Dislocating kneecap, luxating patella, loose knee, trick knee
Overview:
Patellar luxation is usually a congenital condition in which the kneecap, or patella, dislocates outside of its normal trochlear groove. Dislocation, clinically referred to as luxation, can occur on either the medial, or inside surface, or the lateral, or outside surface, of the knee. There are varying degrees of patellar luxation that are graded depending on whether the patella is intermittently or constantly luxated. This abnormal displacement of the kneecap results in pain, cartilage damage, and arthritis. There are varying degrees of severity of this disease, and surgery may be needed.
Parvo
Overview:
A highly contagious viral illness that usually affects young puppies, parvovirus is transmitted from one dog to another via the infected animal's feces. Parvovirus works by temporarily destroying the lining of the intestinal tract so that very little or no food or liquid can be absorbed. As a result, dogs that become infected with parvovirus may experience bloody diarrhea, severe vomiting, weight loss, and fever. In addition, because parvovirus also affects the immune system, limiting it from producing the white blood cells that protect against infection, dogs with the virus may develop other diseases.
Panosteitis, growing pains
Overview:
Rapidly growing dogs may experience pain that arises from the long bones in the limbs. These "growing pains" are known clinically as panosteitis, a disease affecting young dogs between the ages of five to 12 months. Lameness that shifts from leg to leg is a common symptom of panosteitis. Nausea and fever may occur as well. Although the pain associated with panosteitis can be acute, this discomfort -- along with the other symptoms -- almost always goes away once the dog has matured.
Pancreatitis
Overview:
Canine pancreatitis is a potentially life-threatening disease that more commonly affects middle-aged to older female dogs. The pancreas is a gland that functions as part of the digestive process by producing enzymes that help break down food. Unfortunately, if these enzymes become activated within the gland, the pancreas begins digesting its own glandular tissue, creating inflammation, or pancreatitis.
OCD, osteochondrosis, osteochondritis dissecans, shoulder/elbow/stifle dysplasia, joint mice
Overview:
Osteochondrosis is a disease that affects cartilage formation; the cartilage, due to an abnormal thickening, is unable to receive a normal supply of nutrients from the joint fluid, causing it to become weaker and more susceptible to damage. Cartilage provides a protective gliding layer between the bones in a joint, and when it is injured and lesions form, the dog will experience pain, lameness, and arthritis. Lesions may occur on one or both sides of the body.