Dogs
Obesity is a syndrome in which the amount of excess body fat an individual carries is great enough to cause harm to health and well-being. Obesity is a debilitating syndrome that is linked to a number of serious health consequences for dogs.
A number of factors play a role in the development of obesity in dogs. However, the root cause of obesity is the consumption of more calories than the body needs.
Urinating in the house, also known as house soiling, is a common problem. In dogs, house soiling often is triggered by a medical condition.
More common causes are listed first. Less common causes are listed later.
Dogs
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is unable to circulate blood throughout the body in a normal fashion. In dogs, two types of heart disease may lead to heart failure. The most common type of heart disease in dogs is caused by a malfunctioning (or leaky) valve in the heart. Another form of heart disease, called cardiomyopathy, is caused by a defect in the muscles of the heart. Although these two syndromes develop in different fashions, both often lead to the same result: heart failure.
Dogs
Diabetes mellitus (known simply as diabetes) is a serious disease of dogs. The main characteristic of diabetes is an inability to control the level of sugar in the blood. This leads to chronically high blood sugar levels, which in turn lead to the symptoms of the disease.
Management of diabetes in dogs is challenging but possible. With proper treatment, many diabetic dogs lead essentially normal lives. However, without treatment the disease inevitably leads to serious complications.
Healthy dogs occasionally cough due to transient irritation from environmental contaminants such as dust or fumes. However, persistent coughing at a higher than normal frequency has many potential causes.
More common causes are listed first. Less common causes are listed later.
Dogs
Arthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is a condition in which one or more joints in the body deteriorate. Arthritis may occur as a result of trauma, natural aging, or syndromes called dysplasias in which the joints do not develop properly.
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.
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.
A wide variety of problems may cause a pet to smell bad. They range from simple grooming-related issues to serious medical conditions.
More common causes are listed first. Less common causes are listed later.
Primarily dogs; occasionally cats
Aural hematomas occur when blood accumulates underneath the skin in the external portion of the ear. A noticeably swollen area develops on the ear. The area is often painful or irritating to the pet.
Aural hematomas develop when trauma occurs to the ear. Direct trauma or chronic, violent head shaking can break blood vessels in the ear. Broken blood vessels allow blood to accumulate under the skin, forming a hematoma.