We're always accepting new patients, so contact our veterinary hospital today to book your pet's first appointment. Full or partial paralysis in cats indicates that your kitty has lost their ability to move one or more body parts. On the other hand, laryngeal paralysis in cat is a disorder of the upper airway that affects your cat's voice and ability to breathe properly.
Our Memphis vets explain more about these very serious conditions. Annual physical checkups for your pet give your veterinarian the opportunity to help prevent disease and spot the earliest signs of developing health problems. Today our Memphis vets share more about the importance of routine exams and what they entail. Whether your feline friend is an indoor cat or outdoor adventurer there is a myriad of ways that your cat could injure a leg or paw and wind up limping.
But injuries aren't the only reason for cat limping. Here our Memphis vets share a few common reasons for limping in cats and what you should do. Although our Memphis vets don't often see urinary tract infections in cats, older cats can experience a number of other urinary tract issues that cause similar symptoms.
Here we explain some of the most common symptoms, causes and treatments for urinary tract infections and diseases in cats. Obesity is on the rise in our feline friends and carrying just a few extra ounces can make a big difference to a cat's overall health and longevity. Our Memphis vets explain how you can tell if you have an overweight cat. Facebook Shop Emergencies. Pet Care Blog. This condition is more common in dogs than in other domestic animals, but it usually responds well to appropriate medication.
In 95 percent of cases, the direct destruction of the thyroid gland causes hypothyroidism. This destruction is usually the result of either lymphocytic thyroiditis or idiopathic atrophy of the thyroid gland. Other, rarer causes of hypothyroidism include cancer and congenital defects. Some breeds do appear to be at greater risk of developing hypothyroidism than others.
Medium -to- large-size breeds are more likely to develop the disease than toy and miniature breeds, and the Cocker Spaniel , Miniature Schnauzer , Dachshund , Doberman Pinscher , Golden Retriever , Airedale Terrier , and Irish Setter appear to be predisposed to developing the condition.
The Merck Veterinary Manual states that hypothyroidism is one of the most over-diagnosed diseases in dogs. This is because many diseases mimic hypothyroidism. Some conditions or clinical signs even improve with thyroid medication. Other diseases also affect the thyroid levels, but are not hypothyroidism.
Your veterinarian will diagnose your dog based on clinical signs and careful diagnostic testing. This is a good initial screening test for hypothyroidism, however, your veterinarian may recommend running further tests to get a definitive result. Hypothyroidism is treatable. Once your veterinarian has determined a stable dose, your dog will most likely need to have his thyroid levels retested once or twice a year and continue the stable dose of medication, for the rest of his life.
Some breeds of dogs are predisposed to a type of thyroid disease called autoimmune thyroiditis. This disease occurs when the immune system attacks the thyroid gland and is more common in the Akita , Doberman Pinscher, Beagle , and Golden Retriever.
Hypothyroidism can be the only manifestation of this disease, but autoimmune thyroiditis can also be a symptom of another disorder, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, or panendocrinopathy. This is one of the reasons why getting an accurate diagnosis for hypothyroidism is so important. This disease is rare in dogs and is much more common in cats, but when it does affect dogs, it is usually serious.
A type of cancer, called thyroid carcinoma, is the primary cause of hyperthyroidism in dogs. Hyperthyroidism is a condition that usually affects older pets and is most likely caused by multiple factors. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism in canines:. Treatment options for pets with hyperthyroidism. When a pet owner opts for non-invasive treatment, medication is prescribed that inhibits the production of thyroid hormones.
Other treatment options are more involved, requiring pets to undergo monitoring and stay within our facility for several days but can permanently solve canine hyperthyroidism. Surgery comprises of the veterinarian removing the thyroid gland entirely, though it is usually only performed when one gland is causing problems so that the body still has one functional gland remaining.
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