Educational Articles
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Perianal fistula, also known as anal furunculosis is a serious medical condition that most commonly affects German Shepherd dogs. Perianal fistulas are characterized by chronic, purulent, smelly, ulcerating, sinus tracts in the anal region and surrounding skin. More recent studies indicate that the condition is more likely caused by an autoimmune disease. Medical management with immune-modulating drugs is now the preferred therapy. In severe cases, surgery is required to debride or remove as much infected tissue as possible.
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Pericardial effusion refers to the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the sac surrounding the heart. Pericardial effusion can have a number of underlying causes, including inflammation, infection, cancer, and hereditary defects. Mild cases of pericardial effusion may be asymptomatic, but more significant fluid accumulations can interfere with the heart’s function and lead to severe effects such as sudden death. Treatment and prognosis is dependent upon the underlying cause of the condition.
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A perineal hernia is a protrusion of tissue through the muscle of the perineum. Potential causes, clinical signs, and treatment are explained. The prognosis ranges from good to poor, depending on the ability to perform surgery and the pet's response to surgery. Perineal hernias have the potential to be life-threatening.
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Pet health insurance policies are primarily designed to cover accidents and illnesses. Pet insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions, and some have bilateral exclusions, meaning for example, if one knee has required ligament surgery, the other knee is automatically excluded for the same condition. Synthesized information about coverage and exclusions can be found on aggregator sites, such as PetInsuranceInfo (petinsuranceinfo.com). The factors that affect premiums include age, species, breed, the region you live, deductible amounts, co-insurance, and in some cases annual payout limits. Generally, it is less expensive to insure your pet when it is young and healthy, rather than waiting until it is older and more prone to illness. Educate yourself to understand the terms and conditions of the pet insurance you buy for your pet.
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Monitoring your pet is important to his health. This handout discusses the use of trackers and apps to monitor your dog's activity level and overall mental and physical health.
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It is not difficult to find your pet the extra care they may need if you have a busy schedule or are traveling. With the excellent pet sitter options available today, having a pet at home does not mean you cannot take a vacation every once in a while. Be sure to interview any potential sitters and use trusted friends, your vet, or online resources when looking for sitters. Hiring a pet sitter for your pet may be like a vacation for them as well!
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Pets may have visible or hidden disabilities that require some adjustments to their care or lifestyle to maximize their quality of life. With some support, these pets can have a fairly normal life and be just as loving as any other pet.
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Pharyngostomy tubes are placed through the skin of the neck behind the jaw through the pharynx, into the esophagus to enable ongoing nutrition in dogs that either refuse to eat or are unable to chew and swallow food. A diet will be recommended by your veterinarian but must be liquefied with water before it can pass through the tube. Step-by-step instructions are given for tube feeding. The decision to remove the tube needs to be determined by your veterinarian.
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Pigmentary keratitis is a discoloration of the cornea due to chronic inflammation and is most common in brachycephalic breeds. In many cases, complete resolution cannot be achieved, but the condition can be stopped or slowed down if the underlying cause can be identified and treated. Surgery and medications may be used to help address the problem.
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Pituitary macroadenomas are large tumors of the pituitary gland that are either functional (secrete hormones) or non-functional (do not secrete hormones). The most common functional pituitary macroadenoma in the dog secretes the hormone ACTH, causing increased cortisol levels and Cushing’s disease. Non-functional macroadenomas cause clinical signs through compression of nearby structures resulting in vision changes, diabetes insipidus, and neurologic disorders. This handout explains the effects of these tumors on dogs, how they are diagnosed, and the treatment options available.