posted by Tess on Aug 11
Dogs cannot speak our language and we can never be sure whether their barking is a warning, a complaint or an expression of some discomfort. But there is one thing that we do know and that is that the barking is supposed to mean something.
A dog may bark for various reasons. And in many cases the barking is due to a previous situation or experience that he may have had. Research has unequivocally established that the dog’s brain does respond to stimuli and this was proven long time ago with Pavlov’s experiment.
Experiments reveal that there is imagery in the dog’s brain that induces specific dog behaviors. These behaviors could seem normal or abnormal to us but they do have a meaning. Dogs have the capacity to recall images of the owner, earlier smells and sounds and past experiences and these cause them to behave in a certain manner.
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posted by Tess on Aug 8
Your cat’s skin has two types of glands in the dermal layer. The sweat glands that keep the body temperature in check and the sebaceous glands that secrete a greasy substance called sebum. The sebum is a source of one of the most common cat skin diseases that we know as feline acne.
Sebaceous glands are present in large numbers under the skin on the chin, lips, top surface of the base of the tail, prepuce and scrotum of cats. Sebum secretions from these glands are primarily meant to protect hair against water and keep the skin supple.
Cats also have a tendency to mark their territories. Cats mark their areas by rubbing their chin, temples and the base of the tail against certain favorite objects. This behavior surfaces more evidently during feeding time. The evident sign of such ‘markings’ is the appearance of black greasy spots on the objects “marked”. And those cats that are more inclined to this marking behavior have a high levels of secretions and are more susceptible to feline acne.
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posted by Tess on Aug 7
Practically all conventional medications have side effects. Some side effects are self limiting and mild but others can be severe. Prednisone is often projected as a wonder drug that is used to treat numerous conditions in dogs.
The drug affects almost all parts of the body and is instrumental in remission of autoimmune diseases in cases where the fundamental cause cannot be treated. It is used as a standalone drug or as a supplementary treatment for conditions like allergies, respiratory disorders, Cushings disease in dogs, Addison’s disease and various types of cancers.
The downside of prednisone is as alarming as the benefits. One of the side effects of prednisone is that it can cause the same disease that it is meant to cure. A classic example is hyperadrenocorticism in dogs, commonly termed as Cushings disease. It is a glandular disease caused by excessive cortisol in the system. When prednisone is used indiscreetly to supplement deficiencies of corticosteroids, it can potentially lead to iatrogenic (complication resulting from treatment) Cushings disease.
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posted by Tess on Aug 4
Cortisol is often referred to as a ‘stress hormone’. This is because its secretion by the adrenal glands is related to the stress factor. In addition it also affects blood pressure, blood sugar and is vital to the immunosuppressive actions of the dog’s body. The synthetic form of cortisol, known as hydrocortisone, is used to treat inflammatory diseases, allergic reactions and to supplement deficiencies of the endogenous cortisol.
Levels of cortisol in the body change according to the need of the body. They also vary according to the day-night cycle - the levels are at their peak early in the morning and lowest about 2 to 3 hours after sleep time. Damages to the pituitary or adrenal glands can disturb the production of the hormone to cause conditions like Cushings disease (hyperadrenocorticism) and Addison’s disease that require immediate attention of the dog owners. These glands are the two endocrinal glands that are vital to endogenous production of cortisol in the body.
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posted by Tess on Aug 2
The lymphoid system helps in the body’s defenses against viruses and bacteria. The lymphatic tissue is spread out in the body and is concentrated in the lymph nodes, GI tract, skin, liver and spleen. Lymphoma or cancer of the lymphoid system is one of the common types of cancers that can affect dogs.
Lymphoma is a malignant tumor of the cells and can occur practically anywhere in the body. It usually occurs in multiple sites in the body. The chest cavity, nose, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system and lymph nodes that are spread all across the body are the locations that are attacked in most cases where lymphoma occurs in a dog.
The diagnosis and treatment that is decided depends upon the site of the lymphoma. Blood tests of aspirates of the tumor, biopsy, X-Rays and ultrasound examinations confirm the diagnosis. Treatment options include surgery, radiation and drug therapy.
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posted by Tess on Aug 1
Hookworms are one of the most dangerous parasitic worms. Even though the symptoms of worms in dogs are normally elusive, it needs to be known that hookworm infestation can cause life threatening anemia to puppies even before the eggs can be noticed in the stools. Some species of hookworms attach themselves to the small intestines and bite off pieces of the intestinal wall to cause bleeding.
Controlling hookworms properly does not involve only basic de-worming drugs like antihelminthics. If the process has to be completed successfully, then a series of steps needs to be taken to ensure proper eradication. Understanding the characteristics of the hookworm is essential for proper removal.
Hookworm eggs differ from the eggs of other worms in dogs in at least two ways.
1. Unlike roundworm eggs that can bear the vagaries of environmental hazards, hookworm eggs require a typical climate to survive.
2. Whereas dog roundworms and dog tapeworms must necessarily be ingested for infection to occur, hookworms can penetrate through the skin tissue.
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