Marked changes in an animal’s water consumption or urine output have many causes. Chronic or long-term changes in thirst or urinary habits may be indicative of serious disease.
More common causes are listed first. Less common causes are listed later.
Panting is very common in dogs. In most cases, panting is not a sign of a medical problem. Dogs pant in lieu of sweating. Anything that might cause a person to sweat can cause dogs to pant.
Dog owners frequently note and become concerned about episodes of increased panting in their pet that seem abnormal. In some cases, such episodes or trends are a sign of medical problems. However, this is rare. Most panting is not indicative of a serious underlying problem.
More common causes are listed first. Less common causes are listed later.
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 of any age or breed.
Separation anxiety is a common and frustrating syndrome in dogs. Dogs suffering from the syndrome show symptoms of fear or agitation when the owner is absent. Treatment of separation anxiety is challenging, and may involve medications as well as behavioral modification tactics.
Ringworm affects dogs, cats, people, rodents, rabbits, and other mammals.
Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin. Contrary to its name, worms are not involved in ringworm infections. In pets, ringworm primarily is a nuisance. However, the infection can spread from pets to people. This makes ringworm infections in household pets a serious concern.
All animals, regardless of species or age, experience pain.
Animals feel pain under the same circumstances as people. Anything that would cause pain in a person will cause pain in pets.
Symptoms of pain differ among species.
Cats:
Cats instinctively hide pain. Therefore, signs of pain in cats are usually subtle. A cat in pain may:
More common causes are listed first. Less common causes are listed later.
Levothyroxine is used to treat hypothyroidism in dogs. It works by supplementing the dog’s production of thyroid hormone. The effect is temporary. Most dogs with hypothyroidism require lifelong treatment with levothyroxine.
Levothyroxine most commonly is administered as an oral pill once or twice daily.
Side effects of levothryoxine are rare but can include gastrointestinal upset.
Insulin is a drug that is used in the treatment of diabetes in dogs and cats. It requires special handling and storage, it must be given by injection, and it carries the risk of overdose. Despite these disadvantages, insulin is the most commonly used drug in the treatment of diabetes. Without insulin, most diabetic cats and dogs will suffer severe or fatal complications of the disease.
Form and Storage of Insulin
Hypothyroidism is common in middle-aged and older dogs.
Hypothyroidism is a disease of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland, located in the neck, produces a hormone called thyroid hormone. Although thyroid hormone plays a complex role in the body, its main effect is to increase the rate of metabolism. Hypothyroidism causes reduced production of thyroid hormone. Therefore, the main problem in hypothyroidism is reduced metabolism.