Behind this complicated name lies an aggressive form of cancer in dogs, also known as malignant histiocytosis, which mainly affects Bernese Mountain Dogs, Retrievers and Rottweilers and is one of the most common causes of death in these breeds as a hereditary disease. It primarily affects male dogs between the ages of two and eight. The disease is relatively rare in other dog breeds.
Histiocytes are cells of the immune system that occur mainly in connective tissue, but also in all other organs, and act as "scavenger cells" that absorb and break down microorganisms, cell debris, and dead cells. A mutation causes the degenerated cells to multiply abnormally in one or more organs, with a pronounced tendency to metastasize (form secondary tumors). The secondary tumors spread rapidly and their invasive growth leads to severe organ damage and ultimately to the death of the animal.
The cause of this degeneration is still unknown. However, a genetic predisposition has been identified in Bernese Mountain Dogs.
In terms of how it appears, a distinction is made between whether the disease is localized (skin form) or spreads throughout the entire body (disseminated form). Another particularly aggressive form is hemophagocytic (= blood-eating) histiocytoma, which often affects the bone marrow. The tumor cells "eat" the red blood cells of the affected dog, causing anemia.
Since histiocytoma is a tumor of the hematopoietic system, it can affect almost any organ in the body, although the skin is usually not involved in the disseminated form. In most cases, the lungs, liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow are affected. Depending on the location of the tumor, the appearance of the disease can therefore vary greatly and be less characteristic. Affected dogs usually show nonspecific symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, and weight loss. If the lungs are involved, breathing difficulties and coughing occur. In rare cases, ataxia, paralysis, or epileptic seizures may also occur. The disseminated form progresses rapidly and in most cases leads to death in less than six months.
The skin form manifests itself in the form of nodules and plaques on the skin, with the nasal and eye mucosa and, in males, the scrotum being particularly affected. The skin changes often occur in episodes, are difficult to define and tend to be ulcerative in nature. The disease worsens with each episode and metastasises particularly to the lymph nodes, spleen and bone marrow.
In the case of blood-eating histiocytoma, the absorption of red blood cells into the tumor cells leads to anemia, which causes pale mucous membranes and weakness. If you notice any such changes in your dog, please take it to a veterinarian immediately.
The veterinarian will already have indications of a tumorous disease based on your preliminary report and a thorough clinical examination. Enlarged lymph nodes and swelling of the liver or spleen are usually present, but unfortunately, the disease is already advanced when symptoms appear.
This initial suspicion can be further confirmed with the help of an X-ray or ultrasound examination. However, X-rays and ultrasounds can only show an increase in size; the exact type of tumor can only be determined by taking a tissue sample. In a procedure known as fine needle aspiration, a thin, long needle is used to puncture the tumor and remove a cell sample, which can then be examined in the laboratory. The type of tumor can be determined more accurately based on the cell type and any changes. However, depending on the location of the tumor (e.g., lung), the examination can sometimes only be performed with high risks for the patient and therefore requires careful consideration. Diagnosis is more difficult for the veterinarian in the case of blood-eating histiocytoma, as although enlargement of the liver and spleen can be detected on X-ray or ultrasound, no actual tumors are visible.
There is no cure for this type of cancer. Chemotherapy (drugs used to kill tumor cells) or radiation therapy are used to treat the disease, but these treatments can only improve the dog's quality of life and delay the progression of the disease. Surgical measures are also rarely practical or promising due to the location of the tumors. In cases of severe, therapy-resistant symptoms, such as severe shortness of breath due to tumor masses in the lungs, the animal should be euthanized in view of the hopeless prognosis.
The prognosis for this aggressive form of cancer is generally poor. Despite a wide range of treatment options, there is no cure. Depending on the type of tumor, the type of treatment, and the response to treatment, the life expectancy of affected animals ranges from a few weeks to a few months after diagnosis.
Since it is still unknown why the cells degenerate, prevention in the true sense of the word is not possible. Due to the genetic predisposition of Bernese Mountain Dogs, a genomic test has been developed in collaboration with a German university that provides breeders with information about the longevity and risk of their breeding dogs developing HS. These results enable responsible breeders to carry out targeted mating to reduce the incidence of the disease.
The prostate gland is the most important sex gland in male dogs. It is located behind the bladder and surrounds the beginning of the urethra. The secretion produced by the prostate gland is a component of semen and is ejaculated together with the sperm produced in the testicles. Prostate disorders are usually diagnosed in older, unneutered male dogs. These disorders can cause various changes in the gland.
Claw disorders are relatively rare in dogs. However, injuries, excessive licking or poor grooming can cause the claw bed to become inflamed due to the penetration of bacteria or fungi. Symmetrical lupoid onychodystrophy (SLO) is the most common form of claw bed inflammation in dogs. This rare but extremely painful disease of the claw bed mainly affects large dogs (Great Danes, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, German Shepherds) and can be triggered by various factors.
This brain disorder, which has not yet been fully researched in dogs, causes seizures that can be very frightening for dog owners. Epilepsy can be treated very effectively with medication, but its cause is still not fully understood.
A hernia is a bulge in the abdominal wall through which the peritoneum and intestines can protrude. Perianal hernia, also known as perineal hernia, is a condition that occurs in 90% of older, unneutered male dogs, in which fat and abdominal organs protrude under the skin in the perineal area (the area between the anus and the external genitalia).
This eye disease, also known as Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), is a hereditary condition affecting Collies, Shelties, and some related breeds. It is a congenital developmental disorder of the back of both eyes that can lead to visual impairment or even blindness.
When the body develops antibodies against its own structures, this is referred to as an autoimmune disease. The immune system mistakenly attacks parts of the body, damaging certain functions and organs and even destroying them completely. Autoimmune diseases in dogs include individual forms of pemphigus and lupus, which will be explained in more detail below. The individual diseases are distinguished based on the different target structures in the body.
The soft palate is a muscle extension approximately 10 cm long that separates the nasal cavity from the throat. As the name suggests, dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) describes a change in position in which the soft palate temporarily or permanently covers the epiglottis, leading to coughing, difficulty swallowing, and breathing problems.
There are all kinds of dangers lurking for cats, not only outside but also in the home. Young, playful, and curious kittens are particularly at risk. Therefore, take the necessary safety precautions before a cat moves in with you. With the right knowledge, you will be on the safe side.
Entropion is also colloquially referred to as a rolled eyelid and describes the inward rolling of the upper or lower eyelid. It can affect the entire eyelid or just part of it.
Have you ever wondered whether your dog can see the magnificent colors that nature sometimes presents us with? Have you ever thought about how your dog sees you and how it perceives its environment with its eyes?
Fungal diseases are among the most common skin diseases in horses. They occur regardless of the season, are easily transmissible, and cause circular, scaly, non-itchy skin lesions. Young horses whose immune systems are not yet fully developed are particularly affected. Humans can also become infected with a skin fungus from horses, meaning that it is a zoonosis.
Horse influenza, similar to influenza in humans, is a highly contagious viral disease of the upper and lower respiratory tract. Its classic progression makes it easy to distinguish from other respiratory diseases. With the exception of New Zealand and Australia, it occurs worldwide. It is the most common viral respiratory disease in horses. Despite almost universal vaccination, outbreaks of the disease continue to occur.
