Brucellosis

Brucellosis is a disease caused by Brucella canis, which is a bacteria that was first isolated from dead puppy fetuses in the middle 1960’s. It is the most common bacteria that can infect bitches and their fetuses. It seems that over the years much has been written on brucellosis in breeding dogs, but despite it all, infection rates may run as high as 8-10%. That is right, it is suspected that one in ten dogs in this country may carry Brucella canis.
Brucella canis also poses a significant public health hazard since it is transmissible to humans, especially those handling aborted fetuses. Humans may develop a serious liver impairment or arthritis.

Medical advancements in controlling this disease have been few and far between. Contrary to some opinions, it is a very difficult disorder to treat, and in most cases, treatment is unsuccessful. A prevalent attitude among many people is that "if my dogs get it, then I will treat it." This is a serious mistake because you probably will not cure it, and if you do, the individual will probably be sterile or be a poor breeding specimen.

B. canis is sexually transmitted by the mating of infected males and females. Brucella canis in the female dog will live in the vaginal and uterine tissue and secretions for years, and except in rare cases, for life. The infected female usually appears healthy with no signs of disease or indication that she is a 'carrier' or harborer of the organisms. She can spread the bacteria to other animals through her urine, aborted fetuses, or most commonly through the act of breeding. Once pregnant, the bacteria will also infect the developing fetuses causing illness.

In males, the Brucella bacteria live in the testicles and seminal fluids. An infected male is just as dangerous as the female as he can spread the Brucella bacteria via his urine or semen. Oftentimes, there are no signs except in advanced cases when the testicles may be uneven in size.

Litters are commonly aborted, usually in the last two weeks of gestation, or the puppies may die shortly after birth. If a pregnant dog aborts after 45 days of gestation, you should be highly suspicious of brucellosis. Usually, the fetuses are partially decayed and accompanied by a gray to green vaginal discharge. This discharge can have very high numbers of Brucella canis. If embryos die early, they may be reabsorbed and the female may never appear to be pregnant at all.

Testing for Brucellosis usually requires a blood test by your veterinarian and all positives should be retested for a confirmation. Since Brucella canis is mainly spread by the act of breeding, it is paramount to test all canines, male and female, prior to breeding. Test between every breeding of different animals. In other words, if a male (or female) was tested one year ago but has bred since, he must be tested again. In the case of a male, if he serviced a female since his last test, then he must be tested again even if his last test was as recent as four weeks ago. Testing is the only sure way to detect carriers.

In cases of abortion, the bacteria may be isolated from the aborted fetuses. Blood tests can also be performed on the mother's blood to help confirm a positive diagnosis of Brucellosis.

There is no reliable treatment for Brucellosis. Brucella canis lives inside of the dog's cells so it is difficult to reach the bacteria with antibiotics. Any attempt at treatment would require the use of multiple types of antibiotics. Various antibiotics such as doxycycline, minocycline, and dihydrostreptomycin have been partially effective at causing a temporary reduction in the bacterial organisms after several weeks of treatment. A complete cure is unlikely. It is recommended that infected animals be castrated or spayed.

As a rule, do not breed your dog with an individual that is said to be treated and cured. (Unless of course it is the last of its breed and even that would be questionable.) 'Cured' patients often begin shedding the bacteria months to years after treatments... Do not knowingly take a chance.

People can become infected with Brucella canis. People should avoid contact with dead fetuses or the discharge from aborting dogs. Transmission has also occurred from contact with secretions from male dogs.

In conclusion, test and isolate. Do not rely on an uncertain cure. If you do not heed these suggestions, then you are playing with fire in your kennel and perhaps with your own health. Remember, statistically one out of ten dogs may be carriers and those are very disturbing odds.

CANINE ANAL GLAND DISEASE

What are anal sacs?

The anal sacs are located on either side of the anus at the 9:00 and 3:00 positions; they are positioned just under the skin. They connect to the anus by means of small canals or ducts. Anal sacs produce and store a dark, foul-smelling fluid. These are the same type of organs that a skunk has to scare away its enemies. Although dogs can use these for the same purpose, most dogs live in an environment that has no enemies. Because the sacs are rarely emptied, the fluid builds up, solidifies, and becomes an ideal environment in which bacteria can grow.

What disorders can occur in the anal sacs?

There are 3 diseases that occur in the anal sacs.

1) When the fluid becomes thick and solidified, the condition is called impaction.

2) When bacteria grow in this material producing a yellow or bloody pus, the condition is called infection.

3) When the infection builds to create a hot, tender swelling in the sac, the condition is called an abscess. When the abscessed material overflows the sac, the skin over the sac breaks open, and the pus drains onto the skin.

How will I know if my dog is having problems with its anal sacs?

Symptoms of anal sac disease are:

1) Scooting or dragging the anal area.

2) Excessive licking under the tail.

3) Pain, sometimes severe, near the tail or anus.

4) A swollen area on either side of the anus.

5) Bloody or sticky drainage on either side of the anus.

How are the various anal sac diseases treated?

The treatment for impaction is to express (squeeze out) the sacs and clean out the solidified material. For infection, the sacs must be expressed and antibiotics administered to kill the bacteria. If the sacs abscess, the abscess must be surgically drained and antibiotics administered.

My dog has had several bouts of anal sac disease. Is there a long-term cure?

Many dogs have recurrent anal sac disease. Some breeds of dogs, such as Poodles, commonly have problems. The anal sacs of obese dogs do not drain well, and thus these dogs are predisposed to recurrent problems. If a dog has several episodes of anal sac disease, the anal sacs can be removed surgically. Because these sacs are virtually unused, there is no loss to the dog. It is the only way to permanently cure the problem.

Are there any complications of the surgery?

Surgery requires general anesthesia which always carries some degree of risk, whether the patient is a dog or a person. However, modern anesthetics make this risk very minimal for dogs that are otherwise healthy.

Some dogs will experience lack of good bowel control. They may drop fecal balls as they walk. This occurs because the nerves that control the anus are very near the anal sacs and may be damaged during surgery. However, this is almost always a temporary problem that will resolve itself in a few days to a couple of weeks.

My dog frequently leaves a foul-smelling drop of liquid on the furniture. Is this related?

Some dogs are born with anal canals that do not close well. The ducts constantly draining anal sac fluid and these dogs leave a foul-smelling drop where they have been. There does not appear to be any way to stop this, and these dogs do not outgrow this problem. This is another reason for anal sac removal.

Canine parvovirus infection is a highly infectious disease among dogs. It occurs mostly in puppies between the ages of newborn to six months. It has been shown that Dobermans, Rottweilers, and Black Labradors are the most susceptible breeds, but any breed can be severely affected.

The signs that are seen with the parvovirus are depression, loss of appetite ( anorexia ), vomiting, and severe diarrhea. The feces will usually appear light gray, yellowish gray, or dark red. Indicating that there is blood in the stool. These signs may become worse due to stress, living in unsanitary conditions, or having other diseases occurring at the same time as parvo. As the disease progresses, the dog will become dehydrated due to extreme loss of fluid from the vomiting and diarrhea.

The cause of the infection is a virus that attacks the intestinal tract, white blood cells, and possibly the heart muscle. The virus is spread by dog-to-dog contact and coming into contact with feces from an infected dog.

The best prevention method against the parvovirus is vaccination. Another method is proper cleaning and disinfecting all kennels where dogs are housed. The virus can survive up to one year in the environment. The best disinfectant to use is bleach, which is simply mixed with one gallon of water to dilute the bleach out so it is not as strong. There is not a true treatment for parvovirus. The main concern for the animal is giving it sufficient amounts of fluid and electrolytes. The vomiting and diarrhea may not be stopped in all situations. Antibiotics will be given to help prevent against any secondary infections. The dog will be kept isolated during treatment and should remain there even after recovery for at least three days.

Canine Distemper


Canine distemper is characterized by a large number of signs or symptoms. Early in the disease, the infected dog will exhibit a fever of from 103.5 to 105.5 degrees, but the dog’s body temperature soon decreases to the normal 100.5 to 102.5F, only to become elevated again in about two days. Typical signs are exhaustion, vomiting, diarrhea, tonsillitis, coughing, mucus laden discharges from the nose and eyes, hardening of the foot, toe and nose pads, and central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) disorders ranging from minor nervous tics to major convulsions. Classically, if any 4 of these signs are seen together, a tentative diagnosis of canine distemper should be considered. Often the affected dog appears to recover from the first signs of gastrointestinal and respiratory disease, only to begin to exhibit signs of severe brain damage about 6 weeks after the illness first began. The death rate from distemper may be as high as 75%. The virus of canine distemper is spread from dog to dog, via mucous secretions, vomitus, or stools. The virus may be spread by humans that have handled sick dogs that have shed the virus. Infective virus may also be carried on the shoes of people who have walked where an infected dog has discharged the contents of its stomach, intestines, or mucus from its lungs. Dogs should receive yearly booster immunizations for canine distemper.

The pancreas is a vital organ which lies on the right side of the abdomen. It has two functions:

1)to produce enzymes which help in digestion of food and,

2)to produce hormones, such as insulin.

When the pancreas becomes inflamed, the disorder is called pancreatitis. It is a disease process that is seen commonly in the dog. There is no age, sex, or breed predisposition.

There are two main forms of acute (sudden onset) pancreatitis: 1) the mild, edematous form and, 2) the more severe, hemorrhagic form. A few dogs that recover from an acute episode of pancreatitis may continue to have recurrent bouts of the acute disease, known as chronic, relapsing pancreatitis. The associated inflammation allows digestive enzymes to spill into the abdominal cavity; this may result in secondary damage to surrounding organs, such as the liver, bile ducts, gall bladder, and intestines.

What causes it?

The cause of pancreatitis is not known; however, there may be several contributory factors. It is often associated with a rich, fatty meal. In some cases, it may be associated with the administration of cortisone; however, some dogs with pancreatitis do not have exposure to either.

Under normal conditions, digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas are activated when they reach the small intestines. In pancreatitis, these enzymes are activated prematurely in the pancreas instead of in the small intestines. This results in digestion of the pancreas itself. The clinical signs of pancreatitis are often variable, and the intensity of the disease will depend on the quantity of enzymes that are prematurely activated.

What are the clinical signs?

The diagnosis of pancreatitis is based on three criteria: clinical signs, laboratory tests, and radiographs (x-rays) and/or ultrasound examination. The disease is typically manifested by nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. If the attack is severe, acute shock, depression, and death may occur. Laboratory tests usually reveal an elevated white blood cell count; however, an elevated white blood cell count may also be caused by many other things besides pancreatitis. The elevation of pancreatic enzymes in the blood is probably the most helpful criteria in detecting pancreatic disease, but some dogs with pancreatitis will have normal levels. Radiographs and ultrasound studies may show an area of inflammation in the location of the pancreas. Unfortunately, many dogs with pancreatitis will elude detection with any of these tests. Consequently, the diagnosis of pancreatitis may be tentative in some cases.

How is pancreatitis treated?

The successful management of pancreatitis will depend on early diagnosis and prompt medical therapy. The mild form of the disease is best treated by resting the pancreas from its role in digestion. The only way to "turn off" the pancreas is to withhold all oral fluids and food. This approach is accompanied by intravenous fluids to maintain normal fluid and electrolyte balance. In addition, anti-inflammatory drugs are sometimes administered. The presence of shock necessitates the immediate and intense use of intravenous fluids. Antibiotics are also indicated in many cases.

Will my dog recover?

The prognosis depends on the extent of the disease when presented and a favorable response to initial therapy. Dogs that present with shock and depression have a very guarded prognosis. Most of the mild forms of pancreatitis have a good prognosis.

Will there be any long-term problems?

There are three possible long-term complications that may follow severe or repeated pancreatitis. If a significant number of cells that produce digestive enzymes are destroyed, a lack of proper food digestion may follow. This is known as pancreatic insufficiency and can be treated with daily administration of enzyme tablets or powder in the food. If a significant number of cells that produce insulin are destroyed, diabetes mellitus can result and insulin therapy may be needed. In rare cases, adhesions between the abdominal organs may occur as a consequence of pancreatitis. However, most dogs recover with no long-term effects.

Not too long ago, when a dog owner learned that a pet had cancer, it meant a death sentence for the animal. But, thanks to advances in cancer research, things have changed.

Cancer is an uncontrolled growth of cells on or within the body. It may be localized, or it may invade adjacent tissues and spread throughout the body. Cancer is common in pet animals, and the rate increases with age. Dogs get cancer at roughly the same rate as humans, while cats get fewer cancers. Cancer accounts for almost half of the deaths of pets over 10 years of age.

Unfortunately, the cause of most cancers is not known and therefore prevention is difficult. One type of cancer, breast cancer, is largely preventable with early spaying. Fifty percent of all breast tumors in dogs are malignant. Spaying your pet prior to the first heat cycle will greatly reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Cancer can occur in almost any location or body system – for example areas such as the skin, gastrointestinal tract (stomach, bowels), urinary system (kidney or bladder), blood, nervous system (brain tumors) and bones.

Different types of tumors can grow in each location of the cancer. A cellular diagnosis is needed to determine the “type” of cancer. For example, cancer of the skin can be due to basal cell tumors, mast cell tumors, lymphosarcoma and fibrosarcoma. Each tumor type within a location has a different treatment and prognosis.

Signs of Canine Cancer

Do you know the signs of cancer in dogs? Dogs get many of the same types of cancer as humans, and frequent physical exams and diagnostic tests help detect cancer before it is too late for treatment. Some common types of cancer in dogs are:


Skin tumors. Skin tumors in dogs are rather common. Melanomas, lipomas, basal cell tumors and mast cell tumors are the most often diagnosed. All skin tumors – lumps or masses of any sort – should be examined by your veterinarian.


Lymphoma. This form of cancer is common in dogs. Lymphoma can affect the digestive system, resulting in lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea. It can also affect the liver resulting in lethargy, vomiting and a yellow tinge to the gums and skin. Lymphoma can also affect the chest, causing coughing and difficulty breathing.


Mammary gland tumors. These tumors are more common in the older female dog that has not been spayed. About 50 percent of all tumors in dogs are mammary gland tumors. Of those, about ½ are malignant. Typically, a lump is felt in the breast tissue. Although they are most common in intact dogs, they can also occur in spayed dogs.


Abdominal tumors. Abdominal tumors are common, but it is difficult to make an early diagnosis. Some examples include hemangiosarcoma, mast cell tumors, lymphoma and prostate cancer. You should be aware of any weight loss, weakness, pale gums, protracted vomiting, continual diarrhea, and/or abdominal enlargement and see your veterinarian if these signs occur.


Testicular tumors. This type of tumor is the second most common tumor of intact male dogs. Signs are usually one large testicle and one normal sized testicle. If malignant, the cancer can spread throughout the body, resulting in weakness, lack of appetite and weight loss.

If you notice any of the symptoms, consult with your veterinarian. If found early, most of these cancers can be cured with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of the three, and early diagnosis will aid your veterinarian in delivering the best care possible.

What to Watch For


Any lump or mass that appears to be increasing in size

Any sore that does not heal

Change in bowel or bladder habits

Difficulty urinating or defecating

Unexplained bleeding or discharge from any body opening

Loss of appetite

Weight loss

Difficulty breathing

Persistent lameness or stiffness

Offensive odor

Difficulty eating or swallowing

Glaucoma - increased eye pressure caused by fluid buildup in the eye - is a serious disease that can lead to partial or total blindness. Signs include redness, cloudiness, excessive tearing, eyeball swelling, pain, and sensitivity to light. After diagnosing glaucoma by measuring eye pressure with a tonometer, veterinary ophthalmologists treat the disease with pressure- relieving medication or laser surgery In some cases, surgical removal of the eye is necessary.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) passes a group of vision-destroying diseases caused by deterioration of the retina's image-processing cells. An inherited ailment with no known treatment, PRA often develops so gradually owners may not notice the signs until a dog experiences loss of night vision or total blindness. Veterinary geneticists and ophthalmologists are intensively studying PRA, but at present, the only known preventive measure is to not breed a dog that has PRA or has produced puppies that later developed the condition.

Infectious Tracheobronchitis)
This is characterized by a harsh, convulsive cough. It is persistent, contagious, and often develops into secondary complications, such as chronic bronchitis. This disease can eventually be fatal especially in the very young, very old, or already ill. If your dog is exposed to many other dogs, or will be boarded at a kennel, it should be vaccinated against this. It is so-called, because it spreads rapidly under "kennel" conditions -- many dogs kept relatively close together.
"Kennel Cough" is a generic name for a set of symptoms caused by a number of organisms. These include parainfluenza as well as bordatella, as well as many others. Dogs vaccinated with the bordatella vaccine can still get "kennel cough" because of all the bugs involved, but it tends to be much less severe.

Bordatella vaccine is squirted into each nostril of the dog and should be repeated semi-annually. Parainfluenza vaccine should be a normal part of your dog's regular shots.

The vaccination is not effective for the first 24 hours, so if you are getting your dog vaccinated because you will be boarding it, get it done at least several days in advance! Also, the nose-drop form of this vaccine takes effect more quickly.

Cushings Disease, also known as Hyperadrenocorticism, is a disease primarily of dogs that results in excessive production of the body’s normal cortisone. It usually occurs in middle age to older dogs with females being more commonly affected. Severity of signs depends on the degree of hormone excess and duration. Clinical symptoms include excessive thirst and urination, muscle weakness and panting. Diabetes sometimes accompanies this disease. Additionally skin changes that include hair loss, pimples, and skin darkening also can occur.

Blood tests that measure blood cortisol are needed for the diagnosis. Ultrasound exams are sometimes performed to visualize and measure the adrenal glands. Most dogs with Cushings Disease have overactive adrenal glands while a small percentage of dogs have adrenal gland tumors.

The current recommended treatment involves giving an oral medicine called Lysodren to reduce the adrenal gland’s size and ability to produce abnormally high levels of coritsol. Most pets receive medicine daily for a 10-day period and then need lifelong treatment that is usually two to three times a week. Most pets are monitored with blood tests several times a year. This can be a difficult disease to control and relapses often do occur. Since many organ systems can be affected, the severity of signs vary with each individual and other secondary problems may arise. Dogs rarely die from Cushings Disease but can live a much better life when the disease is under control.

Dog seizures are due to abnormal electrical conduction within the brain, that results in a loss of consciousness (in most cases), and various physical signs that can be associated with the seizure.

Physical signs of dog seizures
Falling over to one side

Legs "paddling" or generalized trembling/twitching

Jaw "chomping"

Salivation

Urination

Defecation

Eyes "rolled back"

Vocalizing

Most dogs will seem anxious, seek out the owners prior to the actual seizure, when the above signs can be seen.

Most dog seizures usually last between 30 seconds to 2 to 3 minutes.

Then your dog will often seem disoriented, and "drunk" in appearance, sometimes behaving blind, stumbling about, poorly responsive to his/her environment. This last phase of disorientation with dog seizures can last from as little as 10 minutes to several hours.

If your dog should be unlucky enough to suffer from a seizure, place thick cushions, blanket, etc. between your dog's head and any hard furniture. Be very careful to avoid handling your dog's head directly, since this has often resulted in a biting injury to owner's hands.

With a seizure your dog will be unaware of his/her surroundings when seizuring, and may bite down very hard on your hand and not even realize it.

If dog seizures last for longer than 5 minutes they may be turning into "status epilepticus" which essentially means a constant state of seizure activity, and if the seizures are not stopped, this can lead to life threatening consequences.

This also can cause some temporary or permanent damage of the brain tissue. If a seizure climbs towards 5 minutes, get your dog to a vet immediately.

If your pet has more than one seizure in a 24- hour period, this is considered a "cluster" of dog seizures. You need to seek veterinary care once he or she has the second seizure, since this indicates a rapid succession of dog seizures and may require anticonvulsants be started to control these. A "cluster" will often precede "status pilepticus", as indicated above.

Make a record
Make sure to pay close attention to what you are witnessing. Record in notebook the following: Time the length of the seizure, and record Time the length of the "disoriented" phase that follows the seizure, and record -document exactly what signs were seen (from above list) was it associated with any events eg: exercise, eating, drinking, etc ... date and time of seizure.

By keeping a journal, it helps you to know how often your pet is suffering from dog seizures, and are these getting longer, or more violent? This information is important for you vet to help him treat the seizure(s).

The first time your dog has a seizure, your vet may take blood and x-rays to be assessed for any systemic problem that may cause the seizure, as well as, examine your pet for any abnormal neurologic or cardiac signs.

Patterns of dog seizures
Some dogs have been known to have one seizure in their lives, while others develop serious repeated dog seizures. Your pet may never seizure again, or may continue to have dog seizures. You play an important role in the diagnosis and proper treatment of your pet's seizures, by providing an accurate history, and seeking veterinary help when indicated.

Dogs are smart and they're civilized. They act in movies, and even wear designer clothes. But when it comes to eating, they are notoriously DUMB. (We spell it for fear the will hear).

They don't even have common sense about what they eat. They'll nibble at anything and everything that comes their way. If it's poisonous or just plain inedible, why, all the better.

Puppies are even worse than their elders. When you see some of the things old and quite respectable dogs eat, this sounds incredible. But that's the way dogs are. You just have to live with it.
The most common symptoms of gastroenteritis are vomiting and diarrhea. Other signs include belching and increased water consumption. Some dogs also eat such odd items as dirt, plants or grass.

The diarrhea and vomited material may contain blood that results from increased irritation of the gastrointestinal system. The pet may have an extremely tender abdomen and become dehydrated as a result of vomiting or diarrhea.

Young animals tend to have more problems with eating non-food items from garbage cans, possibly because they are generally more curious, and they have a strong urge to chew on things. Common dangers from the trash can include cleaning agents, food wrappers and drugs such as aspirin. other causes of gastroenteritis include hair that accumulates in the stomachs of long-haired cats and dogs, certain types of plants and plant toxins, some bacteria or viruses, and internal parasites such as hookworms and roundworms. Gastroenteritis also can result from diseases of the kidney, liver and pancreas, food allergies, ulcers, cancer or even stress.

Diagnosis of gastroenteritis sometimes is difficult because the causes are so varied. In addition to a physical exam, a veterinarian may need to take abdominal X-rays, possibly using a contrast dye to show any abnormalities in the abdomen. A blood sample also can help determine if there are other diseases present. Examination of a stool sample may reveal the presence of intestinal parasites.

In some cases, internal examination with an endoscope or perhaps even exploratory surgery to take a biopsy or remove a foreign object may be necessary.

Treatment of gastroenteritis varies. if your pet seems happy and continues to be hungry, the problem may be minor. Often a bland diet of boiled chicken and boiled white rice for a few days will be all that is needed to relieve the irritation.

In more serious cases, your pet may not be allowed to eat or drink for several days, and medication to suppress vomiting and slow the movement of ingested materials through the gastrointestinal tract may be appropriate. One danger is dehydration, so your veterinarian may recommend that fluids and electrolytes be administered.

Solid food usually is introduced gradually over several days in the form of a bland diet, or a hypoallergenic diet may be appropriate if a food allergy has caused the problem.


Naturally this lets them in for all sorts of stomach upsets.

Many of these upsets are minor. If your dog eats something that doesn't agree with him, and he will, for sure, he will vomit and that's all there is to it. He may vomit after drinking water or after violent excercise following a meal.

If a dog vomits once or twice but seems to feel all right otherwise, don't worry about it. But if he continues to vomit, look for the trouble.

It can be worms, It can mean distemper. It can mean constipation or improper diet or indigestion. It may be a foreign object in the stomach or intestines. It can also mean poison. You must always try to get to the cause of the symptoms.

Your dog should drink about 1 ounce per pound a day. But with dry food, they may drink a little more. The urine output, and intake of water should almost be equal. For example: a 20 lb dog should drink 20 ounces on average.

Constipation
Constipation can occur in both cats and dogs, particularly as they get older. Constipation occurs when defecation becomes difficult or is absent. When feces stays in the intestines longer than is necessary, too much moisture is absorbed from the stools, causing them to become dry and hard. This makes the stools difficult to expel. As a result, your dog or cat will strain to defecate and may not have a bowel movement for several days. If this condition goes untreated, the lower bowels may eventually become severely and irreversibly stretched, causing them to lose their ability to expel feces. This condition is known as "megacolon.

Causes
There are several possible reasons for constipation. Diet appears to play a significant role. For example, when a cat or dog swallows foreign materials such as hair, bones, garbage, cloth or rocks, it can lead to constipation. Prolonged lack of exercise, a change in surroundings, or a change in daily routine (i.e. stress) can lead to constipation problems as well. In these cases, pets may become reluctant to relieve themselves and become constipated. Some medical problems such as infected anal glands or a fractured hip can cause painful defecation and result in constipation. Some pets may have an intestinal obstruction or a nerve or muscle disorder.

Certain drugs can also cause constipation. Drugs such as antihistamines and motility modifiers (e.g. Immodium) can cause the intestines to slow down, resulting in constipation. In fact, laxatives themselves can in some cases make matters worse.

Treatments
How can constipation be prevented? Regular grooming will prevent excessive hair ingestion and regular exercise will encourage bowel regularity. A newly formulated hairball prevention diet that is commercially available dissolves hair ingested via daily grooming and is available through your veterinarian. Access to a frequently-cleaned litter box (in dogs, frequent opportunities to defecate) is important. Lubricant laxatives can also be effective. These usually contain a combination of mineral oil and/or petrolatum along with a flavor base. They soften and lubricate feces and thereby make it easier to expel. Nutritionally pets should avoid bones, have access to fresh water at all times, and be fed a high fiber diet. Your veterinarian can advise you which steps are best suited for your pet.

Cataracts

Cataracts are one of the most common eye problems affecting pets. They can affect all breeds and ages of dogs and cats, but the condition is found more commonly in certain dog breeds, such as Cockers, Poodles, Miniature Schnauzers and Terriers.

The normal, transparent lens in the eye focuses beams of light onto the retina so that your pet can see clearly. A cataract is a disruption of the normal arrangement of the lens fibers that interferes with sight by partially or completely blocking the clarity of the lens. A cataract may be quite small and not significantly interfere with your pet's vision, but if the cataract becomes dense enough, vision may be lost.

It is not unusual for your pet's eyes to become slightly blue-gray as they age. As a normal part of the aging process, the lens becomes thicker, making the eyes appear grayer. This condition, called nuclear sclerosis, usually occurs in dogs over six years of age and typically does not affect their vision. Therefore treatment for this condition is not recommended.

Cataracts can be hereditary or due to old age. Inherited conditions are the most common cause of cataracts and may be present at birth or develop when the animal is very young. They can also be caused by injury, or illness such as diabetes. If your pet's cataracts are due to an underlying condition, such as diabetes, treating the condition may diminish the cataracts.

There is no effective medical treatment for cataracts. Cataracts are not painful, but when your pet has trouble navigating due to vision loss, his sight can be restored to near normal through surgery. A veterinary ophthalmologist will surgically remove the lens, replacing it with a plastic or acrylic prosthetic lens to allow for more focused vision. Cataract surgery generally has a 90-95% success rate, but it is also a very delicate procedure that requires extensive postoperative care by the pet owner.

After surgery, your pet will have to wear a protective collar (Elizabethan Collar) until his eye heals and you will need to keep him quiet and calm. Your pet will also require eye drops to be administered several times a day for a few weeks.

You and your veterinarian can decide if cataracts are affecting your pet's vision enough to warrant surgery. For more information, consult with your veterinarian.

Urine glucose monitoring is not adequate, alone, for regulating insulin, in the opinion of most of the endocrinologists I have spoken with or whose information I have read. The problem with it is that you only really know if the glucose level is negative, slightly positive or strongly positive.

Negative may indicate good control or it may indicate that the insulin dosage causes hypoglycemia part of the day and you are measuring the glucose during that time (most commonly this would happen with twice daily measurements, for the evening sample).

Slightly positive results in the morning urine when insulin is given once a day is the ideal that everyone is looking for. It indicates that control of the diabetes is probably pretty good. Slightly positive results in the afternoon/evening urine sample when taking samples twice a day could indicate reasonable control or may indicate the need to slightly increase insulin dosage since this would be a little early for the insulin effect to be gone.

Strongly positive results in the morning urine glucose test can indicate that the insulin dose is inadequate or that it is excessive. If the glucose is not controlled at all, then the insulin dose is too low. In this case, an afternoon/evening sample should also show slight to strongly positive. If the insulin level is too high, the blood sugar drops to hypoglycemic levels during the day and the rebounds to very high levels in the morning. In this case, an afternoon/evening sample is likely to show a negative urine glucose level or a slight positive level.

It is much more accurate to use blood glucose curves to evaluate insulin needs since a graph of the glucose levels gives a pretty good picture of what is happening. This is especially good for detecting hypoglycemia/rebound reactions to insulin dosage.

One common mistake with insulin regulation is too frequently changing the insulin dose -- "chasing the glucose level". It takes a little time for the body to adjust to insulin dosage changes and for beneficial effects to be measurable. It is best to change the level and then leave it alone for two or three days before changing it again, when that is possible. Sometimes, in early regulation of insulin levels it isn't possible to be that patient as glucose levels skyrocket or hypoglycemia occurs.

Sometimes insulin loses some effectiveness due to inappropriate handling. Insulin should not be shaken, even though that is very tempting. The bottle should be gently rolled between the palms until the insulin is mixed in solution well again. The site of the insulin injection may need to be changed in order to allow consistent absorption. Usually it is pretty consistent if given on the sides of the trunk somewhere. Changing sites daily is a good idea (at least a little).

Many dogs require twice daily insulin dosages to regulate diabetes. Some dogs need twice daily dosing and mixtures of different types of insulin. Usually when things get this complicated we refer our cases to a internal medicine specialist or veterinary school.