Bilious Vomiting Syndrome in Dogs

 

Bile serves important functions in the digestion of food and removal of waste materials from the body. Bile is created in the liver and stored in the gallbladder until food has been ingested. It is then released into the small intestine to aid in digestion of food and to emulsify the food so that it can be used appropriately by the body.

 

Bilious vomiting syndrome occurs when bile abnormally enters the stomach from the intestine, causing irritation and vomiting. The presence of bile is indicated by a watery, yellow-green substance in the vomit contents. If vomiting does not occur and the bile remains in the stomach, the irritation to the stomach can lead to gastric reflux.

 

Vomiting is usually seen in the morning or late night just before eating, especially in dogs that are fed once daily. This might be due to prolonged periods between meals, or to related stomach inactivity, which aggravates the bile reflux.

 

This condition is commonly seen in older dogs but can occur at any age. Both genders are equally affected.

 

Symptoms and Types

 

• Chronic intermittent vomiting containing bile
• Usually takes place in the morning or late night
• Abdominal discomfort
• Nausea
• Lack of appetite
• Weight loss

 

Causes

 

• The exact cause is still unknown
• Diseases causing gastritis or inflammation of intestine, modifying gastrointestinal motility
• It is presumed to be caused by stomach and intestinal reflux, which often occurs when a dog’s stomach has remained empty for a long period of time

 

Diagnosis

 

You will need to give a thorough history of your dog’s health, a background history of symptoms, possible incidents that might have led to this condition, and recent activities. As much as you can, you will need to tell your veterinarian when the symptoms began, and how frequently the vomiting occurs.

 

Your veterinarian will then perform a thorough physical exam on your dog, with a complete blood profile, a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, and a urinalysis.

 

A history of intermittent vomiting with bile contents is usually enough for a preliminary diagnosis. In the course of diagnosing this disease, laboratory testing is not of much help as the results are usually within normal ranges. Specific radiographic and ultrasound imaging studies of the abdomen may reveal delayed stomach motility. Endoscopic examination often returns normal in these patients.

 

Carbon Monoxide Toxicosis in Dogs

 

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, non-irritating gas produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon fuels. It is potentially toxic for dogs as well as humans. Common sources of carbon monoxide are unventilated kerosene or propane heaters, gasoline engines, automobile exhaust, or fumes from carbon-based fuel heating systems.

 

When inhaled, this gas is readily absorbed into the blood, combining with hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin, reducing oxygen delivery to the body, and thereby leading to decreased utilization of oxygen in the brain and heart. Most cases of carbon monoxide toxicity in dogs occur as a result of human error, such as when a dog has been left in an enclosed area where carbon monoxide is being released. A dog left in an enclosed garage with a running automobile can be exposed to toxic levels of carbon monoxide in about ten minutes. Animals are also exposed to toxic levels of carbon monoxide when they are trapped in a building that is on fire. Prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide will lead to hypoxemia and eventually death.

 

Symptoms and Types

 

Depending upon the concentration and duration of exposure of carbon monoxide, the symptoms may be acute or chronic in nature.

 

• Sleepiness
• Cherry red skin and mucous membranes (e.g., nostrils, lips, ears, genitals), but this side-effect is usually not visible in most animals
• Weakness
• Lethargy
• Difficulty in breathing
• Seizures
• Abortion in pregnant animals especially those in late gestation period
• Depression
• Deafness
• Uncoordinated movements
• Coma
• Death

 

Symptoms with chronic exposure to carbon monoxide include:

 

• Nausea
• Abnormally high levels of acids in blood (acidosis)
• Vomiting
• Cough
• Flu like symptoms
• Loss of exercise stamina
• Disturbances in gait

 

Causes

 

Exposure to any source of carbon monoxide, like:

 

• Incomplete combustion of carbon fuels
• Accidental enclosure of dog in garage with automobile engine turned on
• Poorly ventilated areas with any source of carbon monoxide (e.g., fireplace, oven, barbecue grill)
• Unventilated furnaces
• Gas water heaters
• Gas or kerosene heaters
• House fires

 

Diagnosis

 

The foremost step in carbon monoxide toxicity is to get your dog away from the source of the carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide toxicity is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate veterinary intervention. Your veterinarian will start immediate oxygen therapy to remove the carbon monoxide from the blood and bring your dog’s oxygen levels back to normal. While your dog is receiving oxygen your veterinarian will collect samples of blood for diagnostic testing. A complete blood count, biochemistry profile, urinalysis and other applicable body fluid tests will be performed. Your veterinarian will also collect samples for determination of carboxyhemoglobin levels in the blood. Establishing the levels of carbon monoxide in the blood is the most useful test for basing the initial treatment plan.

 

Carboxyhemoglobin levels rise in acute cases and drop within a few hours once exposure to the source of the carbon monoxide has been removed. Levels of acids in the blood will also be determined during blood testing, as acid concentrations tend to rise in response to this condition and their values will determine the appropriate diagnosis and medical response. Other diagnostic tools your veterinarian may use include an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine whether the heart has also been affected.

 

 

Melena in Dogs

 

The term melena is used to describe stool that appears black and tarry, which occurs due to the presence of digested blood in the feces.

 

Melena typically occurs due to bleeding in the upper portion of the gastrointestinal tract. It has also been seen in dogs after they have ingested a sufficient amount of blood from the respiratory tract, for example from a nosebleed or coughing up and swallowing blood from the lungs. Melena is not a disease in itself but a symptom of some other underlying condition such as a gastrointestinal ulcer or blood clotting disorder. The dark color and tarry consistency of the feces occurs because of the digestion of blood as it passes through the intestinal tract.

 

Symptoms and Types

 

Other symptoms related to melena depend on the bleeding’s underlying cause, severity, and location.

• In patients with gastrointestinal bleeding, other symptoms might include:
  • Vomiting, with or without blood
  • Lack of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Weakness and exercise intolerance
  • Pale mucous membranes
  • Anemia
  • Difficult or rapid breathing
  • Abdominal pain
     
• In patients with bleeding in respiratory tract, other symptoms might include:
  • Nose bleed
  • Sneezing
  • Coughing up blood
  • Pale mucous membranes
  • Anemia
  • Weakness and exercise intolerance
  • Difficult or rapid breathing
     
• In patients with abnormal blood clotting disorders, other symptoms might include:
  • Nose bleed
  • Blood in urine
  • Bright red blood in the stool
  • Blood in the eyes
  • Vomiting, with or without blood
  • Abnormal bruising
  • Anemia
  • Pale mucous membranes
  • Weakness and exercise intolerance
  • Difficult or rapid breathing

Causes

 

Melena can have many causes, including:

• Ulcers in the gastrointestinal system
• Tumors of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, or small intestine
• Gastrointestinal infections
• Foreign body in the gastrointestinal system
• Disorders involving inflammation of the intestinal tract
• Kidney failure
• Addison’s disease
• Drug toxicity
• Exposure to toxins
• Parasites
• Liver disease
• Pancreatitis
• Hormonal disorders
• Infections, cancer, or foreign bodies within the lungs or nose
• Trauma
• Disorders involving abnormal clotting of blood

 

Diagnosis

 

You will need to give a thorough history of your dog’s health, onset of symptoms, and possible incidents that might have led to this condition. The history you provide may give your veterinarian clues as to where the blood is originating from. After taking a complete history, your pet’s veterinarian will conduct a complete physical examination. Standard laboratory tests for dogs with melena can include a complete blood count (CBC), biochemistry profile, fecal examination, and urinalysis. The results of these tests will reveal how serious your dog’s melena is and possibly point to the potential underlying cause. Additional procedures and testing may also be necessary. These can include X-rays, ultrasound imaging, endoscopy, specialized blood tests, surgery, and tissue biopsies, depending on the particulars of your dog’s case.  

 

 

Dogs are known for eating things when they are not supposed to. This is especially true of puppies. Also, dogs have an excellent sense of smell, making it fairly easy to find any secret hiding spots for the chocolate. This can be a dangerous combination when there is chocolate around the house.

 

Chocolate is derived from the roasted seeds of Theobroma cacao, which contains certain properties that can be toxic to animals: caffeine and theobromine. If ingested, these two ingredients can also lead to various medical complications and may even prove fatal for your dog.

 

If you would like to learn how chocolate poisoning can affect cats, please visit this page in the petMD Health Library. Also, go to our Chocolate Toxicity Meter for more information on the dangers of chocolate poisoning and its effects.

 

Symptoms and Types

 

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Increased body temperature
• Increased reflex responses
• Muscle rigidity
• Rapid breathing
• Increased heart rate
• Low blood pressure
• Seizures
• Advanced signs (cardiac failure, weakness, and coma)

 

The amount and type of chocolate ingested is also important, as they are the determining factors for the severity of the toxicity. The three types of chocolate that you must be aware of are:

 

1. Milk Chocolate – Mild signs of toxicity can occur when 0.7 ounces per pound of body weight is ingested; severe toxicity occurs when two ounces per pound of body weight is ingested (or as little as one pound of milk chocolate for a 20-pound dog).
2. Semi-Sweet Chocolate – Mild signs of toxicity can occur when 0.3 ounce per pound of body weight is ingested; severe toxicity occurs when one ounce per pound of body weight is ingested (or as little as six ounces of semi-sweet chocolate for a 20-pound dog).
3. Baking Chocolate – This type of chocolate has the highest concentration of caffeine and theobromine. Therefore, as little as two small one-ounce squares of baking chocolate can be toxic to a 20-pound dog (or 0.1 ounce per pound of body weight).

 

Causes

 

In the right quantities chocolate can become toxic for any dog. So be wary of feeding your pet anything that might contain chocolate and always keep it out of reach.

 

Diagnosis

 

Your veterinarian will perform a complete physical exam, including a chemical blood profile, electrolyte panel and a urinalysis. These tests will help determine if there is a chocolate/caffeine overdose.
 

Blood can also be taken to test for theobromine concentrations, while an ECG is performed to help determine if the heart is showing any abnormalities in rhythm or conduction of heart beats.

 

 

Diabetes Insipidus in Dogs

 

Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a rare disorder that affects water metabolism, preventing the body from conserving water and releasing too much of it. This condition is characterized by increased urination, dilute urine (so-called insipid, or dull urine), and increased thirst and drinking. This disease is not related to diabetes mellitus (insulin diabetes).

 

Symptoms and Types

 

There are two main types of DI that affect dogs: neurogenic (or central diabetes insipidus) and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. In neurogenic DI, the cause is due to a lack of the hormone vasopressin, which regulates the body’s retention of water. The release of vasopressin is produced and regulated by the hypothalamus (in the brain), so a dysfunction in its release may be due to a head injury, or to a tumor in the brain. Vasopressin is produced in the hypothalamus into the connected pituitary gland, and is then released into the bloodstream. A lack of vasopressin may be due to a failure in the hypothalamus, or a failure in the pituitary gland. A significant number of cases is idiopathic.

 

Nephrogenic DI, meanwhile, can be caused by a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which functions to stimulate the capillary muscles and reduce the flow of urine, effectively conserving water for the body’s various functions. The cause is found in the kidneys and their inability to respond appropriately to ADH, allowing too much water from the body to escape into the urine.

 

This is typically an acquired condition, and may be due to amyloidosis of the kidney, cysts on the kidney, or an imbalance of electrolytes.

 

Other common symptoms seen in dogs with DI include:

• Increased urination (polyuria)
• Increased drinking (polydipsia)
• Decreased urination with dehydration
• Housesoiling—occasional
• Poor hair coat 

 

Causes

 

Inadequate secretion of antidiuretic hormone ADH

• Congenital defect
• Unknown causes
• Trauma
• Cancer

 

Renal insensitivity to ADH

• Congenital
• Secondary to drugs
• Secondary to endocrine and metabolic disorders
• Secondary to renal disease or infection

 

 

Can Dogs Have Allergies? 

 

Yes, dogs can get allergies just like humans do. Dog allergies are often caused by the allergens found in pollen, animal dander, plants, and insects, but dogs can also be allergic to food and medication as well. These allergies can cause symptoms such as excessive itching, scratching, and grooming; rashes; sneezing; watery eyes; paw chewing; and skin inflammation. In some cases, dogs have conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, that is associated with and may be caused by allergies.

 

Atopic Dermatitis in Dogs

 

Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory, chronic skin disease associated with allergies. In fact, this is the second most common allergic skin disease in dogs. These allergic reactions can be brought on by normally harmless substances like grass, mold spores, house dust mites, and other environmental allergens.

 

Dogs normally show signs of the disease between 3 months and 6 years of age, though atopic dermatitis can be so mild the first year that it does not become clinically apparent before the third year.

 

Despite the fact dogs are more prone to atopic dermatitis than cats, it does occur in felines. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects cats, please visit this page in the PetMD health library.

 

Symptoms and Types

 

Often symptoms associated with atopic dermatitis progressively worsen with time, though they become more apparent during certain seasons. The most commonly affected areas in dogs include the:

 

• Ears
• Wrists
• Ankles
• Muzzle
• Underarms
• Groin
• Around the eyes
• In between the toes

 

The signs associated with atopic dermatitis, meanwhile, consist of itching, scratching, rubbing, and licking, especially around the face, paws, and underarms.

 

Causes

 

Early onset is often associated with a family history of skin allergies. This may lead the dog to become more susceptible to allergens such as:

 

• Animal danders
• Airborne pollens (grasses, weeds, trees, etc.)
• Mold spores (indoor and outdoor)
• House dust mite

 

Diagnosis

 

Your veterinarian will want a complete medical history to determine the underlying cause of the skin allergies, including a physical examination of the dog.

 

Serologic allergy testing may be performed, but it does not always have reliable results. The quality of this kind of testing often depends on the laboratory which analyzes the results. Intradermal testing, whereby small amounts of test allergens are injected in the skin and wheal (a red bump) response is measured, may also used to identify the cause of your pet’s allergic reaction.

 

Esophageal Obstruction in Dogs

 

Dogs tend to eat unusual things. When a dog ingests foreign material or foodstuffs too large to pass through the esophagus (the throat), the esophagus can become blocked.  Small-breed dogs, especially terriers, are most apt to have esophageal foreign bodies. Esophageal foreign bodies cause mechanical blockage, swelling, and death of the throat tissue.

 

Symptoms and Types

 

• Retching
• Gagging
• Loss of energy
• Loss of appetite
• Depression
• Excessive salivation, drooling
• Regurgitation
• Restlessness
• Trouble swallowing
• Trouble breathing
• Persistent gulping

 

Causes

 

Obstruction of the esophagus occurs with objects that are of a size, shape, or texture that will cause them to get stuck in the esophagus.

 

Diagnosis

 

You will need to give a thorough history of your dog’s health, onset of symptoms, and possible incidents that might have led to this condition. You should describe anything your think your dog might have eaten that could have become lodged in its throat (e.g., toys, panties, golf balls). Your veterinarian will do a physical exam, with an X-ray of the esophagus and chest. Another diagnostic tool that is useful for imaging is an esophagoscope, for seeing the interior of the esophagus. These imaging steps are crucial for making a concrete diagnosis and for making an accurate estimation of the exact place in the esophagus that is being affected, and of the degree of damage caused to your dog’s esophagus. Standard tests will also include a chemical blood profile, complete blood count, urinalysis and an electrolyte panel. Usually, the bloodwork results will return as normal.

 

 

Clostridial Enterotoxicosis in Dogs

 

Clostridial enterotoxicosis is an intestinal syndrome brought on by abnormally high levels of Clostridium perfringens bacterium, a bacteria found commonly inhabiting decaying vegetation and marine sediment. It can also be acquired from raw or improperly cooked meats and poultry, and meats that have been left out in the open. There is also evidence that dogs can acquire this infection from being with other dogs, such as when boarded at a kennel.

 

Generally, the implications of the clostridial enterotoxicosis are limited to infections of the intestinal tract and do not progress to systemic disease conditions. Symptoms typically last a week in acute cases and include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea. Long-term (chronic) cases of clostridial enterotoxicosis, meanwhile, involve recurrences of diarrhea, which may repeat every two to four weeks, and may continue for months to years. In fact, clostridial enterotoxicosis in dogs is suspected to occur in up to 20 percent of large bowel diarrhea cases.

 

Although it is more common in dogs as opposed to cats — perhaps because dog spend more time amongst vegetation, or eating found meat (such as in refuse) — most animals have antibodies that will effectively fight the bacteria and clear it from the body.

 

Symptoms and Types

 

• Diarrhea with shiny mucus on its surface
• Small amounts of fresh blood in diarrhea
• Small, meager stools
• May have large volume of watery stools
• Straining to defecate
• Increased frequency of defecation
• Vomiting (on occasion)
• Abdominal discomfort – characterized by standing with lowered front and raised back end, or curling up to cover abdomen, resistant to being touched in abdominal area
• Abnormal amount of flatulence (i.e, passing gas)
• Fever (uncommon)

 

Causes

 

Clostridial enterotoxicosis is caused by an overgrowth of the bacteria Clostridium perfringens in the intestine. Often, the bacteria is acquired from the environment (e.g., flora) or as the result of eating raw, undercooked, or old meat. Other risk factors include:

 

• Dietary changes
• Abnormally high pH level in the intestine
• Deficiency of antibodies
• Exposure to other dogs at a hospital or kennel
• Stress to the digestive system due to concurrent disease (e.g., parvovirus, gastroenteritis, and inflammatory bowel disease)

 

Diagnosis

 

You will need to give a thorough history of your dog’s health, onset of symptoms, and possible incidents that might have precipitated/preceded this condition, such as time spent outdoors, rummaging through garbage or getting hold of old or uncooked meat, or being boarded at a kennel.

 

Your veterinarian will conduct a thorough physical exam on your dog as well as standard blood work, including a complete blood count, chemical blood profile, and urinalysis. Most of these tests will return normal. Because this infection has obvious intestinal symptoms, a fecal sample will need to be taken for microscopic analysis.

 

This intestinal disease is sometimes difficult to identify because there is no one good test for it. Often, false positive results will return as the result of interfering substances in the feces. Your veterinarian may also want to use an endoscope to visualize the interior of your dog’s intestines, and possibly take a tissue sample.

 

 

Myocardial Infarction in Dogs

 

Much like in humans, a heart attack (or myocardial infarction) in dogs occurs when blood flow to a portion of the myocardium (the heart’s muscular wall) is blocked, causing the premature death of a portion of the myocardium. Generally, this is due to the formation of a blood clot (or thrombus) within the blood vessels or heart.

 

Heart attacks are rare in both dogs and cats.

 

Symptoms and Types

 

• Weakness
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Difficult breathing
• Obesity
• Low-grade fever
• Lameness
• Increased heart rate
• Collapse
• Sudden death

 

Causes

 

• Atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease
• Nephrotic syndrome
• Vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels)
• Hypothyroidism
• Bacterial infection
• Tumor(s)

 

Diagnosis

 

You will need to give a thorough history of your dog’s health, including the onset and nature of the symptoms. The veterinarian will then conduct a complete physical examination, paying close attention to the dog’s cardiovascular system. Various laboratory tests — such as complete blood count (CBC), blood culture biochemistry profile, and urinalysis — will be used to help identify the underlying cause of the heart attack.

 

Blood testing may reveal an increased number of white blood cells (leukocytes), often seen during infections. The biochemistry profile, meanwhile, may show abnormally high levels of liver enzymes or abnormally low levels of T3 and T4 hormones (especially seen in dogs with hypothyroidism). Echocardiography is another excellent tool used to evaluate of cardiac abnormalities.

 

 

Hypernatremia in Dogs

 

Electrolytes are very important for many functions in the body. They are required for normal heart and brain functions, fluid balance, to deliver oxygen, and many more. A very delicate balance is required, for each electrolyte has a specific level in the body. Sodium is required for many vital functions in the body including: the regulation of blood pressure, blood volume, the transmission of nerve impulses (signals), as well as the maintenance of acid/base balance in the body.

 

The term hypernatremia means higher than normal concentrations of sodium in blood. Such elevations are commonly seen in abundant loss of water through gastrointestinal tract along with sodium or low water intake. A common source is sodium chloride (NaCl, table salt). Alterations in sodium levels usually accompany chloride level changes, and symptoms related to both are present together.

 

Symptoms and Types

 

• Increased thirst (polydipsia) and consumption of water
• Confusion and disorientation
• Coma
• Seizures
• Other symptoms may be related to underlying cause
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• High water loss through urine (as seen with diabetes)
• Intravenous fluid therapy containing NaCl
• Lower water intake
• High oral sodium intake (rare)

 

Diagnosis

 

Your veterinarian will take a detailed history of your dog, including a history of any previous medical treatment. He or she will then perform a complete physical examination. Routine laboratory tests include: complete blood count, biochemistry profile, and urinalysis, which will reveal high levels of sodium along with other abnormalities. For dogs with diabetes, urinalysis will reveal changes in urine, including low sodium levels. More specific testing for diagnosis of underlying diseases may need to be carried out.