- Von Willebrand dog disease is an inherited disease in dogs, it is a disease present in both dogs and humans. This disease is caused by the lack of a protein called von Willebrand factor, this protein is essential for blood clotting. This dog disease can be either mild or severe, depending on the amount of von Willebrand present in the dog. Symptoms of the disease include spontaneous bleeding and excessive bleeding following surgery, injury, or during an estrous cycle, this happens due to the blood not clotting.
- Thrombocytopenia is a condition in dogs where there is a low platelet counts in the dog's blood. Platelets are also used in the clotting of blood, so dogs with this condition may have spontaneous bleeding or prolonged bleeding following surgery, injury, or during an estrous cycle. This disease can be caused by rickettisal infections and cancers.
- Thrombocytosis is a condition when there is an excess no of platelets present in the dog's blood. Most cases are caused by exercise or secondary to some cancers, blood loss, or certain drugs. Sometimes the disease is caused by a primary bone marrow disorder. In this last case, the platelets may not function normally, causing the blood to not clot properly.
This is a dog disease present in dogs which causes the destruction of the red blood cells. The most important type is of this disorder is immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, which can be a primary disease as well as it can be caused as a secondary disease due to to cancer, infection, drugs, or vaccinations. In this medical condition antibodies are present on the cell surface, leading to lysis and severe anemia. There can be several other causes of hemolytic lesion these may include hypophosphatemia, exposure to toxins such as lead, infections such as ehrlichiosis or babesiosis, and rarely, neonatal isoerythrolysis. The behavioral condition pica, especially when involving the eating of concrete dust, tile grout, or sand, may be a sign of hemolytic anemia, indicating the need for a complete blood count to investigate a possible diagnosis.
Heart diseases in Dogs
- Degenerative mitral valve disease in dogs is a major cause of congestive heart failure in dogs, especially small, older dogs. The leaflets of the valve become thickened and nodular, leading to mitral valve regurgitation and volume overload of the left side of the heart. One breed in particular the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have an inherited form of this disease.
- Dilated cardiomyopathy is a disease of heart muscle in dogs which causes atrial and ventricular dilation. It is generally present in large dog breeds such as Boxers, Great Danes, and Dobermanns. This dog disease is usually idiopathic, but can also be caused by taurine deficiency in Cocker Spaniels or doxorubicin use. Dilated cardiomyopathy generally results in congestive heart failure.
- Congestive heart failure is the name given to any heart disease that results in the inability of the heart to put out enough blood to meet the dog's needs. It can be caused by the above two diseases, heat stroke, electric shock, injury, infection, developmental heart defects, or high blood pressure. Signs depend on which side of the heart is affected. Left-sided heart failure may result in coughing and difficulty breathing from a build-up of fluid in the lungs and fainting. Right-sided heart failure may result in a build-up of fluid in the abdomen, fluid around the lungs, or peripheral edema.
- Sick sinus syndrome is specifically present in female Miniature Schnauzers. It is characterized by sinoatrial node dysfunction and often includes atrioventricular node disease and bundle branch block. Electrocardiogram findings include sinus bradycardia, sinus arrest, sinoatrial heart block, and asystole. The major sign is fainting.
- Aortic stenosis is a congenital disease in dogs characterized by left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. It is inherited in Newfoundlands, and also present in Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, Boxers, Bulldogs, German Shepherd Dogs, and Samoyeds. symptoms of this defect include fainting and exercise intolerance.
- Pulmonic stenosis is a congenital disease in dogs characterized by right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Most commonly the narrowing occurs at the pulmonary valve. The most commonly affected breeds include terriers, Bulldogs, Miniature Schnauzers, Chihuahuas, Samoyeds, Beagles, Keeshonds, Mastiffs, and Bullmastiffs. Symptoms of this dog disease include exercise intolerance, but often there is only a heart murmur.
- Ventricular septal defect is a hole in the division between the heart ventricles of the dog. It is a congenital disease in dogs. There usually are no symptoms in dogs except for a heart murmur.
- Atrial septal defect is a hole in the division between the heart atria. It is an uncommon condition in dogs. Most are not very dangerous, but large defects may cause heart failure, cyanosis, and exercise intolerance.
- Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect in dogs that includes four separate defects: pulmonic stenosis, a ventricular septal defect, right ventricular hypertrophy, and an overriding aorta. Keeshonds and Bulldogs are predisposed. Symptoms of this condition include cyanosis and exercise intolerance.
- Patent ductus arteriosus is the most common congenital heart defect in dogs in the United States. It is inherited in toy and miniature Poodles, and seen commonly in Pomeranians, Bichon Frises, and Malteses. Symptoms of this dog disease include cough and intolerance to exercise.
- Heart valve dysplasia is a congenital heart defect in dogs.
- Cor triatriatum, specifically cor triatriatum dexter, occurs in dogs and is characterized by a fibrous division of the right atrium. It can be treated by balloon valvuloplasty.
Pulmonary hypertension is a dog disease where there is a high pressure in the pulmonary artery. In dogs it can be caused by heartworm disease or pulmonary thromboembolism. It can result in right-sided heart disease (cor pulmonale). Symptoms include difficulty breathing, cyanosis, and exercise intolerance.
Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome is an autosomal recessive dog disease which results in mature neutrophils being unable to migrate from the bone marrow into the blood. Affected pups suffer from chronic infections and failure to thrive. Other symptoms can include stunted growth and a ferret like facial appearance. This dog disease is common in Border collies.
