Illustrated Articles
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Infertility in a female dog is defined as the inability to conceive and deliver viable puppies, even when mated multiple times with a known fertile male surrounding the time of ovulation. This handout outlines the varying causes of infertility in female dogs and how they may be diagnosed and treated.
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Male infertility refers to the inability of a sexually mature tomcat (intact male cat) to impregnate a fertile female. This handout explains the possible causes of infertility in male cats as well as how they may be diagnosed and, when possible, treated.
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Infertility in a male dog is defined as the inability to produce a successful pregnancy in a fertile female, even with multiple breedings near the time of ovulation. The causes of infertility fall under three broad categories: failure to copulate or ejaculate, poor semen quality, and prostatic disease. This handout explains the possible causes in detail, as well as methods to diagnose and treat them.
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Lysosomal storage diseases are a rare collection of conditions that are inherited. Many of them are more prevalent in certain breeds and are seen in the first few months of life. Clinical signs vary depending on the type of disease, but commonly include failure to thrive, incoordination, vision loss, and seizure. Prognosis is usually poor for long-term survival.
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Mastitis is a term used to describe inflammation of a mammary gland (breast), most frequently seen in the postpartum period after a cat gives birth. In most cases, mastitis is caused by a bacterial infection. Trauma to the nipple or teat canal can allow bacteria to enter, traveling up into the mammary gland and creating a bacterial infection. Most cats with mastitis can be treated on an outpatient basis with oral antibiotics and pain medications, though severe cases may require hospitalization or surgery.
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Mastitis is a term used to describe inflammation of a mammary gland. In most cases, mastitis is caused by a bacterial infection. Trauma to the mammary gland, or prolonged periods of milk accumulation without milk removal, can lead to inflammation within the mammary gland. Most dogs with mastitis can be treated on an outpatient basis with oral antibiotics and pain medications, though severe cases may require hospitalization or surgery.
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Miscarriage refers to the death of a fetus during pregnancy, with the most common cause being infection. It may also be caused by hormonal shifts or abnormalities. In many cases, there are no visible signs of miscarriage. If miscarriage is suspected, ultrasound is used to assess the pregnancy and determine whether the fetuses are alive. Finding a cause for the miscarriage, especially if that cause is a treatable condition, may improve outcomes in future pregnancies.
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Miscarriage refers to the death of a fetus during pregnancy, with the most common cause being bacterial infection. Hormonal shifts or abnormalities may also cause miscarriages. In many cases, there are no visible signs of miscarriage. If miscarriage is suspected, ultrasound is used to assess the pregnancy and determine whether the fetuses are alive. Finding a cause for the miscarriage, especially if that cause is a treatable condition, may improve outcomes in future pregnancies.
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Many herding breeds (most commonly Collies and Australian Shepherds) have a mutation at the MDR1 gene that makes them more sensitive to the negative effects of certain medications. These drugs include several antiparasitic agents (when given at high doses), the antidiarrheal agent loperamide (Imodium®), and several anticancer drugs. The effects of the mutation vary in severity, depending on whether the dog carries one or two copies of the mutation. There is a cheek swab or a commercially-available test that assesses blood samples for the presence of the MDR1 mutation.
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Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is an inherited condition that causes multiple cysts (fluid pockets) in the kidneys. Persian cats and breeds with Persian bloodlines are most commonly affected. The clinical signs, diagnosis, genetic testing, and treatment options are explained in this handout.