Canine hives are allergic reactions that are caused by substances absorbed through your dog’s skin or inhaled through the nose. These reactions can occur virtually anywhere on your dog’s body. The hives are circular and raised, and may cause your dog’s hair to have raised patches. They usually go away on their own within 24 hours.

Causes

Canine hives can be caused by various things. Some of the most common include sensitivity to insect bites, drugs, vaccinations, or chemicals. Also, something your dog has eaten may cause an allergic reaction.

Treatment

As mentioned earlier, canine hives will go away within 24 hours. However, they may cause your dog to be very itchy. This can be treated with oral antihistamines or steroids. Topical medications can also be used to treat the itchiness caused by canine hives.

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Just like people, including men, dogs can get a yeast infection. The organism Malassezia pachydermatis is responsible for causing a dog yeast infection. This organism is normally found on your dog’s skin, but certain conditions can allow it to grow out of control and cause yeast infections in dogs.

Causes

One of the most common causes for a dog yeast infection is vaccination. Some vaccines can weaken the dog’s natural immune system. Also medications such as antibiotics and steroids can allow the yeast to grow out of control. Other possible causes include chemicals, poisons, allergies, and bacterial infections.

Symptoms

Yeast infections in dogs can occur in the ears or on the skin. Your dog will frequently shake his head and scratch his ears if the infection is in the ear. If the infection is on the skin, your dog will develop skin lesions. These lesions can be as few as one or two in a small area, or they can cover your dog’s whole body. The sores are typically found beneath the neck, belly, and feet. The lesions will be very itchy causing your dog to scratch at them.

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There are three types of canine diabetes. They include mellitus, insipidus, and gestational. The most common form is diabetes mellitus. Let’s take a look at these three forms of dog diabetes.

Diabetes Mellitus

Canine diabetes mellitus is a condition in which your dog’s body is either insensitive to insulin or doesn’t produce enough of it. Insulin, which is secreted by the pancreas, is responsible for regulating glucose. Symptoms of canine diabetes mellitus include increased urination and thirst, dehydration, and loss of appetite.

The main treatment for this form is a daily or twice a day injection of insulin. You will also need to change your dog’s diet. A diet that is high in protein and fiber is usually best. Your dog will also need less carbohydrates and fats. It is also important that a dog with diabetes mellitus gets plenty of exercise.

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Canine arthritis is a condition in which there is inflammation in a joint. This inflammation can damage cartilage, fluid, or surrounding bones. There are three types of canine arthritis. They include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid, and septic. Let’s take a look at these three types.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of canine arthritis. This condition results in deterioration of cartilage and bone. This deterioration can occur over long periods of time with your dog displaying few symptoms. However, this form of canine arthritis gets worse as your dog ages and starts to cause extreme discomfort and pain.

Osteoarthritis is usually treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids. However, if this form of canine arthritis starts causing your dog extreme pain, surgery may be necessary. Other treatment options include daily exercise, healthy diet, and weight loss.

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In most cases, feline sneezing is a result of your cat’s respiratory system functioning properly. However, your cat may possibly be sick if he starts to sneeze a lot. There are various things that can cause an episode of feline sneezing. Let’s take a look at some of the most common causes.

Infection

An upper respiratory infection is one of the most common causes of feline sneezing. Infections that cause sneezing episodes are usually caused by the Adenovirus or the Parainfluenza virus. These viruses are highly contagious and can easily infect your cat after he comes into contact with other animals. The infections produce other symptoms besides sneezing such as swollen glands, coughing, and mucus discharge.

Rhinotracheitis

Another common cause of feline sneezing is the rhinotracheitis virus. This virus is responsible for causing herpes-1 in cats. Feline sneezing can be a difficult condition to treat if it is caused by this virus. Kittens infected with this virus can suffer permanent damage to the linings in their nose.

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As its name suggests, the feline immunodeficiency virus attacks your cat’s immune system. It eventually disables the immune system’s ability to battle cancers and infections. The feline immunodeficiency virus is usually targets roaming cats. It can also affect larger felines such as tigers, lions and leopards.

Transmission

The feline immunodeficiency virus is shed in saliva. Therefore, it can easily be transmitted to your cat if he is bitten by an infected cat. The virus is rarely transmitted through the mother’s milk. However, transmission can occur if the mother is infected with the virus during lactation or gestation.

Symptoms

The feline immunodeficiency virus causes a variety of early symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, lethargy, and weight loss. Many cats also suffer from chronic oral infections. The feline immunodeficiency virus can also cause upper respiratory problems in the form of nasal discharge and sneezing.

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Canine brucellosis is a disease of your dog’s reproductive tract that can cause infertility. Also, the disease can cause infection of the sexual organs in male dogs and abortion in female dogs.

Transmission

Canine brucellosis is caused by a bacteria called Bruccella canis. This bacteria is commonly spread during mating when the dog comes into contact with semen or vaginal fluid. The bacteria that causes canine brucellosis can also be transmitted by contact with aborted puppies. This bacteria can also be transmitted to humans which will result in flu-like symptoms.

Symptoms

Many dogs with canine brucellosis don’t show any symptoms. If there are any symptoms present, they will include swollen lymph nodes and lethargy. Females will usually abort their litter up to two months after breeding. Some of the puppies will die immediately after birth while other will be born dead.

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When healthy, your cat should have bright and clear eyes. There are a few common feline eye diseases that you should be aware about. Some of these include glaucoma, retinal atrophy, and conjunctivitis. Let’s take a look at some of these diseases.

Glaucoma

One of the first common feline eye diseases is glaucoma. This is a condition in which there is too much pressure on the inside of the eye. Glaucoma is the one of the leading causes of blindness in cats. In its early stages, glaucoma can be treated with medication aimed at reducing the internal eye pressure. If your cat is in an advanced stage, surgery may be required.

Retinal Atrophy

One of the next common feline eye diseases is progressive retinal atrophy. This is a condition in which your cat’s retina degenerates or shrinks. Retinal atrophy can be inherited or caused by a lack of taurine in your cat’s diet. The condition progresses very slowly, but will eventually cause your cat to become blind. Unfortunately, progressive retinal atrophy is untreatable.

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Feline skin diseases are some of the most common health problems that can affect your cat. The condition of your cat’s skin and coat of hair is an important indicator of your cat’s overall health, so it’s important to be aware of it. Let’s take a look at a few common feline skin diseases.

Acne

One of the most common feline skin diseases is acne. The most noticeable symptom of this condition is the formation of blackheads on your cat’s chin. Although an exact cause is known, dermatitis, food allergies, and poor grooming can play a role. The veterinarian may not choose to treat feline acne is the case is mild enough.

If treatment of the acne is necessary, it usually comes in three forms. Your may have to bath your cat in a special shampoo that helps get rid of excess oil on your cat’s skin. You may also have the option of using an antibiotic twice a day to get rid of the condition. If your cat is experiencing excessive inflammation, the veterinarian may choose to use corticosteroids.

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Canine inflammatory bowel disease, or canine IBD, is not a specific disease. The condition occurs when inflammatory cells penetrate the stomach or intestinal wall. IBD normally affects dogs that are middle-aged or old.

Causes

Unfortunately, there is no specific cause known for canine inflammatory bowel disease. However, certain factors can lead to an increased risk for developing the condition. These factors include genetics, diet, and immune system deficiencies. Your dog may also be allergic to a specific food protein and develop a case of canine inflammatory bowel disease.

Symptoms

Canine inflammatory bowel disease can affect certain parts of your dog’s gastrointestinal system. If the condition affects his stomach or upper part of the small intestine, your dog’s most noticeable symptom will be vomiting. Canine inflammatory bowel disease that affects the intestines will cause chronic diarrhea. Sometimes, mucus or blood will appear in your dog’s stool.

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