home Audience 2 Acute cerebrovascular accidents in dogs. Cardiomyopathy in dogs: types, causes, symptoms and treatment

Acute cerebrovascular accidents in dogs. Cardiomyopathy in dogs: types, causes, symptoms and treatment

RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS

COUGH

Definition. Coughing is a sharp reflex exhalation aimed at removing mucus and foreign bodies from the respiratory tract. It can be wet and dry, superficial and deep, sharp and chronic cough. Sometimes a cough turns from a defensive reaction into a pathological one.
Causes. Respiratory tract diseases: tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, bronchial asthma, foreign body, bronchiectasis, helminths, tumor, compression of the trachea and bronchi.
Lung diseases: pneumonia, abscess, tumor, edema, pulmonary hypertension, pleurisy. Heart disease: left ventricular failure.
Most often, cough is observed with tracheobronchitis and pneumonia.
Dog owners may mistake coughing and expectoration movements for vomiting.
Symptomatic therapy. Antitussives (libexin, codeine), bronchospasmolytics (ephedrine, aminophylline), mucolytics (mucaltin, terpinhydrate, bromhexine) are used. For allergic origin - antihistamines (diprazine, suprastin, diphenhydramine) and glucocorticoids (prednisolone, triamcinolone).

Nosebleeding

HEMOPTYSIS

INTENSE BREATHING (SHORTHENE)

SNEEZING AND RUNNY NOSE

Definition. Sneezing is a sharp reflex exhalation through the nose, aimed at removing mucus and foreign particles from the nasal cavities. Runny nose - discharge of serous, mucopurulent or mucohemorrhagic exudate from the nostrils. It usually happens bilaterally.
Causes. Sneezing occurs when the nasal mucosa is irritated external factors(microorganisms, viruses, irritants, foreign particles) and internal (immune complexes).
The main causes of a runny nose: viral infections, bacterial infections, mycoses, foreign body, tumor, trauma, pneumonia.
Most often, a runny nose occurs with viral infections (canine distemper, adenovirus).
Sometimes liquid food is expelled through the nostrils. This pathology occurs with non-closure of the hard palate, cricopharyngeal achalasia (in puppies), achalasia cardia, esophageal diverticulum.
Symptomatic therapy. For serous exudate, no treatment is required. If the exudate is mucopurulent, drops of dexamethasone with neomycin, Sofradex, 2% solution are instilled into the nose boric acid, 0.1% etonium solution, 0.5% zinc solution sulfate, 2% solution of collargol or protargol; carefully lubricate the nasal mucosa from the inside with 5% syntomycin liniment, 1% erythromycin, polymyxin ointments.

DIGESTIVE SYMPTOMS

SWALLOWING DISORDER (DYSPHAGIA)

Definition. Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder due to morphological, mechanical or functional disorders in the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, brain, cranial nerves.
Causes: non-union of the hard palate, foreign body in oral cavity or pharynx, cricopharyngeal achalasia, obstruction of the esophagus due to foreign body entry, narrowing, tumor; esophageal diverticulum, esophageal rupture, achalasia cardia, esophageal reflux, myasthenia gravis, rabies.
Most often, dysphagia occurs due to foreign body entry.
Symptomatic therapy. Until the cause of the swallowing disorder is eliminated, parenteral nutrition is prescribed: intravenously or subcutaneously 5% glucose solution V daily dose up to 40 ml/kg (preferably add 1 unit of insulin per 100 ml solution), hydrolysine solution; intravenously - alvezin, lipofundin.

CONSTIPATION

Definition. Constipation (constipation, obstipation) is a long delay in emptying the large intestine.
Causes. The immediate causes of constipation are: intestinal atony, foreign body in the intestine, narrowing of the intestinal lumen and anus, reflex delay in defecation. Constipation occurs in the following conditions and diseases: injury and tumor of the spinal cord, intussusception, poisoning with heavy metals, anticholinergics, adrenergic agonists, anesthetics; foreign body in the intestine, coprolites, intestinal and prostate tumors, proctitis, paraanal sinusitis, gluing of fur around the anus with feces.
Most often, constipation occurs due to dogs eating a large number of bones, especially bird bones, as well as due to painful defecation due to stagnation of the secretion of the paraanal glands and paraanal sinusitis.
Symptomatic therapy. First of all, if there are no contraindications, the dog is given an enema. If there is no effect, laxatives are used: herbal (buckthorn bark), saline (sodium and magnesium sulfate), oil ( Castor oil, sunflower, olive, vaseline), synthetic (purgen, bisacodyl). If constipation is caused by coprolite located in the rectum, then the oil is injected into the rectum, and the coprolite is removed through the anus. To relieve spasms of smooth muscles, no-shpa, baralgin, and perinephric novocaine blockade are used. When the lumen of the excretory ducts of the paraanal glands is blocked, their contents are squeezed out by hand. After defecation, the dog is given rectal suppositories Anestezol, Anuzol, Proctosedyl, with glycerin, into the rectum 3 times a day.

HICCUP

Definition. Hiccups are involuntary, frequently repeated inhalations associated with contraction of the diaphragm.
Causes: overeating, dry food, helminthic infestation, pancreatitis and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, damage to the central nervous system.
Most often, hiccups occur in puppies when they overeat and helminthic infestation.
Symptomatic tera pia is usually not required.
An attack of hiccups can be stopped by administering metoclopramide (cerucal), as well as tranquilizers (tazepam, seduxen) and neuroleptics (aminazine, etaprazine).

BLOOD IN STOOL

Definition. Blood in stool is an admixture of blood in stool. Blood may be discharged from the anus regardless of bowel movements. The further the source of bleeding is from the rectum and closer to the stomach, the darker the color of the stool. With diarrhea, the stool turns red, regardless of the location of the bleeding.
Causes: nonspecific gastritis, enteritis, colitis, proctitis, stomach ulcers and duodenum, infectious diseases ( parvovirus enteritis, adenoviral infections, leptospirosis), helminthiasis, cystoisosporosis, allergies, poisoning, tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, K- and C-avitaminosis, hemorrhagic diathesis, hemorrhoids, coprolites.
The most common causes of blood in the stool are parvovirus enteritis and an allergic reaction.
Symptomatic therapy. Calcium chloride is administered intravenously, calcium gluconate, Vicasol, vitamin C, mesaton are administered intramuscularly (can be rectally). Astringents are prescribed internally. For allergies, antihistamines (diphenhydramine, diprazine), glucocorticoids (intramuscular prednisolone or dexamethasone), and adrenergic agonists (adrenaline, ephedrine, mezaton) are prescribed.

INCREASED APPETITE

Definition. Increased appetite (bulimia) - the desire to eat large amounts of food. Not always accompanied by obesity.
Causes: preliminary fasting, diabetes mellitus, condition after an epileptic seizure, encephalitis, helminthiasis.
Symptomatic therapy not developed.

EATING INEDIBLE OBJECTS

Definition. Eating inedible objects (allotriophagy) - the desire to lick or swallow inedible objects.
It can be physiological in puppies, especially during teething, and sometimes in adult dogs.
Causes: deficiency of microelements, especially calcium and phosphorus; hypo- and avitaminosis, rickets, gastritis, enteritis, liver disease, the onset of parvovirus enteritis and adenoviral infections, helminthiases, rabies.
Most often it occurs with rickets and helminthic infestation.
Symptomatic therapy: in the absence of contraindications, tranquilizers and antipsychotics are sometimes used.

DIARRHEA ACUTE

Definition. Acute diarrhea (diarrhea) - discharge of liquid feces for up to 2 weeks.
Causes. Immediate causes of diarrhea - increased peristalsis intestines and dilution of its contents due to decreased absorption of water from the intestines into the blood, or increased secretion of moisture into the intestinal lumen. Acute diarrhea occurs with the following diseases and conditions: acute nonspecific enteritis and pancreatitis, parvovirus, coronavirus, rotavirus, plague enteritis; adenoviral hepatitis, salmonellosis, colibacillosis, staphylococcosis, yersiniosis, helminthiasis, cystoisosporosis, poisoning with organophosphorus compounds, heavy metals and other poisons; acute liver failure, hypoadrenocorticism. Short-term diarrhea occurs when feeding low-quality feed, sometimes milk and fat.
Symptomatic therapy. Skip 1-2 feedings. Water is given ad libitum. You can give slightly sweetened weak tea instead of water.
Astringents are prescribed: decoctions and infusions of St. John's wort, sage, burnet rhizomes, bloodroot, serpentine, blueberry fruits, alder fruits, pomegranate peels. Set rice and oat broth, Activated carbon. The use of antimicrobial agents is indicated: biseptol, phthalazole, chloramphenicol, polymyxin M sulfate. For dehydration, isotonic sodium chloride solution, Ringer's solution, 5% glucose solution, "Rehydron" are prescribed orally, intravenously, subcutaneously. If blood appears in stool Prescribe drugs that increase blood clotting (see "Blood in the stool").

CHRONIC DIARRHEA

Definition. Chronic diarrhea (diarrhea) - frequent discharge of liquid feces for more than 2 weeks.
Causes: chronic gastritis, chronic enteritis, chronic colitis, pancreatitis, uremia, Salmonella, Proteus, staphylococcal infection; helminthiasis, cystoisosporosis, intestinal dysbiosis, chronic intoxication, neoplasm, obstructive jaundice, intestinal dyskinesia, digestive enzyme deficiency, autoimmune diseases, A- and PP-vitaminosis.
Symptomatic therapy. Astringents are prescribed (see.
"Acute diarrhea"), dermatol, chalk, activated charcoal, probiotics (lactobacterin, bifidumbacterin, bificol), enzyme preparations (festal, panzinorm, solizym, digestal), biseptol, chloramphenicol, salazopyridazine, salazodimethoxin, trichopolum, nystatin, multivitamins, carsil, sirepar, essentiale

VOMIT

Definition. Vomiting is a reflex act of expelling the contents of the stomach (sometimes the duodenum) through the esophagus and mouth to the outside. Vomiting is usually preceded by nausea and drooling. In dogs it occurs easily even with minor vomiting stimuli.
Vomiting occurs with direct stimulation of the vomiting center, as well as with irritation of sensitive nerve endings gastrointestinal tract and other organs. Prolonged vomiting causes the dog's body to lose water and electrolytes.
Causes. Infectious diseases: parvovirus enteritis, coronavirus enteritis, infectious hepatitis, leptospirosis, canine distemper (rare), salmonellosis. Helminth infections, cystoisosporosis, nonspecific enteritis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, peritonitis, gastritis, lesions of the central nervous system, allergic conditions, foreign body in the gastrointestinal tract, coprolites, intestinal obstruction, poisoning, acetonemia, pyometra, tumors, diaphragmatic hernia, strangulated umbilical hernia, uremia, hypoadrenocorticism, overeating, motion sickness.
Short-term vomiting, not associated with other symptoms, occurs when overeating, motion sickness, or eating inedible objects.
Constant and periodically recurring vomiting more often occurs with parvovirus enteritis, infectious hepatitis, and helminthiasis.
Symptomatic therapy. In case of poisoning, antiemetics are not prescribed. In other cases, metoclopramide, atropine sulfate, platyphylline hydrotartrate, diazepam, etaprazine, diprazine, aminazine, analgin, diphenhydramine are used. In case of dehydration, solutions of glucose, Ringer, sodium chloride, etc. are administered orally, rectally, intravenously, subcutaneously.

VOMITING BLOODY

Definition. Vomiting bloody - vomiting with blood mixed in the vomit.
Causes. Parvovirus enteritis, leptospirosis, infectious hepatitis, helminthiasis, foreign body, allergies, poisoning (heavy metals, rodent control agents, analgesics: aspirin, indomethacin, brufen, butadione), gastric ulcer, hypoadrenocorticism, tumors, autoimmune thrombocytopenia.
Most often, bloody vomiting occurs with parvovirus enteritis, poisoning and immediate hypersensitivity.
Symptomatic therapy. In addition to antiemetics (see "Vomiting"), hemostatic agents are prescribed: calcium preparations, vikasol, adrenaline, mezaton, ephedrine, orally - astringents (tannin, alum, decoctions and infusions of sage, St. John's wort, bloodroot, burnet, etc.) . For allergic origin - antihistamines (diphenhydramine, diprazine), glucocorticoids (prednisolone, dexamethasone), glucose.

SKIN SYMPTOMS

HYPERKERATOSIS

Definition. Hyperkeratosis is excessive local keratinization and thickening of the skin and nasal planum.
Causes: carnivore plague, demodicosis, epitheliotropic viruses, autoimmune conditions, delayed-type hypersensitivity, A- and H-hypovitaminosis, deficiency of microelements (including zinc), mechanical irritation of the skin on the elbow and hock joints, idiopathies.
Symptomatic therapy. Prescribe multivitamins and microelements. Ointments containing glucocorticoids (not used for demodicosis) and propolis are used locally. Inside, glucocorticoids (prednisolone, triamcinolone, dexamethasone), raw chicken egg yolks, multivitamins containing biotin.

ITCHY

Baldness (ALOPECIA)

Definition. Baldness (alopecia) is local or widespread hair loss. Baldness does not include seasonal and childbirth-related shedding, as well as congenital, hereditary hairlessness. Baldness is often accompanied by skin itching.
Causes. The immediate causes of pathological hair loss are inflammatory and dystrophic processes in hair follicles. Baldness occurs with the following diseases and conditions: ringworm, scabies, demodicosis, allergic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, eczema, autoimmune conditions, contact dermatitis, toxic dermatitis, pyoderma, hyperadrenocorticism, H-hypovitaminosis, stress.
Most often, baldness occurs due to the development of allergic (atopic) dermatitis caused by fleas and lice, and is localized along the spine, especially on the sacrum.
Symptomatic therapy: cm. " Skin symptoms. Itching."
Additionally, multivitamin preparations containing biotin and raw chicken egg yolks are prescribed.

Cyanosis (CYANOSIS)

Definition. Cyanosis (cyanosis) - coloring of non-pigmented skin and mucous membranes in pale or bluish color due to a decrease in the concentration of oxidized hemoglobin in the blood and, accordingly, an increase in the concentration of reduced hemoglobin, less often methemoglobin and sulfhemoglobin. The cyanosis is best seen on the conjunctiva of the eye and gums.
Causes: decreased pulmonary ventilation ( obstructive bronchitis, bronchial asthma, atelectasis), decreased oxygen diffusion and carbon dioxide through the wall of the alveoli (pneumonia, pulmonary edema, pneumosclerosis), deterioration of blood supply to the lungs (heart failure, thromboembolism pulmonary artery), violation venous outflow, poisoning with poisons that have an affinity for hemoglobin (nitrites, nitrates, aniline, phenacetin).
Symptomatic therapy: oxygen therapy, cordiamine, sulfocamphocaine, camphor, adrenergic agonists (mesaton, ephedrine).

RASH

Definition. Rash (exanthema) is the appearance on the skin of areas that have changed color or shape. Rashes include: spot (macula) - a limited, imperceptible change in skin color during palpation, associated mainly with dilation of capillaries or hemorrhage; blister (urtica) - a cavityless protrusion of the skin resulting from swelling of the dermis; bubble (bulla) - a protrusion of skin with a cavity, larger than a pea; vesicle (vesicle) - a protrusion of skin with a cavity, the size of a pinhead to a pea; abscess (pustule) - having a cavity filled with pus, a protrusion of the skin, up to the size of a pea; nodule (papule) - a cavityless protrusion of the skin resulting from inflammatory infiltration, hyperkeratosis, papillomatosis, acanthosis, etc.; node (nodus) - large, the size of a chicken egg, cavity-free formation in subcutaneous tissue.
Causes. Various types of rashes occur in dogs with the following diseases: canine distemper, tuberculosis, leptospirosis, streptococcal and staphylococcal infections, dermatomycosis, helminthiasis, arachno-entomosis, autoimmune and allergic conditions, papillomatosis, tumors, dermatitis, eczema.
Symptomatic therapy. Antiseptics are used (diamond green, gentian violet, potassium permanganate, chlorhexidine bigluconate), antibiotics, salicylic acid, zinc oxide, anti-inflammatory drugs.

JAUNDICE

Definition. Jaundice is a yellow coloration of the skin, sclera, and mucous membranes due to a sharp increase in the concentration of bilirubin in the blood.
Causes. The immediate causes of jaundice are impaired uptake, conjugation and excretion of bilirubin by the liver, as well as its excessive formation due to hemolysis.
Jaundice occurs with the following diseases and conditions: piroplasmosis, leptospirosis, infectious hepatitis, toxic hepatitis, allergic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, opisthorchiasis and other helminthiases, cholelithiasis, pancreatitis, tumors, poisoning.
Symptomatic therapy: diuretics, glucocorticoids, antihistamines, vitohepat, sirepar, LIV-52, vikasol, lipamide, glucose, essentiale, ascorbic acid. For vomiting - metoclopramide, atropine sulfate.

URINARY SYMPTOMS

BLOOD IN URINE (HEMATURIA AND HEMOGLOBINURIA)

URINATION IS FREQUENT OR DIFFICULT (DYSURIA)

Definition. Dysuria- frequent, difficult or painful urination. At the same time, urine is released in small portions.
Causes: urocystitis, prostatitis, urethritis, vaginitis, stones in the ureter and bladder, tumors of the prostate, bladder, urethra, penis, vagina.
Symptomatic therapy. Heat is applied locally to the bladder area in the absence of blood in the urine. The administration of antispasmodics (atropine, papaverine, no-spa), analgesics (analgin, aspirin, paracetamol) is indicated. It is better to use drugs that combine antispasmodic and analgesic effects: baralgin, trigan, maxigan, spasmalgin.

URINARY INCONTINENCE

Definition. Urinary incontinence(urinary incontinence) - involuntary urination.
Causes.Urine incontinence in dogs can be caused by nervous excitement, for example, in males in the presence of a female in heat, as well as when the bladder is full, and is physiological. Pathological urinary incontinence occurs in the following diseases and conditions: diseases of the brain and spinal cord, damage to the spinal nerves, urethral stones and tumors, cystitis.
Symptomatic therapy. For urinary incontinence associated with emotional arousal, sedatives (valerian preparations, tranquilizers) are sometimes used. In other cases, etiotropic therapy is indicated. You should not limit the amount of water your dog consumes.

INCREASED THIRSTY AND URINATION (POLYDIPSIA AND POLYURIA)

Definition. Increased thirst andurination (polydipsia and polyuria)- increased water consumption and increased urine output. These two symptoms are usually related, and either the first or the second may be primary. The density of urine and the intensity of its color are usually reduced.
Causes: glomerulonephritis, nephrosclerosis, renal amyloidosis, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, hyperadrenocorticism, pyometra, reaction to drugs (diuretics, glucocorticoids), poisoning.
In older dogs, polyuria + polydipsia syndrome is most often associated with diabetes, in bitches - with pyometra.
Symptomatic therapy. Animals are provided Free access to the water. In case of prolonged polyuria-polydipsia, instead of water, in order to prevent disturbances in the water-salt balance, dogs are given physiological solutions or isotonic sodium chloride solution. Due to increased energy expenditure, animals are provided with a high-calorie diet.

DECREASE OR ABSENCE OF URINARY OUTLET (OLIGURIA AND ANURIA)

Definition.
Oliguria- long-term decrease in the volume of urine excreted. There are renal (renal) oliguria and extrarenal (extrarenal).
Anuria- cessation of urine output. Anuria can be secretory (cessation of urine formation) and excretory (cessation of urine flow into the bladder). Both symptoms characteristic of acute renal failure due to possible development uremia require urgent veterinary intervention.
Causes: leptospirosis, parvovirus enteritis, dehydration, poisoning with heavy metals, acids, sulfonamides, aminoglycosides, carbon tetrachloride and other exo- and endotoxins, heart failure, thrombosis and embolism of the renal vessels, massive blood loss, collapse, shock, chronic glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, autoimmune diseases, ureteral obstruction.
Symptomatic therapy. Caffeine, aminophylline, diuretics (furosemide), glucocorticoids (prednisolone, dexamethasone), intravenous 40% and subcutaneous 5% glucose solution are used. Peritoneal dialysis is indicated.

NERVE SYMPTOMS

AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR

LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS (FAINTING, COMA)

CONVASIONS

Definition. Convulsions- involuntary muscle contractions.
There are convulsions- generalized jerky contractions of body muscles; tonic spasms - slow, prolonged muscle contractions; clonic spasms - frequently repeated contractions and relaxations of muscles; epileptic seizure- an attack of generalized clonic-tonic convulsions accompanied by loss of consciousness.
Causes. Infectious diseases: canine distemper, rabies, tetanus; invasive diseases: toxoplasmosis, helminthiases; hypocalcemia, hypoparathyroidism, cerebral hypoxia, hyperthermia, cerebral edema, cerebral hemorrhages, brain tumors, hydrocephalus, encephalitis, poisoning, uremia.
In dogs, convulsions without loss of consciousness most often occur with hypocalcemia, hypoxia and helminthiasis, and convulsions with loss of consciousness occur with epilepsy.
Symptomatic therapy. During an attack, magnesium sulfate, ketamine hydrochloride, xylazine, diazepam, chlorpromazine, diprazine (and other antihistamines), sodium thiopental, and hexenal are used intramuscularly. During the interictal period, diphenin, carbamazepine, hexamidine, and clonazepam are prescribed. For hypoxia, oxygen therapy is used. For intoxication, hydrocephalus, uremia, cerebral edema - diuretics (furosemide). If hypocalcemic tetany is suspected (nursing bitch) - magnesium sulfate, calcium chloride (slow intravenously) and calcium gluconate, vitamin D.

OTHER SYMPTOMS

BLEEDING FROM THE VAGINA

Definition. Bleeding fromvagina- discharge from the vagina of uncoagulated blood, blood clots or an admixture of blood in the vaginal discharge. Blood is present in physiological quantities in vaginal discharge during estrus and after childbirth. In the vast majority of cases, the source of bleeding is in the uterus.
Causes: endometritis, tumors, follicular cysts, persistence of follicles, spontaneous abortion, postpartum uterine hypotension, trauma.
Symptomatic therapy. Uterotonic agents are used: oxytocin, pituitrin, cotarnine chloride, methylergometrine, ergotal, ergotamine hydrotartrate, pachycarpine hydroiodide, spherophysin benzoate. Drugs that contract the uterus are contraindicated during pregnancy. To increase blood clotting, Vikasol and calcium supplements are prescribed. Adrenergic agonists (mesaton, adrenaline, ephedrine), ascorbic acid and ascorutin narrow and strengthen blood vessels. For prolonged bleeding, it is prescribed orally herbal preparations: infusions and extracts of shepherd's purse, water pepper.

MULTIPLE BLEEDING (HEMORRHAGIC DIATHESIS)

Definition. Multiple bleeding (hemorrhagic diathesis)- tendency to bleeding and hemorrhage.
Causes.
1.Reduced blood clotting: hereditary deficiency of blood coagulation factors - II (hypoprothrombinemia), VII (hypoproconvertinemia), VIII (hemophilia A), IX (hemophilia B), X, XI; liver diseases leading to a deficiency of blood clotting factors; poisoning with anticoagulants - zoocides (zoocoumarin, etc.); overdose of drugs - anticoagulants (heparin, neodicoumarin); autoimmune deficiencies of blood coagulation factors; vitamin deficiency K, hypocoagulative phase of disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome.
2. Thrombocytopenia and thrombocytopathy: hereditary thrombocytopenia, autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura, splenomegalic thrombocytopenia, thrombasthenia, disaggregation thrombocytopathies, drug thrombocytopathies (aspirin, indomethacin, phenothiazine, etc.).
3.Increased capillary permeability: hemorrhagic vasculitis, infectious-allergic and toxigenic angiopathy.
Symptomatic therapy. Glucocorticoids (prednisolone, dexamethasone), Vicasol, calcium supplements, ascorbic acid, ascorutin are prescribed. Transfusion of fresh donated blood. In case of poisoning with anticoagulants - forced diuresis.

MOVEMENT DISORDERS (ATAXIA, ADINAMIA)

Definition. Ataxia- impaired coordination of movements, manifested, for example, by movement in a circle, unsteadiness of gait, falls. Adynamia- muscle weakness, manifested by stagnation.
Causes. Ataxia: internal otitis, neuritis of the VIII cranial nerve, head injury, tumor, hereditary pathology, poisoning, infectious and invasive diseases.
Adynamia: any diseases and conditions leading to exhaustion or loss of strength.
Symptomatic therapy. Ataxia: antibiotics, diuretics, anti-inflammatory drugs (prednisolone, piroxicam), vitamins B1, B6, B12, PP.
Adynamia: complete high-calorie feeding, glucose, Eleutherococcus and Leuzea extracts, multivitamins, riboxin, retabolil, proserine, strychnine nitrate.

PERIPHERAL EDEMA

Definition. Peripheral edema- excessive accumulation of fluid in soft tissues, mainly in the subcutaneous tissue of the chest, abdomen and limbs.
Causes.Asymmetrical local edema : trauma, infection, allergy, inflammation, compression of the limb, injection of large amounts of fluid, as well as irritating and necrotizing drugs, bites of poisonous animals.
Symmetrical swelling: increased hydrostatic venous pressure and deterioration of venous outflow due to heart failure; decrease in oncotic blood pressure due to loss of proteins in kidney diseases (amyloidosis, glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome), enteropathy, prolonged bleeding, as well as decrease in protein formation in liver diseases (cirrhosis) and fasting; increasing capillary permeability during infections, intoxications, allergies; myxedema due to hypothyroidism.
Symptomatic therapy depends on the nature of the edema. For edema of inflammatory origin, antimicrobial agents are used and hypertonic solutions, allergic and toxic-allergic(bites of poisonous animals) - antihistamines (diphenhydramine), glucocorticoids (prednisolone, dexamethasone), vitamin C, rutin (ascorutin), intravenous calcium chloride. For heart failure, cardiac glycosides (digitoxin), diuretics (furosemide) and potassium supplements are indicated.
For renal edema, diuretics (furosemide, aminophylline), glucocorticoids, and a salt-free diet are prescribed.

INCREASED BODY TEMPERATURE

Definition. Increased body temperature(fever) - a momentary, periodic or constant increase in normal rectal body temperature (in dogs - 39 degrees Celsius).
Causes. A short-term increase in body temperature can occur in puppies due to imperfect thermoregulation mechanisms, and in adult dogs - during intense muscular work in the hot season. How does the body react when fever occurs? infectious diseases, invasive (less common), inflammatory processes in various organs, with neoplasms (not always), poisoning with certain substances (ivomec, nitrofurans, vitamins D2 and D3, iodine, carbon tetrachloride, organochlorine pesticides, ethylene glycol), hypocalcemic tetany, meningoencephalitis.
Symptomatic therapy. Since fever is a protective-adaptive reaction of the body, measures should not be taken to reduce body temperature if it does not exceed 40 degrees Celsius. Otherwise, use antipyretics: amidopyrine, analgin, acetylsalicylic acid(aspirin), phenacetin, paracetamol, and combination drugs. Sometimes suppositories containing antipyretic substances (Cefekon), antihistamines (diphenhydramine, diprazine) and antipsychotics (aminazine) are used. When the body temperature rises to 42 degrees Celsius and a comatose state develops as a result, they resort to dousing or immersing the body in cold water .

DECREASED BODY TEMPERATURE

Definition. Decreased body temperature - a decrease in rectal body temperature of less than 37.5 degrees Celsius.
Causes:hypothermia, loss of strength due to severe pathological conditions, poisoning, enteritis (in most cases), dehydration, intense blood loss.
Symptomatic therapy. The dog is warmed by wrapping, blowing warm air, irradiation with infrared and visible light lamps, immersion in warm water. Analeptics (cordiamin, sulphocamphocaine) are used among medications.

ENLARGATION OF LYMPH NODES

Definition.Enlarged lymph nodes- local or widespread enlargement of lymph nodes. At the same time, their consistency may change.
Causes: local inflammatory processes, lymphadenitis, sepsis, systemic mycoses, chronic bacterial infections, lymphosarcoma, leukemia, metastases, reactive hyperplasia lymph nodes.
Symptomatic therapy. For inflammatory lymphadenopathy, antimicrobial agents, analgesics are indicated, and, if necessary, surgical intervention. At tumor diseases cytostatics and glucocorticoids are used.

ENLARGEMENT OF LIMB JOINTS

Definition. Joint enlargement- an increase in the volume of one or more joints observed or detected by palpation.
Causes. Symmetrical enlargement of joints: increased growth of puppies, rickets, hip dysplasia (hereditary), infectious polyarthritis, infectious-allergic polyarthritis, autoimmune polyarthritis, polyhemarthrosis.
Asymmetrical enlargement of joints: arthritis, periarthritis, hemarthrosis, bone fracture, articular ligament rupture, joint dislocation, osteochondrosis, osteoarthrosis, epiphyseal osteomyelitis, tumors.
Symptomatic therapy. For arthritis (synovitis) of infectious and infectious-allergic origin, osteomyelitis, antibiotics and other chemotherapeutic agents are used. For aseptic inflammatory and degenerative diseases joints, especially of an allergic and autoimmune nature, glucocorticoids (prednisolone), non-narcotic analgesics (methindol), and rumalon are used. For rickets - vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus supplements. For hemarthrosis due to decreased blood clotting and fragility of blood vessels - vitamins C, P, ascorutin, vikasol, calcium preparations. For injuries, first apply local cold, then heat. In any case, peace is shown.

BELLY ENLARGEMENT

Definition. Abdominal enlargement- increase in abdominal volume.
Causes: pregnancy, eating a large amount of food, helminthiases, an increase in the volume of individual organs of the abdominal or pelvic cavity, including constipation and tumors; peritonitis, ascites.
In dogs, increased abdominal volume due to fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites) is usually associated with liver disease and heart failure. Accumulation of gas occurs with peritonitis. In females, it is necessary to pay attention to the possibility of pregnancy, mixometra, pyometra.
Symptomatic therapy. For ascites, diuretics, cardiac glycosides, and multivitamins are used. Puncture of the abdominal wall and evacuation of fluid are indicated. In other cases, symptomatic therapy depends on the nature of the disease.

SHOCK

See also "Heart disease" vascular system. Vascular insufficiency, fainting, shock."
Definition. Shock- a syndrome involving a decrease blood pressure, pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, decreased body temperature (less often - increased), shortness of breath, tachycardia, adynamia.
In the pathogenesis of shock, the leading role is played by a decrease in blood pressure and impaired blood supply to organs, as well as severe pain from injuries.
Causes. The immediate causes of shock are a decrease in the volume of circulating blood due to blood loss, vomiting, and diarrhea; expansion of the vascular bed during anaphylaxis, intoxication; disseminated intravascular coagulation in septicemia, hemolytic anemia, intoxication; severe pain from injuries. State of shock may occur with the following diseases: parvovirus enteritis, leptospirosis, septicemia, piroplasmosis, peritonitis, pancreatitis, intoxication, anaphylaxis and other types of immediate hypersensitivity, trauma, burns, bleeding, diarrhea, acute heart failure.
Symptomatic therapy.
Anaphylactic shock: parenteral adrenomimetics (adrenaline), glucocorticoids (prednisolone), antihistamines (diphenhydramine), aminophylline; infusion therapy. See also “Diseases of the immune system. Allergic reactions and illness."
Hemolytic shock: parenteral antihistamines (diphenhydramine), glucocorticoids (prednisolone), 5% sodium bicarbonate solution, 5% glucose solution, Ringer's solution, furosemide, perinephric novocaine blockade. See also "Diseases of the blood system. Anemia."
Hemorrhagic shock: jet infusion of blood-substituting fluids (polyglucin, rheopolyglucin, Ringer's solution), 5% glucose solution; Analeptics (cordiamin, sulfocamphocaine), adrenergic agonists (adrenaline) are administered parenterally. In the future - multivitamins and iron supplements.
Hypovolemic shock : see Hemorrhagic shock.
Infectious-toxic shock: infusion therapy, always with glucose solutions, glucocorticoids, contrical, gordox, analeptics (cordiamin). For the use of antimicrobial agents, see the sections “Manipulations. Antimicrobial chemotherapy”, as well as “Pathology of the postpartum period. Sepsis”.
Traumatic shock: infusion therapy (polyglucin, hemodez, Ringer's solution, 5% glucose solution), on the second day - heparin. Local anesthesia is indicated.
In all cases of shock, treatment must be started immediately and intensively. Doses of drugs used to combat shock are usually 1.5-2 times higher than the average therapeutic dose. Glucocorticoids are used in the following daily doses: prednisolone 10-30 mg/kg, triamcinolone 8-25 mg/kg, dexamethasone 6-15 mg/kg. After 1-2 days, the dose of glucocorticoids is reduced by 10 times or after a sharp improvement in the dog’s health, it is completely canceled.

Kuzmin A.A. "Diseases of dogs. A practitioner's reference book"

The inability of the heart muscle to pump the required volume of blood leads to the development of heart failure in pets. Pathology is a whole complex of functional disorders in the body. The disease most often affects elderly animals and representatives of large breeds. Treatment involves the use medicines, as well as strict compliance with the instructions of a veterinarian for the care and feeding of a sick dog.

Read in this article

Causes of heart failure

Veterinary experts include the following to the list of reasons that provoke the development of heart problems in furry pets:

Congenital defects usually become clinically apparent between 4 and 6 months of age.

Genetic predisposition. Representatives of such breeds as Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Neapolitan Mastinos, English Bulldogs, St. Bernards, and Schnauzers are more likely than other dogs to suffer from cardiac problems.
Myocardial diseases inflammatory in nature. , endocarditis, pericarditis - the most common pathologies of the heart muscle, accompanied by edema, thickening of the walls of the organ, and a decrease in the volume of pumped blood.
Vascular pathologies. Diseases of the vascular system such as hypertension and atherosclerosis lead to an increase in the load on the heart muscle, which is accompanied by the development of cardiac disease.
Cardiomyopathy of various etiologies. Transferred viral, bacterial, fungal infections provoke growth in the wall of the organ connective tissue. The resulting fibrous fibers are not able to contract normally, which leads to myocardial hypoxia.
Helminthic infestations. Damage to the heart muscle by heartworms has a mechanical and toxic effect on tissue, which is accompanied by the development of oxygen deficiency and disruption of normal cardiac blood flow. Heartworms enter your pet's body through mosquito bites. Dogs often suffer from angiostrongylosis, the intermediate host of which is slugs and snails.

Dirofilariasis

Excessive physical activity. Poorly structured strength exercises and long runs over long distances often lead to early wear and tear of the heart muscle in representatives of large breeds. Especially often, the cause of cardiac problems in pets is a discrepancy between physical activity and age and muscle constitution.
Physical inactivity. Low physical activity and lack of regular exercise lead to myocardial hypoxia.
Diseases endocrine system. Hormonal disruptions due to pathology of the thyroid gland, diabetes mellitus provoke the development of stagnation chronic in the heart muscle.

Factors that provoke the disease, according to veterinary experts, are stress, kidney disease, metabolic pathologies, long-term use some medications. Most often, symptoms of heart failure are observed in dogs over 7 years of age.

In representatives of large breeds, if the animal is not properly cared for, a cardiac problem can be detected much earlier. Pets dwarf breeds(Toy Terriers, Chihuahuas) suffer from heart failure due to emotional overload.

Symptoms

Only careful attention to the behavior and well-being of your four-legged friend will help the owner to promptly suspect the development of heart failure. Veterinarians It is recommended to pay attention to the following clinical signs:

Forced pose. The animal sits with its front legs spread wide apart. The chest is protruded and tense.
Fainting. The symptom indicates the development of cerebral hypoxia against the background of heart failure.
. An increase in abdominal volume, caused by the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneum, indicates a severe circulatory disorder and is a life-threatening clinical sign for the pet.

Often a sick animal experiences chills, drowsiness and weakness.

Acute and chronic form

Heart failure can occur in domestic animals in acute and chronic forms. In acute illness, there is a sharp decrease in the volume of pumped blood. The cause of this situation is most often heart disease, myocarditis, hypertension.

At acute failure The animal experiences coughing and shortness of breath not only with increased physical activity, but also at rest. A threatening symptom is pink foam from the mouth, indicating pulmonary edema.

Factors leading to chronic cardiac failure in veterinary medicine include cardiomyopathy, hormonal diseases, excessive physical activity. The disease is characterized by a slow increase in clinical signs. Symptoms such as dry cough, shortness of breath appear when physical activity dogs. The chronic form of the disease is characterized by severe exhaustion of the pet.

If cardiopulmonary failure develops

Pathological phenomena in the heart muscle lead to some of the blood stagnating in the lungs. Plasma penetrates the lungs, causing them to swell. Violation of contractile function in the myocardium and gas exchange role lung tissue lead to a lack of oxygen not only in the pulmonary circulation, but throughout the entire body.

A symptom of the development of cardiac pulmonary insufficiency is cyanosis of the mucous membranes, fainting in pets. A decrease in the pumping function of the myocardium, the development of congestion in the vena cava, and pulmonary edema lead to the accumulation of liquid blood in the abdominal cavity. Diagnostic methods

At a veterinary institution, a cardiologist will first perform auscultation of the heart using a phonendoscope. The method allows you to detect cardiac murmurs and arrhythmia. A chest x-ray is used to assess the size of the heart and detect congestion in the lungs.

During an electrocardiographic study, an abnormal heart rhythm is detected. This is indicated by an increase in the P wave and a change in the RS-T segment on the electrocardiogram. The development of heart failure helps to identify the myocardium. A clinical blood test is necessary to establish concomitant diseases.

Treatment of pathology

The success of heart failure treatment depends on identifying and eliminating the underlying disease that caused the disease. IN complex treatment includes cardiac drugs - angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, glycosides, beta-blockers, as well as symptomatic drugs.

Drugs

Medicines that inhibit ACE are prescribed to eliminate spasm, dilate the heart arteries, and lower blood pressure. Effective and safe drugs for dogs in this group are Captopril, Ramipril, Enalapril. The dosage is adjusted at least once a week. The dose of Enalapril is from 0.25 to 1 mg per kg of pet weight. The drug is given to the animal once a day.

In the treatment of heart failure in animals, positive inotrope is used - cardiac glycoside, for example Digoxin. The drug is effective if the pet has atrial fibrillation. Vetmedin is a modern cardiotropic drug in veterinary medicine, active substance which is a positive inotrope – pimobendan. Vetmedin dilates coronary vessels, enhances heart contractions, and improves oxygen supply to the myocardium.

Beta-blockers - Bisoprolol, Metoprolol, Carvediolol, have a hypotensive and antiarrhythmic effect, improve myocardial perfusion. Adrenergic blockers are prescribed to furry patients in the presence of sinus rhythm.

Diuretics for heart failure can reduce swelling, the severity of arterial hypertension and reduce congestion. The animal was prescribed Furasemide at a dose of 2 mg per kg in the morning on an empty stomach. In some cases, ethacrynic acid is prescribed.

The use of cardiotropic and diuretics must be carried out under the supervision of a veterinarian. Taking diuretic medications leads to the removal of potassium from the body, which requires the use of potassium supplements to replenish the element's reserves.

The veterinary gold standard for the treatment of heart failure is combined use ACE inhibitor, glycoside, beta blocker and diuretic.

In some cases, a veterinarian will prescribe blood thinners, such as Curantil. In order to improve the general condition of the pet, general strengthening agents are used - multivitamins, immunomodulators.

For information on the causes, symptoms and treatment of heart failure in dogs, watch this video:

Care

Besides drug treatment, a cardiologist, when detecting heart failure in a dog, gives the following recommendations to its owner for caring for his four-legged friend:

Dosing of physical activity. Under no circumstances should a sick pet be deprived of physical activity. The dog will benefit from leisurely walks on fresh air with the possibility of rest. Heavy physical exercise and exhausting workouts are strictly prohibited.

Emotional peace. The pet should be protected from contact with small children, strangers. Travel to public transport, visiting exhibitions, crowded places.
Medical nutrition. The diet of a sick dog should be enriched with nutrients such as thiamine, magnesium, vitamin E, and selenium. The use of diuretics makes it necessary to monitor potassium concentrations in foods to avoid hypokalemia. A balanced diet with taurine helps the animal better tolerate hypoxia caused by heart problems.

The presence of natural antioxidants in the diet - vitamin E, ascorbic acid, coenzymes improves myocardial trophism and oxygen supply to heart tissue. Therapeutic diet provides for complete absence of salt.

The cardio diet is selected individually for the animal, taking into account the form and severity of cardiac pathology and the chosen treatment regimen.

Prognosis for the animal

In most cases, heart failure is a lifelong pathology. The prognosis of the disease depends on many factors. For a cardiac problem caused by a congenital defect, cardiomyopathy, the prognosis is usually guarded. In the event of pulmonary failure, veterinary specialists in 80% of cases assume an unfavorable outcome for the pet’s life.

Prevention of cardiopulmonary failure

Veterinarians, taking into account the causes of heart failure, have developed a set of preventive measures:

Heart failure in dogs is usually caused by congenital or acquired defects and the development of inflammatory processes in the myocardium. Representatives of large and dwarf breeds are predisposed to pathology. Treatment is lifelong and is based on the use of cardiotropic drugs and symptomatic remedies. A nutritious diet and proper care for a sick pet can improve the quality of life of a sick dog.

When a person adopts a dog, he takes full responsibility for its future. This is not only about proper nutrition and regular walks, it also means assistance in the treatment and prevention of diseases. It should be noted that dog diseases, the symptoms of which are varied and numerous, have become a common cause of premature death in dogs in recent years. The problem with dog diseases is that a pet, unlike a person, cannot tell others what hurts and where it hurts, so the owner is called upon to treat the pet with trepidation and increased attention.

General information about dog diseases

Main groups of diseases:

endocrine diseases;
infectious diseases;
diseases of the circulatory system;
diseases of the mouth, ear, nose and throat;
eye diseases;
skin diseases;
diseases of the digestive system;
diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Endocrine diseases occur due to various dysfunctions of the endocrine glands that do not have excretory ducts, releasing hormones directly into the blood. These glands include the thyroid gland, pineal gland, pituitary gland, parathyroid glands, thymus gland, adrenal glands, gonads and secretory parts of the pancreas. Endocrine diseases in dogs can occur in two forms: with an increase in the amount of hormones released into the blood and with a decrease. Such diseases are difficult to diagnose; pets are often diagnosed in the final stages, when there is very little chance of curing the dog.

Infectious diseases are associated with the direct entry of a pathogenic microbe into the pet’s body. Let us note that infection and development of the infectious process is possible only if the dog’s body is susceptible to the microbe. Otherwise, nothing will happen.

Therefore, dogs with weakened immune systems, puppies and old dogs get sick. Sometimes an infectious process is layered on top of another, which aggravates the course of each disease. In the vast majority of cases, diseases occur quickly and threaten the dog with death. Spread through the air or through direct contact. There are frequent cases of epidemics among dogs.

Diseases of the circulatory system are divided into heart diseases and diseases blood vessels. Typically observed in adult dogs.

Diseases of the ear, throat, nose and mouth are divided into traumatic, infectious and inflammatory diseases. Similar diseases occur in dogs more often than others; these organs are the first to come into direct contact with various agents. Complexity similar diseases lies in their secrecy: on initial stages It is problematic to identify the disease; the dog does not show signs of the disease.

Eye diseases are not uncommon among dogs, but are observed in adult pets. The main eye diseases include cataracts (clouding of the lens), iridocyclitis (inflammation of the iris and ciliary body), keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) and conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva).

Skin diseases differ according to the causes of occurrence and the location of the pathological focus (on the skin, in the hair, on visible mucous membranes).

Diseases of the digestive system are the result of improper and irrational feeding of the dog, although sometimes the cause of such diseases is banal poisoning bad water or food.

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system are considered especially dangerous after the age of 8 years and in puppyhood. With such diseases, the body suffers: the dog’s bones, internal organs.

It should be noted that kidney diseases, in particular urolithiasis and liver diseases, are considered common pathologies among dogs. It is important to know the symptoms of distemper, which is sometimes called canine distemper.

Dog diseases: distemper - symptoms

Represents viral disease, is characterized by damage to the skin, digestive and respiratory organs; in rare cases, the development of meningitis and encephalitis is noted. The virus affects dogs of all ages, although dogs between one month and two years of age are predominantly affected. Even marine animals are susceptible to the disease. Terriers are considered relatively resistant to canine distemper and humans do not get sick.

Clinical signs of plague are varied:

Asymptomatic virus carriage or a lightning-fast, violent course occurs. The duration of the disease can range from several days or weeks to several months. When symptoms of respiratory damage prevail in the clinical picture of the disease, we speak of pulmonary form diseases when the nervous system is extensively affected - about the nervous form. This division is arbitrary; symptoms of damage to the digestive organs often prevail in the clinical picture. Sometimes there is a combination of damage to the respiratory organs and skin, the nervous system becomes the final stage of the development of the disease.

Canine distemper begins with the appearance of a pustular or macular rash on the internal surfaces hips, runny nose, diarrhea, depression of consciousness, temporary refusal to feed, redness of the conjunctiva. As a rule, there is an increase in body temperature, although, for example, in dwarf poodles or some other breeds of dogs, the plague occurs against a background of normal temperature. At the same time, the animal hides in dark places and refuses to walk. The dog's skin becomes dry.

It is possible to develop hyperkeratosis on the elbows and small focal baldness. There are discharges from the nose, which are transparent in the first stages of the development of the disease, but become mucopurulent over time. Sometimes there is clouding of the cornea, sticking or redness of the eyelids, shortness of breath appears, and wheezing is heard. Intestinal form The disease is characterized by the development of diarrhea and vomiting.

Symptoms of damage to the nervous system include the appearance of tics, which begin in the muscles of the head. At the first stages it is not intense, but later it spreads to the limbs and becomes pronounced, as a result the animals do not sleep at night and often whine. Paralysis, paresis, and hyperkinesis gradually develop. At the last stage, meningoencephalitis develops, which is accompanied by severe intoxication and ends in death.

Treatment is prescribed only by a veterinarian.

Liver disease in dogs: symptoms

Liver diseases in dogs can occur in acute or chronic form. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of diagnosed liver diseases in dogs, which is directly related to violations of the feeding regime of pets, widespread autoimmune diseases. Sometimes the cause of liver disease in dogs is iatrogenic lesions (caused by a veterinarian).

Symptoms of liver disease in dogs are conventionally divided into a number of syndromes, among which are usually distinguished:

Cholestatic syndrome involves a violation of the secretion and release of bile, which is manifested by skin itching, jaundice, a tendency to eczematous skin lesions, and stool discoloration.

Cholestatic syndrome is a consequence of the destruction of liver cells and leads to fever (increased temperature), enlargement and tenderness of the liver, and an increase in liver enzymes is observed in blood tests.

Mesenchymal-inflammatory syndrome is characterized by damage to the stroma and mesenchyme of the liver, which is manifested by an increase in the level of immunoglobulins.

Hemorrhagic syndrome is manifested by various bleedings and hemorrhages, anemia.

Portal hypertension syndrome is manifested by an increase in the size of the abdomen and dilation of the veins on the skin of the abdomen.

Dyspeptic syndrome is manifested by lethargy, depression, vomiting, defecation disorders and weight loss.

Hepatolienal syndrome is manifested by an enlargement of the liver and spleen.

Hepatodepressive syndrome is manifested by a violation of the protein-synthesizing, antitoxic and excretory functions of the liver; the symptoms are very numerous.

Liver shunt syndrome allows life-threatening substances to enter the dog's general bloodstream, causing damage to the central nervous system.

Symptoms of kidney disease in dogs

Kidney diseases are reported more often in dogs than in other animals, and their frequency increases over the years. According to scientists, in dogs over 8 years of age, in almost fifty percent of cases, pronounced symptoms of kidney damage are revealed during studies. At histological examination the number rises to eighty percent.

The main syndromes of kidney damage include:

nephrotic syndrome;
uremic syndrome;
pain syndrome;
osteorenal syndrome;
syndrome renal eclampsia.

Pain syndrome is manifested by the dog’s desire to lie in a cold place, frequent arching of the back, need for frequent urination, pain when urinating, soreness in the back muscles (can be checked by pressing with your fingers), swelling and transient paresis.

Nephrotic syndrome is manifested by edema, proteinuria, hypoproteinemia, oliguria and cylindruria, detected during laboratory tests.

Uremic syndrome is manifested by apathy, lack of appetite, vomiting, persistently recurrent diarrhea, urine odor from the mouth, anemia and anuria.

Osteorenal syndrome is characterized by bone deformation and osteoporosis, hypocalcemia and osteodystrophy.

Renal eclampsia syndrome is manifested by tonic-clonic seizures, nephrotic syndrome and episcleral vascular injection (eye redness).

The nervous system is extremely complex, and not all of its secrets have been revealed even today. Naturally, almost any pathology that in one way or another threatens the central nervous system is extremely dangerous to the life and health of a person or pet. Cerebral edema in dogs is no exception.

As you might guess, this is a pathology in which transudate begins to accumulate in the nervous tissue. The origin of the latter may be different. The outcomes of cerebral edema are extremely severe. In particular, the percentage of deaths is high, and the animal can develop various neurological diseases.

To explain the effects of cerebral edema in the simplest terms, it is best to turn to the Monroe-Keley hypothesis. It states that the total mass of the three elements (in the skull) must always be constant. Since the skull is like a solid box that cannot be stretched, increasing the mass of one of the components will automatically cause a decrease in the volume of the other components. As a result, intracranial pressure increases. What are the consequences? In the most severe cases this threatens ischemia and sudden death.

Read also: Notoedrosis - symptoms and treatment of scabies in dogs

Main varieties

There are three main types of cerebral edema in dogs:

Vasogenic.
Cytotoxic.
Interstitial (osmotic, hydrostatic).

Vasogenic cerebral edema occurs when the blood-brain barrier breaks down, and the flow of fluids and various components that may be dissolved in them sharply increases to the brain. As a rule, it suffers white matter(under the bark). “Problems” in the blood-brain barrier allow the movement of proteins from the vessels into the extracellular space.

Cellular (cytotoxic) cerebral edema can be described as a "swelling" of cells. This phenomenon is often recorded in cases of traumatic brain injury and severe hypoxia (after unsuccessful anesthesia). In addition, a similar situation may arise with severe bacterial or viral infection, when toxins or pathogens themselves begin to pass through the blood-brain barrier. Cytotoxic edema develops with swelling of glia, neurons, and endothelial cells, and begins within a few minutes after injury. In the vast majority of cases, the gray matter is affected.

Interstitial edema is very common with hydrocephalus, when intraventricular pressure is sharply increased. As a result, sodium and water penetrate through the ventricular wall into the paraventricular space.

Main causes

Such a pathology can never arise “from scratch.” As a rule, it is facilitated by severe functional impairments that the animal already has:

Read also: Bradycardia - slow heart rate in dogs

Clinical picture

The manifestations of this pathology are dangerous because they almost always overlap with the signs of the diseases that caused the cerebral edema itself. The greatest danger is the fact that for a long time Symptoms of cerebral edema in dogs may not appear at all. When is the depth neurological disorders turns out to be “sufficient”, it may be too late to save the animal. Is it possible to see at least some signs characteristic of this particular pathology? Yes, but a considerable degree of care must be taken when doing so.

Firstly, the dog is clearly behaving abnormally; swelling of the dog’s brain provokes severe disturbances in behavioral reactions; they can change or become distorted (or disappear altogether) conditioned reflexes. The pet may lie down in response to the command “Sit”, or may not perceive the voice and smell of its owner at all. But not only the dog’s behavior should alert you: bradycardia, increased blood pressure, increased shortness of breath, the pupil alternately dilates and contracts, but more often becomes gigantic, as a result of which the animal goes blind. Body temperature may rise (bacterial etiology) or drop to a critically low value (trauma). All these signs together should lead you to think about possible cerebral edema.

Accordingly, spinal cord edema in dogs does not produce such severe manifestations... unless the process moves higher, to the cerebellum and medulla oblongata. In any case, signs of paralysis or paraplegia can be seen. A dog may suddenly become “de-legged,” and animals often experience problems with involuntary loss of urine and feces.

A disease transmitted by tick bites, characterized by fever, destruction of red blood cells and the release of hemoglobin in the urine.

Causes and development of the disease

Clinical signs

The disease occurs in acute and chronic forms. In the acute case, 6-20 days after a tick bite, dogs become lethargic, their temperature rises sharply, and their heartbeat and breathing increase. The abdomen is tense and painful. The mucous membranes become pale or pink-brown. The urine may turn red (hemoglobinuria). Paresis and paralysis of the hind limbs often occur. Animals die while in a comatose state.

Chronic piroplasmosis lasts much longer (several months) and is characterized by exhaustion, lethargy, decreased appetite, and anemia.

With hemoglobinuria and the absence of etiotropic therapy, dogs usually die. Chronic piroplasmosis often ends in recovery. Antigens of piroplasms can provoke the development of autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

Diagnostics

Acute course piroplasmosis in dogs resembles plague, infectious hepatitis, pneumonia and some other diseases, but the appearance of blood, more precisely hemoglobin, in the urine suggests piroplasmosis or leptospirosis. With leptospirosis, in contrast to piroplasmosis, hemorrhagic stomatitis often occurs. Great importance has a history - has the dog been bitten by ticks? The final diagnosis is made when piroplasmas are detected in blood smears.

Treatment includes the use of antiprotozoal agents, as well as pathogenetic and symptomatic therapy.

To destroy piroplasms in the body, one of the following drugs is administered:

Azidine (berenyl) - 3.5 mg/kg intramuscularly as 7% aqueous solution. The solution is prepared aseptically. After 24 hours, administration is repeated if necessary. Azidine is the most effective and least toxic remedy for canine piroplasmosis;

trypaflavin (flavacridine hydrochloride) - 3-4 mg/kg intravenously in the form of a 1% aqueous solution. After injection, animals are protected from intense sunlight;

hemosporidine - 0.3-0.8 mg/kg subcutaneously in the form of a 1-2% aqueous solution. The solution is prepared aseptically; - trypan blue - 5 mg/kg intravenously in the form of a 1% aqueous solution.

There are reports of the effectiveness of aromatic diamidines.

To accelerate the elimination of hemoglobin, its metabolites and endotoxins, hemodez, polyglucin, 5% glucose solution and other colloidal and crystalloid solutions are administered intravenously or subcutaneously.

To enhance diuresis - furosemide intramuscularly or intravenously, aminophylline. To maintain heart function - subcutaneously oil solution camphor, cordiamine, sulphocamphocaine. Orally - prednisolone or dexamethasone, lipoic acid or lipamide. Intramuscularly - B vitamins, Vicasol.

Prevention