DOG HEALTH AND MEDICINE

Unlike people, dogs rarely develop painful gallstones. Instead, theyre more likely to fall victim to a blockage known as gallbladder mucocele, seen most often in dogs at the average age of 9. Cocker spaniels and Shetland sheepdogs in particular seem to be predisposed, but any dog can develop the disease. Neither sex appears to be disproportionately affected. Gallbladder mucocele is a relatively new condition recognized only in the past 20 years. We see maybe 10 to 20 cases a year, says John Berg, DVM.

Gallbladder disease is much more common in people than in dogs. The reason: Humans have a very high incidence of gallstones, whereas dogs do not, says Mary Labato, DVM, a specialist in internal medicine at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.

However, a wide variety of diseases other than gallstones can affect dogs. In addition to gallbladder mucoceles, these include:

[From Tufts November 2010 Issue]

We recently got a 9-year-old border terrier from a breeder. She is a great little dog - affectionate and well trained. She had a seizure last week that made her very stiff and shaking. It lasted about three to four minutes.

After it passed, she was herself again and suffered no ill effects that I could see. We took her to the vet, and he said he heard about this - it is called canine Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome - but he did not know very much about it. The breeder told me that our dog had a seizure about five years ago.

I am very concerned because we do not know how to handle this. Is it dangerous and life threatening? Can anything be done about it? If you have any information or suggestions, it would be most appreciated.

My 8-year-old Norwegian elkhound has a sebaceous cyst problem. I have anywhere from 6 to 12 removed every year. I know the breed is known for this problem. Is there anything I can do or give her that will help prevent or reduce these cysts?

[From Tufts August 2011 Issue]

My black male standard poodle is 2 years old. Since September he has had clusters of seizures, from two to five of them within a 24-hour period about every three weeks. Hestarted taking 98.2 milligrams of phenobarbitol twice a day,and 200 milligrams of zonisamide were added twice a day by our vet because symptoms were worsening.

[From Tufts November 2011 Issue]

My golden has just been diagnosed with pigmentary uveitis. I never heard of it and wonder how many other dogs may have it. The vet eye doc said it is genetic. Is that true? Could it have been diagnosed before the secondary glaucoma and cataracts have destroyed my dogs sight? I do not know my 12-year-old dogs background as he was a rescue from animal control when he was about a year old.
Claudia Mullen
Lake County, Florida

[From Tufts July 2011 Issue]

A myth persists that dogs who live indoors with only brief trips outside don't need protection against heartworm. The reality about the disease — which is spread by mosquitoes — comes down to simple mathematics. "Dogs bitten by more mosquitoes are at increased risk of developing heartworm disease when compared with dogs bitten by fewer mosquitoes," says Michael Stone, DVM, a specialist in internal medicine at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.

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[From Tufts July 2011 Issue]

Warm weather encourages owners and dogs to spend more time outside. While summer offers outdoor fun, it's easy to overlook dangers that could harm your dog, says Scott Shaw, DVM, a specialist in emergency and critical care at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.

Fireworks top the list for risky business. "Dogs shouldn't be around fireworks at all," Dr. Shaw says. "They can chase thrown fireworks and get burned or injured." Some fireworks contain toxic substances that can poison dogs if chewed or swallowed. The explosions also can scare them. "The same dogs that are afraid of thunder will freak out on the 4th of July," he says.

[From Tufts August 2011 Issue]

Last year I purchased a 3-month-old mahogany colored poodle with green eyes - a beautiful dog. I have had mostly springer spaniels for many years, and this guy has a habit that stumps me.Cappy will take my wrist or hand gently in his mouth and rub his tongue across my skin. I have asked many experts what he is doing, but none can come up with an answer except, He owns you. Is there some reason he does this?
Irene Byington
Shelter Island, N.Y.

[From Tufts December 2011 Issue]

Folk wisdom has long held that a warm, dry nose means a dog is sick. Veterinarians frequently hear the comment from owners, says Michael Stone, DVM, a specialist in small animal medicine at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, but the truth is that its a fallacy in most cases.

Snoring has been an age-old problem in dogs and people. In both instances, it can be a harmless nuisance or a sign of an anatomical problem. In most cases, a dogs snoring is not a major cause for alarm, says Elizabeth Rozanski, assistant professor of emergency and critical care at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. The key is to determine what is considered normal for your dog. …

My 1-year-old male golden retriever has just been diagnosed with panosteitis, and I have been searching for more information on it. Im told it is more common in shepherds and wolfhounds. My vet said its a bone inflammation that may stay with him for two to five years. We have changed his breeder-recommended kibble (evidently, the protein amount is higher than the original). He is now on a senior blend, 50 mg of Deramaxx for…