Aural (Ear) Hematoma in Dogs
What is a hematoma of the ear, and how does it occur? An aural (ear) hematoma is a collection of blood, serum, or a blood clot within the pinna (ear flap). When present, the pinna will be very thick. The swelling may involve the entire pinna or it may involve only one area.
Mitral Valve Disease and Heart Failure in Dogs
What is the mitral valve? The heart has four chambers. The upper chambers are called atria (singular: atrium), and the lower chambers are called ventricles. The heart is also divided into right and left sides.
Cushing's Disease in Dogs
What is Cushing's Disease? Cushing's Disease is a disease in which the adrenal glands overproduce certain hormones. Another medical term for this disease is hyperadrenocorticism.
Pyometra in Dogs
What is pyometra? In its simplest terms, pyometra is an infection in the uterus. However, most cases of pyometra are much more difficult to manage than a routine infection.
Coccidia in Dogs
What is coccidiosis? Coccidiosis is an infection with a one-celled organism; these organisms are classified as protozoa and are called coccidia. Coccidia are not worms; they are microscopic parasites which live within cells of the intestinal lining.
Roundworm Infection in Dogs
What are roundworms? As their name implies, these are worms which have round bodies. On average, they are about 3-5 inches (7-12 cm) long. They live in the dog's intestines and consume partially digested food.
Cruciate Ligament Rupture in Dogs
I know that knee injuries are common in people. Do they occur in dogs? The knee joint of the dog is one of the weakest in the body. Just as football players and skiers frequently suffer knee injuries, the dog also has knee injuries.
Vomiting in Dogs
What causes vomiting? Vomiting is not a disease; rather, it is a symptom of many different diseases. Many cases of vomiting are self-limiting after a few days. Less commonly, vomiting may result from a serious illness, such as cancer.
Degenerative Disk Disease in Dogs
What is a disk and what is its purpose? The spinal cord is one of the most important and most sensitive organs in the body. If it is traumatized, its cells will not regenerate; injuries usually result in permanent damage.
Ehrlichiosis in Dogs
What is canine ehrlichiosis? Ehrlichiosis is an infectious disease of dogs. It first gained attention as a significant disease when military dogs returning from Vietnam during the 1970's were found to be infected.