Top 20 Canine Diseases and their Diagnosis

Discover the top 20 canine diagnoses essential for NAVLE® success, including diabetes, Cushing’s disease, pancreatitis, and more. Learn the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments for common dog health issues to help you excel in veterinary exams.

1. Diabetes Mellitus

• Classic signs: Polyuria, polydipsia, increased appetite, weight loss.
• Diagnosis: Serum chemistries, urinalysis, fructosamine.
• Treatment: Long-acting insulin for stable cases; hospitalization for ketoacidotic cases.
• Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s Disease)

• Classic signs: Polyuria, polydipsia, potbellied appearance, thin skin.
• Diagnosis: ACTH stimulation test, low-dose dexamethasone suppression test.
• Treatment: Trilostane or Lysodren for pituitary/adrenal dependent cases.

3. Collapsing Trachea

• Classic signs: Honking cough, cyanosis in severe cases.
• Diagnosis: Thoracic radiographs, fluoroscopy.
• Treatment: Corticosteroids, tracheal stent for severe cases.
• 4. Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA)

• Classic signs: Lethargy, weakness, icterus, hemoglobinuria.
• Diagnosis: CBC, Coombs test, imaging for neoplasia.
• Treatment: Immunosuppression, blood transfusion.

5. Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)

• Classic signs: Pain, ataxia, tetraparesis.
• Diagnosis: MRI or CT, myelography.
• Treatment: Conservative therapy for mild cases, surgery for severe cases.

6. Heart Failure

• Classic signs: Cough, exercise intolerance, heart murmur.
• Diagnosis: Thoracic radiography, echocardiography.
• Treatment: Diuretics, positive inotropes, vasodilators.

6. Heartworm Disease

• Classic signs: Cough, weight loss, exercise intolerance.
• Diagnosis: SNAP test, microfilaria test, thoracic radiographs.
• Treatment: Doxycycline, adulticide therapy, surgical extraction for caval syndrome.

6. Pyometra

• Classic signs: Vulvar discharge, polydipsia, vomiting.
• Diagnosis: Abdominal radiography, ultrasonography.
• Treatment: Ovariohysterectomy, antibiotics.

6. Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD)

• Classic signs: Pruritus, hair loss, self-grooming.
• Diagnosis: History, flea comb test.
• Treatment: Flea adulticides, corticosteroids for pruritus.

6. Lameness Overview

• Includes: Hip dysplasia, panosteitis, OCD, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.
• Diagnosis: Radiographs.
• Treatment: Surgical and/or medical management depending on the condition.

11. Ethylene Glycol Toxicity

• Classic signs: Ataxia, PU/PD, renal failure.
• Diagnosis: EG blood test, urinalysis, anion gap metabolic acidosis.
• Treatment: Fomepizole, ethanol solution, supportive care.

11. Parvoviral Enteritis

• Classic signs: Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy in puppies.
• Diagnosis: Fecal ELISA, leukopenia, hypoalbuminemia.
• Treatment: Fluid therapy, antibiotics, nutritional support.

11. Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV)

• Classic signs: Abdominal distention, retching, collapse.
• Diagnosis: Radiography, hemoconcentration.
• Treatment: IV fluids, decompression, surgery.

11. Hypothyroidism

• Classic signs: Weight gain, lethargy, alopecia.
• Diagnosis: Total T4, Free T4, TSH test.
• Treatment: Oral T4 (levothyroxine).

11. Ophthalmology Overview

• Includes: Cataracts, cherry eye, uveitis, glaucoma.
• Diagnosis: Ophthalmic exam, tonometry, systemic work-up.
• Treatment: Surgical and medical management depending on the condition.

16. Pancreatitis

• Classic signs: Vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain.
• Diagnosis: SNAP cPL test, Spec cPLI test, abdominal ultrasonography.
• Treatment: Fluid therapy, pain management, anti-nausea meds.

16. Kennel Cough

• Classic signs: Acute-onset cough, retching.
• Diagnosis: History, PCR, bacterial culture.
• Treatment: Cough suppressants, antibiotics for bronchopneumonia.

16. Megaesophagus

• Classic signs: Regurgitation, weight loss, weakness.
• Diagnosis: Thoracic radiographs, test for underlying conditions.
• Treatment: Upright feeding, GI motility meds, treatment of underlying disease.

16. Cancer Overview

• Includes: Osteosarcoma, mammary gland tumors, mast cell tumors, lymphoma.
• Diagnosis: Radiography, FNA, biopsy.
• Treatment: Surgical excision, chemotherapy, radiation.

16. Cystitis/Cystic Calculi

• Classic signs: Pollakiuria, hematuria, inappropriate elimination.
• Diagnosis: Urinalysis, radiographs, ultrasonography.
• Treatment: Antibiotics, surgical removal of calculi, dietary management.

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