Canine Health And Care Glossary

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N
O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A [back to top]

acepromazine - one of the most commonly used tranquilizers in veterinary medicine.

acne - typically it shows up as bumps on a dog's chin that resemble those seen with acne in people. *** Home Remedy for Acne ***

addison's disease - the pituitary gland produces a hormone that triggers the adrenal gland to produce corticosteroids. If there is a problem with the adrenal gland, or a pituitary tumor, the process breaks down and not enough corticosteroids are produced. Characterized by weakness, weight loss, anorexia, and fatigue.

acral lick granulomas - Lick granuloma.

adenovirus - (ADD-no-VY-rus) The two strains of adenovirus, type-1 and type-2, cause infectious hepatitis and respiratory infection, respectively. Most adult dogs can recover from hepatitis, but puppies often can't. Adenovirus type-1 can cause fever, diarrhea, and severe liver, kidney and eye damage. Adenovirus type-2 can contribute to respiratory disease (canine cough).

allergy - immunological hypersensitivity to certain foreign antigens.

anal glands - On either side of the anus of the dog is situated an anal gland.

anemia - reduction of red blood cells or hemoglobin.

animal CPR

antifreeze poisoning - Every year about 10,000 dogs and cats are victims of accidental poisoning by automobile antifreeze.

aortic stenosis – obstruction of the blood flowing from the left ventricle to the aorta.

arthritis - inflammation of a joint. Caused by abnormal stress on a normal joint, or by normal stress on an abnormal joint. Polyarthritis is immune mediated, and is arthritis in multiple joints.

B

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behavior problems

bloat - Bloat, Torsion. Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). Call it what you will, this is a serious, life-threatening condition of large breed dogs. While the diagnosis is simple, the pathological changes in the dog's body make treatment complicated, expensive, and not always successful.

bordetella - Bordetella (Kennel Cough) in dogs is similar to the common cold in humans.

brucellosis - Canine Sexually Transmitted Disease.

C

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Campylobacteriosis - a BACTERIAL imbalance in the digestive tract, commonly mistaken for Parvovirus.

cancer – a group of diseases caused by transformation of normal cells into malignant ones.

canine acupuncture - 'Dogs can get needled back to good health'.

cataracts - Loss of transparency of the lens of the eye.

cleft palate - a congenital split involving the hard or soft palate in the mouth. May cause nasal regurgitation in newborns. Known to be inherited in some breeds, may also be caused by environmental factors.

cherry eye - Where the gland under the third eyelid protrudes and looks rather like a cherry in the corner of the eye. . . . more cherry eye

chocolate - Dogs and chocolate.

colitis - Diarrhea is a common condition that almost every dog owner will experience at some point.

congenital - present at birth. May or may not be inherited from parents and may or may not be passed on to off-spring.

congestive heart failure - Heart failure is a condition caused by an abnormality in the structure or the function of the heart.

conjunctivitis - You will need to obtain a cream from your vet to apply to the affected eye, repeated bouts of conjunctivitis can cause the dog to retract the eyeball which in severe cases can lead to entropian.

cryptorchid – an animal with one or two undescended testicles.

Cushing's disease in dogs - More accurately known as hyperadrenocorticism is the condition which occurs when the body produces too much hormone, particularly corticosteroids or cortisol.

cystitis – inflammation of the urinary bladder.

cyst – a closed sac of fluid or semi-solid substance. Generally harmless, but in some cases they may become malignant.

D

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demodectic mange – skin disease characterized by hair loss particularly on the head, face, neck, shoulders and the front of the forelegs. Caused by the demodex mite which is normally found on the skin of most dogs, but due to an abnormality of the immune system, the body overreacts to its presence. It can be treated, but it is occasionally resistant to treatment.

dental care - typical canine dental problems.

diabetes insipidus – inadequate secretion of, or resistance to the effects of, antidiuretic hormone (ADH or Vasopressin).

distemper - Distemper is a highly contagious disease affecting dogs and wild carnivores, and is caused by a paramyxovirus.

Distichiasis - the abnormal growth of an eyelash from the meibomian glands along the eyelid margin.

dyspnea - Respiratory distress, difficult breathing, or shortness of breath.

E

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ear infection - Chronic ear infections typically have an underlying cause (usually allergy). It is important to address this problem in addition to the infection itself to minimize on-going ear inflammation.

ear care - canine ear care.

ear mites - dog and cat ear mites.

ectopic cilia – hairs on the inside of the eyelids causing irritation to the eye.

elongated soft palate - the soft palate is abnormally long and causes breathing problems.

entropion – eyelids turn inward causing hair to irritate the surface of the eye. Normally requires surgical correction, and sometimes requires multiple surgeries.

epilepsy – abnormal electrical function of the brain causing disturbances of the nervous system.

F

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fading puppy syndrome – an apparently normal puppy gradually weakens and dies within a week or two of birth. Not a specific disorder, but generally applied to infectious causes.

fibrosarcoma – a malignant tumor arising from collagen-producing fibroblasts (an immature fiber-producing cell of connective tissue).

food allerigies -

flea season -

G

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H

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head tremoring -

heartworm -

hematoma – localized collection of blood, a lump.

hernias - A hernia is a protrusion or bulge of a part of the body tissue, fat, or an organ through an abnormal opening of the surrounding tissues.

hip dysplasia - improper development of the hip joint.

home safe home - potential houshold hazards.

hot spots - inflammation of the skin, dermatitis. Frequently caused by flea bites, or a hypersensitivity to an allergen. Can also be caused by bacteria building up in an area that the dog bites or scratches. Some have linked it to the dog having wet fur for prolonged periods of time.

hydrocephalus - accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the skull, which diminishes the size of the brain (water on the brain).

I

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idiopathic – no known cause.

incontinence – inability to control urination and/or defecation.

intussuception – the intestine telescopes on itself, causing a blockage.

irritable bowel syndrome – soft or watery feces, often with mucus. Associated with stress. Also called colitis.

J

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K

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kennel cough - otherwise known as 'infectious tracheobronchitis'.

L

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lacerations - a wound produced by the tearing of body tissue.

lateral torsion – twisted or rotated out.

leukemia – a cancerous proliferation of one of the subsets of White Blood Cells.

lyme disease - Lyme disease is a clinical disorder caused by a microscopic organism, spread by ticks.

M

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malignant –tending to become progressively worse and result in death.

mange -

mastitis – inflammation of the mammary gland, usually due to bacterial infection.

megaesophagus – overly enlarged esophagus causing buildup of food and saliva and regurgitation. Associated with aspirative pneumonia from an early age.

meningitis – not a disease, but a symptom, the inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, the meninges. This can be caused by bacteria, virus, fungi, or chemical toxins.

mitral stenosis – narrowing of the mitral valve that separates the left atrium and the left ventricle.

mitral valve defect – a defect in the heart valve that separates the left atrium and the left ventricle.

murmur – an abnormal heart sound associated with the opening or closing of a heart valve. This may indicate a structural or functional abnormality.

N

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O

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obesity -

optic nerve hypoplasia – incomplete development of the optic nerve.

P

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pancreatitis – inflammation of the pancreas due to a variety of causes such as infections and drugs.

pica – chronic eating of non-food materials.

polyarteritis nodosa – an inflammatory disease of small and medium sized arteries.

progressive retinal atrophy, PRA – any of a number of inherited diseases of the eye leading to blindness.

prostatitis – inflammation of the prostate gland.

pulmonary artery stenosis – narrowing of the outflow from the lungs.

puppy formula -

puppy vaccination schedule - complete schedule for worming, vaccinations and other tests

puppy viruses -

pyoderma – any purulent (containing or forming pus) skin disease.

pyometra – pus accumulation in the uterus, normally caused by bacterial infection.

Q

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R

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rabies -

raw food diet -

recessive - requires a copy of the gene from both parents to exhibit the trait.

ringworm -

roundworm -

S

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sarcoptic mange - skin disease characterized by extreme itching, hair loss, and secondary infection. Usually widespread, but often seen on the belly and inner thighs. Can be treated, but spreads easily.

sebaceous adenitis – inflammation of the sebaceous glands (found at the base of hair follicles).

seborrhea – abnormal secretion of the sebaceous glands at the base of hair follicles causing anything from dandruff to greasy scales and crust.

skin and allergy - Dogs suffer from many problems, which affect their skin.

spay/neuter surgery -

spina bifida - A developmental abnormality where some vertebra are malformed thereby exposing the spinal cord.

spinal myelopathy – disease of the myelin, or covering (sheath) of the spinal nerves (the spinal cord).

staphylococcus, staph – a type of bacteria. Normally found on the skin and upper respiratory tract, but can occasionally cause localized suppurating infection.

stenosis – a narrowing or contraction of an opening.

stones – a mass, usually formed from mineral salts, occurring within the hollow organs: kidney, gallbladder, urinary bladder.

subaortic stenosis – narrowing of the aorta just below the semilunar valves. Severity increases with age.

swimmer puppies - This is a condition of 'so called' flat chested puppies.

T

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tapeworm -

ticks -

thyroid – the largest of the hormone secreting (endocrine) glands located in the neck; it regulates metabolism.

toxic plants - quick reference guide to the more common house and garden plants and foods that are toxic to most all animals.

tricuspid valve defect – a defect in the heart valve that separates the right atrium and the right ventricle.

U

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uveodermatologic syndrome, Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like syndrome – depigmentation of the skin and hair, and of the nose, lips, eyelids, footpads and anus.

urinary tract infections

V

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vaginal hyperplasia - an overgrowth of tissues of the vagina (polyps).

von Willebrand’s disease – deficiency of coagulation factor VIII causing prolonged bleeding time. This can be an autosomal dominant trait, but Bernese Mountain Dogs have Type I, which is an autosomal recessive trait.

W

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water puppy treatment

winterizing your dog

worms -

wrinkles - cleaning bulldog face wrinkles.

X

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Y

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Z

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zygoma - malar bone, cheek bone.