Dog injury

Gingival bleeding, also known as bleeding gums, is a common symptom in dogs. Several underlying conditions can lead to gingival bleeding, including periodontal disease, oral tumors, foreign bodies, injuries, or systemic disease such as kidney failure.

Temporary tongue protrusion is normal and expected during panting in dogs. Some dogs have a protruding tongue even then the mouth is fully closed, which may or may not be related to an underlying medical condition.

Bulging eyes occur when one or both eyeballs are larger than normal (called ‘buphthalmos’), or when they are the same size as usual but the eyeball is protruding from the eye socket (called ‘exophthalmos’).

Genital discharge is any soft, wet matter that leaks from the prepuce of a male or the vaginal opening of a female dog.

Injuries and medical conditions can damage the skin, causing it to break open and ooze. Minor cases of oozing skin breakage are common in dogs.

Oral masses are abnormal lumps, swellings, or protrusions inside a dog’s mouth. Dogs with oral masses may have difficulty eating or bleed from the mouth.

Bleeding from the nose in dogs, known as epistaxis, is a common symptom involving damage to the delicate blood vessels of the nasal cavity.

Rash is defined as an eruption on the skin in dogs. This may appear as reddened skin, hair loss, scabs, moist, pruritic (itchy) spots with pus, bumps, raw patches, sores, scales, or thickened, crusty skin.

A stroke, or cerebrovascular accident in dogs (CVA), is when there is a loss of blood flow to part of the brain, which damages brain tissue. There are two mechanisms of stroke: obstruction (ischemic) or rupture (hemorrhagic) of the blood vessels of the brain; ischemic events are more common in dogs.

Gagging (retching), or dry heaving in dogs describes an active process that appears like the initial stages of vomiting. Gagging is either non-productive, or produces small amounts of white froth and bile.

Injuries caused by biting electric cords occur when a dog chews through the protective sheath and the electricity either burns its mouth or enters its body. In some cases, the injuries are mild and local with symptoms including burns and singed hair around the mouth.

Joint infections, or septic arthritis, occur when bacteria or fungi are introduced into the nutrient-rich joint fluid, resulting in an infection. In dogs, joint infections typically develop after a wound occurs over or near a joint, but can also occur due to widespread bacterial infection in the body or after joint injections.

Atlantoaxial instability (AAI) in dogs affects the first two neck bones in the spine: the atlas (vertebra C1) and axis (vertebra C2), which give the head and neck stability. Changes to the bone(s) or ligaments in these joints can cause instability, resulting in dislocation and spinal cord compression. 

The brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa), is commonly found in the south central and southwestern United States. Envenomation by a brown recluse spider is also known as loxoscelism.

Squinting (blepharospasm) occurs when the eyelids are lowered so that there is only a small space for the eye to look out of. Squinting is considered a symptom in dogs if it continues for a prolonged period and is not related to protecting the eyes from bright light.

Laryngeal Paralysis (LP) describes dysfunction of the nerves controlling the vocal folds in the throat. This paralysis leads to subsequent partial blockage of the windpipe in dogs.

Masticatory muscle myositis (MMM) is a condition in dogs where the immune system attacks the chewing muscles. Myositis is the term for inflammation of muscle tissue. The chewing muscles are on the top and sides of the head and are responsible for opening the mouth and chewing.

Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), commonly referred to as “bloat,” is a rapidly progressing, dangerous condition that results when the stomach twists on itself. GDV causes major blockage of blood flow to organs and requires immediate medical attention.

An aural hematoma is a pocket of blood caught between layers of tissue on a dog’s ear. The cause is usually due to injury, including bite wounds, or damage caused by scratching or shaking the head too vigorously.

Luxating patellas (LP) is a term for dislocation (luxation) of the kneecaps (patellas). LP is a moderately common condition and is seen most commonly in small breed dogs.

Polyradiculoneuritis (PRN), also known as coonhound paralysis, is a condition in dogs where the immune system attacks the nervous system resulting in inflammation of nerves, primarily in the legs. The cause of most forms of PRN is unknown, but coonhound paralysis is linked to a reaction to raccoon saliva.

Frostbite occurs when parts of the body freeze after prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Severe cases cause death or damage to affected tissues in dogs. 

Osteosarcoma is the formation of a malignant tumor in the bones. It is a highly metastatic cancer with a median survival rate of 2-4 months without treatment and 8-12 months with treatment. This is the most common type of bone cancer in dogs and is most prominent in large breeds and older pets.

A saddle thrombus is when a large blood clot becomes lodged in the aorta, obstructing blood flow to the hind limbs in dogs. The aorta is a large artery which carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body

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.

Polymyositis is an inflammatory disorder in dogs affecting two or more muscles in the body. The immune system attacks healthy muscles, causing muscle tissue to be replaced with scar tissue, leading to weakness.

Ataxia describes abnormal movement control of the limbs and body. Dogs with ataxia present with poor coordination while walking, loss of balance, and often appear dizzy.

Hypothermia is defined as lower than normal body temperature. Normal body temperature of dogs is 101-102°F (38.3-39°C). Body temps of below 98°F (36.7°C) are considered hypothermic.

Cyanosis in dogs is the blue to purple discoloration of mucous membranes (particularly gums) and/or skin caused by poor oxygenation of the tissues. Cyanosis is a medical emergency as it is linked to potentially life-threatening heart and respiratory system conditions

Dogs have a third eyelid, visible as a pink membrane mostly hidden under the inside corner of the eye. When the bulbous, dark pink gland of the third eyelid slips out of place and becomes visible, this is called a “cherry eye.”