If your dog is poisoned ....

National Animal Poison Control Center A Division of the ASPCA

Panosteitis ("Pano")

Puppy limp is an inflammation of the membrane covering the bone and is relatively common. Rest, quiet, and sometimes a vet-approved painkiller are generally recommended. Some vets recommend a reduced protien (usually an adult mixture) diet. Pano usually strikes between 4-18 months of age and rarely lasts past two years of age. If the limping goes from leg to leg (i.e., one day the dog limps on the right rear leg and the next it limps on the left front), it is very likely pano. Pano can also be diagnosed via x-rays. Fortunately, lasting effects are uncommon, and most puppies outgrow it. It is not known what causes pano, the belief is that there is either a hereditary link, perhaps just a predisposition toward, causing pano.

Hip Dysplasia

Chesapeakes are susceptible to hip dysplasia as well as other joint problems. All breeding stock should be x-rayed and certified clear of hip dysplasia by the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals).

Elbow problems, including Ununited Anconeal Process, and Degenerative Joint Disease (all called "OCD," or generally "Elbow Dysplasia") may be upcoming problems in the breed: both the closely related breeds Labradors and Flat Coats are finding increased incidences of these problems when they look for them. Ideally, breeding stock should begin clearing both elbows AND hips with OFA.

The Role of Nutrition in Elbow Dysplasia, Herman A.W. Hazewinkel*, Lars F.H. Theyse*, Richard C. Nap**, *Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals Utrecht University, The Netherlands **The Iams Company, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

OFA functions as a voluntary diagnostic service and registry for:

Hip Dysplasia
Elbow Dysplasia
Patellar Luxation
Craniomandibular Osteopathy
Copper Toxicosis - Bedlington Terriers
Cardiac Registry
Thyroid Registry
Congenital Deafness

Other information resources:

Medline Literature Search: Canine Hip Dysplasia, 1966-1996

Canine Hip Dysplasia

BioMedtrix: Questions about total hip replacement

 

Epilepsy - Seizures - This site has comprehensive information about seizures in dogs.

Canine Epilepsy and diseases that cause seizures in dogs
Learn about canine epilepsy, and medications to contol seizures in dogs. Personal responses to your questions. Articles by leading vets.

Epil-K9

Dr. Podell's Canine Epilepsy Page
http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/docs/seizure/podell.html

Canine Epilepsy
Author Alicia Wiersma-Aylward (wiersma.jelle@pi.net)
http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/medical/epilepsy.html
Very informative!

http://neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu

http://www.altvetmed.com/epilepsy.html

http://www.labbies.com/epilepsy.htm

http://www.rt66.com/~dalcrazy/epilepsy.html

http://www.dalmatians.com/dca/seizure1.htm

A form of von Willebrand's Disease, a blood clotting disorder.

VetGen's Genetic Test for von Willebrand's Disease
Disease affecting scotties in particular, resulting in excessive bleeding during injury. Detection can pave the way for preventative measures.

Von Willebrand Disease - National Hemophilia Foundation
Learn details of the incidence, genetics, diagnostic tests, symptoms, classification and management of this relatively common bleeding disorder.

Thyroid Diseases

Low thyroid can effect canine breeding - Animal Fertility Clinic in Texas
Dr. Mike Freeman is one of two icg canine semen freezing veterinarians in Texas

Canine Thyroglobulin Autoantibody (TgAA) Immunoassay Kit
Canine Primary Hypothyroidism, Autoimmune Thyroiditis Oxford Laboratories, Inc. provides an EIA kit for early detection of autoimmune thyroiditis using a sensitive assay for Thyroglobulin Autoantibody (TgAA)

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals Home Page
OFA the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals is a non-profit organization.

What is Canine Hypothyroidism?
Canine Hypothyroidism Gurule D.V.M. Unlike cats, dogs have a thyroid disorder called hypothyroidism which is a deficiency of thyroid hormone. (Hyperthyroidism most commonly occurs in cats. ) Females dogs are more often affected than males dogs...

Eye Problems

CERF Canine Eye Registration Foundation

"CERF is the Canine Eye Registration Foundation CERF was founded by a group of concerned purebred owner/breeders with a goal of eliminating heritable eye diseases in purebred dogs through registration, research, and education."

They are also susceptible to an eye disease called PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy). This insidious disease of the eyes eventually causes blindness. It is believed to be inherited by a simple recessive mode. This means that for a dog to be affected, both parents must be either carriers or affected themselves. The problem is that this disease has a late onset where the dogs do not show symptoms until they are over four years of age, in which case they may have already been bred. Carriers show no symptoms. All breeding stock should be examined annually and have their eyes cleared through CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation). At present, this is believed to be more of a problem in other retriever breeds than the Chesapeake.

As dogs that develop blindness later in life may have tested normal in previous ophthalmological examinations, it's important to find a breeder that not only tests all breeding stock annually, but also continues to test dogs that were used for breeding in their old age.

Other eye problems include Entropian and occasional cataracts.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Investigate the diagnosis and effects of this disease, how it is inherited and ways to reduce its frequency.

PRA Today: Current Research in Progressive Retinal Atrophy
PRA TODAY: CURRENT RESEARCH IN PROGRESSIVE RETINAL ATROPHY By Gregory Acland Senior Research Associate and Gustavo Aguirre Caspary Professor of Ophthalmology Center for Canine Genetics & Reproduction James A. Baker Institute for Animal Health...

Progressive Retinal Degeneration
Progressive Retinal Degeneration also known as: Progressive Retinal Atrophy P.R.D. P.R.A. Researched and Written by: Lee Weston Progressive Retinal Degeneration refers to a broad group of inherited, and sometimes acquired, retinal conditions which..

 

Pyometra ( Uterine infection )

Pyometra (uterine infection) in dogs are very serious. It is fatal if it can not be eliminated by medical or surgical treatment. Often, pyometra is severe and fatal within 24-48 hours. It is unusual for antibiotics alone to effectively treat a pyometra infection. Either surgical removal of the uterus, or treatment with prostaglandins and antibiotics in combination is necessary in order to resolve uterine infections, in most cases. Prostaglandins stimulate muscular contractions of the uterus and help it to clear infections by expelling infectious material.

For more information on Pyometra, visit these links:

Answering Your Questions about Pyometra
Mar Vista Animal Medical Center

Pyometra
Murphy's Animal Hospital

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Research Project title: The use of a progesterone receptor blocking agent for treatment of pyometra in the bitch.

Ingle & Mead's Vizsla -- Pyometra in the Bitch

Dog Food Comparison Chart

Understanding Dog Foods and Dog Food Labels
Dog Food Analysis and Comparison Charts