Pet Health Information, Pet Health Articles and Pet Health Guide for routine Pet Care.

Generalized Tremor Syndrome in Dogs

Shaker syndrome is a disorder which causes a dog’s entire body to shake. It is also known as idiopathic cerebellitis, which describes inflammation of the cerebellum (the part of the brain that is responsible for the coordination and regulation of voluntary muscular movement) for unknown reasons.

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Polycythemia in Cats

Polycythemia is a condition of the blood, characterized as an abnormal increase in the amount of red blood cells in the circulatory system. Polycythemia entails an increase in packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration (the red pigment of the blood cell), and in red blood cell (RBC) count, above the reference intervals, due to a relative, transient, or absolute increase in the number of circulating red blood cells. Erythropoiesis describes the production of red blood cells. It is stimulated by erythropoietin (EPO), a carbohydrate protein hormone which stimulates the production of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the bone marrow, and which is mainly produced in the kidneys in response to low levels of oxygen in the tissue.

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Baylisascariasis

The Baylisascaris procyonis larvae is found in a large part of the animal population, including humans – making this a zoonotic disease, meaning that it can be spread from an infected animal to other animal species, as well as to humans. Most commonly called “raccoon disease” because of its prevalence in the raccoon population, baylisascariasis comes from contact with raccoon feces, and from ingesting animal tissue that is infected with the B. procyonis parasite. This parasite is commonly referred to as roundworm. Raccoons are the optimal carriers of this worm, since the health of the raccoon is not adversely affected, making it the ideal host and disseminator of the parasite. The B. procyonis larvae is typically spread through the fecal material into the environment. Any contact with the feces, or with soil that has been used by an infected raccoon, may lead to systemic infection. Therefore, it is essential to practice methods of avoidance and caution in areas where raccoons are prevalent.

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Rectal Stricture in Cats

Rectal stricture occurs when a cat’s rectal or anal opening is constricted due to the presence of scar tissue from inflammation, a previous injury, or an aggressive cancer growth. This narrowing of the opening(s) obstructs the passage of stool, thereby resulting in issues with the cat’s digestive system. Rectal stricture is not hereditary.

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Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection in Chinchillas

In chinchillas, infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosais bacteria is the most common bacterial infection. This is mainly because Pseudomonas aeruginosa are mainly found in unclean environments, and when the immunity of the chinchillas is compromised or reduced, the bacteria gain an upper hand and cause disease. The infection may be passed by direct contact or contaminated fecal droppings. Young kits may get it by nursing from an infected mother.

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Pheochromocytoma

The adrenal gland is an endocrine gland in the belly that sits atop the kidney and several large blood vessels (aorta and vena cava). The adrenal gland is responsible for the regulation and distribution of several hormones, chief amongst them, cortisol and adrenaline, hormones that control the stress response and activate the fight or flight response when an animal is in danger. These hormones in turn help to control the heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate. Other hormones produced in the adrenal glands include testosterone, and aldosterone, a steroid hormone that regulates electrolyte concentrations.

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Urinary tract obstruction is a medical emergency causing the cat to strain while urinating, producing little or no urine each time. The obstruction may be due to inflammation or compression on the urethra, or simply a blockage. Treatment is available and the prognosis of this issue will depend on the severity of the obstruction.

Urinary tract obstruction occurs mostly in male cats, but dogs and female cats may also be affected. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects dogs, please visit this page in the PetMD library.

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Polioencephalomyelitis in Cats

Polioencephalomyelitis is a non-suppurative meningoencephalomyelitis(non-draining inflammation of the gray matter of the brain and spinal cord). This condition causes nerve degeneration, and demyelination (degeneration of the sheath surrounding the nerve) of the neurons in the thoracic spinal cord (upper back). Lesions can also be seen in the cervical spinal cord (neck), lumbar spinal cord (lower back), brainstem (base of the brain), and the cerebrum (the largest part of the brain).

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Nonmetastatic Oral Masses Arising from Periodontal Connective Tissue in Dogs

Epulides are tumors or tumor-like masses on an animal’s gums, which do not come from the teeth. They appear early on as small masses sprouting from the gum, which seem to hang from a stalk, and often displace tooth structures as they expand. Most epulides stick to the bone, do not have a capsule, and have a smooth to slightly nodular surface. They do not spread but may deform the face.

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Constipation and Obstipation

Infrequent, incomplete, or difficult defecation, with passage of hard or dry bowel movements (feces) is medically referred to as constipation. Obstipation is pronounced constipation that is difficult to manage or does not respond to medical treatment. Obstipation is caused by chronic constipation, prolonged retention of hard, dry bowel movement; defecation becomes impossible in patients with this condition.

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