TOP 20 DISEASES - DOG

Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD)

A condition characterized by acute onset of moderate to severe pruritus, typically more common in warmer seasons but potentially present year-round.

Classic case presentation (FAD)

Characterized by excessive self-grooming and hair loss, particularly on the rear half of the body, with or without visible live fleas.

Flea comb

A diagnostic tool used to find live fleas or flea dirt during history and physical exams.

Flea eradication response

A diagnostic method for FAD where a positive response to treatment confirms the condition.

Tapering dose of corticosteroids

An acute treatment used to manage pruritus in dogs suffering from Flea allergy dermatitis.

Flea adulticide

A topical or oral medication used in both acute and chronic treatment phases to kill adult fleas.

Lufenuron

An oral monthly flea development inhibitor used as part of chronic management for FAD.

Environmental control

Chronic management strategy involving frequent vacuuming and the removal of outdoor organic debris.

Prognosis for FAD

The expected outcome is good, provided the patient receives long-term management.

Evidence of fleas in dogs

According to the notes, $15\%$ of dogs do not have evidence of fleas or flea dirt despite having FAD.

Parvoviral enteritis classic patient

Puppies less than $8$ months and unvaccinated adults.

CPV breed predisposition

Doberman, Rottweiler, pit bull, German shepherd, and Dachshund.

CPV clinical signs

Vomiting

hemorrhagic diarrhea

lethargy

inappetence.

CPV etiology

Nonenveloped, single-stranded DNA virus.

Fecal ELISA test

The diagnostic test for parvovirus which can yield false positives $5-15$ days after vaccination.

CPV hematologic findings

Leukopenia and neutropenia.

CPV biochemical abnormalities

Hypoalbuminemia, hypoglycemia, hypokalemia, and pre-renal azotemia.

Broad-spectrum bactericidal antibiotics for CPV

Ampicillin, cephalosporin, and Unasyn.

CPV anti-nausea therapy

Metoclopramide, ondansetron, and maropitant.

1:32 bleach solution

The specific concentration used to kill the very resistant parvovirus after the area is cleaned.

CPV-2b and CPV-2c

The most common parvovirus strain in the US and the strain that is becoming more common, respectively.

CPV target tissues

Small intestinal crypt cells, lymphopoietic tissue, and bone marrow.

Small intestinal villous blunting

The pathological change caused by the virus attacking the small intestinal crypt cells.

Colloidal support

Treatment such as hetastarch or albumin used if needed for parvoviral enteritis patients.

Trickle enteral feeding

The method of nutritional support started once vomiting is controlled.

Gastric dilation/volvulus (GDV)

A condition characterized by

abdominal distention

unproductive retching

ptyalism

potential collapse, typically seen in older, giant, or large breed dogs with deep chest cavities.

Classic GDV Patient Profile

Older, giant or large breed dog with a narrow and deep chest cavity.

Ptyalism

Drooling, often observed as a clinical sign of discomfort or nausea in GDV cases.

"Double bubble" or "smurf hat"

The characteristic radiographic appearance of a gas-distended pylorus positioned cranial to the fundus in a dog with GDV.

Right lateral abdominal radiograph

The specific radiographic view used to diagnose Gastric dilation/volvulus (GDV).

Dorsoventral (DV) view

The radiographic view used if necessary for GDV diagnosis to avoid aspiration, preferred over the ventro-dorsal (VD) view.

GDV Laboratory Findings

Common findings including

hemoconcentration

increased lactate levels

potentially disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

Initial GDV Treatment Steps

Administration of IV fluids with large bore catheters (started before radiographs), decompression, and pain management with opioids.

GDV Decompression Methods

Techniques including trocarization or passing an orogastric tube to relieve gas pressure in the stomach.

Gastropexy

A surgical procedure performed during GDV treatment to secure the stomach and prevent recurrence of volvulus.

Post-operative Ventricular Arrhythmias

The most common cardiac abnormality to monitor and treat following GDV surgery.

Gastric Necrosis

One of the primary factors associated with a poorer prognosis in GDV patients.

Pre-op Lactate Level (Prognosis)

A level greater than $6\,mmol/L$ is associated with a poorer prognosis.

Time lag (GDV Prognosis)

A duration of greater than $5\text{-hr}$ from the onset of symptoms to evaluation is associated with a poorer prognosis.

Hypothyroidism (Classic Case)

Typically involves a mid- to large-sized middle-aged dog exhibiting

weight gain

lethargy

weakness

alopecia

cold intolerance.

Hypothyroid Alopecia Patterns

Includes characteristic

'rat tail'

thin hair

truncal symmetrical hair loss.

Neurologic signs of Hypothyroidism

Uncommon manifestations including

facial paralysis

vestibular signs

stridor resulting from laryngeal paralysis.

Myxedema coma

A rare, severe state of hypothyroidism characterized by non-pitting facial edema, stupor, coma, hypothermia, and bradycardia.

Hypothyroidism Hematology findings

Mild non-regenerative anemia.

Hypothyroidism Lipid profile

Hyperlipidemia, specifically elevations in both cholesterol and triglycerides.

Total T4 (TT4) diagnostic value

Typically low in hypothyroidism, though it may be low-normal if autoantibodies are present.

Free T4 by equilibrium dialysis

A test measuring metabolically available T4;

a low result confirms hypothyroidism and rules out euthyroid sick syndrome.

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) levels

Levels are typically normal to increased in hypothyroid patients.

Serum thyroglobulin autoantibodies

Increased levels of these are indicative of lymphocytic thyroiditis.

Levothyroxine sodium

The oral T4 medication used for the treatment of hypothyroidism.

IV T4

The treatment route for T4 administration in cases of myxedema coma.

Euthyroid sick syndrome

A condition where other disease processes cause lower T4 levels in a patient that does not have primary hypothyroidism.

Cataracts

A condition characterized by a cloudy white pupil and decreased vision; often associated with diabetes mellitus and treatable via surgery.

Cherry eye

A smooth, moist, reddish-pink mass at the medial canthus involving the prolapsed 3rd eyelid gland, typically seen in dogs less than $2\,yr$ old.

Uveitis

Inflammation of the uveal tract characterized by

conjunctival hyperemia

photophobia

aqueous flare

an intraocular pressure (IOP) less than $10\,mmHg$.

Glaucoma

An ocular condition characterized by

buphthalmos ("big blue eye")

visual impairment

an intraocular pressure (IOP) greater than $30\,mmHg$.

Aqueous flare

The cloudiness of the aqueous humor that is a clinical sign of uveitis.

Buphthalmos

The enlargement of the eye, often referred to as "big blue eye" in cases of glaucoma.

Tonometry

A diagnostic test used to measure intraocular pressure (IOP) to differentiate between uveitis and glaucoma.

Gonioscopy

A diagnostic procedure used in glaucoma cases for the visualization of the iridocorneal angle.

Electroretinography (ERG)

A diagnostic tool used during the evaluation of cataracts to assess retinal function.

Topical atropine

A medication used in the treatment of uveitis specifically to decrease the pain associated with iridocyclospasm.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor

A type of topical or systemic medication used to decrease intraocular pressure (IOP) and pain in acute glaucoma.

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca

A condition with a high risk of lifelong development if a cherry eye (3rd eyelid gland) is removed instead of surgically replaced.

Enucleation

The surgical removal of the eye, which may be a necessary treatment for chronic glaucoma, even if the eye is blind, to address pain.

Episcleral vessels

Blood vessels that become tortuous in presentation as a sign of glaucoma.

Megaesophagus

A condition characterized by an air-filled, dilated esophagus as seen on thoracic radiographs, resulting in symptoms like regurgitation, coughing, and weight loss.

Regurgitation

The passive expulsion of undigested food or water; distinguished from vomiting by the nature of the contents.

Acetylcholine receptor antibody test

A specific diagnostic test used to identify myasthenia gravis as an underlying cause of megaesophagus.

ACTH stimulation test

A diagnostic test performed to rule out Addison's disease in patients presenting with megaesophagus.

Free T4 level

A blood test used to screen for hypothyroidism as a possible systemic cause of esophageal dilation.

EMG/nerve conduction

Diagnostic imaging/testing used to evaluate for underlying polymyopathy or polyneuropathy.

Cisapride

A GI motility medication that aids in gastric emptying to reduce esophageal reflux, although it does not affect the motility of the esophagus itself.

Proton pump inhibitors

A class of gastric acid reducers, including pantoprazole and omeprazole, used to help decrease acid reflux in megaesophagus patients.

H2 receptor blockers

A class of medications, such as famotidine and ranitidine, used as gastric acid reducers to manage esophageal reflux.

German shepherd, miniature schnauzer, and fox terrier

Dog breeds with a recognized congenital predilection for megaesophagus that may experience spontaneous improvement.

Vascular ring anomaly

A condition that must be ruled out in puppies presenting with signs of megaesophagus.

Ketamine and xylazine

Drugs that are known to potentially cause temporary megaesophagus.

Aspiration pneumonia

A frequent secondary complication of megaesophagus, best visualized on VD thoracic radiographs, and the most common cause of death for affected animals.

Bailey Chair

A specialized device used to maintain a dog in an upright position during and after feeding to manage megaesophagus.

Pancreatitis Clinical Presentation

An acute, chronic, or subclinical condition characterized by a history of dietary indiscretion, a high-fat diet, or blunt abdominal trauma.

Pancreatitis Symptoms

Clinical signs include

vomiting

anorexia

diarrhea

abdominal pain

weakness

dehydration.

Drug-Induced Pancreatitis Risk Factors

A medication history involving

KBr

azathioprine

L-asparaginase

phenobarbital

thiazide diuretics.

Miniature schnauzers

The breed of dog that is overrepresented in cases of pancreatitis.

SNAP canine pancreatic lipase (cPL)

A very sensitive patient-side test used in the diagnosis of pancreatitis.

Canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (Spec cPLI)

A test used to confirm a positive SNAP cPL that is highly sensitive and specific for both acute and chronic pancreatitis.

Ultrasonographic signs of pancreatitis

Enlarged hypoechoic pancreas

hyperechoic peripancreatic fat

fluid around the pancreas.

Lipase and amylase diagnostic value

A 4-5X elevation is suggestive only, with approximately 50% sensitivity and specificity.

Pancreatitis Pain Management

Treatment involves medications such as opioids or lidocaine CRI.

Anti-nausea medications

Maropitant (Cerenia), ondansetron, and dolasetron.

Nutritional support for pancreatitis

Enteral nutritional support using an ultra-low-fat diet, provided there is no intractable vomiting.

Systemic complications affecting prognosis

Factors associated with a worse prognosis include

multiple organ failure

acidosis

hypocalcemia

peritonitis

DIC.

Corticosteroids in pancreatitis

Medications that are no longer considered a cause of pancreatitis and are not contraindicated in its treatment.

Infectious tracheobronchitis

The formal medical term for Kennel cough, characterized by a highly contagious respiratory disease.

Classic clinical sign of Kennel cough

An acute-onset non-productive cough that may end in a retch, typically following exposure to a large number of other animals.

CPIV

Canine parainfluenza virus, one of the viral etiologies of infectious tracheobronchitis.

CAV-2

Canine adenovirus 2, a virus involved in the multi-etiology of Kennel cough.

Bordetella bronchiseptica

A primary bacterial pathogen in Kennel cough that can be identified via bacterial culture or PCR from swabs or airway washes.

Diagnostic imaging findings

Thoracic radiography may show signs of pneumonia if the Kennel cough infection is severe.

Hydrocodone and Butorphanol

Cough suppressants used to manage a persistent dry cough in uncomplicated cases of Kennel cough.