Whipworms
Overview:
Whipworms are whip-shaped parasites that upon entry into a dog's gastrointestinal tract usually attach to the dog's large intestine and cecum. The cecum is a blind pouch extending off the large intestine that has its own valve and can be compared to the appendix in humans. Dogs can get whipworms by eating dirt that contains the infective eggs of the adult parasite.
von Willebrand's disease
Overview:
Occurring because of abnormalities involving a protein called von Willebrand's factor, von Willebrand's disease is an inherited bleeding disorder of dogs. A large number of breeds can be affected with the disease, but the breeds most commonly diagnosed include Doberman pinschers, Scottish terriers, Shetland sheepdogs, and Airedale terriers. Dogs with the illness will many times have no symptoms at all, but when symptoms do occur, abnormal bleeding results. Both spontaneous bleeding and excessive hemorrhage in response to a stimulus such as trauma or routine surgery have been observed.
Vomiting
Overview:
Vomiting is one of the more common reasons why owners take their dogs to the veterinarian. Isolated episodes of vomiting rarely are a cause for concern as long as the dog has an appetite and is bright and alert; most healthy dogs will, on occasion, vomit whole or partially digested food, grass, or foamy, clear liquid.
Ununited anconeal process (UAP), elbow dysplasia, bone chip or bone spur
Overview:
While a normal dog is growing, a piece of the bone in its elbow called the anconeal process fuses with the ulna in the front leg. Dogs that develop an ununited anconeal process fail to form this union. The result of the lack of fusion is instability and irritation in the joint, which leads to arthritis and mild to severe lameness in the affected front limb or limbs. Ununited anconeal process is one of three diseases which are grouped under the heading elbow dysplasia; the other two are osteochondrosis of the elbow, and fragmented medial coronoid process.
Tracheal collapse, collapsing trachea
Overview:
Small breed dogs are particularly susceptible to a condition called tracheal collapse. The tracheal rings, which are made of cartilage, can become weak and fail to keep the trachea open during breathing. When the trachea collapses, air is no longer able to move through the respiratory tract. Depending upon the stage of respiration in which the collapse occurs, air may become trapped within the lungs or blocked from entering them.