Why is my dog sneezing?

Question My dog started sneezing after spending three days with a dog who just spent a week in a kennel. Did she catch a cold?

Answer There are many upper respiratory viruses and bacteria that can cause sneezing in dogs. These dangers are in much higher concentrations at boarding kennels. Therefore, it is possible that your dog caught the cold from her friend. The good news is that these upper respiratory infections are usually self-limiting in otherwise healthy adult dogs. In other words, the symptoms should be mild and pass quickly.

There are, however, many things that may cause sneezing in dogs. Among them would be foreign bodies and allergies. If your dog's signs get worse (lethargy, not eating) or you see mucus or yellow-green discharge, contact your veterinarian.

A more common malady after a trip to the kennel is kennel cough. Kennel cough also results from any of a multitude of viruses and bacteria. Dogs exhibit various coughing symptoms, from a mild hack to a very strong cough (which may sound like choking). If you suspect kennel cough in your dog, make sure to visit the veterinarian for treatment.

Why are my dog's eyes cloudy?

Question

My dog's eyes are becoming cloudy. Is there anything I can do? Is this a cataract? If so, how is my dog treated?

Answer

Your dog's cloudy eyes could be cataracts or it could be a normal aging process of the lens of the eye known as nuclear sclerosis. Nuclear sclerosis causes the lens to refract light. It's like looking into a dirty fish tank - you can see, but not clearly. It is best to schedule a veterinary exam to determine the problem.

Anal Gland Problems

Question

Our dog often has problems with her anal glands. She keeps rubbing her backside on the floor. Is she in pain? Can we help her ourselves without going to the veterinarian each time this happens?

Answer

Anal glands are two paired glands located within and below the external anal sphincter muscle and can often be a problem in dogs. They produce a thick substance that may have at one time been used to mark territory when dogs were wild. They serve very little purpose in the modern domestic dog.

When the anal glands become full or impacted, the dog may experience some discomfort. The glands become VERY itchy and irritated. Actual pain is difficult to assess, but some believe that they can be painful in some cases. When the dog licks, chews or scoots on its bottom, it is attempting to express the glands on its own.

To express anal glands does not require a veterinarian. Many groomers will do this as part of their service, and some pet owners will do it themselves. However, expressing anal glands is not a very pleasant task to perform, and many pet owners will give up after one try. Before trying this on your own, ask your veterinarian for a demonstration.

If anal glands become a common problem, they can be surgically removed. The glands serve no real purpose and, like a human appendix, the dog may do much better without them. Many veterinarians are uncomfortable performing this surgery; however, many others do the procedure with a great deal of success and minimal complications.

Car Sickness

Question My dog always throws up when we go for car rides. How can I help him?

Answer

It sounds like your dog is experiencing typical motion sickness, just like some people do. Motion sickness usually begins very shortly after starting the car ride. The dog will begin to drool and then vomit. It's not serious, but certainly not something that we like to clean up!

To solve the problem, first try acclimating the dog to car rides. Do this by simply putting him in the car for a few minutes each day without going anywhere. Then try just going down the driveway and back, and the next day going around the block. Gradually build up the distance and time the dog rides in the car. Sometimes this will help to decrease the dog's anxiety over riding in the car and may help to decrease vomiting.

If that doesn't work, there are some over-the-counter medications you can try. The medication will need to be given about an hour before the car ride. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation as to what drug to try and the dosage for your pet. (Never give any medications to your pet without your veterinarian's advice!) These drugs are very safe, with drowsiness usually the only major side effect. But since your dog isn't driving the car, that shouldn't be a problem!

If over-the-counter drugs don't work, then your veterinarian may be able to prescribe something a bit stronger.

Excessive drinking and urination

Question

My dog drinks an excessive amount of water and urinates a lot. What's going on?

Answer

It is important that you take your dog to the veterinarian for a complete physical examination as soon as possible. The symptoms you describe could indicate one of a number of problems, from something very treatable, such as a bacterial infection of the urinary tract, to something more serious like diabetes or kidney failure. Some of these conditions can be life-threatening if not treated in a timely fashion. Your veterinarian can run routine laboratory tests to determine your dog's condition and the best way to treat him.

Secondhand Smoke

Question Can secondhand smoke harm my pets?

Answer

Not surprisingly, the answer is yes. Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemical compounds, 43 of which are known to be carcinogens. While many studies have shown that exposure to these chemicals can increase people's chances of heart disease, lung cancer, and other cancers, some recent studies have shown that these chemicals also increase the risk of these diseases to pets.

Research performed at Colorado State University has documented that environmental tobacco smoke has a clear effect on dogs and their chance of falling victim to disease. Studies have shown that the more people smoke in a household, the higher their dogs' risk of developing certain kinds of cancer. Dogs with long noses are at an even greater risk of developing certain nasal and sinus cancer, as they expose more tissue to the carcinogens when they inhale.

CSU's research has also shown that the effects of exposure to secondhand smoke are lasting. Chemicals from cigarette smoke can be found in animals' bodies for a long period of time. In fact, measurable levels of carcinogens can be found in dogs' hair and urine for months after exposure.

Another study by Tufts University showed that cats exposed to secondhand smoke have an increased chance of developing a type of oral cancer commonly found in smokers--called squamous cell carcinoma--possibly because the carcinogens in smoke can settle on cats' fur and cats can pick them up as they groom themselves.

Even if they don't develop cancer, pets can have strong reactions to smoke particles in the air. Just like their human families, pets can develop respiratory infections, lung inflammation, and asthma when exposed to secondhand smoke.

What causes a dog's nose to turn pink?

Question

My dog's nose is turning pink. He drinks from a stainless steel bowl and eats from a ceramic bowl. I got him from a breeder, and both parents have great black noses.

Answer

There are numerous conditions that can cause loss of pigment in a dog's nose. Allergies, infections, and immune mediated diseases are the three big groups that could commonly be involved. The best thing to do is to have a thorough physical exam to find out what's behind the change.

Fatty Deposits

Question

My veterinarian told me that the lumps under my dog's skin are fatty deposits. What should I do?

Answer

Actually, you don't need to do much of anything. These fatty lumps, called lipomas, are very common, painless, and nearly always benign (that is, not cancerous and not life-or health-threatening). They are simply a clump of fat cells that have become concentrated in one location and formed a bump under the skin. They are most common in older dogs, though they can appear on young dogs or even puppies on occasion. There is no need to treat lipomas, though they can be surgically removed if they interfere with your dog's ability to move, sit, or lie comfortable.

If your dog has already been diagnosed with fatty tumors, it's very possible that she will develop more over time. If new lumps develop, you should schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to ensure that they are also lipomas. This can be done through a relatively simple process called a fine-needle aspirate. Your veterinarian will insert a very thin needle into the lump and withdraw a small amount of materialdmuch like giving an injection in reverse. The material can then be checked to make sure it is benign fatty tissue.

My dog got cut on her leg last month and she's still limping.

What's wrong?

Answer

There are a few things that could make a wound to cause pain and lameness in a dog for weeks or months. First, the injury could have damaged soft tissue, such as ligaments or tendons, which would lead to chronic pain. Second, the cut may have become infected. Third, a joint may be damaged, either by the initial injury or by infection. Finally, there could be some damage to the bonedcalled a microfracturedthat may not have shown up on an X ray.

It could also be that your dog is limping due to a condition unrelated to the cut, such as arthritis or a sprain or other injury. The limp may just have happened to occur soon after the cut.All of these problems need veterinary attention, as they can all become chronic, painful conditions. Your veterinarian can perform a physical exam, take X rays, and perform other diagnostic procedures to find out what's causing your dog's pain. He may also prescribe pain medication to help your dog walk.

Cold, wet noses are good, right?

Answer

A cold, wet nose is one sign of good health in dogs and cats. However, even a healthy pet can have a warm, dry nose on occasion. On the other hand, really sick pets can also have cold, wet noses. What does all this mean? Simply that any one indicator of health is not 100 percent accurate all the time. Sick pets with cold noses should be seen by your veterinarian. And by the same token, pets with warm, dry noses that are showing other symptoms such as lethargy or not eating should also be seen by a doctor.

What is the normal blood pressure range for dogs?

Answer

Mean arterial blood pressure in the dog is 90-110.