<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Camboro Veterinary Hospital - Encyclopedia]]></title><description><![CDATA[Articles]]></description><link>http://camboro.orbglobaldesigns.com/encyc/</link><copyright><![CDATA[Copyright Camboro Veterinary Hospital - Encyclopedia]]></copyright><generator>sNews CMS</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Flea Allergy Dermatitis, Flea Bite Hypersensitivity, feline]]></title><description><![CDATA[
    Flea Allergy     
      Overview:    
  The bite from a single flea will have a minimal effect on a  normal cat, but a cat with flea allergy will experience immediate itching and swelling.&nbsp;  Flea allergy is the feline allergic skin disorder most commonly found.&nbsp;  Cats that have it are hypersensitive to fleabites; their skin becomes inflamed,  irritated and itchy in reaction to allergen in the saliva that fleas pass into  the skin when they bite.&nbsp; The skin reaction and intense itching can lead  to hair loss and skin lesions.   
  Treating flea allergy requires eliminating all fleas from a cat's  environment.&nbsp; Until complete flea control is achieved, however, there are  medications that alleviate the itchiness and discomfort.  
    AffectedAnimals:    
  Any breed or sex of cat. Dogs also can be allergic to fleas.   
    Clinical Signs:    
  The clinical signs of flea allergy in the cat are less  consistent than in the dog.&nbsp; Pruritus, excessive grooming, alopecia,  barbered hairs, eruptive skin lesions with hemorrhagic crusts called miliary  dermatitis are noted commonly.&nbsp; Miliary dermatitis is a nonspecific skin  lesion with different possible causes, but fleabite hypersensitivity is the  most common cause.&nbsp; The distribution of lesions can be generalized,  confined to the head and neck, or involve the caudal legs and dorsal trunk  region.&nbsp; Eosinophilic plaques (elevated skin lesion containing  eosinophils) and ulcerations of the skin sometimes are noted in cats with flea  allergy.&nbsp;   
    Symptoms:    
  Common symptoms include increased grooming, rubbing, or  scratching; loss of hair; crusts or erosions of the skin; and red scab-like  bumps.&nbsp; Red, raised skin lesions also can be noted.&nbsp; Fleas or flea  feces may be found in the fur.  
    Description:    
  Flea allergy is the most common feline allergic skin disorder,  affecting cats with an abnormal sensitivity to saliva fleas inject into the  skin when they bite.&nbsp; In reaction to fleabites, allergic cats will have  inflammation and irritation of their skin -- not to mention intense  itchiness.&nbsp; Hair loss and skin lesions can result when a cat scratches or  bites its irritated skin.&nbsp; Several different skin lesions can result from  the allergic reaction, but miliary dermatitis, which consists of raised bumps  with a dried blood scab, is the most common lesion noted.   
  The problem may occur year-round in warm climates or in flea-infested indoor  environments.&nbsp; In regions with cold winters the allergy will appear  seasonally during the warm months of the year.&nbsp; Treatment of flea allergy  requires eliminating the fleas from the cat, other pets, and the  surroundings.&nbsp; Temporary relief of itching, using medications, is provided  for severely affected cats until flea control is achieved.  
  It may be difficult to detect fleas on a cat, but brushing it over a white  sheet may help: flea feces, a dark, black material, falling from the cat's fur  onto the sheet would suggest the presence of fleas.&nbsp; A flea comb can also  be used to look for the feces or the fleas themselves.&nbsp; Cats that are  itching excessively should be examined often.  
    Diagnosis:    
  The symptoms of flea allergy can mimic other disorders of the  skin.&nbsp; Before concluding that a cat is allergic to fleas, the examining  veterinarian first will have to rule out allergies to food and inhalants,  internal parasites, drug reactions, hair follicle inflammation or folliculitis,  fungal infection, and other topical parasites -- all of which have similar  signs as an allergic reaction to fleas.&nbsp; A thorough history and physical  exam will be required, during which the veterinarian will analyze the type and  size of the skin lesions.&nbsp; Follow-up examination allows assessment of the  cat's response to therapies for flea allergy.&nbsp; Skin tests and allergy  testing by intradermal injection may be advised.&nbsp; It is possible for a cat  to have coexisting allergies, making management of the symptoms more difficult.  
    Prognosis:    
  Removing fleas from the environment usually will put an end to  the cat's allergic reactions.&nbsp; However, a cat with flea allergy dermatitis  always will remain allergic to fleas.&nbsp; The severity of this allergy  typically worsens with age.&nbsp; In addition, a cat with concurrent allergies  will have an incomplete recovery and should be reevaluated by your veterinarian  after flea control is achieved.   
    Transmission or Cause:    
  When a flea bites a cat, it passes its saliva into the cat's  skin.&nbsp; Cats that are allergic to flea allergen in the saliva will  experience swelling, irritation, and itchiness.&nbsp; When the cat scratches  the bites, further trauma to the skin -- lesions, hair loss, and even worse  itchiness -- will result.&nbsp; A single fleabite can cause these symptoms in  an allergic cat; felines without this allergy must be bitten many more times  before their skin becomes irritated.&nbsp;   
    Treatment:    
  The goals of treatment are to eliminate the fleas and to  alleviate the cat's allergic reaction to them.&nbsp; The most important step is  to remove fleas completely from the cat and its environment.&nbsp; There are  many commercially available products that kill fleas both indoors and outdoors  as well as those designed for use on the cat.&nbsp; Professional pest extermination  companies, which usually carry a satisfaction guarantee, are also an  option.&nbsp; Note that other household animals also must be treated for fleas  to prevent the allergic cat from becoming reinfested.&nbsp; A veterinarian can  customize a flea control program to meet an allergic cat's individual needs.   
  Therapy for the allergic reaction is based on the severity and history of  the symptoms.&nbsp; Following an evaluation of the cat, the veterinarian may  prescribe any of the following medications: corticosteroids, antihistamines,  antibiotics, fatty acid supplements such as skin oil replacement, and topical  ointments.&nbsp; In addition, he or she may recommend a commercially available  product that kills fleas before they have the chance to bite the cat; such  products are ideal for preventing further allergic stimulus.  
  The effectiveness of allergy shots, or hyposensitization, for treating  fleabite hypersensitivity remains controversial.&nbsp; They have not been  proven to benefit flea allergic cats.&nbsp; This method of treatment, prescribed  by a veterinary dermatologist, usually is reserved as a final therapeutic step  for severely afflicted animals.  
    Prevention:    
  Prevent fleas from entering the household.&nbsp; If evidence  of fleas is noted on the cat or any other pets in the household, early  intervention can stop the problem before the symptoms become severe.  
]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 30 Jan 2008 10:31:09 +0000</pubDate><link>http://camboro.orbglobaldesigns.com/encyc/feline/flea-allergy-dermatitis-flea-bite-hypersensitivity-feline/</link><guid>http://camboro.orbglobaldesigns.com/encyc/feline/flea-allergy-dermatitis-flea-bite-hypersensitivity-feline/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Trichuris vulpis]]></title><description><![CDATA[
    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.   
  Whipworms are a dangerous parasite  because they can cause intestinal inflammation, bleeding, and sometimes the  loss of protein. Puppies with heavy infections can become seriously ill.  Occasionally in severe cases of infestation, whipworms can alter the dog's  potassium and sodium electrolytes causing central nervous system problems such  as seizures.   
    AffectedAnimals:    
  Dogs. Very rarely, cats are affected by whipworms.  
    Clinical Signs:    
  Clinical signs include diarrhea that may contain mucus and blood; weight loss;  and in severe cases, electrolyte abnormalities such as hyponatremia and  hyperkalemia that may cause seizures.  
    Symptoms:    
  See Clinical Signs.  
    Description:    
  Whipworms are parasites that use their whip-shaped bodies to attach themselves  to a dog's cecum and large intestine, where they cause irritation and damage to  the lining of the intestines. The worms can cause inflammation, bleeding, and  sometimes the loss of protein from the intestines. Whipworms have been known to  cause seizures that may be due to the electrolyte disturbances affecting the  central nervous system. Puppies who get this parasite can become seriously ill.  
    Diagnosis:    
  To diagnose whipworms, the veterinarian will perform a procedure called a fecal  flotation examination that uses a microscope to identify whipworm eggs.  Sometimes multiple fecal samples are needed to find the eggs for two reasons:  they are not always passed every time the dog has a bowel movement, and the  eggs are passed in smaller numbers than those of other parasites.  
    Prognosis:    
  With proper medical treatment, the prognosis is excellent.  
    Transmission or Cause:    
  Transmission of whipworms occurs when a dog eats soil containing whipworm eggs  that have matured to the infective stage, a process that takes about one month.  The infective eggs are very hard to kill and are resistant to both heat and  drying; they can survive in the dirt for a very long time -- from several  months to years. Thus, even if the dog is treated for whipworms, re-infection  is common if the environment is not kept clean and free of feces.   
    Treatment:    
  Treatment of whipworms involves the use of medications such as fenbendazole,  which is given daily for three days, again three to four weeks later, and then  again after a three month period. Treatment is needed in repeat dosages because  whipworms take three months to mature. The examining veterinarian will be able  to prescribe the appropriate medications, dosages and treatment plan.  
    Prevention:    
  Prevention is accomplished by treating the infected animal for whipworms, and  keeping the dog's environment clean and free of feces.  
]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 30 Jan 2008 09:59:34 +0000</pubDate><link>http://camboro.orbglobaldesigns.com/encyc/canine/trichuris-vulpis/</link><guid>http://camboro.orbglobaldesigns.com/encyc/canine/trichuris-vulpis/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Canine von Willebrand&#039;s disease]]></title><description><![CDATA[
    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.  
  Since the exact genetic manner in  which the disease is transmitted is often unknown, and since reliable tests to  identify carriers of the disorder are not always available, von Willebrand's  disease is a very difficult condition to eradicate. When excessive hemorrhage  occurs, it is best treated by careful use of physical techniques that stop  bleeding, such as suturing and cautery. The administration of blood or blood  components that help to replace deficient concentrations of von Willebrand's  factor will also be important. In some animals, pre-treatment with a substance  called DDAVP may allow for temporary increases in von Willebrand's factor  concentration that will protect them during periods when they are at risk for  bleeding.  
    AffectedAnimals:    
  Dogs of many breeds can be affected with von Willebrand's disease. Some breeds  have a higher incidence than others, including Doberman pinschers, Scottish  terriers, Airedales, basset hounds, dachshunds, golden retrievers, German  shepherds, Manchester terriers, and Shetland sheepdogs. The condition has been  identified in more than 50 breeds of dogs.  
    Clinical Signs:    
  Many dogs with von Willebrand's disease never have clinical signs. Others will  bleed inappropriately during surgeries, other stressful episodes, or when they  are injured. Less commonly, affected dogs will bleed spontaneously, often from  the nasal cavity or the urinary tract.  
    Symptoms:    
  See clinical signs.  
    Description:    
  Von Willebrand's disease refers to a bleeding disorder that results from  reduced concentrations of a specific protein called von Willebrand's factor.  This substance plays a key role in the adherence of platelets, the cells that  normally help blood clot, to collagen, a protein exposed by injury to blood  vessels. Dogs with von Willebrand's disease may bleed spontaneously, most  frequently from the nose, the mouth, and the urinary tract. More frequently,  affected dogs bleed only when there is a stimulus for bleeding, such as an  injury or surgery. Von Willebrand's disease can be a frustrating condition to  diagnose, manage, and prevent because not all dogs with low concentrations of  von Willebrand's factor have symptoms related to the disease.   
  Von Willebrand's disease is often  classified according to the type and presence of different components of the  von Willebrand's factor, called multimers. In type I von Willebrand's disease,  all the different multimers are present, but in concentrations that are below  normal. This type is the most common form of the disease and is characterized  by bleeding from the mouth, nose, and urinary tract. Although spontaneous  bleeding may not occur, excessive hemorrhage may be seen during elective  procedures such as dentistries, ear cropping or tail docking, spaying, and  castration. Breeds affected with Type I von Willebrand's disease include the  Doberman pinscher, Airedale, Shetland sheepdog, and Pembroke Welsh corgi.  
  With type II von Willebrand's  disease, smaller multimers are present, and there is a lack of the larger  multimers, which are more important in the clotting process. This is a  relatively uncommon form of the disease, but can result in severe bleeding  episodes. German shorthaired pointers are most commonly affected.  
  Type III von Willebrand's disease is  the most severe form. Animals with this type of the illness lack any measurable  von Willebrand's factor and as a result, they can experience severe blood loss.  The breeds most commonly diagnosed with this form of the disease are Scottish  terriers and Chesapeake Bay retrievers.  
    Diagnosis:    
  The easiest test for inappropriate bleeding due to von Willebrand's disease is  called the oral mucosal bleeding test. This is performed by making a  standardized incision on the inside of the lip. This test is not specific for  von Willebrand's disease since other conditions can cause prolonged mucosal  bleeding times.  
  The most commonly used test that is  more specific for the diagnosis is the measurement of von Willebrand's factor  antigen on a plasma sample. Other diseases can cause this result to be  artificially increased, however.  
    Prognosis:    
  The prognosis for von Willebrand's disease depends on whether signs of  excessive hemorrhage are present, and whether the hemorrhage is controlled  before critical amounts of blood are lost. For those dogs that are hemorrhaging  but have no access to blood or blood component therapy, the outlook can be very  grim.  
    Transmission or Cause:    
  The cause of von Willebrand's disease is deficiency of a protein called von  Willebrand factor. This substance plays a key role in the adherence of  platelets, the cells that normally help blood clot, to collagen, a protein  exposed by injury to blood vessels. Von Willebrand factor may also play a role  in the adhesion of platelets to other platelets during blood clot formation.  Deficiencies in von Willebrand's factor are inherited.  
    Treatment:    
  The primary treatment for von Willebrand's disease is the administration of  blood or blood products to patients with active or anticipated bleeding episodes.  A blood product called cryoprecipitate contains large amounts of von Willebrand  factor, but it is seldom available. More commonly, the veterinarian will use  fresh plasma, or plasma that was frozen immediately after collection and then  thawed. Whole fresh blood may be used if hemorrhage has been severe.  
  The administration of a drug called  DDAVP may be helpful in preventing hemorrhage in some affected animals if it is  given prior to the time that bleeding occurs. This drug increases levels of von  Willebrand factor available for the clotting process. DDAVP can also be given  to dogs donating blood prior to blood collection, so that samples with high von  Willebrand factor activity can be obtained. Not all dogs respond to DDAVP.  
    Prevention:    
  Prevention of von Willebrand's disease is a very difficult issue. Since the  disease is hereditary, the ideal way to eliminate it would be to avoid breeding  affected dogs. However, not all dogs with low von Willebrand's factor  concentrations have significant bleeding. The mere fact that the concentration  is low does not always mean that clinically significant problems will occur,  even in breeds in which a significantly high number of dogs have reduced von  Willebrand's factor. If all dogs that tested low for the factor were eliminated  from breeding, then breeding programs would be quite restricted. Certainly,  though, it makes sense not to breed dogs that have had clinically significant  episodes of bleeding due to von Willebrand's disease, no matter what their  breed.   
  In an affected dog, problems may be  avoided prior to elective surgeries by remembering to screen for this  condition, especially if previous bleeding episodes have occurred or if there  is a familial history of bleeding. Pre-treatment with DDAVP may help avert  disastrous consequences, as will having blood products on hand in case they are  needed.  
]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 30 Jan 2008 09:58:45 +0000</pubDate><link>http://camboro.orbglobaldesigns.com/encyc/canine/canine-von-willebrands-disease/</link><guid>http://camboro.orbglobaldesigns.com/encyc/canine/canine-von-willebrands-disease/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Vomiting, Emesis]]></title><description><![CDATA[
    Vomiting, Throwing up     
      Overview:    
  Vomiting is one of the more common reasons why owners take their cats to the veterinarian.&nbsp;  Isolated episodes of vomiting rarely are a cause for concern as long as the cat  still has an appetite and is bright and alert.&nbsp; Most healthy cats will, on  occasion, vomit whole or partially digested food, hairballs, or foamy, clear  liquid.   
  On the other hand, excessive or  chronic vomiting can be indicative of a more serious underlying condition that  requires treatment.&nbsp; Always seek veterinary care if a cat vomits for a  period longer than one day or appears ill because dehydration can occur.   
    AffectedAnimals:    
  Any age, sex, or breed of cat.  
    Clinical Signs:    
  Cats sometimes will salivate profusely due to nausea.&nbsp; Some cats may  vocalize or cry when feeling nauseated. Vomitus can contain food, clear liquid,  yellow bile, blood, and occasionally parasites.&nbsp; Depending on the cause of  vomiting there can be weight loss, a good or poor appetite, diarrhea,  dehydration, lipsmacking, retching,and tooth-grinding.   
    Symptoms:    
  See clinical signs.   
    Description:    
  Vomiting is a reflex act where food and/or fluid are brought up from the  stomach through the mouth. Vomiting occurs when the vomiting center of the  brain, the chemoreceptor trigger zone, is stimulated by specific nerve impulses  from the body.&nbsp; Diseases and certain situations, like a car ride, can  stimulate the nerves leading to the vomiting center, causing nausea and  vomiting.&nbsp; Many anti-vomiting medications work by blocking the signals  from reaching the chemoreceptor trigger zone.   
  Complications of vomiting include  dehydration, weight loss, and aspiration pneumonia, which occurs when vomitus  gets inhaled into the lungs.   
  A vomiting cat should be evaluated  by a veterinarian to determine the severity of the vomiting, necessary  diagnostics, and the recommended course of treatment.&nbsp; Chronic vomiting  cases may require advanced testing procedures to diagnose the specific cause.  
    Diagnosis:    
  The&nbsp;veterinarian will take a thorough history and perform a physical  examination in order to determine the severity of the illness, how long it has  been occurring, and to differentiate vomiting from regurgitation.&nbsp;  Although uncommon in cats, regurgitation is a passive act in which food flows  back up the esophagus, the tube connecting the mouth and stomach.&nbsp; Shortly  after eating, at the time when this occurs, the food usually will appear  undigested and shaped like a tube.&nbsp; Regurgitation carries different  possible diagnoses than vomiting and should be addressed accordingly.   
  Vomiting is a reflex action in which  material is expelled from the stomach and/or intestines through the  mouth.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It is usually preceded by nausea and involves retching.&nbsp;  Cats with acute vomiting that are not very ill may be treated symptomatically  for a short time before diagnostic tests are pursued.&nbsp; Testing is  appropriate when the vomiting is severe, the cat seems very ill and fails to  respond to appropriate therapy, or when the vomiting is chronic.&nbsp;   
  Common tests include fecal  examination, urinalysis, and routine bloodwork, such as a complete blood count  and chemistry panel.&nbsp; Other relevant blood tests include thyroid hormone  level and viral serology for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency  virus.&nbsp; Abdominal x-rays commonly are needed.&nbsp;   
  Sometimes the veterinarian may  perform a barium contrast study.&nbsp; Liquid&nbsp;barium outlines the  gastrointestinal tract on x-rays and helps determine if there are any abnormalities.&nbsp;  Other diagnostic tools include ultrasonography, which uses high frequency sound  waves to outline the details of the abdomen.&nbsp; Another procedure,  endoscopy, involves placing a tiny camera down the mouth and into the stomach  and intestines to look for disease.&nbsp; Also, tissue samples can be taken and  sent to a pathologist&nbsp;for assessment. In other cases, exploratory surgery  is needed to diagnose the problem.  
  Depending on the underlying cause,  some cases of chronic vomiting in cats are very difficult and frustrating to  diagnose and treat.&nbsp; A referral to an internal medicine specialist for  further diagnostics and treatment may be indicated in some cases.&nbsp;   
    Prognosis:    
  The prognosis for otherwise healthy cats that vomit for only a day or two is  excellent.&nbsp; For animals that have been vomiting for several days or  longer, the prognosis is dependent on the cause and how quickly the owner seeks  veterinary attention.&nbsp; Rapid medical attention offers the best prognosis  by attempting to prevent damage or complications from the underlying condition.  
    Transmission or Cause:    
  There are numerous causes of vomiting. Some examples include motion sickness,  drugs, and overeating. Obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract by a swallowed  piece of string or other foreign body will cause vomiting. Vomiting occurs with  inflammatory bowel disease and parasitic infestation in organs such as the  kidney, liver, and pancreas.&nbsp;&nbsp; A veterinarian should be consulted for  questions about any potential causes of vomiting.   
    Treatment:    
  For cats that have been vomiting for only a short period of time and that are  not otherwise visibly sick, symptomatic treatment for one to three days is  usually very beneficial and successful. Typically, food is withheld for 24 to  36 hours and injections of medications may be given to help alleviate the  vomiting.&nbsp; If the vomiting persists, or if the animal is visibly  debilitated, the use of intravenous fluid therapy may be given to prevent  dehydration.&nbsp; Drugs also can be given intravenously instead of orally.   
  Further treatment is based on  finding and correcting the underlying cause of the vomiting.&nbsp;&nbsp;  Different conditions require varying treatments.&nbsp; For example, a cat that  ingested a string needs to have surgery immediately to prevent the string from  knotting up the intestinal loops and slicing through the intestinal wall.&nbsp;  A cat with hyperthyroidism needs anti-thyroid medication to get the thyroid  level back in the normal range; symptomatic treatment of the vomiting until the  disease is controlled will be necessary.&nbsp;   
    Prevention:    
  Some causes of vomiting can be prevented, but other causes, such as cancer, can  not.&nbsp; Common sense is often the best medicine.&nbsp; Some obvious  guidelines include taking steps to secure drugs and household poisons, strings  and small toys that can be swallowed, and any trash or garbage.&nbsp; Other  helpful measures include using a hairball preventive regularly, brushing to  remove excess dead hair, and avoiding overfeeding.   
]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 30 Jan 2008 09:57:52 +0000</pubDate><link>http://camboro.orbglobaldesigns.com/encyc/feline/vomiting-emesis/</link><guid>http://camboro.orbglobaldesigns.com/encyc/feline/vomiting-emesis/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Vomiting, Canine]]></title><description><![CDATA[
    Vomiting     
      Overview:    
  Vomiting is one of the more common reasons why owners take their dogs to the  veterinarian.&nbsp; 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.   
  However, excessive or chronic  vomiting lasting for several days can indicate a more serious underlying  condition that requires treatment. Dogs that vomit for more than a day, or seem  depressed and are not eating should receive prompt veterinary attention so that  the cause of the vomiting can be determined and dehydration can be treated.  
    AffectedAnimals:    
  Dogs and cats.  
    Clinical Signs:    
  Nausea will sometimes cause dogs to salivate.&nbsp; They may vomit food, clear  liquid, stained yellow bile, grass or blood. Depending on the underlying cause  of the vomiting, the dog can have a good or poor appetite, diarrhea,  dehydration, or other signs.&nbsp; There can be weight loss if the disease has  been going on for a while and the gums may be tacky or dry from  dehydration.&nbsp;   
    Symptoms:    
  Owners frequently indicate that their dog has been salivating and vomiting  whole undigested or digested food and a foamy fluid that may be yellow from  bile, clear, or have blood in it.&nbsp; Some people report that their pet eats  grass and then vomits the grass.&nbsp;&nbsp; Some dogs may maintain a good  appetite, while other lose theirs entirely.&nbsp; There can be weight loss if the  disease has been going on for a while and the gums may be tacky or dry from  dehydration.&nbsp;   
    Description:    
  Vomiting is a reflex action in which food and/or fluid are brought up from the  stomach through the mouth. Vomiting occurs when the vomiting center of the  brain called the chemoreceptor trigger zone, located in the medulla, is  stimulated by specific nerve impulses from the body.&nbsp;&nbsp; Diseases and  certain situations such as a car ride can stimulate the nerves leading to the  vomiting center, resulting in nausea and vomiting.&nbsp;&nbsp; Many  anti-vomiting medications actually work by blocking the signals from reaching  the chemoreceptor trigger zone.   
  Complications of vomiting may  include dehydration, weight loss, and aspiration pneumonia, which occurs when  vomitus is inhaled into the lungs causing pneumonia.   
    Diagnosis:    
  The examining veterinarian will need to get a thorough history from the owner  and perform a complete physical exam on the animal to determine the severity of  the vomiting and how long it has been occurring.&nbsp; Some dogs do not  actually vomit; instead they regurgitate.&nbsp; This means the food quickly  comes back up the esophagus soon after eating.&nbsp; Thus, food will be  undigested and it often may resemble a tube in shape.&nbsp; When dogs have  these symptoms, the veterinarian will assess that the disease may be in the  esophagus, rather than in the stomach or intestines.   
  If the vomiting has been occurring  for any length of time, baseline laboratory work is needed to help determine if  there is any disease affecting the organs such as the liver, kidneys, and  pancreas. A fecal flotation examination often is done to detect the presence of  intestinal parasites which can cause vomiting. X-rays often are needed to  detect problems in the abdomen such as a foreign body in the stomach or  intestine, which can occur when a dog swallows something such as a ball or a  small toy.&nbsp;   
  Sometimes a barium contrast study is  needed. Barium liquid outlines the gastrointestinal tract on the x-ray film and  helps determine if there are any abnormalities. Other diagnostic tools include  ultrasound, which uses high frequency sound waves to outline the details of the  abdomen.&nbsp; Endoscopy involves placing a tiny camera down the mouth and into  the stomach and intestines to look for disease.&nbsp; Tissue samples often are  taken and sent to a laboratory to determine if the tissues are normal.&nbsp; In  other cases, exploratory surgery is required to diagnose the problem.&nbsp;  Referral to a veterinary internal medicine specialist for further diagnostics  and treatment may be necessary in some cases.  
    Prognosis:    
  Animals that only vomit for a day or two, but are not sick and do not have an  underlying disease usually have an excellent prognosis.&nbsp; For animals that  have been vomiting for several days, the prognosis is dependent on the cause  and how quickly the owner seeks veterinary attention.&nbsp; Rapid medical  attention usually offers the best prognosis because the underlying disease will  have less time to cause damage.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;   
    Transmission or Cause:    
  There are numerous causes of vomiting. Some examples include motion sickness,  drugs, and gastrointestinal tract obstruction which can occur when a dog  swallows a foreign object like a golf ball. Inflammation of the  gastrointestinal tract due to inflammatory bowel disease, parvovirus, and  parasites frequently produces vomiting. Diseases of the kidneys, liver,  pancreas,&nbsp; and other vital organs, and even overeating may cause vomiting  as well.  
    Treatment:    
  For dogs that have been vomiting only a short time, but have an appetite and  are bright and alert, symptomatic treatment for one to three days is usually  very effective.&nbsp; Typically in mild cases, food is withheld for 24 to 36  hours and injections of medications can be given to help alleviate the  vomiting.&nbsp; Owners should never withhold water unless instructed to do so  by the examining veterinarian.&nbsp; If the vomiting persists, or the animal is  visibly sick, the use of intravenous fluid therapy will correct and prevent  further dehydration.&nbsp; Drugs also can be given intravenously instead of  orally.   
  Further treatment is based on  finding and correcting the underlying cause of the vomiting.&nbsp;&nbsp;  Different conditions require specific treatments.&nbsp; A dog that swallowed a  golf ball for example, needs to have the ball removed surgically in order to  stop the vomiting.&nbsp; A dog with parvovirus needs anti-vomiting medications,  antibiotics, antacids, and supportive care until the virus runs its  course.&nbsp; The examining veterinarian will determine the best treatment  needed for the animal.  
    Prevention:    
  In many cases owners can prevent vomiting, often through common sense and  precautionary measures. Owners should take steps to secure all drugs and  household poisons, strings and small toys that can be swallowed, as well as  trash and garbage. Dogs should be fed a consistent diet, without overfeeding.  Bones, human snacks, and table foods are generally discouraged.&nbsp;   
]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 30 Jan 2008 09:56:56 +0000</pubDate><link>http://camboro.orbglobaldesigns.com/encyc/canine/vomiting-canine/</link><guid>http://camboro.orbglobaldesigns.com/encyc/canine/vomiting-canine/</guid></item></channel></rss>