Just like in humans, the lung tissue of dogs can become inflamed. Medically referred to as pneumonia, this condition is also a serious illness in dogs and can lead to death if left untreated.
In most cases, pneumonia in dogs is caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. However, other causes include physical stimuli (toxins, gases), metabolic disorders, or tumors. Circulatory or blood flow disorders caused by heart failure or blood clots (thromboembolism) can also cause pneumonia.
Swallowing foreign bodies, food, or liquids as a result of diseases of the esophagus or after anesthesia can lead to aspiration pneumonia. Pneumonia often occurs as a result of a weakened immune system following general infectious diseases (distemper and other viral infections). Weakened animals or animals that are exposed to a high risk of infection (e.g., in animal shelters) have an increased risk of developing the disease.
Typical signs of pneumonia include a painful cough (dry at first, then wet), wheezing, nasal discharge, sometimes high fever, fatigue, and general malaise. The severity of symptoms depends on the course and stage of the inflammation. If the disease is not treated in time, the breathing problems worsen and oxygen deficiency develops, which manifests itself in the form of bluish-colored mucous membranes.
Even though pneumonia often starts with a harmless cough, it is always advisable to consult a veterinarian to determine the cause and take prompt action. Progressive pneumonia further weakens the immune system, making the dog more susceptible to further infections and increasingly weaker.
The veterinarian will examine your dog clinically, which includes listening to the lungs and bronchi, and will ask you to provide a detailed report on the onset and progression of the symptoms. They will then be able to make a preliminary diagnosis. To confirm the diagnosis, they will usually take X-rays. Occasionally, an ultrasound examination may also be used. However, bronchoscopy, an endoscopic examination of the bronchi and parts of the lungs, is more informative. This allows the veterinarian to directly assess the mucous membrane and any secretions and take mucus samples for examination.
A blood test is also almost always part of a comprehensive diagnosis. The blood count can provide valuable information about possible (infectious or non-infectious) causes and the dog's circulatory status.
If known, the cause of the pneumonia must be determined and treated in the first instance. Since most cases of pneumonia are bacterial in origin or involve bacteria, antibiotic medication is very often used successfully. The veterinarian may also prescribe mucolytics or cough suppressants to support treatment. It is particularly important that the duration and dosage of the medication prescribed by the veterinarian is adhered to in order to prevent relapses. Depending on the severity of the inflammation, supportive measures may also be necessary to compensate for fluid loss and immune deficiencies.
The chances of recovery depend greatly on the cause of the pneumonia and any underlying conditions. Bacterial pneumonia is easy to treat and usually clears up without any problems. Viral infections, on the other hand, are often more serious and therefore have a poorer prognosis.
This muscle disease, which was only discovered in recent years, occurs primarily in Quarter Horses and cold-blooded animals and is characterized by the storage of excessive amounts of glycogen (animal starch stored in cells) in the horse's muscles. It is known as polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM).
This infectious disease, medically known as foal septicemia, is often fatal and affects newborn foals up to 4 weeks of age. The pathogens enter the bloodstream in various ways and can spread throughout the entire organism. However, the disease most commonly manifests itself in the joints, which is why it is colloquially known as foal paralysis.
Dogs and cats can go blind for various reasons. For our beloved pets, however, this is by no means “the end.” Dogs and cats, in particular, who live with us humans, are very good at compensating for the loss of sight with their other senses and can continue to lead an almost normal life.
The tendons are part of the musculoskeletal system and act as the connecting links between the muscles and the skeleton. They consist of strong, flexible tissue, transfer energy from the muscles to the bones, and thus enable targeted movement. Their special structure, consisting of parallel connective tissue fibers grouped together in bundles, gives them enormous tensile strength and elasticity. The flexor tendons of the front legs are particularly exposed to extreme stress in horses, as more than half of the body weight has to be carried by the forehand. Tendon damage is one of the most common causes of lameness, especially in sport horses. In most cases, the structures affected on the front leg are the superficial flexor tendon, the deep flexor tendon, the suspensory ligament, and the fetlock joint (see diagram). As there are very few nerves and blood vessels in the tendon tissue, healing is very slow.
Myiasis is the medical term for fly maggot infestation in rabbits, which occurs primarily in the warm summer months and in injured or weakened animals. The disease is often underestimated, but can be life-threatening for rabbits.
Syncope refers to a fainting spell or circulatory collapse that occurs suddenly without warning and results in a temporary loss of consciousness. Your dog suddenly collapses and shows no signs of response. After a short time, he regains consciousness and behaves as he did before the syncope.
Sticker's sarcoma is an infectious tumor of the external genital organs of male and female dogs. It is also known as transmissible venereal tumor or venereal sarcomatosis. The disease occurs worldwide, but is primarily found in tropical and subtropical countries (Mediterranean region, Africa, Eastern Europe, South America) where there is a large population of stray dogs.
Botulism is a serious neurological disease caused by the ingestion of botulinum toxin (a poison) from contaminated feed. Even the smallest amounts of this toxin can cause severe poisoning in horses, leading to death.
Spondylosis is a condition characterized by deformation of the spine. It involves the formation of bony growths resembling spurs or bridges on the underside, sides, or, rarely, the top of the vertebral bodies. It primarily affects large, heavy dog breeds such as the German Boxer, German Shepherd, Rottweiler, St. Bernard, and Retriever, as well as dogs with long backs, such as the Dachshund. However, the condition can also occur in all other dog breeds.
The topic of deworming is a recurring discussion among horse owners. For anyone wondering whether it’s even necessary to deworm their horse, the answer is: Yes! Anyone who has ever witnessed, during colic surgery, how vast numbers of worms can completely block sections of the small or large intestine will never ask that question again. Without treatment, a worm infestation can become a life-threatening danger to your horse. Initially, noticeably frequent rubbing of the tail root is a sign of this. As the condition progresses, internal organs can be damaged and colic can occur. Your horse loses weight despite adequate feeding. The parasites weaken it more and more. Regular deworming is necessary to reduce the infestation to a level that your horse’s body can tolerate. It is nearly impossible to achieve complete freedom from worms, as new infections occur repeatedly due to the environment. When it comes to deworming, there are two methods: strategic and selective deworming. You should avoid alternative deworming methods.
The air sacs of horses are part of the upper respiratory tract. They develop in foals as a mucous membrane protrusion on both sides of the Eustachian tube (the connection between the middle ear and the nasopharyngeal cavity), each with a capacity of approximately 300 ml. Air sacs are found exclusively in equines and some other odd-toed ungulates, making them a unique feature. There are various theories about the function of the air sacs. The most likely is that they serve to cool the brain. There is a connection between the horse's throat and the air sacs, which is why infections of the upper respiratory tract can also spread to the air sacs. The most important diseases of the air sacs are described below.
Endoscopy is an imaging, minimally invasive procedure in which body cavities and hollow organs can be viewed and examined using an endoscope. Endoscopes are either rigid or flexible and have a light source and a camera at the front that transmits the image directly to a screen.
