Dog health conditions

Deafness in dogs refers to the partial or total loss of hearing in one or both ears. Deafness can occur from a variety of reasons such as heredity, birth defects, infection, trauma, blocked ear canal, or old age. Deafness in dogs is actually quite common.

Degenerative myelopathy (DM) in dogs is a genetic disease of the spinal cord resulting in progressive dysfunction and paralysis.

Dehydration is a common and potentially life-threatening condition in dogs that results from inadequate access to water or conditions leading to excessive loss of fluids and electrolytes.

Dementia, or Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS), is an age-related degenerative disease which affects memory and learning in dogs. Dogs with CDS present with a wide variety of progressive symptoms, including disorientation, anxiety, abnormal interactions, disturbances in  sleep/wake cycle, learning or memory changes, house soiling, and changes in activity levels.

Demodectic mange occurs when large numbers of Demodex mites infest a dog’s skin. When small in number, Demodex mites are considered a normal part of the canine biome.

A dental abscess is a pocket of pus-like fluid that forms in or around the tooth root, usually as the result of periodontal disease or a broken tooth. Dogs may be asymptomatic, or exhibit symptoms such as halitosis, drooling, chewing on only one side of the mouth, rubbing one side of their face, a visible bump on the cheek under the eye which may be scabbed.

Dental diseases are  a variety of conditions affecting the mouth, teeth, gums, and tooth support structure. This is incredibly common in dogs with approximately 80% of dogs experiencing some form of dental disease by the age of two.

Dentigerous cysts are formed when a tooth does not emerge properly out of the gumline. A fluid-filled cyst forms around the crown of the tooth and gradually increases in size. 

Many different types of developmental disorders in dogs affect the spinal column and spinal cord. These disorders are common in dogs, and certain breeds are predisposed. 

Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a very rare condition in dogs resulting in the lack of production of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or a lack of response to the hormone.

Diabetes mellitus, or diabetes, is a common hormonal disorder of dogs, primarily caused by low or absent levels of insulin in the bloodstream.

Dogs are not selective about what they eat compared to humans, and their indiscretion often leads to gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and flatulence.

Difficulty whelping (delivering puppies) is known as dystocia. Dark green discharge from the vulva is a normal sign of labor,

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a blood disorder in dogs that causes blood clots to form throughout the bloodstream.

Distemper is a highly contagious and common viral disease that affects dogs worldwide. Unvaccinated and immunocompromised dogs are at greatest risk. Distemper commonly causes coughing, nasal and eye discharge, vomiting, diarrhea, and incoordination.

Dropped jaw (trigeminal neuropathy) is a disorder of the cranial nerve that controls the movement and sensitivity of the jaw in dogs.  The characteristic symptom is the inability to close the mouth.

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) refers to an eye condition in dogs commonly referred to as “dry eye.” KCS causes decreased watery tear production, which leads to inflammation of the eye and surrounding tissues.