect another … Continue reading
Parvovirus in dogs
Parvovirus causes severe vomiting and diarrhoea and is very contagious. The virus may infect a whole litter of pups from an unvaccinated bitch. Dogs less than one year old are the most vulnerable to the virus. Dogs go off their … Continue reading
Cushing’s disease
In dogs with Cushing’s disease the adrenal glands overproduce some of the body’s regulators, particularly cortisol. What are the signs of Cushing’s disease? The most common signs of Cushing’s disease are marked increases in appetite, water consumption and urination. Lethargy, … Continue reading
Inflammatory bowel disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic disease of the gut, or gastrointestinal tract. Most affected dogs have a history of recurrent or chronic vomiting and/or diarrhoea. They may lose weight but are otherwise normal. Most eat well or have … Continue reading
Hypothyroidism
The thyroid gland regulates the body’s metabolic rate. When it slows down the whole body slows down. Hypothyroidism is a deficiency in production of the thyroid hormone. This deficiency is caused by immune-mediated destruction of the thyroid gland, most commonly, … Continue reading
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