DrBarchas.com is a free resource for people with pets. Searchable articles are available on diseases, behavior, symptoms, and medical treatments for dogs and cats.
Owners of cats and dogs often find drops or traces of blood on the floors or other surfaces of their home and suspect that their pet is the source of the blood.
More common causes are listed first. Less common causes are listed later.
Dogs
The cruciate ligament is located in the knee, where it helps to stabilize the joint. Injury to the ligament leads to instability in the knee joint. This triggers pain, swelling, and limping. Injury to the cruciate ligament usually is caused by trauma to the knee.
Corticosteroids are a class of medicines related to cortisone. Cortisone is a naturally occurring hormone.
Corticosteroids should not be confused with anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids promote body and muscle growth. Corticosteroids are used in pets to treat inflammation, allergies, itching, immune system irregularities, pain, back or spinal trauma, and eye, ear, or skin problems.
Behavior modification, or training, is the most important element in the treatment of separation anxiety in dogs. Behavior modification should be implemented only after a professional diagnosis of separation anxiety has been confirmed by a veterinarian.
The key components of behavior modification for separation anxiety include ensuring adequate exercise and enrichment, employing tactics to make separation from the owner more pleasant for the dog, and reducing the excitement surrounding the owner’s comings and goings.
Dogs
Allergies are the most common cause of skin problems in dogs. In dogs, allergies often cause itching, hair loss, and inflammation of the skin. In some dogs, allergies help trigger ear problems (such as ear infections) as well as skin problems.
Dogs and puppies
Puppy mange, also known as demodectic mange, is caused by a skin parasite called Demodex. Demodex is a type of mite.
Dogs
Damaged toenails are very common, especially in active dogs. Most nail injuries occur as a result of a nail catching or snagging on plant matter, carpet, or other material while the dog is running.
Damaged toenails are extremely painful at the moment of injury. In many cases, pain will persist until the damaged portion of the nail is removed by a veterinarian. However, the vast majority of dogs with injured nails make complete recoveries.