16
04, 2020
Forearm Fracture in a Dog
Introduction It is not uncommon for a dog or cat to fracture its forearm. The two bones that are usually involved are the radius and ulna. Depending on the severity of the fracture, it is either splinted or surgery is performed to stabilize the bones with a bone plate. Puppies heal well with a splint. In small breed adult dogs, due to their bone anatomy and blood supply, a splint will not work, and a plate is needed surgically for proper healing. If a splint is used there is a good chance there will be what is called a non-union.
12
04, 2020
Cushing’s Disease in Dogs: Cause, Signs & Treatment Options
Cushing's Disease (also known as hyperadrenocorticism- (Cushing's is easier to pronounce, so stick with that word) results when the adrenal glands secrete an excess amount of cortisone. It is named Cushing's because that is the name of the doctor that discovered this disease. It is the most common endocrinopathy (hormone disease) encountered in older canines. This disease is the exact opposite of another endocrine problem in canines called Addison's disease (hypoadrenocorticism). This is a complex hormonal disease that does not lend itself to a simple explanation or an easy diagnosis. Some pets have the symptoms, yet the tests for Cushing's
12
04, 2020
Spleen Hematoma
This page confirms the importance of routine yearly exams, and close owner observation, on our pets. Large breed dogs can be stoic, and have significant problems brewing without showing any outward signs. When serious symptoms like weight loss and lack of appetite finally show up, the disease process is usually well entrenched, and there is little we can do. This can happen with an enlarged spleen in dogs. We want to see these pets for an exam at the Long Beach Animal Hospital before it gets to that stage. Pets are masters at hiding illness, so it can be difficult to
11
04, 2020
Radiographs (X-Rays)
Introduction An important diagnostic modality we use to make an accurate diagnosis on our dog patients is radiography, more commonly known as x-rays. Just like the many other Diagnostic tests we perform, x-rays are important in veterinary medicine since our patients do not routinely tell us where they are having a medical problem. We work closely with our radiologist Dr. Ann Reed to aid us in using X-rays for diagnostic purposes. She is a radiologist and specializes in reading radiographs and doing ultrasounds. This fun section shows you the wide variety of radiographs we take on dogs. On many of the
10
04, 2020
Bladder Stones in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment
On this page you will learn about causes, diagnostic tests, and treatment options for various types of bladder stones in dogs. Stones in the urinary tract (kidneys, ureters, and urinary bladder, and urethra) are common in dogs. Even though dogs get kidney stones, it is bladder stones in dogs that cause more problems. Urolithiasis is a medical term for stones anywhere in the urinary tract. When it is in the kidneys it is a nephrolith, in the ureters it is a ureterolith, and when it is in the urinary bladder this stone is called a cystolith or cystic calculi, and