Entries from August 2008 ↓

Spleen cancer in dogs is a malignant tumor that develops in the spleen.

A dog’s spleen is an organ located below the stomach. It serves various functions such as:

- storing blood
- removing old red blood cells
- filtering blood
- destroying foreign invaders or pathogens

Spleen tumors tend to occur in older dogs. They are either benign or malignant. Both types of tumors grow and rupture, thus resulting in internal bleeding.

If a spleen tumor is benign, it does not spread. Surgical removal is the cure as long as there is no excessive bleeding.

If a spleen tumor is malignant (cancerous), there is the risk of spreading. Hemangiosarcoma is the most common type of spleen cancer in dogs. Other malignant spleen tumors are lymphosarcoma, mast cell tumor and leukemia.

Splenic hemangiosarcoma in dogs arises from the blood vessels of the spleen. It is an aggressive cancer that would have likely spread to other organs at the time of diagnosis. Although surgical removal of the spleen can stop life-threatening bleeding, prognosis is not good due to tumor metastasis.

Symptoms of Spleen Cancer in Dogs

• abdominal swelling
• vomiting
• loss of appetite
• lethargy
• weight loss
•  increased urination

When a spleen tumor ruptures, the spleen bleeds and results in the following symptoms:

• pale gums
• breathing difficulty
• anemia
• cold body
• weakness
• collapse

Excessive bleeding can lead to fatality.

Diagnosis of Spleen Cancer in Dogs

• There are several tests to diagnose spleen cancer in dogs.
• Physical examination – palpable mass in the abdomen.
• Radiogaphs/ultrasound of the abdomen  can help to detect location of tumor while radiographs of the chest are for evaluating tumor spread.
• Blood test to detect anemia (due to ruptured tumor), which may indicate the presence of spleen tumor.
• Hispathology (biopsy) -  a definitive diagnosis can only be obtained from examination of the affected tissue under a miscroscope.

It may not always be possible to detect tumor spread by radiographs and ultrasound, especially when the tumor is too small to be visible. Hispathology is required to determine whether tumor is malignant/benign, grade and stage of malignant tumor, prognosis and any further treatment following surgery.

Treatment of Spleen Cancer in Dogs

The main treatment is splenectomy or surgical removal of the spleen for both benign and malignant spleen tumors. This is the cure for benign spleen tumor.

For malignant spleen tumor with minimal spread, chemotherapy following surgery may increase survival times.

What You Can Do To Help Your Dog Fight Cancer

• Feed a dog cancer diet that is low in carbohyrates, moderate amounts of high quality, digestible protein and omega 3 fats.
• Supplement with K9 Immunity Plus, K9 Omega 3 and turmeric (curcumin) for dogs , to enhance immune system and slow the formation and spread of cancer.
•  Avoid unnecessary vaccinations.

Prognosis For Spleen Cancer In Dogs

With surgery only: up to 3 months, depending on the tumor grade and stage.

With surgery and chemotherapy: 140-202 days, depending on the tumor grade and stage.

Autoimmune diseases in dogs follow an almost similar pattern as in humans. Just as autoimmune diseases in humans are suspected to be related to a genetic predisposition, certain breeds of dogs are more vulnerable than others.

The immune system is the body’s internal and natural self-healing system of reciprocation that comes into action as soon it recognizes an intrusion of foreign bodies. We call a disease as immune mediated when some underlying cause has caused the immune system to stop recognizing foreign substances. The immune system stops creating antibodies for combating the invasion and produces an autoantibody that starts destroying normal cells. Such a disease may be restricted to a single organ or region or the whole animal.

Autoimmune diseases have far reaching consequences depending upon the extent to which they have affected the body of the dog. The pathological signs of multiple autoimmune diseases are normally seen in the same animal since the animal becomes more vulnerable to infections due to a weakened immune system. For example, symptoms of liver disease in dogs as well as feline liver disease are common once the immune system’s automatic responses are restricted.

Typically autoimmune diseases occur due to four types of actions that take place within the body:

* An autoantibody targets a specific organ. For example, autoimmune hemolytic anemia occurs when an autoantibody targets blood cells. In Addison’s disease the target is the adrenal gland.
* Antibodies that target different proteins in the body are produced. These circulate through out the body and cause multiple organ autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by complex immunoglobulin class molecules that are deposited in the lubricating fluid in the spaces between joints.
* Sometimes antibodies and T-cells act together to restrict the activity of an organ. T-cells are one of the two types of cells that carry out an immune response. Autoimmune hypothyroidism is an example of disease caused through this mechanism. The thyroid receives a large number of T-cells and also antibodies programmed to destroy thyroid cells.
* Autoimmune diseases also arise from deficiencies in the complement system. For example liver disease in dogs restricts production of complement serum enzymes that have to be activated to carry out an immune response.

Due to the innate nature of the disease, autoimmune disease has multiple symptoms that depend upon the organs, body systems that are being targeted. As most of the symptoms tend to confuse and mimic other conditions it requires proper investigation through blood, urine and other tests to confirm whether the condition is immune mediated or not. Some of the symptoms in dogs, reported prior to diagnosis, include:

* Diarrhea and colitis: with or without traces of blood
* Lethargy, depression and intolerance to exercise
* Muscle wasting and weakness in legs
* Skin sores, mouth ulcers, lesions, especially nasal and anal lesions
* Stiff joints, alteration in gait tending to lameness and stiff limbs
* Enlarged lymph nodes
* Anemia
* Seizures
* Loss of appetite and weight
* Body odor
* A marked change in bark
* Weight gain if thyroid is affected

A weakened immune system fails to do what it has been programmed to and starts rejecting body’s own tissue as foreign. This exposes a dog to repeated attacks by infections that further deteriorate an already serious condition. It is now coming to light that many well known diseases like hypothyroidism and diabetes may be immune mediated and caused by rejection of hormone producing cells.

The liver performs important functions like detoxification of the blood, production of bile for digestion and the removal of waste from the body. It is structured with six lobes and is one of the most complex organs in the body of the dog.

An early detection of a liver infection in a dog can help in improving the prognosis of pet liver diseases including feline liver disease. The unusually vast capacity of the liver to continue to function even when afflicted is mostly responsible for late detection of liver disease in dogs. Early detection is also tough since the symptoms of liver disease tend to surface only after the disease has progressed. Symptoms of liver disease in dogs may be gradual or sudden and symptomatic of certain conditions like indigestion and anxiety.

There are multiple causes of liver disease and a specific diagnosis is not always possible. Some of the major causes include:

* Drug induced liver disease.
* Trauma.
* Infections caused by bacteria or viruses.
* Ingestion of toxic substances.
* Congenital disorder like a liver shunt.
* Change in blood supply due to heart disease.
* Accumulation of copper.
* Fall out of other disorder.

Excessive copper retention is mostly breed specific as some breeds like Bedlingtons and Highland White Terriers and Dobermans do not expel copper in quantities that other breeds do.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a virus or a toxin. Infectious hepatitis is caused by an adenovirus or a herpes virus. Although it can be transmitted by oral contact it is mostly transient in nature. In certain cases it progresses into a severe hepatitis. A dog with chronic liver disease may develop cirrhosis and sometime get an acquired liver shunt, a condition where the blood supply to the liver is altered.

Liver disease can also be secondary in nature. This means that the disease originates elsewhere in the body and is passed on to the liver. Pancreas is located near the liver and the bile ducts. Acute inflammation in the pancreas may result in a mild case of hepatitis. Similarly a chronic inflammation of the bowel, shock, anemia and congestive heart failure may also affect the liver.

Treatment of a liver disease is expressly dependent on the underlying cause, which makes determination of the cause the most important factor before treatment modalities are decided. For example, if trauma is the cause, the dog may need hospitalization for proper diet management and care. If the underlying cause is infection, then it is treated with antibiotics.

Liver disease causes the death of liver cells singly. Despite its capacity to regenerate its cells to a great extent, liver disease must receive immediate attention of a veterinarian. If liver disease is left untreated, more cells will die than the liver can regenerate. This can lead to progression of the disorder and ultimately to death.

Before understanding the treatment of liver disease in dogs, it is necessary to understand the functions that the liver performs in the body. The liver is the largest and among the most important organs in the body with an immense reserve capacity. Its multiple functions include:

* Regulation of the level of most of the chemicals in the body.
* Production of proteins for blood plasma.
* Conversion of waste products.
* Support in the regulation of fat distribution in the body.
* Production of bile for easy digestion.
* Regulation of amino acid levels.
* Storage of glycogen for later use as an energy source as per need of the body.
* Elimination of toxins from the blood.

Some of its functions are similar to those of other organs, which is one of the reasons that symptoms of liver disease in dogs resemble those caused by minor ailments of other organs.

Dietary modification is crucial for restoring liver functions. Liver cells have an incredible capacity of regeneration if the disease has not aggravated unreasonably. Adequate rest and a nutritional diet can aid in the process of regeneration of cells to a great extent.

Treatment of pet liver disease, including feline liver disease depends largely on the cause. Where the cause is known the first effort is to remove the underlying condition. Antibiotics are used for bacterial infections. Drugs that may be causing toxicity are removed. Fluids and electrolytes are administered intravenously to take care of dehydration caused by loss of appetite. Diuretics are used to help in urination to reduce fluid retention. If it is suspected that the immune system is involved, the veterinarian may seek the aid of corticosteroids.

If dogs are not vaccinated, Infectious Canine Hepatitis can occur at any age. Like all viral treatments hepatitis too is treated symptomatically, often involving administration of intravenous fluids. The liver plays an important role in blood clotting. Hepatitis can cause clotting problems and a loss of blood may result in the need for blood transfusion. Severe hepatitis may lead to a comatose condition, which necessitates giving glucose intravenously.

The liver also manages the level of copper in the body. Copper storage disease is mostly breed specific and common in some Terriers and Dobermans. Treatment is targeted at speeding up copper excretion and restricting further absorption of copper from the intestines. Penicillamine, a chelating agent, is given for helping in excretion and zinc for inhibiting absorption.

Perhaps the most dreaded of all liver diseases is malignant tumor in the organ. Liver cancer may be primary (originating from the liver itself) or secondary (cancer in another neighboring or distant area that spreads to the liver). Primary cancer involves surgical removal of the affected lobe and secondary cancers are treated with chemotherapy. Where more than one lobe is affected, surgery is ruled out.

Liver is a composite organ performing multiple actions at the same time, which makes it difficult to classify and understand liver disease. Liver diseases can be fatal despite the organ’s vast capability to continue to function under stress. The best method of preventing it is to be aware of your dog’s specific needs of diet and exercise right from the day you bring a pet home.

Since the symptoms of liver cancer in dogs are non-specific, the disease is often diagnosed late or at an advanced stage.

Therefore, it is crucial to be alert and watch out for any of the general symptoms of canine liver cancer such as:

- weight loss
- loss of appetite
- lethargy
- diarrhea
- abdominal pain
- frequent urination
- excessive thirst
- vomiting
- palpable mass in abdomen
- jaundice

Other diseases can also produce similar symptoms to those of canine liver cancer. Even if your dog displays any of the above symptoms, it does not necessarily mean that he/she has liver cancer. An accurate diagnosis of the disease can be made through clinical examination and testing.

Surgery is the treatment of choice for primary liver cancer in dogs. An early diagnosis can increase survival times, especially when a tumor can be removed completely and it has not spread.

It is a mad jungle out there when it comes to selling pet food. Seeing the number of brands, the different types of sales pitches adopted by marketers and the fancy names with tongue twisting ingredients printed on labels, it appears the focus is on attracting buyers and grabbing a share of the whopping $ 11 billion pie..

In addition, each manufacturer launches numerous types of pet food under one brand. There are moist, semi moist and dry dog foods. Their use of terminology, like ‘premium’, ‘super-premium’, and ‘gourmet’ are mere nomenclatures since they hardly mean any thing. Even though the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) regulates what must be printed on the labels. The warnings are all mentioned in small print and therefore do not serve to warn the consumers adequately.

Apart from checking the nutritional adequacy and information about the manufacturer, you should focus on the ingredient list. Ethoxyquin is one of the most common preservatives used in dog food. This is used to prevent fats from turning rancid. There is verifiable evidence that there is a connection between Ethoxyquin and the accumulation of protoporphyrin IX and the elevation in liver related enzymes that can ultimately cause liver disease in dogs.

Some times dog owners indulge in over-feeding their dogs under the mistaken belief that the dog is hungry. Even a so called ‘light diet’ can lead to obesity in dogs if the calorie intake is more than recommended. Obesity can directly cause liver and heart conditions, diabetes, arthritis, skin disorders and cancer exposing the dog to a higher risk.

Diet plays an important role in liver health. It is one of the major reasons behind many diseases in cats too, including the feline liver disease. Instead of waiting for symptoms of liver disease in dogs or cats to surface, it is highly recommended that you be proactive and feed your dog with a healthy and nutritional diet to maintain health.

A huge majority of commercial foods contain toxins that destroy the immune system and gradually kill your dog as you feed him. Dogs are basically meat eaters. Meat based dog food may appear to be the best to provide the required proportions of proteins and other substances needed by the animal. Manufacturers, however, use synthetic additives and preservatives to increase shelf life, which can be detrimental to the health of your dog.

It is not only the type of food but also the quantity that makes a difference. The age, weight and breed of your pet are key aspects that determine the amount of proteins, carbohydrates and fats that the dog requires every day. The level of activity is another factor for arriving at the calorie intake. Your veterinarian is the best person to suggest where and how to source this information.

As much as possible feed your dog home cooked food, raw meat and a natural diet that is free from toxins. The purpose of a natural diet is to boost the immune system and help the liver to regenerate its cells so that it can function to its fullest capacity. A toxin free diet is the key to longevity and liver health.

Prognosis of liver disease primarily depends upon the following factors:

* The type of liver disease – hepatitis, cancer, liver shunt, drug induced or others.
* Primary or secondary – whether the disease originated in the liver or the liver is affected as a fall out of disease elsewhere in the body.
* The time factor – the stage to which the disease has advanced at the time of detection.

A close look at different types of liver diseases is necessary to understand the prognosis of each type.

* Chronic progressive hepatitis, inflammation of the liver, may be immune mediated or idiopathic (arising from unknown reasons). It is common in Terrier breeds due to their inherent inability to expel copper from their body. Some other reasons that may cause hepatitis include virus and drug induced inflammations.
* Acute hepatitis, on the other hand, is mostly caused by accumulation of toxins, which may be ingested or due to some internal inability to process toxicity. Many times acute hepatitis is caused by bacteria like Leptospira, Salmonella. Aflatoxin, bacterial endotoxin and blue green algae are potent toxins, some of which may be broken down and released inside the body after they are ingested. Acute hepatitis may also occur due to trauma, acute inflammation of the pancreas, and hemolytic anemia or oxygen deficiency due to surgical intervention.
* Cirrhosis is the last stage of inflammatory liver diseases. In majority of the cases the cause of cirrhosis remains undetermined.
* Internal as well as administered corticosteroids are one of the major reasons behind liver disease in dogs as the canine liver, due to some reason or the other, is more sensitive to them.
* The liver is also a favorite site for primary as well as metastatic tumors.
* Liver shunt is a genetic disorder, which may also be acquired in certain cases, where the blood bypasses the liver and enters the blood stream without filtration.

When diagnosed early, the prognosis for treatment of liver disease can be very good. However, quite a few numbers of diseases are confused with liver diseases, making it difficult to diagnose canine and feline liver disease. Symptoms of liver disease in dogs and cats imitate other conditions and so do the pathological results.

For example, liver enzyme levels increase during pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus and hyperthyroidism and also in the case of a liver disease. Similarly, levels of bilirubin, an important indication of liver disorders, increase even during non-hepatic conditions like a sustained loss of appetite, destructive metabolism and infection. Late detection can lead to liver failure unless aggressive treatment is used.

Acute conditions present a good prognosis and the liver’s regenerative capacity can be boosted by modifying diet and looking for alternatives to drugs that cause them.

Care has also to be taken that the pet is not exposed to external toxins so as not to ingest them. 95% of the cases of liver shunt are cured successfully with the aid of replacement surgery. Chances of recovery of the liver from secondary diseases depend largely upon the prognosis of the primarily affected organ.

Idiopathic and immune mediated liver diseases present a fair to poor prognosis. They require constant monitoring in conjunction with dietary changes and steps to boost the immune system. Primary or secondary liver cancer, on the hand, has a very poor prognosis and much depends upon the extent to which the liver has been affected by the malignancy.

Certain factors make it is very difficult to diagnose liver disease in dogs.

* Symptoms of liver disease in dogs are difficult to pin point as they are subtle and vague and often mimic those relating to other diseases.
* Liver cells can continue to perform their dedicated functions despite the liver mass being affected.
* The liver has a great reserve capacity.
* The liver can be affected by other diseases as it supports and is supported by many other organs and systems in the body.

All these factors can lead to frustration for a veterinarian to diagnose whether the liver is affected and to what extent. One of the tools that the specialist will use is to get a complete chemistry profile of a blood sample.

Although, clinical pathological tests and enzymology play a crucial role in arriving at correct diagnoses, it seldom indicates any deviation from a healthy condition of the liver. Enzymology is a branch of biochemistry that deals with the chemical nature and biological activity of enzymes.

Another factor that complicates diagnosis of liver disease is that the levels of even enzymes that are specific to liver can be disturbed by secondary hepatic disease also.

ALT (alanine aminotransferase) or SGPT (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase) is a liver specific enzyme. It is concentrated in the cytosol and is released when localized liver cells die from infection or the interruption of blood supply. Serum levels increase two to three days after the liver has been affected and return to normal after a couple of weeks of treatment.

Generally, two to three times the normal level is considered as insignificant and only a persistent increase is considered to be abnormal. ALT levels may go up to four to five time the normal level even in non-hepatic disorders like inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, hemolytic anemia and heart failure. A dog undergoing treatment with anticonvulsants and glucosteroids or those that have an inhibited flow of bile may also show a moderate increase in ALT levels.

AST (Aspartate aminotransferase) or SGOT (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase) is another liver enzyme, also found in muscle tissue and red blood cells. An increase in levels of AST indicates a more severe liver disease than ALT.

SAP (Serum alkaline phosphatase) levels increase in certain forms of cancers including liver cancer. Elevated levels of SAP are more significant in cases of feline liver disease than in dogs.

GGT (Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase) levels signify liver disease caused by blockage of bile ducts.
Vague symptoms of liver disease in dogs like diarrhea, vomiting and anorexia are often misread as relating to indigestion and other mild ailments.

Symptoms like jaundice, which are specific usually surface at a later stage of liver disease. In such a situation, despite the confusion over reading the results of laboratory tests and the accompanying emzymology, a complete chemistry profile is of utmost necessity to diagnose liver disease in dogs.

While inefficient or over active immune systems can cause diseases, other diseases can also compromise the immune system’s ability to combat diseases. Many times a certain drug used during the course of a treatment negatively affects the immune system, which in turn can be a cause behind the occurrence of another condition.

A dog’s body is capable of fighting minor diseases on its own. Frequent occurrences of skin disorders, allergies, respiratory and eye disorders and other general problems are sure signs of dysfunction of the immune system in pets. It is important to be on guard rather than letting the situation go out of hand. Maintaining the health of the immune system of your pet will not only restrict frequent occurrences of disease but also help in improving chances of survival in the event of a serious disease.

Antioxidants are one of the proven supplements that help in fighting disease. Antioxidants also limit cell damage and thus provide support to the immune system when disease occurs. Vitamins are a group of organic substances that are essential in small quantities to normal metabolism.

Vitamin C and E are specific antioxidants that are normally used as supplements to counter the oxidizing chemicals originating during cell damage. Vitamin C also plays a key role in enhancing the T-cell production for an increased resistance to bacterial and viral infection and allergies. Vitamin E, on the other hand prevents oxidation of Vitamin A, red blood cells and unsaturated fatty acids.

Carotene, an orange compound of an unsaturated hydrocarbon found in many plants is converted into vitamin A in the liver. It is indispensable for a healthy skin, growth, digestion and repair of body tissues and protecting mucous membranes of mouth, nose, throat and lungs for reducing vulnerability to infections.

Bioflavonoids or simply flavonoids, a group of antioxidant chemical compounds widely found often as a pigment in plants, fruits and vegetables, are termed as ‘nature’s biological response modifiers’. They have a strong inbuilt capacity to affect the way the body responds to allergens, viruses and carcinogens. Flavonoids are widely present in plants and protect them from microbes and insects.

Diseases like liver disease in dogs or feline liver disease are highly progressive diseases that are also difficult to diagnose and even lead to the death of your pet. Moreover, symptoms of liver disease in dogs and cats are varied and subtle and the disorder is likely to be diagnosed late. It would be unwise to look for vitamin supplements at the time of illness. The preferred approach should be to maintain the health of the immune system for reducing the incidence and severity of diseases in pets.

As much as you can, try to feed a natural diet to your dog. If you must buy commercial pet food gather enough information so that you can understand the contents mentioned on the label so as to be able to avoid those containing chemical preservatives. Chemical preservatives do more harm than the possible benefits of the ingredients.

To ensure that your dog is eating the best food, feed a home cooked diet that is rich in Vitamin C, E and A, antioxidants and Omega 3 fatty acids for best possible benefits for immune system. Even though dogs need meat based proteins, a healthy mix of meat and vegetables will go a long way to derive benefits that both vitamins and flavonoids can provide to the immune system.

Diabetes mellitus or simply diabetes is a common condition in dogs. However scary it may sound it is not the end of the world for your dog because diabetes in canines is manageable if proper care is taken. Diet, regular monitoring of blood sugar levels and medication are key aspects of adequate care.

Diabetes, however, can cause an early death of the dog if it is not treated. High blood sugar levels produce clinical symptoms of diabetes in dogs and cats that can help in early detection.

Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels rise due to the inability of pancreas to produce enough insulin to manage glucose (a primary sugar) in the food that the dog ingests. In another situation, cells become resistant to the action of insulin, which also results in a high blood sugar level. If not managed within reasonable time, it leads to abnormally high blood sugar levels, a condition known as hyperglycemia.

High blood sugar results when the dog’s body is unable to process and convert glucose to energy for maintaining healthy growth. The excess glucose in the blood has to go somewhere if it is not used by the body’s systems and it leaks over to the urine. This leads to excessive urination (polyuria). As fluids in the body reduce, the dog feels the need to drink more (polydipsia) to compensate the loss due to excessive urination.

Besides these two most prominent symptoms of diabetes in dogs and cats some of the other symptoms indicative of diabetes are:

* Weight loss
* Poor skin and hair coat
* Frequent bladder infections

On observing these signs, a veterinarian should be consulted at the first opportunity because untreated diabetes can lead to:

* Loss of appetite
* Vomiting
* Diabetic neuropathy, especially weakness in rear legs
* Dehydration

Left untreated, diabetes can progress and cause some life threatening disorders like diabetic acidosis, a condition of abnormally high acidity accompanied by an accumulation of ketone bodies. Some of the other complications arising out of unregulated blood sugar levels include liver and kidney dysfunction and canine blindness.

The cause of diabetes still remains a mystery despite large amounts of research that has been initiated in this area. Chronic inflammation of the pancreas and genetic predisposition are often suspected to be the cause in most of the cases. Breeds like Poodles, Schnauzers, Keeshounds, Cairn Terriers, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels and Beagles are more predisposed to developing diabetes.

Once your dog has been diagnosed for diabetes, close monitoring of diet and regular checking of blood sugar levels is necessary. Minor increase in blood sugar can be managed by controlling and regulating diet. Abnormally high levels require insulin injections. Injection of insulin needs to be correlated with the amount, quality and timing of food intake.

If you are taking care of your dog at home, make sure you get proper instructions about how and when to inject insulin on your own. Since excess insulin can lead to hypoglycemia or extremely low blood sugar levels, this is another area that you must understand well.