Dog Stomach Problems

"Dog Stomach Problems can have multiple causes. The most common symptom is vomiting. If your dog has just eaten, was outside and may have eaten garbage or grass or is on a new medication than this is likely the cause. Note that if your dog licked antifreeze in the street, this is a poison and requires immediate treatment. If your dog is suffering from persistent vomiting and you see blood in the vomit then the condition could be more severe. In any case, consult with a veterinarian as soon as possible."

Dog stomach problems can take many forms including ulcers, blockages, tumors, bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus) Addison's disease and gastritis. The most common symptom is vomiting.

Be sure to call your veterinarian immediately if your dog is under age 6 mounts, you see objects in the vomit such as plastic or worms, your dog swallowed an object, you see blood, you see the stomach getting larger, your dog has other health problems, the vomiting is persistent for a period of 4 hours or longer.

Dog Upset Stomach
Upset stomach is a general description of many possible dog stomach problems. For example if your dog persistently vomits after eating it could be caused of any of the problems listed below including some type of blockage, a thickening of the stomach wall or even a problem with the way the stomach empties.

Vomiting can be a sign of a simple problem (eating fast or eating grass) or something more sever such as pancreatitis, kidney disease and liver disease.

Your veterinarian will take x-rays or use ultrasound to see inside the stomach to determine the route of the problem.

Dog Ulcers
An ulcer is a an areas of the stomach where the mucous membrane is damaged causing inflammation. Ulcers also form at the duodenum which is the where the small intestine meets the stomach.

Ulcers in dogs are usually caused in by medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen. If this wasn't the cause then your veterinarian will check for liver disease, kidney problems and stress on your dog's body from illness or surgery.

An ulcer can also form when the body is in shock which could be caused by a severe bacterial infection, heart problem or blood pressure issue.

Dog Ulcer Symptoms
The primary symptom of an ulcer is vomiting. You might see old or brownish colored blood mixed in.

Dog Ulcer Treatment
Ulcers are treated with drugs that are often used in humans. This includes Tagamet, Pepcid and Zantac .Antacids such as Mylanta are also used.

Dog Stomach Blockages
These types of dog stomach problems (also called gastric outflow obstruction) occurs when the stomach has trouble emptying its contents. Conditions that cause inflammation and scarring at this area which block drainage include ulcers and gastritis.

If the stomach is only partially blocked then one symptom is vomiting more than 12 hours after eating. You might see blood and partially digested food. If completely blocked then your dog will vomit forcibly right after eating.

Surgery is used to correct the obstruction.

Dog Stomach Tumors (gastric tumors)
This condition is usually seen in older dogs that are suffering from vomiting. You might see specks of dried dark colored blood in the vomit. If your veterinarian suspects this problem he will conduct a test called an gastrocopy to peer inside your dog's stomach. Also a biopsy (tissue sample) will be taken of the tumor to help make a diagnosis.

The condition is treated with surgical removal of the part of the stomach where the tumor resides.

Dog Stomach Problems - Bloat
Bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus) is a very serious condition that requires immediate care. It is the condition showcased in the movie Marley and Me. Approximately 50% of dogs with the condition do not survive. Dog bloat is usually seen in middle aged and older dogs.

In bloat the stomach fills with fluid and then rotates, pulling the spleen with it. the stomach can twist up to 360 degrees. The twisting prevents fluids from leaving your dogs body, not just stomach fluids, but the ability to vomit as well. The condition cuts off blood flow to the stomach which causes cells to start dying.

Your veterinarian will try and empty the fluid from the stomach via the insertion of a tube through the mouth. Surgery is used if the stomach has twisted and all of the organs need to be placed back into their normal position.

Canine Addison's Disease (Hypoadrenocorticism)
Canine Addisions Disease is a dog stomach problem problem that impacts your dog's adrenal glands. These are the glands that sit on top of the kidneys and are located in the abdomen. The glands secrete hormones that help the body regulate itself.

The disease occurs when the body's own immune system attacks the glands and causes them to shut down. When a dog collapses with no known cause, canine addison's disease is usually suspected.

Treatment includes the use of corticosteroids and intravenous fluids. Dog's respond will to this approach and require treatment for the rest of their life.

Canine Gastritis
There are two types of canine gastritis; acute gastritis and chronic gastritis.

Acute Gastritis: This condition is due to the lining of the stomach becoming irritated. The stomach can be irritated because of something your dog ate (bad food, something from the garbage, feces, grass, bones). The leading symptom is continuous vomiting.

This condition usually goes away by itself in 24 to 48 hours. See your veterinarian is you cannot identify what is causing continuous vomiting since your dog may have ingested a poison (e.g.; antifreeze) or she could have a severe problem such as something blocking part of the digestive system or a disease called peritonitis.

Chronic Gastritis: This condition is often caused by an allergy to a specific food. Other causes include hairballs, eating grass and other items that your dog shouldn't eat such as paper or plastic.

Symptoms of canine chronic gastritis include tiredness, dull coat and weight loss. Your dog will periodically vomit.

Other types of gastritis are hypertrophic gastritis (the membranes in the lower half other stomach become thickened can cause blockage and keeps food from exiting the stomach), atrophic gastritis (thinning of the stomach wall) and eosinophilic gastritis (white blood cells accumulate along the stomach wall.

Your veterinarian will do a test called a gastroscopy to take a tissue sample from the wall of the stomach. Examination of the sample should indicate the cause of the condition. If this is the problem then your veterinarian will suggest a change in diet (bland diet such as Hill's Prescription Diet i/d). You can also try a diet you can make at home such as boiled rice and cottage cheese.

Medications for stomach problems include many drugs used in humans including Tagamet, Pepcid and Zantac.

Canine Motion Sickness
Like people, your dog stomach problems can be due to motion sickness. Symptoms of dog motion sickness include excess salivation, yawning and vomiting.

Treatment is also similar to humans with the use of Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) and Gravol. The dosage for dogs is 2 to 4 mg for every pound of your dog's body weight every 8 hours. Give your dog the mediation 1 hour prior to traveling. Never give your dog an over the counter medication without consulting your veterinarian.

Other tips for canine motion sickness are to give your dog a ginger snap cookie and have her travel on an empty stomach. Dogs can outgrow the problem as they get used to car travel.

Natural Remedies and Dog Stomach Problems
If you dog has persistent stomach problems, one option might be to try a herbal supplement. When your dog isn't eating right it could result in digestive imbalance. Herbs also act as a substitute to things in your dogs diet that might be missing. .There are several natural herbs that have been shown to support the stomach lining and digestive tract. These include:
Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice): associated with support of the lining of the digestive tract. It also helps with bowels.
Ulmus fulva (slippery elm): common herb used to support digestive health
Althaea officinalis (marshmallow): sooths the mucous membranes and the digestive tract lining.

One product worth researching and discussing with your veterinarian for dog stomach problems is PetAlive Digestive Support . It is made specifically to support the digestive system.

Recognize and Treat Canine Skin Allergy

"Identifying the source and best treatment for canine skin allergy is a frequent problem that often requires multiple trips to the veterinarian. It is the most common cause of skin conditions in dogs. The most diagnosed types of skin allergies in dogs includes flea allergy, environmental or seasonal allergy (atopy or hay fever) and dog food allergies. Symptoms for all types of dog skin allergies such as hair loss, secondary skin infections and itch are similar, but each type of skin allergy has unique characteristics and presentations that can help an owner distinguish one type from another as described below. Symptoms can also be confused with other canine skin conditions such as ringworm, mange and immune-mediated skin disease. Treatment for a dog with a skin allergy is based on the underlying cause of the problem."


The three most common causes of canine skin allergy are dog flea allergies, an environmental allergy such as pollen or mold (called canine atopy), and dog food allergy. Any investigation should start with eliminating these common causes before moving on to other possible reasons for a canine skin condition.

Canine Skin Allergy Reaction to Dog Food

Where your dog has an allergic reaction can be a clue as to the cause. If the allergy is at the mouth and you had just purchased a new plastic dog dish for example, this could be the cause. Redness around a flea collar could be caused by the collar itself.

Many chemicals can cause your dog to have an allergic reaction. This usually occurs in areas that are not covered by hair. Common causes include soap, shampoo, wool, leather, plastic/rubber dog dishes, insecticide, paint, carpet, wood preservative, neomycin (many skin medicines).

Immediately bring your dog to a Veterinarian or Emergency Center if your dog's face is swollen or looks puffy. This could be a sign of a severe allergic reaction that needs immediate treatment

Canine Skin Allergy due to Fleas (dog flea bite hypersensitivity)

Dog flea allergies are the most common type of canine skin allergy. This condition is confusing for dog owners since it is a year round problem that many owners believe is seasonal. To be clear, the problem is worse during the late summer and fall.

Fleas do not die in the winter and may not be seen by the owner on the dog (they are good at hiding). A small number of fleas can result in a dog flea allergy skin problem.

Canine Flea Allergy Skin Symptoms:
Symptoms of canine skin allergy from fleas includes itch primarily above the tail base and on the back of the thighs, but can effect the entire body. Dogs will chew on the itchy areas, causing hair loss, red skin and skin irritation. The chewing can also introduce bacteria, which will result in a skin infection. Flea bit hypersensitivity does not typically affect a dogs face or the front of the body.

Canine Flea Allergy Treatment
To treat dog flea allergy, first use a product to kill the fleas on the dog such as a herbal flea dip. Follow this by a product made for dog flea protection recommended by your veterinarian such as Frontline.

Canine Atopy - Environmental Dog Skin Allergy and Dogs with Allergies that are Seasonal (Canine atopic dermatitis)

About 1 in 10 dogs get some type of canine skin allergy (also called Atopy) from substances in the air. Allergies tend to appear during certain times of the year when specific types of allergens such as pollen, ragweed and mold are present.

• Weed Pollen – Late summer and fall
• Tree Pollen – March and April
• Grass Pollen – May, June, July

Certain breeds have a higher incidence of canine atopy including:

• Bichon Frise
• English Bulldogs
• Shar-Pei
• White Highland, Cairn, Scottish, Boston, Sealyham, Wire-haired fox Terriers

Bull Terrier Dog with Skin Allergies on Paw (Atopic Dermatitis)

• Lhasa apsos
• Cocker Spaniels
• German Shepherds

Dogs with Allergies Seasonal Symptoms:
Dogs with allergies of this type do not show symptoms seen in humans such as runny nose, nasal congestion and itchy eyes. Instead, canine atopy results in itchy skin all over the body, but most severely on the feet and underbelly. Dogs will lick feet to the point of severe infection and redness. Other areas more frequently affected include the face, feet, front legs, ears and armpits.

Dog Atopy Treatment
Treatment for canine atopy involves avoiding the substance that triggers the allergy or reducing the sensitivity to the substance via dog allergy shots (only 60% to 85% effective). A hypoallergenic dog shampoo such as DermaPet Dermalyte may also bring some relief.

Canine Skin Allergies From Food

Canine food allergy is the third most common type of allergies in dogs. The allergic reaction is to a protein found in commercial dog food, dog treats or table scraps given to the dog. A dog can become allergic to a food at any time, even if a dog has been eating that food for years with no issues.

Dog Food Allergy Symptoms
Dog food allergies result in generalized itch, which means the itch is all over the body. Dog itch is often most pronounced on the anus. Along with itch, ear infections are also common. Certain breeds have an increased risk of canine food allergy including German Shepherds and Boxers.

Dog with Food Allergy

Dog Food Allergy Treatment
To treat food allergy in dogs, a hypoallergenic or elimination diet is required. In an elimination diet the food is reduced to one carb such as rice and one protein such as chicken. After improvement is seen, ingredients are slowly added back into the diet until the problem ingredient is identified. You should see canine skin allergy symptoms start to heal in the first few weeks.

Allergy Dog Testing and Diagnosis

Diagnosing dog skin allergies often requires the investigative skills of Sherlock Holmes. Any examination will start with the taking of a thorough medical history regarding your dog's symptoms. Some veterinarian's will ask you to complete an online dog skin history that can be filled out before your visit. Typical questions include when the symptoms first began, whether any siblings have similar dog skin problems, and how has the skin reaction changed over time. They will also ask about any products used to care for your dog such as flea care and the diet. Often the questionnaire is more important that the physical exam, since symptoms are often non-specific to any particular underlying cause.

Next, the veterinarian will do a physical exam. A vet will evaluate the entire dog, not just the area showing canine skin allergy symptoms. At this point, for most dog skin disorders, a vet will have some indication or suspicion of what is causing the problem. including dog flea allergy, atopy (environmental allergies), contact allergy (to a chemical or other substance), or if the cause is unrelated to allergy (see below).

Since it is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between skin allergies caused by fleas and allergy caused by something in your dog’s environment, your vet may take an ear swab and a superficial dog skin sample to determine if the problem is caused by an infection (bacterial) or yeast. All are examined using a microscope.

In an approach that is similar to the one used for people, your Veterinarian may give your dog a skin test (IST) where different causes of allergy are placed on the skin. If your dog reacts to a small amount, it means they are allergic. Some Veterinarians may opt to do a blood test called ELISA.

Dog Skin Problems with Symptoms that are Similar to Canine Skin Allergy
Several types of canine skin conditions are often confused with canine skin allergy. When reaching a specific diagnosis, the veterinarian will eliminate these causes before determining that allergy is the cause of the dog skin condition.

• Mange: There are two different types of dog mange, demodectic and sarcoptic, that can mimic the signs of canine skin allergy. Both are caused by mites which burrow under the skin and are treated with a lime-sulfur dip such as Naturasil.
• Demodectic Dog Mange is commonly seen in young puppies, larger breed dogs such as Great Danes and other breeds such as Boxers, and Pit Bulls. Symptoms includes patchy hair loss around the head and face, but can occur in any area of the body. Diagnosis is based on a skin scraping and the discovery of mites. 
• Sarcoptic Dog Mange or Scabies is also caused by mites and can be passed between people and dogs. Symptoms usually appear at the ear margins, will appear crusty and in most cases cause extreme itch. A dog scabies diagnosis is based on a skin scraping. 
• Dog Ringworm results in symptoms such as skin crusting, patchy hair loss and itch. The symptoms usually do not look similar to the circular ring seen on human skin. Dog ringworm diagnosis is based on a test using a "woods lamp" which causes the fungus to fluoresce. Treatment involves the weekly use of a dip such as Naturasil for Ringworm.
• Immune Mediated Dog Skin Disease can affect dogs of any age, but is most frequently diagnosed in middle age females. In these types of conditions, the dogs immune system attacks its' own body, causing conditions such as pemphigus foliaceus or lupus. Symptoms includes raw dog skin and painful skin at the margins of the ears, dog lips and nose. The condition is diagnosed with a skin biopsy test.

Treatment of Dogs with a Canine Skin Allergy

Many Vets will prescribe an antihistamine (hydrocortisone or Pramoxine) to help with any dog skin itching. Popular types of antihistamine include Dipehnhydramine (Benadryl), hydroxyzine (Atarax), clemastine (Tavist) and cetirizine (Zyrtec). 40% of dogs respond to this type of treatment.

Other treatment options includes oral or topical antibiotics and anti-fungals. Shampoos and sprays may also be of help. If dog food allergy is the cause, then a hypoallergenic food trial is used to identify the problem ingredients. For seasonal allergy (canine atopy), then medication which are immune modulating such as cyclosporine are prescribed.

If your dog does not respond to any of the canine skin allergy treatments suggested above, then a series of allergy shots can be used to reduce sensitivity to the allergens (called hyposensitization therapy). This course of treatment takes as few as 9 and as many as 12 months.

During recovery, dietary supplements might help to restore skin condition, such as the omega fatty acids found in fish oil. Shampoos can also be tried to ease skin inflammation and itch such as a product that contains colloidal oatmeal (Groomers Blend). Homeopathics that combine ingredients associated with skin and coat health such as Skin and Coat Tonic may also be of help.

It is common for a vet to request a return visit after several weeks to check on your dog's progress.

canine skin cancer

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

According to the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, dogs are 35 times more predisposed to skin cancer as compared to humans and and 6 times more predisposed than cats.

Typical signs of canine skin cancer include:

• A lump or bump that may or may not be ulcerated. 
• The skin may be red or has a flaky appearance

The cancer can result in: itching, causing the dog to chew and scratch the affected area incessantly.

Systemic symptoms depend on the location of the tumor, the seriousness of the cancer and whether it has metastasized.
Some systemic signs may include:

• Appetite loss
• Vomiting (maybe bloody)
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Coughing
• Wounds that cannot heal
• Enlarged lymph nodes

A typical dog tumor shown breaking through the skin:



Common malignant dog skin tumors are as follows:
1. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

The tumors can appear many places but are seen most commonly on and around the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and areas with little hair.

At first, SCC tumors look much like other common skin irritations such as a raw ulcer or non-healing sore, making them difficult to identify.

Typical Cause: Sun damage

Signs of SCC:

• Scabs
• Hair loss
• Irritated skin
• Loss of teeth with limited healing
• Raised red bumps on the skin

Breeds commonly affected by this type of canine skin cancer include:

• Shih tzus
• Standard poodles
• Mastiffs
• Basset hounds
• Blood hounds

2. Mast cell tumors



Typical Cause: Hereditary & environmental factors

Most common fatal skin cancer in dogs.

Mast cell tumors that appear in:

• the armpit area
• mammary tissue
• groin, anus or genital areas
• in the lips, eyelids, or body openings are likely to be malignant.

The appearance of canine mast cell tumors are unsual and can mimic other benign skin lesions such as lipomas (fatty tumors).

Because of their ability to mimic benign skin tumors, these dangerous mast cell tumors often are not diagnosed until later in the disease, resulting in a worse prognosis for the dog patient.

Usually found in the skin, but they can also be commonly found on the:

• Trunk
• Limbs
• Genital Area

The tumor can be single or multiple, and it can be smooth, bumpy, or ulcerated.

Signs of Mast Cell Tumors:Itching and inflammation of the skin
Occasional local bleeding while tumor is scratched
Ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract causing mild to severe bleeding
Vomiting
Blood in the stool

3. Hemangiosarcoma

Typical cause: Important genetic factors

There are 2 types of skin associated hemangiosarcoma in dogs:

I. Dermal (skin)Signs include:

• Dark appearance of skin
• Raised skin lesion (usually on hairless areas eg. Abdomen)

II. Hypodermal (under the skin)Signs include: Soft mass of tumor Or Firm mass of tumor with ulceration
Breeds most commonly affected by this type of canine skin cancer include:

• German Shepherds
• Golden Retrievers
• Labrador Retrievers
• Boxers
• Schnauzers
• Pointers
• Doberman Pinchers

4. Perianal Tumors
Tend to occur on hairless skin around the anus
Appear raised
Can occur as multiple masses that may become ulcerated and secondarily infected

5. Limpoma

• Tend to appear as fatty tumors
• They are benign
• Can be confused with mass cell tumor

6. Sebaceous Hyperplasia
Can be solitary or multiple
Typically:

• Raised
• Firm
• Wart-like/Cauliflower-like
• Range from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter
• Usually pink but can be yellow or darkly pigmented
• Oily, ulcerated or alopecic (hair loss on and around the lesion)
• Common on the belly (ventral abdomen) but can occur anywhere

7.. Histiocytoma



Most common sites:

• Head 
• Pinna 
• Neck 

Common Signs

• Nodules are typically:
• Solitary 
• Red 
• Dome-shaped 
• Sparsely haired 
• Appear rapidly 
• Ulcerated but not painful

8. Melanoma
Signs and Symptoms:

• Bad breath.
• Drooling.
• Bleeding from mouth
• Facial swelling 
• Decreased appetite
• Chewing on one side of mouth

Typically occur as :

Single growths
May or may not be pigmented or dark in colour
Generally, benign melanomas are deeply pigmented, smaller and well defined

9. Fibrosarcoma

Typical Signs and Symptoms:

• Swelling of the bones
• Difficulty eating
• Difficulty swallowing
• Signs of pain
• Signs of lameness
• Poor mouth odor
• Bleeding from the mouth

10. Basal Cell Tumor
Typical Signs and Symptoms: Solitary, firm, well circumscribed, hairless growth

Areas usually affected:

• Head 
• Neck 
• Shoulders

Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs

Quick Facts at a Glance

20-25% of all skin/subcutaneous tumors in dogs are mast cell tumors (MCT)
10-15% of canine MCT are clinically indistinguishable from subcutaneous lipomas (fatty tumors)
Definitive diagnosis of MCT cannot be made without cytologic (aspirate) or histologic (biopsy) evaluation of the lesion
Behavior of individual MCTs is difficult to predict but should always be considered aggressive until proven otherwise
MCT of the perineal and inguinal regions tend to behave more aggressively than their tumor grade would predict
Most dogs with MCT have a normal CBC(complete blood count)
20% of dogs with MCT will have multiple primary tumors in their lifetime
Aggressive surgical resection remains the cornerstone of treatment

What are the clinical features?

Mast cell tumors in dogs occur primarily as either a skin or subcutaneous mass. It is important to remember that mast cell tumors are extremely variable in their clinical presentation. They can resemble any other type of skin or subcutaneous tumor, both benign (i.e. lipoma) and malignant. Most canine MCT are solitary although multiple primary tumors develop in 20% of patients. Approximately 50% of canine MCT are located on the trunk and perineum, 40% on the extremities and 10% on the head and neck.

Regional lymphadenopathy (lymph node enlargement) may occur when high-grade mast cell tumors metastasize (spread) to draining lymph nodes. Hepatomegaly (liver enlargement) and splenomegaly (spleen enlargement) are features of advanced stage, metastatic MCT. Malignant mast cells may be detected in the blood and bone marrow of dogs with advanced stage disease.

Cytology vs. histopathology?
The diagnosis of MCT is often made simply with cytologic evaluation of a fine needle aspirate of the mass. Although cytology may allow us to confirm the diagnosis, it provides little prognostic information. Histopathology (biopsy) allows us to grade the tumor so we can predict biologic behavior and make appropriate treatment recommendations.

• 
  Survival Times of Dogs After Surgery Based on Histologic Grade
  Grade                                    #of Dogs                        Alive 6 Months Post-Surgery  
  I                                               39                                           77% 
  II                                              30                                           45% 
  III                                             45                                           13%
  
  
  Surgery: 3cm margins!!!
  
  The most frustrating feature of MCT is how aggressively they can behave, regardless of their gross appearance and histologic grade. MCT are notorious for their invasive nature and tendency to extend far beyond visible margins. If 2-3 cm surgical margins, both lateral and deep, are not obtained then chances are good that the tumor will not be adequately excised. While it may be difficult to remove 2-3 cm deep margins in a patient without much body fat, removing a layer of muscle below the tumor is advised. A surgical margin of a couple of millimeters is not adequate. When surgical margins are very close, a second surgery should be recommended as soon as possible. It is impossible to comment on completeness of surgical excision and predict biologic behavior of mast cell tumors without histopathologic evaluation of the entire tumor.
  
  Depending on where the tumor is located, it may not be possible to obtain 3 cm surgical margins (i.e. leg). In those cases, it is appropriate to perform a “debulking” surgery followed immediately by radiation therapy. Radiation therapy in this setting can be highly effective at achieving long-term local control. Depending on the situation, chemotherapy may be recommended in conjunction with or in lieu of radiation therapy. Administration of prednisone alone (1mg/kg every 24 hours) for 5-7 days prior to surgery may result in sufficient reduction of the tumor mass and associated inflammation thereby increasing success of surgery.
  
  What about lymph nodes?
  Whenever possible, the draining lymph nodes (lymph nodes in close proximity) should be biopsied or excised for histopathologic analysis, regardless of gross appearance and tumor grade. The presence of lymph node metastasis worsens the prognosis and necessitates treatment with chemotherapy.
  
  When is it essential to stage the patient with mast cell tumor?
  Diagnostic tests performed in the staging of MCTs include cytology or biopsy of the draining lymph node, abdominal ultrasound with ultrasound guided aspirate and cytology of the spleen and liver, bone marrow aspirate and cytology, complete blood count (CBC) and chest radiographs. Although the staging process can provide us with essential information, we are very limited by the low sensitivity of these diagnostic tests. In the case of a grade I or low grade II MCT that has been completely excised with wide surgical margins, it is unlikely that metastasis has occurred. Early metastasis would not likely be detected during the staging process.
  
  Staging is essential prior to undergoing an extensive or expensive treatment procedure (i.e. amputation or radiation therapy). Staging is also recommended for any grade III or high-grade II MCT, even if completely excised with wide margins. Histologic evaluation of draining lymph nodes is preferred over cytology in this situation.
  
  Radiation therapy
  Mast cell tumors are generally very sensitive to radiation. Radiation is most effective at achieving long-term (greater than 5 years) tumor control when it is delivered to microscopic disease, grade 2 intermediate or lower and in a well-defined radiation field. Radiation therapy can be used to control local disease after incomplete resection of high-grade 2 or grade 3 MCT. The size of the tumor prior to surgical resection has great impact on the effectiveness of radiation.
  
  Chemotherapy: When to treat?
  As with any cancer, chemotherapy for the treatment of MCT is most effective when combined with other treatment modalities or used early in the course of the disease. Chemotherapy will not be helpful in the treatment of a large mast cell tumor that cannot be excised and has become resistant to prednisone therapy. Chemotherapy is appropriate when tumor cells extend to surgical margins and a second surgery and radiation therapy are not feasible treatment options. Chemotherapy is recommended in all cases with lymph node involvement. Chemotherapy is recommended for all patients with high-grade II or grade III MCT, even when the tumor is excised with wide margins.
  
  Prednisone, vinblastine and lomustine are used in combination to obtain the best results with minimal side effects. Adjuvant chemotherapy results in survival times of greater than 2 years in patients with high-grade II MCT with metastasis to regional lymph nodes, that have been treated with aggressive surgical resection resulting in complete resection and are negative for visceral (organ, i.e. spleen) metastasis. Chemotherapy is not of much benefit when staging confirms systemic metastasis.

Determine a Dog's Age in Human Years

OverviewDogs age more rapidly than humans, with an average lifespan of about 14 years, depending on the dog's size, health and lifestyle. While many people calculate a dog's age in human years by multiplying their actual age in years by seven, this isn't correct because a dog ages more rapidly in his early years than his later ones. Most breeds age at the same pace for the first five years of life, but smaller ones age more slowly than larger ones after this age and can live almost twice as long in some cases.

Step 1Estimate your dog's age if you don't know exactly when your dog was born. A dog's age usually can be determined by the state of his teeth. A puppy gets all of his baby teeth by 8 weeks of age and permanent ones by 7 months, according to WebMD. A dog 1 to 2 years old has little tartar buildup, and a dog up to 5 years old has some wear and yellowing of the teeth. Dogs over 5 years old may have serious tartar buildup and dental disease. Senior dogs, over 10, may also show signs of graying fur, cataracts and joint disease.

Step 2Determine if your dog's size is considered small, medium or large. Small dogs weigh less than 20 pounds, medium dogs range between 21 and 50 pounds and large dogs are over 50 pounds in size. While most dogs age at the same rate until they reach 5 years old, after this age, larger breeds age more rapidly than smaller ones, affecting the calculation of the dog's age in human years.

Step 3Calculate the approximate human age of your puppy by multiplying the age in months by 2 for puppies up to 5 months old. Puppies age very rapidly during their first year of life, especially during these first 5 months, a rate of growth which decreases as the dog approaches his first year of life.

Multiply the age in months by 1.5 for puppies from 6 months old to 8 months old to account for the decreased rate of aging.

Multiply the age in months by 1.25 for puppies from 9 months old to 1 year old. A 1-year-old dog's age in human years is approximately 15 years old, and the dog ages 3/4 of a human year for each month after that until the dog reaches 2 years old, or approximately 24 years old in human years. This figure is the same for all sizes and breeds.

Step 4Subtract 2 from the dog's age in years and multiply the remainder by 4 for dogs over 2 years old and under 5 years old. Add 24 to this number to determine the age in human years. This figure is the same for all sizes and breeds up to 5 years old.

For example, to determine the human age of a 4-year-old dog, you would subtract 2 from 4, which would leave you with 2 as the remainder. Multiply this number by 4, which would give you 8. Add 24 to 8 to get 32, which is a 4-year-old dog's age in human years.

Step 5Subtract 5 from the dog's age in years for dogs over 5 years old. For small breeds of dogs, multiply the remainder by 4 and add it to 36. For medium-sized breeds, multiply the remainder by 5 and add it to 36.

For large breeds, multiply the remainder by 6 and add it to 36. Note that large breeds of dogs over 15 years old age about 27 human years between 15 and 16 years old in dog years due to their larger bone structure, which can lead to joint and other health issues.

Keeping Your Dog Healthy

The dog health guide offers simple and practical advice for many common canine symptoms and illnesses. It is written by dog lovers, researchers and vets who understand that while there is no substitute for a Veterinarian, there are often simple things that can be done at home to help.

We believe that every dog owner needs to be an advocate for their dog's health. This means knowing the facts so that when faced with any kind of canine disease, you can have a productive conversation with your Veterinarian.

Our thinking on different illnesses is based on the common sense advice of dog owners and information from leading Veterinary authorities. Check back often since every week we will be updating and adding information on another canine disease.

Here's some quick links to the most common dog health conditions according to dog health insurance companies:

• Dog Skin Allergies
• Dog Ear Infections
• Dog Stomach Upsets
• Dog Bladder Infections
• Canine Benign Tumors
• Canine Arthritis
• Dog Leg Sprains
• Dog Eye Infections
• Dog Diarrhea (canine enteritis)
• Canine Hypothyroidism

Always be aware of any changes in your dog's behavior or habits as these can be early warning signs of dog disease. In particular, if you spot any of the following canine health problems, be sure to call your veterinarian:

• Persistent Dog Diarrhea or Vomiting
• Problems breathing
• Lameness, limping or softness that persists
• Dog cough that does not go away
• Any type of bleeding or discharge
• Low energy levels or lethargy
• Dog skin conditions that do not heal, or show pus and blood, or skin welling and lumps
• Poor appetite, avoidance of food
• Weight loss
• Collapse

We try and provide home remedies wherever possible, and never intend for the advice to be a substitute for a medical professional that knows your dog's breed and health. Whether discussing rice for diarrhea or treating arthritis in dogs, you'll hopefully find our approach helpful. The Dog Health Guide also tries to focus on specific dog symptoms such as canine cough and then helps you determine if the cough is due to canine kennel cough, coccidiosis dogs, or canine parasites such as heartworm or roundworm. We also suggest sites that can help to educate our readers such as this resource on dog grooming.

Please write to us with your suggestions and ideas or if you didn't find the information you were looking for.

All suggestions will be reviewed by our editors and posted for the benefit of our readers. Also, please send pictures of your dog. We'd love to meet him or her.

The information in Dog-Health-Guide.org is not intended to replace the advice of a Veterinarian or other Pet Health Professional.

Care For a Dog's Dry Skin

If your dog is itchy and has dry, flaky skin accompanied by bumps, scabs, pimples and patches of thinning hair, he might have seborrhea (dandruff). Bathing him every other day with warm water and a medicated shampoo containing sulfur or salicylic acid may help. You can also use an after-bath rinse or moisturizing spray containing colloidal oatmeal, glycerin, fatty acids or urea

Your dog's condition might be caused by poor nutrition. Many commercial dog foods lack essential fatty acids and vitamins such as A, E and B-3 (niacin) . Try a higher-quality dog food or talk to a veterinarian about supplements specifically for healthy skin and coat.

Frequent bathing can cause dry skin. Bathe your dog as little as possible, using a moisturizing shampoo made especially for dogs. Human shampoo is too harsh for dogs because our skin has a different pH [source:  Brushing your dog regularly will help him stay clean and stimulate his skin to produce moisturizing oils

You can also try the following home remedies to relieve your dog's dry skin problem:
Add olive oil to his food two or three times a week.
Bathe your dog in a warm water and oatmeal solution.
Apply teat tree oil, fish oil, calendula extract or vitamin E (all available in health food stores) to his skin.
Make sure your dog is well hydrated by providing him with more water, fresh fruits, vegetables and meats, or by adding water to his dry dog food

If nothing helps, or if your dog's skin condition worsens, see a veterinarian to rule out other causes for his dry skin, like mange, infection or ringworm. It may be necessary to treat your dog with prescription medication

Top ten Smartest Dog Breeds In The World

What are the smartest dog breeds in the world? We all love our dogs, and most of us believe our own dog must be the smartest ever. But is your dog's breed known as one of the smartest? We've compiled a list of the top 10 most intelligent dogs ever. If your dog isn't on this list, don't despair. Because sometimes, having a dog with very high intelligence can have its drawbacks. For example, if a highly intelligent dog is left at home alone all day, they can get bored and become destructive and/or neurotic. On the other hand, a dog with limited intelligence can be left at home all day, and not even realize you’re gone until a few minutes before you arrive home! Note: This list should not be confused with the top 10 easiest to train dog breeds.

#10 Australian Cattle Dog

The Australian Cattle Dog is a very active breed. They need to be exercised on a regular basis, both mentally and physically. As they were originally bred to herd in cattle in Australia (hence the name), they are freethinking, resourceful, and very protective of their property, including people!

Australian Cattle Dog:

When Australian ranchers required a herding dog to help control the half-wild cattle and sheep, they set out to breed one. The process began in the 1830's when a stockman named Timmins crossed a Smithfield (a tough but noisy working breed) with a Dingo. Further crosses with Collies and Dalmations produced the Australian Cattle Dog, a breed posessing stamina, reliability, and uncanny intelligence (The are one of the easiest to train and top 10 most intelligent dogs). The Australian Cattle Dog was also developed to be a strong biting dog, one able to drive wild cattle over long distances. Its speckled coat camouflages it when nipping at the bovine's legs. Protecting its master's family and home is a responsibility the Australian Cattle Dog takes as seriously as squiring cattle.

Average Lifespan Of The Australian Cattle Dog: 12-15 years.
Average Weight: 33-51 lbs. Inherited Health Disorders:

Eyes:

PPM (Persistant Pupillary Membrane).
Retinal Dysplasia (Detachment): A type of retinal deformation.
Malformed Eye Tunic (Scleral Ectasia): A thinning of the sclera or cornea, usually seen in Collies and related breeds. The condition on its own is not serious, but it is usually associated with more serious eye diseases

Do We Love Our Dogs More than People

Americans have fallen in love with their dogs. We have dog walkers, dog groomers, dog parks and dog-friendly hotels. We buy organic dog food, put our pets on puppy Prozac and dress them up in costumes for Halloween. In the last 15 years, the amount of money spent on pets in the U.S. jumped from $17 billion to $43 billion. The role of dogs has changed, and journalist Michael Schaffer decided to find out why. Schaffer talks to TIME about his new book, One Nation Under Dog, and what he has discovered about our sudden need to treat our pets like children. (See pictures of a real-life hotel for dogs.)
How did you get interested in the topic?
Well, I got a dog. When my wife and I adopted him we vowed never to dress him in outfits or treat him like our child. But our dog turned out to have separation anxiety. He had come from a shelter and was very nervous and when we left the house. He'd bark all the time and our neighbors hated it. So we went to the vet and he said, "Oh yeah, he has separation anxiety. There's a pill for that." My family thought this was the most incredible thing. Some of them have dogs and they looked at us as if we were these ridiculous, overindulgent spendthrifts. To me this said something. Sometime between when they had pets and now the definition of "normal" had changed pretty rapidly. When normal changes that fast it means something interesting is going on.
What do you think that our attachments to our pets say about our society?I was continually amazed by how you can find so many controversies, obsessions and trends of our society that played out in the world of pets. For example, pet food has changed in a lot of the same ways that human food has changed — towards healthy, organic stuff — and pet-training has become as common as sending your kid to driver's ed. There are these huge philosophical battles over whether dog-training should be done in an authoritarian way or a soft rewarding-good-behavior sort of way that mirrors the culture wars in politics. (See pictures of Presidential First Dogs.)
You write in your book that a larger number of single people and childless couples have pets than ever before. Why is that?
In the last 30 to 40 years, two-career couples have become the norm. People are marrying later and divorcing more frequently. They work longer hours than they ever had before and they have longer commutes. The number of pets started to boom right around the same time that these trends began to take off. This suggests that people are leaning on pets to fill the gap in social support mechanisms that earlier might have come from their families or tight-knit neighborhoods. This is why single people or childless couples might want to get a pet. There's just a lot more of those folks right now and they have the wherewithal financially to do so. In turn they've sort of spurred a whole industry of dog walkers and pet sitters because if you don't have a homemaker who is home with the dog all day, you need help caring for your dog. (See more at PeoplePets.com.)
Have our lifestyles changed our dogs' lifestyles?The fact that our time away from home over the last generation has increased so much definitely changes things. There has been this incredible creativity in designing chew toys for dogs. They have these elaborate toys with hidden treats inside of them, and the dog has to figure out how to reach them. It's like a Baby Einstein toy but for a dog. The goal is not just to get the dog to chew on something, but to occupy its physical and mental energy during your very long absence.
What was the most surprising aspect of the pet industry that you discovered? I went to a pet-loss bereavement group. It was conducted by a full-time employed veterinary social worker who worked in a veterinary hospital. First of all, I was amazed that profession even existed, and then I found out that she went to a conference with fellow veterinary social workers, so there must be a lot of them out there. I sat in on a meeting and I have to admit that I had my moments of thinking, "Oh boy, these people really need to get a life." But for the most part, the meetings were very moving. These people were devastated. As a magazine and newspaper reporter I covered wars and murders, and yet still I was pretty affected by the grief that the people in that room felt, the attachments they had to their animals and the sense of loss that they endured.
You talked a bit about commercial dog-breeding and puppy mills. If you walk into a pet store, what is the chance that you're going to encounter dogs from a puppy mill?
Very high. Reputable breeders wont sell to pet stores. The thing to remember is that puppy mills aren't illegal. The term refers to mass breeding facilities and that is perfectly legal. Mass breeders typically sell to pet stores.
Have people stopped pampering their pets now that we're in a recession?There are two things going on right now. First, when it comes to decisions about money and pets, the number of people who don't have a choice increases. People's houses get foreclosed and they have to rent somewhere and the landlord doesn't take pets — well, they don't have a choice anymore. Similarly, at vet hospitals when the vet says, "Listen we can do this procedure that might save your animal but it will cost $8,000." More people are saying, "Well I don't have $8,000." But for people who do still have a choice, you're seeing a willingness to scrimp and save for themselves before they demote their animals. Over the last generation a lot of people have promoted their pets to the status of honorary child —they call them "Fur babies."
Is it just me or is everyone giving their dog a human name?There's a list of the most common names among policy-holders for pet insurance and the most popular dog names are Jake and Chloe and Bella — they're very similar to the names in my daughter's preschool. They're not the kind of names you'd find in dog cartoons. There are no Spots or Fidos. I think that speaks to what's going on and how we view pets as a part of the family. If you look at older descriptions of dogs on headstones at pet cemeteries, they say things like, "Here lies Fido, a loyal servant." By the mid-20th century it's, "Here lies Fido, my best friend." And nowadays you can go to online tributes to deceased pets and people write things like "Here is Jake, my baby."
Does this over-pampering apply to other pets as well?Most of the creativity has mostly been towards dogs because they have more variables. Going out in public is a big thing; people with cats don't really do that. So that's why there is a lot more action in the dog-accessories market, but I think it applies across the spectrum. I don't know that any of this speaks badly of us. What we now consider normal — all-natural pet food, expensive veterinary procedures — was just a little while ago considered as excessive and silly as dressing your dog up in a little tuxedo. The first professional journal for feline medicine was only established in the late 1960s. Before that if you went to vet school they didn't teach you about cats, really. Now 40 years later we're doing feline kidney transplants. So the measure of what is ridiculous is a very moving target. And it tends to be moving in one direction, which is up.

Can Dogs Love

IF YOU WANT TO CAUSE A COMMOTION IN ANY PSYCHOLOGY department or any other place where animal and human behaviour is studied, all that you have to do is to claim that your dog loves you. Skeptics, critics, and even some ardent supporters will pour out into the halls to argue the pros and cons of that statement.
Among the skeptics you will find the veterinarian Fred Metzger, of Pennsylvania State University, who claims that dogs probably don't feel love in the typical way humans do. Dogs make investments in human beings because it works for them. They have something to gain from putting so-called emotions out there. Metzger believes that dogs "love" us only as long as we continue to reward their behaviours with treats and attention.
For most dog owners, however, there is little doubt that dogs can truly love people. Take the story of Rocky and Rita from the Finger Lakes region of New York State, near Rochester.

Rocky was a solid 65-pound Boxer, classically colored with a chestnut brown coat and a white blaze on his chest. At the time of this story, Rocky was three years old and Rita was his eleven-year-old companion. Rocky had been given to Rita when he was ten weeks old, and she immediately bonded with him, petting him, handfeeding him, teaching him basic commands, and letting him sleep on her bed. Whenever she was not in school, the two were always together and within touching distance. The family would often fondly refer to the pair as "R and R."
Rita was a relatively timid and shy girl, and as the dog grew in stature he brought her a sense of security. When Rocky was next to her she felt confident enough to meet new people and to go to unfamiliar places. Rocky took on the roles, not only of friend and confidant, but also of defender.
When encountering strangers, he would often deliberately stand in front of Rita, as a sort of protective barrier. He seemed to be without fear, such as once when Rita was about to enter a store and two large men dressed in biker outfits burst out of the door, yelling at the shopkeeper and nearly knocking Rita over. Rocky rushed forward, putting himself between the frightened girl and the two threatening men. He braced himself and gave a low rumbling growl that carried such menace that the men backed off and gave the child and her guardian a wide berth.
There was, however, one flaw in Rocky's armour. It was a fear of water that was so extreme that it was almost pathological. Boxers are not strong swimmers in any event, and are often shy of the water. However, Rocky's fears stemmed from his puppyhood, when, at the age of seven weeks, he was sold to a family with an adolescent child. The boy had emotional problems and acted as if the attention bestowed on the new puppy somehow meant that he was less important. In a jealous rage, he put the puppy in a pillow case, knotted the top and threw it into a lake. Fortunately, the boy's father saw the incident and managed to retrieve the terrified puppy before it drowned. He scolded the boy and returned to the house. The next day the horrified parent saw his son standing waist-deep in the lake trying to drown the struggling puppy by holding him under water. This time Rocky was rescued and returned to the breeder for his own safety.
These early traumas made water the only thing that Rocky truly feared. When he came close to a body of water, he would try to pull back and seemed emotionally distressed. When Rita would go swimming in the lake, he would pace along the shore trembling and whimpering. He would watch her intently and would not relax until she returned to dry land.
One late afternoon, Rita's mother took R and R to an upscale shopping area. It was located along the edge of a lake and featured a short wooden boardwalk which was built along the shore over a sharp embankment that was 20 or 30 feet above the surface of the water. Rita was clomping along the boardwalk, enjoying the way the sounds of her footsteps were amplified by the wooden structure. It was then that a boy on a bicycle skidded on the damp wooden surface, hitting Rita at an angle which propelled her through an open section of the guard rail. She let out a shriek of pain and fear as she hurled outward and down, hitting the water face down, and then floating there unmoving.
Rita's mother was at the entrance of a store a hundred feet or so away. She rushed to the railing shouting for help. Rocky was already there, looking at the water, trembling in fear, and making sounds that seemed to be a combination of barks,whimpers, and yelps all rolled into one.
We can never know what went through that dog's mind as he stood looking at the water-the one thing that truly terrified him and that had nearly taken his life twice. Now here was a frightening body of water that seemed about to harm his little mistress. Whatever he was thinking, his love for Rita seemed to overpower his fear and he leapt out through the same open space in the rail and plunged into the water.
One can thank the genetic programming that allowed the dog to swim without any prior practice, and he immediately went to Rita and grabbed her by a shoulder strap on her dress. This caused her to roll over so that her face was out of the water and she gagged and coughed. Despite her dazed state she reached out and managed to cinch her hand in Rocky's collar, while the dog struggled to swim toward the shore. Fortunately the water was calm, they were not far from shore, and Rocky quickly reached a depth where his feet were on solid ground. He dragged Rita until her head was completely out of the water, and then stood beside her, licking her face, while he continued to tremble and whine. It would be several minutes before human rescuers would make it down the steep rocky embankment, and had it not been for Rocky, they surely would have arrived too late.
Rita and her family believe that it was only the big dog's love of the little girl that caused him to take what he must have considered a life-threatening action. This certainly casts doubt on Dr. Metzger's theory that dogs don't love us but act only out of self-interest. Why should Rocky behave in a way that he certainly felt would risk his life? Surely, if he was evaluating the costs and benefits of his actions then he would have known that, even in Rita's absence, the rest of the family would be around to feed him and take care of needs.
Marc Bekoff, a behavioural biologist at the University of Colorado, has a different interpretation. He notes that dogs are social animals. All social animals need emotions, in part as a means of communication-for instance you need to know to back off if another animal is growling. More importantly, however, emotions keep the social group together and motivate individuals to protect and support each other. Bekoff concludes that strong emotion is one of the foundations of social behaviour and is the basis of the connection between individuals in any social group, whether it is a pack, a family or just a couple in love.
Recent research has even identified some of the chemicals associated with feelings of love in humans. These include hormones such as oxytocin, which seems to help people form emotional bonds with each other. One of the triggers that causes oxytocin to be released is gentle physical touching, such as stroking. Dogs also produce oxytocin, and one of our common ways of interacting with dogs is to gently pet them, an action that probably releases this hormone associated with bonding. If dogs as social animals have an evolutionary need for close emotional ties, and they have the chemical mechanisms associated with loving, it makes sense to assume that they are capable of love, as we are.
Rocky's fear of the water was absolute, and never did abate. He continued to avoid it for the rest of his life and no one ever saw him so much as place a foot in the lake again. No one, at least not Rita or her family, ever doubted his love for her. He lived long enough to see an event occur which would not have happened had he not cared for her as much as he did. When Rita graduated from high school, she posed for a photo in her cap and gown. Beside her sat a now much older Boxer. The smiling girl had an arm around the dog, and her hand was cinched in his collar, as it was the day that Rocky unambiguously showed her just how much he loved her. ■