The adrenal system is the part of animals that controls hormone levels and not surprisingly, the adrenal gland is one of the main organs of the adrenal system.  Hormones are central to all kinds of animal behavior from sexual behavior, to stress, to immune responses.  Addison’s disease is the most common disease that affects the adrenal system in dogs leading to problems with the levels of particular hormones, namely glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids which are central to metabolism.

Addison’s disease in dogs can be extremely difficult to diagnose because the symptoms associated with this condition are nonspecific.  Lethargy, changes in appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, and vomiting are some of the most common symptoms seen in dogs with Addison’s disease but they can obviously be associated with a whole host of illnesses.  However, many dog owners become suspicious that a more serious medical condition is at play when their dogs exhibit the symptoms of Addison’s disease repeatedly over a longer period of time.

While Addison’s disease is seen in all ages of dogs, it is most commonly diagnosed in young, female dogs.  There is some evidence to suggest that there is a genetic link and certain breeds may be predisposed to the condition.  Great Danes, Portuguese Water Dogs, Rottweilers, Standard poodles, and West Highland White Terriers seem to be especially susceptible to Addison’s disease in dogs.

Once the condition has been diagnosed, treatment focuses on providing your dog with supplements of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids.  Prednisone is one of the most common treatments as it is known to enhance glucocorticoid levels at low doses.  These oral treatments need to be administered for the life of your dog in order to control the symptoms associated with Addison’s disease in dogs.  Left untreated, dogs with Addison’s disease may die prematurely so it is very important to seek treatment if you suspected your dog is suffering from this condition.

Bacteria, parasites, and viruses are responsible for a wide range of illnesses and diseases that affect dogs.  Canine distemper is one example of a viral infection that is most frequently seen in domesticated dogs and ferrets, but can also affect wild animals.  Closely related to the measles and rinderpest, canine distemper is usually prevented through vaccination but remains one of the most common serious diseases that infect dogs.

Generally, puppies between 3 and 6 months of age are more susceptible to the canine distemper virus.  The virus is spread through contact with infected bodily fluids as well as through contaminated food and water sources.  Certain bodily tissues in the dog, namely the lymphoid, epithelial, and nervous tissues, are particularly susceptible to infection, but once the virus enters your dog’s bloodstream it will have an impact on the respiratory, gastrointestinal, central nervous, and optic systems.  In most fatal cases of canine distemper, dogs suffer infections that reduce immune functioning often leading to secondary illnesses like pneumonia, encephalitis, and hyperkeratosis.

There are a variety of gastrointestinal, respiratory, and neurological symptoms that aid in the diagnosis of canine distemper.  Some of these symptoms include:

• Runny nose
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dehydration
• Excessive salivation
• Coughing or difficulty breathing
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Involuntary twitching or seizures
• Chewing gum fits
• Light sensitivity
• Poor motor skills

During the long history of canine distemper, treatment has been relatively unsuccessful.  However, in recent years, treatment has moved from palliative in nature to prevention through vaccination.  Also, even when vaccination is not possible, canine distemper can often be treated with Ribavirin and vitamin A, Interferon, and other treatments that are used for similar viruses like the measles.  Nevertheless, prevention is the most effective way to avoid canine distemper which is why your puppy should be vaccinated.

The pancreas is an organ found in all mammals that is responsible for producing insulin and is therefore critical in the metabolism of sugar.  Moreover, the pancreas releases pancreatic enzymes that are necessary for the body to process various nutrients.  Acute pancreatitis is a condition wherein the pancreas is severely inflamed leading to illness and possibly even death.

The causes of acute pancreatitis in dogs may be external or internal.  For example, various medications have been known to cause the condition and certain metabolic disorders are also associated with acute pancreatitis.  Infections, physical trauma, obesity, and nutrition tend to be the most common causes of acute pancreatitis in dogs.

They symptoms of acute pancreatitis in dogs can be quite severe and include but are not limited to the following:

• Abdominal pain
• Distended abdomen
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dehydration
• Oily, greasy, or loose stools
• Fever

Obviously, if you notice these symptoms in your dog it is important to visit the veterinarian because acute pancreatitis can be life threatening but also because only a veterinarian can correctly diagnose your dog’s illness.  Diagnosing acute pancreatitis in dogs requires close observation, a physical examination, and likely some clinical tests.  Generally speaking, dogs with acute pancreatitis have an excess of amylase and lipase in their body making these an important indicator of the disease.

Treating acute pancreatitis depends on how ill your dog has become.  Your veterinarian will first aim to control vomiting and diarrhea and then to get enzyme levels back to normal.  In most cases, dogs with acute pancreatitis cannot eat or drink for about 24 hours after diagnosis allowing the pancreas to heal.  Following this, your veterinarian will recommend a strict diet of low-fat, low-salt, and easily digestible foods.