Visit to a Grooming Centre

Grooming the Long Coat

PYOMETRA is the 'Silent Killer'.

This disease is very common and potentially life threatening. It can kill within 12 hours, especially in the older bitch.

The uterus fills with a large amount of fluid and becomes inflamed and if not treated will burst and infect the whole system causing peritonitis (blood poisoning) which is fatal, hence death within 12 hours.

The condition can usually be associated with a hormonal imbalance and so occurs normally after the bitch has been in season. It can also occur after the bitch has given birth or at any time leading up to her next season.

The first symptoms are depression, lack of appetite and a slight temperature. Other symptoms are excess thirst, frequent urination, abdominal distension, vomiting. Shock and death follows. The shock is caused by the bursting of the uterus which floods the system with poison and the body goes into shock - it cannot cope and death follows shortly. Two types of the condition occur where there is a thick red-brown evil smelling discharge (and is often the last sign) from the vulva. The other type there is no discharge and the animal is much more acutely ill.

If you suspect your bitch is suffering from pyometra, it is very important to seek veterinary advice immediately, as an emergency operation may be needed.

Preventative methods - a spayed bitch cannot suffer from Pyometra as the uterus has been removed.

Any discharge from the bitch after she has finished in season needs investigating.

The Kennel Club ruling is that you are not allowed to breed with your bitch after the age of 7, so therefore, the bitch is young enough to cope with an anaesthetic and if she is spayed it stops the 'Silent killer' - Pyometra.

Footnote:
Pyometra can happen at almost any time and any age in the bitch, so it is an idea to watch your bitch after she has been in season for up to 12 weeks and if your bitch is at any time under the weather, do not hesitate to take her to your Vet.

LIVER DISEASE

The liver is the largest gland in the body and serves many complex functions. Because of its key role in many metabolic processes, the liver is subject to damage by a wide variety of diseases.

Liver disease is any destructive or metabolic disorder involving the liver and is not limited to any particular age or breed.

Our knowledge of liver diseases in dogs has increased significantly in the last several years and great advances in liver disease therapy have been made.

SIGNS OF LIVER DISEASE..

The more common signs of liver disease in mature dogs ...

• ----Lack of appetite and weight loss
  
  
• ----Depression (lack of energy or loss of interest in usual things)
  
  
• ----Jaundice ( yellowing of the gums and whites of the eyes)
  
  
• ----Increased thirst
  
  
• ----Dark coloured urine
  
  
• ----Swollen abdomen
  
  
• ----Pale gums that may bleed.

The dog's abdomen may be enlarged as a result of the fluid accumulation and enlargement of the liver. This at times leads owners to think their dog is gaining weight.

These signs may appear very quickly or may develop slowly.

Other diseases may cause similar signs so veterinary advice is needed....

CAUSES OF LIVER DISEASE..

There are many possible causes of liver disease. Often a specific diagnosis cannot be made. Some causes include:

• ----Viral and bacterial infections
  
  
• ----Poisonous substances eaten by the dog
  
  
• ----Altered blood flow to the liver as a result of heart disease, or a congenital abnormality
  
  
• ----Some breeds do no excrete copper as they should

Your dog will need to see your vet if showing any of the above symptoms, prompt advice will save your dog from a very painful disease. Dogs of any age can suffer, not just the elderly dog so be vigilant.

DIABETES..
This disorder can be very distressing for both dog and owner. It is a health problem that is normally an older dog problem, a quick reaction from the owner can extend the life of the dog,so be aware and always consult your Vet.

Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic disorder that is characterised by a high blood sugar level (hyperglycaemia). It results when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin properly.

Insulin is a hormone which is needed to transport glucose (blood sugar), and certain other nutrients, into body cells. When a lack of insulin occurs, glucose cannot move into the cells and the glucose level in the blood rises to abnormally high levels.

SIGNS OF DIABETES
An animal with Diabetes Mellitus will exhibit some of the following signs: weakness, increased thirst, frequent and increased urination, rapid weight loss, depression and sometimes abdominal pain. An animal may show signs of increased hunger or later lack of appetite. In some animals, the sudden development of blindness are due to cataract formation, which may indicate diabetes.

CAUSES
There is more than one cause of diabetes. Listed below are some of the main causes.

• ---OBESITY
  
  
• ---GENETIC MAKE-UP
  
  
• ---HORMONAL ABNORMALITIES
  
  
• ---INFECTION AND/OR ILLNESS
  
  
• ---DRUGS
  
  
• ---ABNORMAL DEPOSITION OF AMYLOID IN THE PANCREAS (ESPECIALLY IN CATS)

The sex of the animal can also be a predisposing factor. In dogs , females are affected twice as often as males.

DIAGNOSIS
Your veterinary surgeon will perform a thorough physical examination of your pet and ask you questions about your pet's health history. Next, it may be necessary for your pet to fast for a short period of time so that its blood sugar level can be tested and a urine check can be done.

Often your pet is hospitalised for one or two days to help ensure the accuracy of these tests. The fasting blood sugar and urinalysis test will help determine whether or not your pet is a diabetic.

Diabetes is often complicated by urinary tract infections, or a build -up of chemical compounds called ketones in the body. If there are complications, more testing may be necessary.

TREATMENT
There is no cure for diabetes mellitus, but , as with humans, it can be controlled by changing the diet, managing exercise and in most cases giving insulin injections. With such management your pet can lead a happy, comfortable life.

Once your pet has been diagnosed as having diabetes mellitus, its specific insulin requirements need to be determined. As each pet's insulin needs are unique and often vary from day to day, your pet may need to be hospitalised for a few days in order to determine its specific requirements and to stabilise the treatment regimen.

This is accomplished by your veterinary surgeon giving your pet insulin injections and testing the blood glucose levels at regular intervals throughout the day. These results are used to determine your pet's initial insulin requirements.

Because yours pet's insulin may change slightly when it returns home, due to changes in diet , exercise and enviromental stress, periodic re-evaluation over the following weeks is recommended until satisfactory control is achieved. Once control is achieved, further evaluation should be performed every 2 - 4 months.

HOME CARE
You must give your pet daily injections of insulin for the rest of its life. Oral medication is rarely effective for diabetic animals,only for a few cats. It is also important that the insulin injections are given at the same time each day.

The injection is given just under the skin and is not painful for your pet. Your veterinary surgeon will show you how to administer the injection.

THE INSULIN DOSE
The type of insulin and the daily dose will be tailored to meet the needs of each animal. Some animals require once daily, some twice daily, injection. Some may require one type of insulin,others may need a combination of insulins. Other medication may also be prescribed, depending on concurrent complications.

When stabilising a diabetic animal's blood glucose level, the aim is to keep it between 5.5 and 14 mmol/l (dog) or 5.5 and 17mmol/l (cat). The dose of insulin determined while your pet was in the veterinary clinic may need adjustment once your pet is home.This is because the food and exercise your pet receives at home may be different.

To assess the dose, your veterinary surgeon will occasionally request you to bring your dog or cat into the clinic for the day to test its blood and urinary glucose levels. Also, you may be asked to monitor your pet's urine at home.

With care and good management your dog can lead a normal life, the care must be good and constant. Listen to the vet and feed as he advises and your dog will keep going.

© Janet Wesley

If you have any problems, email us for advice. Training@worldofdogs.cc