Addison's Disease
Arthritis Medication
Bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus)
Cataracts and Cataract Surgery
Diabetes Mellitus
Epilepsy
Eye Problems

Medical Problems F - Z

Addison's Disease

A disease of the adrenal glands in which the glands under-secrete essential hormones.  Information about Addison's Disease from WSU

New Medication Helps Dogs With Arthritis

If your dog just doesn’t seem to have that old "bounce in his step" it may be due to arthritis. More than 8 million dogs in this country have some form of arthritis and not all of them are senior pets! About half are under the age of 7 years of age. Dogs that have had a previous injury can sometimes develop arthritis in an injured joint. Many dogs also have arthritis secondary to hip dysplasia or other inherited conditions.

No matter the age of the animal, those with arthritis suffer from its associated pain and inflammation.

There is good news for pet owners, however. In 1998 the Food and Drug Administration approved a new arthritis medication, EtoGesic Tablets. EtoGesic treats the pain and inflammation associated with arthritic joints.

EtoGesic is the most recently approved non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for dogs.

Prior to the approval of newer NSAID'S, the medication frequently used by veterinarians was aspirin. Aspirin is not FDA approved for dogs. Aspirin also has side effects and many dogs cannot tolerate it.

In addition to treatment with an NSAID, pet owners can take several steps to ease the pain and lameness caused by arthritis. Reducing the dog’s weight is most important. A dog carrying around extra pounds on those sore joints will endure more pain than necessary. Hot packing a joint and even doing a little doggy massage will also help. A soft bed using orthopedic foam will allow your dog to rest easier too.

Your dog may have arthritis if it exhibits any of these signs:

• Trouble going up and down stairs
• Does not want to play ball as long as he used to
• Pain when moving suddenly
• Attempt to bite when a joint is touched
• May try to yell or bite when a joint is touched
• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty getting up in the morning or after naps
• Repeated licking of a joint
• Personality change
• May worsen in cold weather or after a rain

If your dog is showing some of these signs, call us for an appointment to have your pet examined for painful joints. You can also call toll free 1-877-269-9691 to get more information, including a copy of the package insert, on EtoGesic and the symptoms of arthritis in dogs.

As with all drugs, side effects may occur. The most commonly reported side effects with EtoGesic Tablets include vomiting, lethargy and diarrhea. A veterinarian should regularly monitor all pets on medications.

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Bloat    Bloating and twisting of a dog's stomach is a serious condition veterinarians call gastric dilation volvulus, or GDV. Overeating, especially in predisposed breeds, may cause GDV, but often there is no underlying cause, making this disease one that is baffling to veterinarians and to owners alike.  
Info from the Univ of Illinois College of  Vet Med

Cataracts and Cataract Surgery

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Diabetes Mellitus    

How to give an insulin injection 

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by high blood sugar, which occurs when there is insufficient insulin to meet the pet's requirements. 

A pet with Diabetes Mellitus will exhibit some or all of the following signs:
Weakness Rapid weight loss Abdominal pain Increased thirst Depression Blindness Frequent urination Lack of appetite Increased appetite
Causes Diabetes Mellitus in dogs and cats is caused by damage to the pancreas. Predisposing factors for this disease include:
Obesity Stress Genetic predisposition Drugs Poor diet Hormonal abnormalities Gender (in dogs, females are affected twice as often as males, and in cats, diabetes is more prevalent in males)
Home Care Management for Diabetes Mellitus There is no cure for Diabetes Mellitus, but as with humans it can be controlled with insulin injections, exercise and proper nutrition. Your veterinarian may recommend a pet food that contains moderate levels of fiber such as Hill’s® Prescription Diet® Canine w/d® or Feline w/d® for one or all of the following reasons:
Studies show that foods containing moderate to high levels of fiber lower insulin requirements and blood glucose levels Fiber slows the absorption of glucose from the intestinal tract and decreases hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) Experts believe that fiber may cause the body to be more responsive to insulin Foods with fixed nutrient profiles are consistent both in ingredient content and nutrient source; many commercial foods can vary from batch to batch depending on ingredient cost and availability
If your pet is overweight and diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus or other fiber-responsive disease, your veterinarian may recommend a food with high levels of fiber such as Hill’s® Prescription Diet® Canine r/d® or Feline r/d® brand pet food. Remember to follow these steps, and if you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask your veterinarian or healthcare team member.
Step 1 -- Make sure your pet eats a meal before you give the insulin injection Step 2 -- Feed the recommended food in the correct quantity at a regular time each day in conjunction with the insulin	Step 3 -- As a general rule, the diabetic pet should be fed more than once a day to help maintain a constant blood sugar level Step 4 -- Do not feed table scraps or any food not recommended by your veterinarian

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Epilepsy
Epilepsy - Univ of MO

Eye Problems   

The East Bay's Veterinary Ophthalmology Home Page

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