Dog Diseases – Lorie A Huston DVM

Arthritis is a disease that can affect any joint causing pain and discomfort. Dogs and cats who suffer from arthritis may be slow to get up or lay down, reluctant to go up or down stairs, or resist being picked up or handled. Have you noticed signs of arthritis in your pet? What sign(s) did you notice first? Did you visit your vet to help keep...

Pinworms are a common parasite in people, particularly in children. Often, the family pet gets blamed for the disease. But is your dog or cat really the culprit? Can dogs and cats pass pinworms to people?

Arthritic dogs need special care at home to make their lives easier and more comfortable. Find out what you can do for your arthritic dog.

Lice are a commonly diagnosed parasite in people. Often, the family pet gets blamed for the spread of lice to the family. However, in reality, dogs and cats do not pass lice to people.

Heart murmurs are frequently heard in dogs and may indicate the presence of heart disease. However, the severity of the heart disease cannot be evaluated by the sound of the heart murmur itself.

Dogs with diabetes are most frequently treated with insulin injections. However, many dog owners would prefer not to give their dog daily injections. Are there alternatives for diabetic dogs besides insulin injections?

Ear infections are common problems for both dogs and cats. Common causes of ear problems in pets include parasites (ear mites), fungal, bacterial agents and foreign bodies (foxtails). Learn what to watch for and how to prevent ear infections in dogs and cats.

Ear infections are irritating and sometimes painful for your dog so prevention is preferable, if possible. Learn some tips to help you keep your dog free of ear infections.

Otitis and ear infections in dogs can have many different causes and, in order to be successful, treatment of the ear disease must be based on the cause. Learn about the treatment options for canine otitis and ear infections.

Ear infections and otitis are both very common in dogs. Learn to recognize the symptoms of canine ear infections and otitis and how the problem is diagnosed.

Rabies is spread via saliva, and may be passed easily between animals and humans.

Ear infections and otitis in dogs are common and there are many different potential causes. Learn more about the things that cause canine ear problems.

Learning the signs of arthritis in dogs and cats is the first step to recognizing the problem and helping your pet stay comfortable as they age. Learn about arthritis in dogs and cats - the signs, diagnosis, treatment options and ways to prevent further joint damage, including maintaining a healthy weight for your pet.

Cleaning your dog or cat's ears should be part of your regular grooming routine for your pet. Learn how to properly clean your dog or cat's ears.

Heart disease in dogs is a common diagnosis. In large breed dogs, dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common cause of heart disease. Learn more about canine dilated cardiomyopathy and what causes this heart disease in dogs.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common heart disease in large breed dogs. Learn what techniques are used to diagnose dogs that are sick because of DCM and how healthy dogs can be screened for heart disease caused by dilated cardiomyopathy.

Canine diabetes mellitus is one of the most commonly diagnosed endocrine diseases in the dog. Learn about the basics of treating a dog for diabetes.

Dogs with diabetes mellitus require a strictly controlled diet. Find out what, when and how to feed a dog with diabetes.

For dogs and cats with diabetes, overdosage of insulin can lead to a phenomenon known as Somogyi effect. Learn how and why blood glucose levels can actually end up too high in diabetic dogs and cats overdosed with insulin.

Feline diabetes is a common endocrine disease in cats. However, if your cat is diagnosed with diabetes mellitus early in the course of disease, it is possible for your cat to go into remission and not require insulin injections or other medications any longer.

Canine diabetes mellitus is a serious disease and is frequently diagnosed in dogs. Although diabetes mellitus can be controlled for your dog, usually through periodic insulin injections, treatment for dogs with diabetes mellitus is usually lifelong and it is unlikely that your dog will ever be cured of the disease.

Heart disease in dogs caused by degeneration of the mitral and/or tricuspid valves is a common diagnosis. Learn about the medications and techniques commonly used to treat valvular heart disease in dogs.

Canine and feline diabetes are both serious diseases in the dog and cat respectively. If your pet has diabetes, he will need to be monitored closely. Learn the basics of how dogs and cats with diabetes are monitored, including the testing that is used to evaluate health and progress.

Canine and feline diabetes are both serious diseases in the dog and cat respectively. If your pet has diabetes, he will need to be monitored closely. Learn the basics of how dogs and cats with diabetes are monitored, including the testing that is used to evaluate health and progress.

Feline diabetes mellitus is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease. Learn about the basics of treating a cat with diabetes.

Hypoglycemia is a potential complication of both canine and feline diabetes mellitus. Learn about the symptoms and causes of hypoglycemia in diabetic dogs and cats as well as how to treat it.

For a diabetic dog or cat, a blood glucose curve is an essential part of evaluating their progress and health. Learn how to perform a blood glucose curve at home for your dog or cat with diabetes.

Canine heart disease is common and valvular heart disease is the most common cause of heart disease in dogs. Learn about the methods veterinarians use to diagnose mitral and tricuspid valve heart disease and read about ways to monitor your dog at home.

Canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a heart disease that affects large breed dogs most often. Learn about the treatment options for dogs that have dilated cardiomyopathy and the prognosis for dogs diagnosed with heart disease caused by DCM.

Enalapril (Enacard®, Vasotec®), an ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor, is used to treat dogs and cats with heart disease, kidney disease and high blood pressure. Learn more about the usages and potential side effects of enalapril in dogs and cats.

Ivermectin in dogs and cats is used for many different purposes. It is also used at many different dosages depending on the reason for treatment. Learn more about the uses of ivermectin in dogs and cats.

Diabetes mellitus is a common disease of dogs and cats. Diabetes mellitus occurs when insulin-secreting cells of the pancreas are destroyed and the body is no longer able to regulate glucose (sugar). This results in high levels of glucose in the blood and urine. Learn more about diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats and how this disease is...

Ivermectin is used in dogs and cats to treat a variety of parasitic diseases. It is also a popular heartworm prevention medicine. Learn about the safety and side effects of ivermectin for dogs and cats.

Heartworm treatment in dogs is risky with any method. Learn about the relative risks of the slow kill method with monthly ivermectin-containing heartworm preventive medications versus using melarsomine (Immiticide®) to treat canine heartworm disease.

Benazepril, also known as Fortekor® or Lotensin®, is used in dogs and cats to treat various conditions. Learn more about the potential uses and possible side effects of benazepril in dogs and cats.

Pimobendan (Vetmedin®)is used in dogs and in cats to treat various types of heart disease. Learn more about how pimobendan can help dogs and cats with heart disease.

Ivermectin is commonly used as a heartworm prevention medicine in dogs. However, some breeds of dog such as Collies and similar breeds can have a gene mutation known as MDR1. How safe is ivermectin for collies and similar breeds of dogs?

Dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) can suffer from all of the signs of heart failure. Learn about the signs of heart disease in dogs caused by dilated cardiomyopathy.

Furosemide (Lasix®) is used in dogs and cats to treat congestive heart failure and other causes of fluid build-up in the lungs and elsewhere. Learn more about how and when furosemide is used to treat dogs and cats.

The most common cause of heart disease in dogs, especially small breed dogs, is valvular heart disease. Learn how disease of the mitral and tricuspid valves of the canine heart can cause heart disease and heart failure for affected dogs.

Canine seizures or epilepsy can be treated in many different ways. Learn about the medications used to treat seizures or epilepsy in dogs.

Zonisamide is one of the medications used to treat seizures in dogs and (less often) in cats. Learn about how zonisamide is used in dogs and cats and what the side effects of zonisamide may be in treating seizures for dogs and cats.

Canine heartworm disease is a potential cause of heart failure as well as damage to the lungs in dogs. Learn about heartworms and the signs of heartworm disease in infected dogs.

Seizures caused by epilepsy in dogs and cats can be treated with several different medications, including potassium bromide (KBr). Learn about how potassium bromide is used in canine and feline epilepsy, its advantages and disadvantages and potential side effects.

Treatment of heartworm disease in dogs is possible but is not without risk. Learn about the options available for treating a dog with heartworm disease and the risks involved with treatment of canine heartworm disease.

Heart disease and heart failure in dogs and cats can be quite serious. Learn about the different medications commonly used to treat heart disease and congestive heart failure for dogs and cats.

Phenobarbital is the medication that is most commonly used to treat seizures and epilepsy in dogs and cats. There are other medications for canine and feline seizures too. Learn more about traditional and newer seizure control medications.

Seizures and epilepsy in dogs and cats are sometimes not responsive to treatment. Learn about some of the reasons your dog or cat may have refractory epilepsy and seizures that continue with medication.

Heartworm disease is caused by a parasite that lives mainly in the blood vessels of the lung and in the heart. Heartworm disease has been seen in several species, but dogs are very susceptible. Cats can be severely affected even by only a single heartworm. Heartworm disease may be fatal and difficult to treat, but fortunately heartworm disease...

Diazepam (Valium®) is used for several purposes in dogs and cats. Read about the usages and the potential side effects of diazepam for dogs and cats.

Gabapentin can be used in dogs and cats to relieve pain and treat seizures. Learn about the uses of gabapentin in dogs and cats and how it can be used to treat seizures and/or pain.

Levetiracetam (Keppra®) is an anti-epileptic drug that can be used to treat seizures in dogs and cats. Read about how levetiracetam can help prevent seizures in dogs and cats and about the potential side effects of levetiracetam in dogs and cats as well.

Dogs frequently suffer from seizures and/or epilepsy. Felbamate is one of the new generation antiepileptic drugs that is being used to treat seizures in dogs. Find out more about using felbamate to treat seizures in dogs.

Seizures in dogs can occur for many different reasons. Explore the various causes of canine seizures.

Phenobarbital is commonly used to treat seizures and epilepsy in dogs and cats. Learn how phenobarbital works in dogs and cats. Find out the benefits and possible side effects of using phenobarbital for your dog or cat.

Seizures can occur in dogs and can take several different forms. Learn the different types of seizures which dogs can suffer and how to recognize a canine seizure.

Seizures are one of the most common neurological problems that are seen in both dogs and cats. Seizures have many possible causes and signs seen vary with the animal and the cause. Learn more about seizures in pets - the signs, possible causes, diagnosis and treatment options in this collection of resources.

Status epilepticus is defined as a persistent state of seizure. Learn how status epilepticus can affect dogs and cats and what you should do if your dog or cat has a seizure that will not stop.

Seizures are a common problem in dogs and are sometimes seen in cats also. Seizures may be due to epilepsy or to other diseases or conditions. Learn how veterinarians diagnose the cause of canine and feline seizures and/or epilepsy.

The symptoms of heart disease in dogs are a result of heart failure. Learn to recognize the signs of canine heart disease and heart failure.

Canine and feline seizures are a common neurological occurrence. However, there are a few other diseases that can appear similar to a seizure in a dog or cat. Learn what conditions to look for and how to tell them apart from a seizure in your dog or cat.

Seizures and epilepsy can occur in both dogs and cats. Learn how the terms seizure and epilepsy are defined and understand the difference between how the words seizures and epilepsy are used in the dog and cat.

Watching your dog or cat have a seizure is a frightening experience. Learn how to take care of your dog or cat if he does have a seizure.

Arthritis in dogs is painful and the pain can be relieved with many different treatment options. Normally, incorporating more than one canine arthritis medicine and/or treatment option is the best way to treat arthritis in dogs.

Hair loss and scratching in dogs and cats are frequent causes of veterinary visits. There are several diagnostic tests your veterinarian will want to perform to help diagnose the cause of hair loss and scratching in your dog or cat.

Heart disease is common in dogs and cats. The signs can be difficult to detect at first, but coughing, exercise intolerance, and difficulty breathing are common signs of heart (and lung) problems. Some heart diseases, such as heartworm, are preventable and treatable. Some conditions (e.g.) murmurs may be a congenital problem. What signs did you...

Skin Problems in Dogs and Cats - Secrets to Prevent Skin Problems in Dogs and Cats

Canine and feline heart disease is common and can be life-threatening. Learn how heart disease and heart failure is diagnosed in dogs and cats.

Heart disease and/or heart failure is a frightening diagnosis for a pet owner. Learn how to care for and what to watch for if your dog or cat has heart disease or is suffering from heart failure.

Flea allergies in dogs and cats are common causes of skin disease. Treatment of flea allergies in dogs and cats requires controlling the flea infestation.

Allergies in dogs and cats are a common cause of skin problems. Fleas, substances in the environment and foods are the most common causes of allergies in dogs and cats.

Itching, scratching, fleas, allergies and hair loss are among the most common questions to veterinarians. Hair loss and scratching are very common signs that represent a multitude of possible health or parasite problems. Often the scratching, chewing and licking lead to secondary problems. Your veterinarian will need to do an examination and...

Itching, scratching, fleas, allergies and hair loss are among the most common questions to veterinarians. Hair loss and scratching are very common signs that represent a multitude of possible health or parasite problems. Often the scratching, chewing and licking lead to secondary problems. Your veterinarian will need to do an examination and...

Hair loss and scratching in dogs and cats are commonly seen symptoms. There are many diseases that can cause hair loss and scratching in dogs and cats. These are some of the most common causes.

Heart disease in dogs and cats is commonly diagnosed and in many cases will eventually lead to heart failure. Learn the difference between heart disease and heart failure in dogs and cats.

Food allergy in dogs and cats can cause skin disease, itching and scratching. Treatment for food allergy in dogs and cats requires feeding protein and carbohydrate sources to which your dog or cat is not allergic.

Yeast and bacterial infections can contribute to dermatitis in dogs and cats. Treatment of yeast and bacterial infections in dogs and cats involves anti-fungal medications and antibiotics, respectively.

Atopy is frequent cause of allergies in dogs and cats. Learn about the treatment of allergies caused by atopy in dogs and cats.

Arthritis is common in dogs. Canine arthritis can be quite painful. Being able to recognize the symptoms of arthritis in your dog is important.

Allergies are a common problems in dogs and cats. Allergies in dogs and cats can cause skin and ear problems as well as other symptoms.

Arthritis in dogs and cats may not be completely preventable. However, the most important thing that can be done to prevent arthritis in dogs and cats is to maintain an ideal body weight and ideal body condition. Obese dogs and cats are more likely to suffer the signs of arthritis.

Ringworm looks like worm, but is actually a fungus. Learn more here.

Kidney failure, also referred to as renal failure or renal insufficiency, can occur in both dogs and cats. In a healthy animal, the kidneys filter waste products that are produced by the body. In kidney failure, these waste products are not filtered properly and start to build up in the blood stream. This is when clinical signs of kidney...

Kidney failure in dogs and cats is a common problem. However, there are some simple precautions that can help prevent kidney failure in dogs and cats.

Acute renal failure in dogs and cats is also known as kidney failure and it is a serious, life-threatening condition. The most important aspect of treatment for acute renal failure in dogs and cats is fluid therapy but other treatment methods are usually needed as well.

Chronic canine and feline renal failure requires ongoing treatment. Learn about the options available for treating chronic canine and feline renal failure.

Kidney failure in dogs and cats can have many different causes. Both acute and chronic canine and feline kidney failure can occur. Common causes of kidney failure in dogs and cats include bacterial infections, immune-mediated disorders, inadequate blood flow to kidneys resulting from shock or trauma, toxins and metabolic diseases.

Kidney failure in dogs and cats is commonly seen. Kidney failure is especially common in older dogs and cats but can occur in dogs and cats of any age. It is important that pet owners know the symptoms of kidney failure in dogs and cats so that veterinary care can be sought if the symptoms occur.

Canine and feline kidney failure can be diagnosed using several different laboratory tests. Monitoring ongoing cases of canine and feline kidney failure is important also and involves many of the same tests used to diagnose kidney failure in the dog and cat.

Kidney failure is common in dogs and cats, especially as they age. Lilies, antifreeze, and grapes / raisins, are all common substances that may cause acute (sudden) kidney failure in pets. The signs seen with kidney failure may be dramatic - failure to urinate, anorexia, vomiting, or more subtle gradual changes, often attributed to "just old...

Heart disease in dogs is common. Canine heart disease can have many different causes.

Seizures and epilepsy are a common diagnosis in both dogs and cats. Learn the answers to frequently asked questions about epilepsy and other seizure disorders in dogs and cats.

Though valvular heart disease in dogs is most commonly caused by mitral gland degeneration, tricuspid valve degeneration can also occur. Learn about how heart disease and heart failure can result from tricuspid valve disease in dogs and about the signs of this type of canine heart disease.

Diabetes mellitus can affect dogs and causes an increase in the blood sugar level that usually needs to be managed with insulin. Learn more about the causes and symptoms of canine diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus is common in both dogs and cats. Learn about the different diagnostic tests that are used to diagnose canine and feline diabetes mellitus.

Heart disease in dogs can have many causes. Patent ductus arteriosus is the most common congenital heart disease in the canine.

The diagnosis of diabetes can be daunting. For many people, monitoring blood glucose and giving daily insulin injections to their pets seems like mission impossible. After some time and practice though, managing your diabetic patient can become second nature. What stories and tips can you share with others who live with diabetic pets,...

Leptospirosis is a contagious disease that can infect both dogs and people. Find out what leptospirosis is and how to protect both your dog and your family against this disease.

Learn more about roundworms and how you can protect yourself and your family from their zoonotic nature.

Ticks can pass a number of diseases to animals and people. Learn how to protect your family and your dogs and cats from tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Zoonoses, diseases that can be passed from pets and other animals to people, can cause illness that ranges from mild to severe, depending on the disease itself. Learn how to protect your family from zoonotic diseases.

Zoonoses are diseases that can be passed from animals to people. Read about some of the most common zoonotic diseases that can be passed from pets to people.

Rabies is a zoonotic disease that can infect pets, wildlife and people. Learn how to protect your family and your pet from rabies.