Liver disease encompasses a wide spectrum of conditions. The liver may malfunction for example, because a cancer has invaded. Other times, an abscess may have formed or infection may have moved into the tissues or the bile duct system. Cirrhosis of the liver is an end-stage condition where scar tissue replaces normal functioning liver cells. Parasites (e.g. flukes) may also enter this organ and disrupt normal function. Sometimes a structural problem may exist that interferes with function such as a portosystemic shunt, a condition whereby blood vessels do not form properly, and circulation bypasses the liver. Toxins from chemicals are another trigger for a malfunctioning liver. Certain breeds of dogs are prone to inherited diseases such as copper liver disease in Bedlington Terriers and Westies.
This is not an exhaustive list, but your veterinary team can sit down with you and discuss the best treatment, the prognosis, and any home care steps you can take to keep the quality of life optimal for the particular type of liver disease affecting your pet. The liver has a very large regenerative capacity, so some of the causes of the liver disease are treatable, and healing will return it to full function. Other conditions are progressive in spite of the best treatment. Some conditions are rapidly progressive, while others may progress only very slowly. If the liver disease is advanced, hospitalization may be necessary to stabilize the pet.

Symptoms
Sometimes when bile backs up in the system due to blockage or inflammation etc., the mucous membranes may take on a yellow hue, and the urine may be bright yellow-orange. This is termed icterus (jaundice) and this pigment needs to be flushed from the system at the veterinary hospital. Advanced liver disease may also lead to neurological signs such as head pressing and deep lethargy. This is termed hepatic encephalopathy, and results from build up of nitrogen wastes in the bloodstream because the liver is not functioning at capacity.

Treatments
The liver is a very important organ with many complex functions, and it is important to identify the specific type of liver dysfunction so that the proper treatment may be undertaken, and a reasonably accurate prognosis assigned.

Have you noticed segments on your pet's fur or in his bedding that look like rice? Does your dog vomit occasionally and you wonder if he ate spaghetti? If you answered yes to any of these questions, your dog may be infected with internal parasites. The four which affect our canine companions most often are Tapeworms, Roundworms, Whipworms, and Hookworms. Tapeworms, when fresh, appear translucent and may show movement. If the tapeworm segment has dried it can look similar to rice. You may notice these in your pet's bedding or on his coat. The larvae form of the tapeworm is the flea. When your dog grooms himself and swallows a flea it then matures into a tapeworm. Aside from being unpleasant to find on your animal, they also compete for your pet's nutrients by feeding off of the ingested material in the intestinal tract.

Roundworms are long, thin worms which resemble cooked spaghetti. Your pet may occasionally vomit these or you may find them in the feces. These can be ingested through contaminated soil or feces. Should the mother be infected she can transmit the eggs to her puppies before birth or through her milk after the pups are born. These parasites live in the intestinal tract competing for nutrition. Be aware that roundworms can be transmitted to humans through poor hygiene. Children are most susceptible because they put everything in their mouths, especially their hands. A roundworm infection in people can cause mild to severe symptoms. These can range from intense itching to liver damage or blindness. Therefore an infection in your pet must be treated as a threat to your health as well.

Whipworms are not usually seen in the feces but may often cause diarrhea with blood and mucous. Whipworms attach to the intestinal wall and live off the animal's blood causing weight loss and in severe cases, anemia. These parasites are ingested through contaminated soil and feces.

Hookworms are passed in the feces and then hatch in twenty-four to seventy-two hours on warm, moist soil. Transmission usually results from ingestion of the infective larvae from the milk of an infected mother. Skin penetration can also occur in young pups followed by their migration to the lungs. They are coughed up, then swallowed where they mature in the small intestine. Hookworms cause diarrhea with dark tarry feces because bleeding occurs at the site where they attach or hook into the intestinal wall. Anemia results from the blood sucking and the bleeding ulcerations which occur when the parasites shift their feeding sites. In young puppies the blood loss and subsequent anemia can be fatal.

Parasites are a serious threat to the health of your pet and to you. Dewormer medication can be purchased over the counter, but you must know which parasite you are treating in order for it to be effective. Your veterinarian, by doing a simple test in the office, can determine the type of parasite and prescribe the best drug for an effective cure. Cleaning your pet's play and living area of feces will help prevent reinfestation. Once your pet is free of parasites, regular checkups which include fecal testing is the best way to insure protection for you and the health of your pet.

What is diabetes?
During digestion in the intestines, food is reduced to components that can
be used by the body: carbohydrates are converted into sugars, glucose
being the most important one. Glucose is resorbed from the intestines into
the blood to provide the body cells with energy. Cells can only absorb
glucose when insulin induces them to do so. When an insulin shortage
exists, too much glucose remains in the blood and this condition is callled
diabetes. Diabetes is therefore really an insulin shortage.
Insulin
Insulin is produced by certain cells (islet cells) situated in the pancreas.
Some of these cells cannot produce sufficient insulin and sometimes none
at all. This condition is usually found in older bitches and castrated male
cats, but diabetes can be seen in young dogs as well. In some breeds the
number of cases exceeds the average.
What are the symptoms?
When blood contains a high concentration of glucose, the kidneys will
start to excrete this into the urine, (the kidney threshold is exceeded).
This takes an extra amount of fluid, and therefore the patient will drink
and urinate more. Because glucose is an important fuel (energy source)
and is being lost, the affected animal will eat more but still lose weight.
The condition of the coat will fall back and the animal is generally off colour.
Diagnosis
The symptoms observed will indicate diabetes, but they also be seen
in other diseases. A definite diagnosis is made by demonstrating too high
glucose levels in blood and urine. The determination of blood levels is more
reliable than the determination of levels in urine.
Treatment
Administration of Insulin
Diabetes is caused by an insulin shortage. Therefore, this shortage should
be replenished daily, at a fixed time (regularly) by injecting insulin. This may
seem dreary to you, but once you are used to doing it you'll find it's not so
difficult after all.
Because the extent of the insulin shortage is unknown, a proper dosage needs to
be assessed. The daily dose needs to be balanced to the insulin need of your pet.
The institution of Caninsulin therapy
Your vet will establish the amount needed, based on the weight of your pet.
He will show you how to draw insulin from the vial and how to administer the injection.
Once you can do this correctly (and is really a lot easier then it seems) your vet
will provide everything you need to care for your pet at home. At first, you will have
to check the urine 3 times a day for the presence of glucose: before breakfast, at noon
before lunch and a bit later in the evening. This test is simply done by dipping a colour
changing strip in the urine. During this period it may also be necessary to have the vet
examine blood samples taken 1 hour before the second meal. Once the insulin therapy
has been stabilized, your pet will rapidly recover.
The animal will become livelier and its coat condition will improve. The frequency of
drinking and urinating will also decrease. The urine may now be tested less frequently.
Regular examinations remain necessary because the need for insulin can change.
Adjustment of the daily dose may then be necessary. Once your pet is on an adequate
maintenance dose, it can lead a completely normal life.
Food and Exercise
Because the daily dose is adjusted to the amount of energy (glucose) your pet needs
every day, regularity in feeding and exercise is important. That is why your pet
always needs to be fed always at the same time with the same amount of the same diet.
Also the amount of exercise needs to be the same. When your pet suddenly uses a lot
more energy (a long walk, excitement about visitors) it will burn more glucose.
Sometimes this leads to a blood sugar level which is too low, and too little energy is
available for the brain. The animal may even lose consciousness. If that happens you
must immediately administer glucose by mouth.
Sterilization
If diabetes is diagnosed in a bitch, she will have to be sterilized as soon as possible.
One of the female hormones, progesterone, has a negative effect on sugar metabolism.
In cases where diabetes has been present for only a short time, removal of the ovaries
may lead to complete recovery. A regular blood sugar test is necessary because the
need for insulin may rapidly decrease after sterilization. Because progesterone-like drugs
are used to stop a bitch coming into season, this treatment needs to be stopped as well.
Expectations
After being stabilized on insulin, most patients are able to lead a normal life. The most
important complication is a too low blood sugar level. Although this is a rare complication,
it is important for you to know how to deal with such cases.
Hypoglycemia
Too-low blood sugar levels
When the blood sugar level is too low, the brain will not receive enough energy (glucose).
This could lead to a potentially fatal situation and it is therefore important to be able to
recognize the symptoms. The following symptoms may be seen:
unrest, trembling or shivering, strange movements, strange behaviour,
muscle twitching and even unconsciousness (coma). What to do:
1. Give food immediately.
2. If the animal refuses to eat, administer a glucose solution as quickly as possible.
1 gram per kilogram body weight. This solution should be poured carefully into
the cheek pouch. If the animal is unable to swallow, rub the glucose powder onto
the gums (especially under the tongue).
As soon as recovery is seen: give food.
Keep an eye on the patient in case signs return.
Note: It is wise to always keep an amount of glucose ready for use.
3. If the condition of the animal becomes worse, (muscle-twitching, unconsciousness)
call your vet immediately.
What you will need for the treatment of diabetes:
1. Caninsulin (insulin for dogs and cats)
2. Insulin syringes 40 internation units (I.U.) per ml
3. Test strips for testing urine for glucose
4. Glucose or glucose water
5. Complete commercial food

A dog left in a warm car will quickly begin to suffer from heatstroke and can die an agonising death.

On a warm day the inside of a car can become like an oven and each year a number of dogs are literally cooked to death after being left in vehicles.

Owners must realise that there is no safe way to leave a dog in a car in warm weather.

Even when the weather is not particularly hot, dogs can suffer from heatstroke as up to 90% of their body is covered with hair.

Leaving windows open and a water bowl is simply not enough."

Remember and follow this advice:

Even if you park your car in the shade, the position of the sun will change.


A little sun can turn a car into an oven with temperatures of over 49C.

Dogs' only sweat glands are on the soles of their feet, and up to 90% of their body is covered with hair.

Panting and salivating causes them to lose massive amounts of fluid and dehydrate quickly.

Very young and old animals are more susceptible to heat.

Leaving windows open or putting a bowl of water in the car does not help.
If a dog becomes overheated, give it an immediate shower of bath in cool water - call the vet as soon as possible, once a dog goes into shock and loses consciousness it may be too late

Obesity in dogs is becoming a growing canine health concern. In a recent study, overfeeding dogs with an all-meat diet caused obesity. As many as 25% of dogs seen by veterinarians are overweight or obese. Excess caloric intake can lead to obesity. Obesity is associated with many health risks including musculoskeletal problems, diabetes, and respiratory problems.

Although avoiding obesity is the best approach to lifelong health, if your dog is overweight, your veterinarian can recommend a safe, effective weight loss program that includes a reduced calorie diet. The best diet for your dog is one that is low in calories. By controlling caloric intake, you can make your dog up to 15 DogAge years younger.

Use the chart below to see how your dog rates. An ideal body condition (4-5 on the 9-point scale) means that:

the outline of your dog's ribs can be felt and seen
your dog's waist is visible when viewed from above
the abdomen is tucked up when viewed from the side