Gastroenterology is the branch of internal medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. This also includes the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder.
The gastrointestinal tract is responsible for the intake, mechanical breakdown, and chemical decomposition of food, the absorption of nutrients, and the excretion of metabolic waste products. The salivary glands, liver, and pancreas enable the various digestive processes and are therefore essential for digestion.
The most common gastroenterological diseases in small animals include acute and chronic inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis, see corresponding article), inflammation of the intestines (enteritis), inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis, see corresponding article), inflammation of the liver (hepatitis, see corresponding article), and tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.
In horses, the main symptom is colic (see corresponding article), which has a wide range of causes. Acute or chronic inflammation of the stomach lining and stomach ulcers (see corresponding article) are also common.
In gastroenterology, various further examination methods are used after a thorough review of the patient's medical history and a general examination. These include imaging techniques such as X-rays, ultrasound, CT, MRI, or endoscopy (see respective articles) as well as various laboratory tests of blood, stool, or biopsies.
Standard gastroenterological examinations in horses also include rectal examination, stomach probing, and gastroscopy (= endoscopy of the stomach). Ultrasound examinations are also performed rectally in horses.
In dogs, as in humans, the anterior cruciate ligament often tears. This strong ligament connects the thigh bone to the shin bone in the knee joint and prevents the knee from overextending or twisting. However, while cruciate ligament tears in humans are usually traumatic in nature (caused by sports accidents of all kinds), in dogs the ligament gradually breaks down over a longer period of time (degeneration).
The bit attached to the bridle transmits your rein aids to your horse and is therefore a central link in rider-horse communication. As the horse's mouth is a particularly sensitive area, it is important that the bit suits you both. Choosing the right bit depends on the level of training of the rider and horse, the type of riding, the anatomy of the horse's mouth, the temperament and also the preferences of the horse.
Similar to humans, dogs of middle to advanced age can also develop a sugar metabolism disorder. Canine diabetes is the second most common hormone-related disease in dogs. The first noticeable symptoms are increased thirst and increased urination. If diabetes is detected early, the disease can be well controlled with lifelong insulin therapy. However, certain emergencies can also occur in the context of diabetes, requiring immediate veterinary treatment.
Squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant skin tumor that occurs in cats mainly in the mouth, ears, and nose. Starting in the uppermost layer of skin and mucous membrane, the squamous epithelium, this tumor spreads very quickly and aggressively. Cats of all breeds and ages can be affected, although older cats are more susceptible.
This condition of the knee joint, in which the kneecap (patella) pops out of its natural position to the side, is one of the most common causes of lameness in dogs. This dislocation occurs mainly in growing and older dogs of small breeds. Several of these breeds have a particular genetic predisposition to patella luxation.
Immune deficiency syndrome, colloquially known as "feline AIDS," is an infectious disease caused by a virus that weakens the immune system and causes serious secondary diseases. The virus is similar to HIV but is not dangerous to humans.
Blood pressure measurement determines the pressure in the blood vessels. It consists of two values, the systolic (higher) and diastolic (lower) blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure is measured when the heart contracts to pump blood out of the heart. As soon as the heart muscle relaxes and blood flows back in, the diastolic blood pressure is measured.
If you are thinking about getting a rabbit as a pet, you should definitely research in advance how these animals like to live and what they need. Also ask yourself why you want a rabbit in the first place. These little hoppers should not be purchased purely as cuddly toys for the youngest animal lovers. Children in particular should learn from the outset that handling animals requires a certain amount of understanding and responsibility.
The horse's back is extremely important for its stability and movement. It also carries the weight of the rider. A healthy back is essential for your horse's well-being, long-term use, and performance.
It's not always easy to keep track of everything in our human world that could be harmful to our four-legged friends. Often, we don't even see how quickly Fido has stuck his head in the trash can and hurt himself by eating onion scraps. But it's not just food that poses a danger; the wrong toys can cause problems, as can drinking from a puddle at the edge of a field.
Hip dysplasia, better known as HD, is a very common skeletal disorder in dogs. It is a hereditary malformation of the hip joint that occurs primarily in large breeds and affects up to half of all dogs of a breed.
Elbow joint dysplasia describes a complex of hereditary developmental disorders of the elbow joint. It occurs primarily in fast-growing large dog breeds during the growth phase and leads to varying degrees of lameness.
