Thanks to improved preventive care, senior dogs are no longer a rarity. Similar to humans, they suffer from classic age-related ailments such as osteoarthritis, cataracts, and dementia. Around 20% of nine-year-old dogs and almost 70% of 15-year-old dogs suffer from dementia, also known as canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS or "dog Alzheimer's").
CDS is caused by changes in the nerve cells in the brain. The development of the disease is a complex interaction of many factors. Changes in brain metabolism and neurotransmitters lead to the development of CDS. Vascular changes, inflammation, and deposits of certain proteins also play a role. Risk factors include advanced age and idiopathic epilepsy (see corresponding article).
The initial signs are varied, which means that CDS is not always immediately recognizable. Dogs become disoriented and less lively than usual. They exhibit behavioral changes, become restless at night, and are no longer reliably house-trained.
The following symptoms may occur:
Especially at the onset of the disease, the signs are often dismissed as normal signs of aging. However, early detection is important, as progression can be slowed down by preventive and therapeutic measures.
If you notice one or more of the symptoms described above in your dog, contact your veterinarian. However, the symptoms can also have other causes in older dogs. Therefore, your precise observations are important for making a diagnosis. A special questionnaire can indicate the presence of CDS. However, there are currently no specific tests to confirm suspected CDS. Other conditions such as osteoarthritis (see relevant article) or diabetes (see relevant article) must therefore be ruled out first.
To date, CDS is incurable. However, special measures can be taken to alleviate the symptoms. Early diagnosis slows down the progression of the disease.
The following treatment options are available:
Since symptoms can vary from dog to dog, treatment is also individual. Your vet will discuss the options for your dog with you. They can send your dog's medication to petsXL digitally. This way, you can find all upcoming medication doses in your timeline and set reminders for yourself.
To date, CDS is incurable. However, with appropriate treatment, your dog's quality of life will improve. The accompanying symptoms that make living together difficult, such as uncleanliness or restlessness at night, will also diminish.
Regular check-ups at your vet's practice provide an opportunity to assess your dog's general state of health. Particular attention should be paid to possible symptoms that indicate CDS, especially in older dogs. A special questionnaire may be useful for this purpose.
The dog, which is descended from the wolf, has teeth that are designed for hunting, killing, and tearing food apart. However, the search for food has changed for our four-legged friends: today, we open a can or even cook for our beloved furry friends. Breeding different breeds has also changed the length of dogs' noses and the spacing between their teeth. Unfortunately, all of this can lead to dental problems.
A dull coat, hairless, inflamed areas of skin and often very severe itching are characteristic of this parasitic skin disease, which occurs worldwide and can affect dogs of all ages. It is triggered by a mite, Demodex, which is also found on healthy dogs. Why it multiplies at an above-average rate in certain cases and leads to the skin changes mentioned above is still not fully understood. The disease is not considered contagious.
The decision to neuter is difficult for many dog owners. On the one hand, you want to see a change in behavior, but on the other hand, you are concerned about irreversible consequences. With a Suprelorin implant, you can test how neutering affects your dog's behavior and health without taking the final step right away. The implant can also be used for ferrets.
What do these five letters stand for? This abbreviation comes from English and literally means "feline lower urinary tract disease." It describes all diseases of the urinary tract in cats that cause difficulty and pain when urinating. As a rule, almost exclusively indoor cats are affected; outdoor cats almost never develop this condition. Male cats are also more susceptible than female cats.
It's really special when your own dog has puppies – and for us as dog owners, it's probably just as exciting as it is for the animal itself. It's important that you, as the companion of the expectant dog mom, always remain calm – and have the emergency number of your vet handy.
There are many reasons why a mare that has previously been a riding horse might be turned into a broodmare. There are a few factors to consider on the way to your first foal.
Fancy a little fun and games with your rabbit? Rabbits are intelligent animals. With patience and the right steps, they can even perform a "high five" or "sit."
What is a fun night of dancing for many people is unfortunately a sensitive issue for a lot of dog owners: New Year's Eve fireworks frighten our noise-sensitive four-legged friends and can lead to major problems.
Uveitis is an inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye. It can be divided into anterior and posterior inflammation and manifests itself through a narrow pupil and reddened conjunctiva.
Due to its appearance, the neck lump is also known as a talpa, which means mole tumor. It describes all inflammatory enlargements of the soft tissues in the neck area of the horse. The majority of cases are due to inflammation of the bursa located under the neck band.
Hoof cancer is a chronic disease of the hoof corium. Unlike hoof abscesses, hoof cancer does not cause individual cells to die, but rather leads to uninhibited growth of individual parts of the hoof corium, accompanied by a foul-smelling discharge and a lack of keratinization of this tissue. The term "hoof cancer" was coined due to the appearance of this excessively grown, cauliflower-like tissue, although it is not a form of cancer.
Borna disease, also known as contagious encephalomyelitis or head disease of ungulates, is a rare viral disease of the nervous system that mainly affects horses and sheep. However, other animals and humans are also susceptible to the Borna virus. The disease was first described in 1813, when a whole group of cavalry horses fell ill in the town of Borna.
