Dog Health

John Williams asked:


Prostate tumor or growth is responsible for more cases of prostate gland problems in dogs. Continue reading this article to find out more about this condition.

The symptoms of Dog Prostate cancer includes the following:

1. The dog may have fever and a lack of appetite

2. The urine will have a pink tinge to it and it may have blood in it as well

3. The dog will usually pass urine in short intermittent spurts.

4. The dog will have stiff back legs and may take shorter strides

5. The dog may walk with an arched back.

The most common cause of prostate problems in dogs is a prostatic tumor and other conditions having similar symptoms are highly unlikely.

The prostate gland is found inside the urethra it is an almost spherical gland and is relatively small. It produces fluids to carry and feed sperm during the dogs mating process.

A prostatic tumor will result in inflammation of the prostate gland and as it continues to grow it will push against the wall of the urethra thus making it very painful for the dog to urinate.

If you suspect that your dog has prostate cancer you should consult your vet as soon as possible because it will continue to inflict pain onto your dog and will have to be removed in order to make sure that the dog returns to normal health.

In order to confirm whether the dog has prostate cancer or not the vet will take X-rays, conduct ultrasound scans and may even pass a camera into the affected area of the dog.

Once confirmed, the tumor will have to be removed as soon as possible through surgery but before the vet goes ahead and performs it they may want to confirm whether or not the cancerous tumor had spread to other parts of the body. This will be done by same methods as were used to check for the tumor in the first place. These include x-rays, ultrasound scans and passing a camera through the affected areas.

Complications arise depending on how long the tumor has been growing for. It may be impossible to remove the tumor safely if it has grown excessively and is near organs or vital body parts.

Most vets will still try to remove the tumor first and then use chemotherapy and radiation to remove the remaining cancerous cells. A histopathologist will decide the type of therapy depending on the samples given to them.



Ximena

Michael Lee asked:


Dog owners have always been baffled by some of the biggest questions about dog health. Getting the right answers is on top of their priority list and will definitely help them take better care of their pets. Here are a few frequently asked questions about dog health.

Question #1: How can I tell if my dog is sick?

As with humans, it’s usually fairly easy to tell if your pet is sick. But of course, you have to be certain before you take action. However, unlike humans, who are able to inform you right away when they’re not feeling well, animals will require your most careful observation and attention.

Take note of any changes in his daily routine, no matter how small it might be. Observe his appetite level, his liquid consumption, urinary frequency, general appearance, sudden weight loss, and drops in energy level. Does he refuse his food completely? Is he vomiting? Does he limp or have difficulty getting around? If your dog shows an alarming change in behavior, then it’s time you took him to the vet.

Question #2: How often should I have my dog checked at the vet?

Annual physical checkups are advisable for dogs. It should be more frequent than that if your dog is still very young, or has a medical condition that needs constant monitoring. Around age six, you should start taking him twice yearly so that any health problems that may come with age may be detected and prevented from worsening, and that the right course of action may be taken to ensure good and continued health as he matures.

Question #3: Should I have my dog neutered/spayed?

Unless you’re planning on putting up a breeding facility, it is highly recommended that your dog be neutered (if it is a male) or spayed (if female) once it has reached six months of age.

This makes them less aggressive. It also boosts their health. A male’s chances of getting prostate and testicular cancer falls to almost zero, while the same rate holds true for females getting mammary cancer.

Spaying significantly cuts down their risk of contracting a form of diabetes, as well as womb infections or pyometra. On a more practical and humane note, it prevents overpopulation or the swelling in numbers of poor, unwanted puppies in rescue shelters.

Moreover, it saves you the trouble of having to deal with the horde of male dogs trooping to your house each time your female dog is in heat.

Question #4: What do I do if my dog drools excessively?

It’s perfectly normal for dogs to drool; it’s in their nature. But relative to his size, a good tip would be to take note of whether or not there is a sudden increase in his salivary output as this might be a sign of periodontal disease, tongue injuries, or even cysts, in which case you must take him to see the vet immediately.

Question #5: How do I deal with ear mites?

Before using your vet’s prescribed ear mite medication, first clean off the deposit of hardened debris in your dog’s ear by applying some drops of baby oil in the ear canal and letting it stand for a few hours.

Once the coating has softened, you can flush it away with vinegar and distilled water (avoid tap water) in equal parts using a rubber ear-cleaning syringe. Do this with extra care as too much pressure will cause pain.

Once clean, apply a few drops of the medication; after which, gently massage the ear’s base for a few minutes so that the medicine can be properly absorbed into the affected area.

Don’t forget to read the medicine’s instructions first before applying. When in doubt about the procedure, your vet could always do the cleaning and medicating for you, though it would be advantageous for both you and your pet if you knew how to do it yourself.

Observing your vet during this process can give you a good idea how to handle this situation. Remember that it is easy for your dog to catch ear mites from other dogs. If you happen to have two or more dogs in your household, it’s definitely wise to observe them and see if they could possibly be infected by ear mites, too.

To get more answers to your other problems and questions about dog health, pay a visit to your veterinarian and he/she will be able to assist you with your concerns.



Marisa