Hypocalcemia
Serum calcium levels are normally tightly regulated by the combined actions of calcitriol and PTH. Hypocalcemia can, however, occur in some dogs with CRF as a result of.
Decreased intestinal absorption due to low calcitriol levels, Decreased dietary intake due to anorexia, Deposition of calcium-phosphate complex in tissues, which reduces serum ionised calcium.
Elevated serum calcium may [...]
Hyperlipidemia
Increased plasma lipids are often discovered in dogs only serendipitously following biochemical testing for a clinically suspected disease that is subsequently known to elicit increased plasma lipids.
However, dogs may not exhibit overt clinical signs of such a disease, and laboratory testing may be the only route by which lipid disorders are initially identified.
Therefore, routine health [...]
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
Causes of feline hypercalcemia include:
• Chronic renal failure
• Idiopathic hypercalcemia
• Neoplasia – lymphosarcoma, squamous cell carcinoma, myeloma and others
• Vitamin D toxicosis
• Primary hyperparathyroidism
• Granulomatous disease
Renal failure constituted 27 of 71 cases (38%) in a recent retrospective study, with 21 (30%) having neoplasia, and 4 (6%) with primary hyper-parathyroidism. In another 20 cats, the [...]
Introduction
Hyperviscosity syndrome (HVS) refers to a collection of clinical signs due to increased serum /whole blood viscosity. HVS also has been reported to occur secondary to lymphoma and an extramedullary plasmacytoma in cats.
Clinical signs
Common organ systems affected by HVS include CNS, renal, cardiovascular and ophthalmic.Coagulation abnormalities also are common, and signs associated with coagulopathies often [...]
What is Rocky Mountain spotted fever?
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is the most severe and the most frequently reported tick-borne illness in the United States. This disease, affecting humans and dogs, is caused by the bacterial organism Rickettsia rickettsii.
In the last 50 years, approximately 250-1,200 cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever have been reported annually in the [...]
How is Rocky Mountain spotted fever treated?
RMSF is often treated with tetracycline class antibiotics, usually doxycycline.
Can a person get Rocky Mountain spotted fever more than once?
Previous infection is thought to provide long lasting immunity against re-infection. However, this should not deter persons from practicing good tick-preventive measures or visiting a physician if signs and symptoms consistent with [...]
Ehrlichiosis is a group of diseases, usually named according to the host species and the type of white blood cell most often infected. Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis is caused by Ehrlichia canis and, occasionally, E. chaffeensis. Canine granulocytic ehrlichiosis is caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia ewingii.
Infections in Animals
Species Affected
E. chaffeensis can infect dogs, coyotes, red [...]
Diagnostic Tests
Ehrlichiosis can be diagnosed by serology or detection of the organism. Diagnosis is complicated, particularly in dogs, by the possibility of co-infection with more than one organism, and by cross-reactions in serologic tests.
The indirect immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test is the most commonly used serologic test for equine granulocytic ehrlichiosis, canine ehrlichiosis and tick-borne fever. [...]
Prevention
Ehrlichiosis can be prevented by controlling the tick vectors. Pets should be inspected frequently for ticks, which should be removed promptly with fine-tipped tweezers or gloved hands.
Bare hands should not be used to remove ticks, due to the risk of exposure to the tick’s fluids or feces; various infectious agents can enter the body through [...]
Baylisascariasis Nematodes
Importance
Baylisascaris procyonis, an intestinal nematode of raccoons, can cause severe neurological and ocular signs when its larvae migrate in humans, other mammals and birds. Although clinical cases are rare in people, they are serious and very difficult to treat.
Severe disease has also been reported in other mammals and birds in zoos, as [...]