Canine Care Guides
Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia
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Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is a type of illness known as an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases result when the body’s immune system does not recognize itself; cells that normally attack invading viruses and bacteria begin attacking the body’s own cells, causing damage. In dogs and cats with IMHA, the body’s red blood cells come under attack. When red blood cells are severely damaged, they can burst; this is known as hemolysis. Therefore, IMHA is a condition in which red blood cells are attacked by the body’s immune system and destroyed by hemolysis, resulting in anemia (an inadequate quantity of red blood cells). Red blood cells can be destroyed within the blood vessels or in the spleen, liver, or bone marrow (where they are produced).
Read More Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia
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Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT) is a type of illness known as an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases result when the body’s immune system does not recognize itself; cells that normally attack invading viruses and bacteria begin attacking the body’s own cells, causing damage. In dogs and cats with IMT, the body’s platelets are attacked and destroyed, resulting in reduced numbers of platelets in the blood vessels. Platelets (also called thrombocytes) are cells that are needed to form blood clots and repair damaged blood vessels. Thrombocytopenia occurs when there are too few platelets in the blood.
Read More Injectable Medication
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Certain medications, such as insulin, can only be administered by injection. Some injections can be given at home after owners have received necessary instructions. However, in some cases, an injectable medication must be given by a veterinarian or trained veterinary professional.
Read More Injection of Adequan Canine
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Canine osteoarthritis is an incurable disease that worsens over time. This means that managing the signs of osteoarthritis and trying to slow down how quickly the condition progresses are the only ways to improve the quality of life of dogs with this chronic illness. Managing the signs of osteoarthritis may involve giving medications to control pain and inflammation, promoting weight management, and conducting physical therapy sessions with the patient. Other treatments are aimed at slowing the progression of the disease. These products, known as disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs), can be an important part of the effort to manage osteoarthritis. Adequan is classified as a DMOAD and has been shown to slow or alter the progression of osteoarthritis in dogs.
Read More Intervertebral Disk Disease
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In dogs and cats, the vertebrae (bones of the spine) are cushioned on either end by disks of soft cartilage. Occasionally, these disks can rupture, or herniate, into the vertebral canal, causing compression of the spinal cord. This condition is known as intervertebral disk disease (IVDD). Spinal cord compression is painful and can affect nerve supply to the legs and other areas of the body.
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