Digestive System Problems
ColicCause: Obstruction or twist
in the digestive systemSymptoms: Rolling, kicking at
belly, getting up and down repeatedlyCure: Keep horse walking, laxative, surgery in
case of valuable horsesColic surgery
Digestive System Problems
BloatCause: When cattle can’t get rid of gas in the
rumen
Symptoms: Distended left abdomen, pain, bellowing
Cure: Esophageal tube, or stab
Death can occur within 15 min
Digestive System Problems
DiarrheaCause: Virus, bacteria, change of food, or
foreign body in the digestive systemSymptoms: loose stoolCure: Antibiotics
Circulatory System
Purpose: Circulate oxygen, nutrients, wastes, and water throughout the body
Made up of: Heart Veins Arteries Capillaries
Circulatory System
Heart Center of the system Pumps continuously
Veins: Pump blood TO heartArteries: Pump blood AWAY from heartBlood
White and Red blood cells
Circulatory System
Right Atrium Tricuspid Valve RIGHT Ventricle LFT Ventricle Mitral Valve Aortic Valve LEFT Atrium Pulmonary Valve
Circulatory System Problems
Heart MurmurCause: Abnormal/leaky heart valve
Backflow of blood while heart pumps Common in puppies while they are growing and
very activeSymptoms: Abnormal heart sound, but
usually no outside symptomsCure: none, Surgery (Sx) in extreme cases
Circulatory System Problems
Heart Murmur
Circulatory System Problems
Congestive Heart FailureCause: Weakened heart muscle… usually from
age
Symptoms: Tiring easily, coughing
Cure: None, but some medications are available to help symptoms
Circulatory System Problems
Heart WormsCause: Parasite that is spread from dog to
dog by mosquitoesSymptoms: no symptoms till its too lateCure: If caught early, heartworms can be
killed
Circulatory System Problems
Heart Worms
Circulatory System Problems
Heart WormsPrevention: Monthly heartworm medication
Circulatory System Problems
Chocolate ToxicityCause: Dog eating chocolateSymptoms: Vomiting, increased heart rate, muscle tremors, seizuresCure: If lethal dose is eaten, vet care is needed. Activated charcoal in stomach may be used
Circulatory System Problems
Chocolate ToxicityWhat's wrong with chocolate?
Cocoa bean contains theobromine, a naturally occurring stimulant that affects the nervous system and heart muscle leading to…. Vomiting, diarrhea, polyuria Arrhythmia Muscle twitching/tremors Seizures, coma, death
Endocrine System
Purpose: To produce and distribute hormones throughout the
body
Made up of Organs: Liver, Pancreas, Kidneys
And Glands: Hypothalamus, Pituitary Gland, Thyroid
Endocrine System
What do hormones control? Growth Reproduction/milk production Digestion Level of excitement/depression
Endocrine System Problems
HyperthyroidCause: Overproduction of thyroid hormones
T3 & T4Symptoms: weight loss, increased appetite,
hyperactivityCure: daily, permanent medication to
decrease thyroid hormones
Endocrine System Problems
HypothyroidCause: Low production of the thyroid glandSymptoms: Hair loss, weight gain, lethargyCure: Diagnose with blood test, treat daily
with medication to increase thyroid production
Endocrine System Problems
DiabetesCause: Obesity, congenital, or unknown
causeSymptoms: Weight gain, polyuria, increased
drinking lethargyCure: daily insulin
Excretory System
Purpose: Dispose (excretes) wastes from the body
IE: excess water, toxins, other solutesMade up of:
Kidneys Ureters Bladder Urethra
Excretory System Problems
UTICause: Bacteria/InfectionSymptoms: Excessive and frequent
urinationCure: Antibiotics
Excretory System Problems
Kidney FailureCause:
Heredity Poisoning (antifreeze) Inflammatory Drugs (ibuprofen)
Symptoms: increased thirst/urination, weight loss, lethargy, anemia
Cure: IV Fluids, special foods
Excretory System Problems
Urinary BlockageCause: excessive crystal formation in urethra
preventing flow of urineSymptoms: Unable to urinate, frequent visits
to the litter box (most common in male cats)Cure: urinary catheter, IV fluids to flush
crystals, special foods to prevent reoccurrence
Excretory System Problems
Urinary Blockage
Excretory System Problems
Bladder StonesCause: excessive crystal formationSymptoms: Frequent urination, blood in
urineCure: SX to remove stones then special
foods to prevent reoccurrence
Excretory System Problems
Bladder Stones
Integumentary System
Purpose: Create a barrier between the body and the outside world
Made up of: Skin Hair Nails Glands (Sweat) Subcuti
s
Integumentary System Problems
AllergiesCause: Can be genetic, other causes
unknownSymptoms: Itchy Skin, dermatitis,
itchy/dirty earsCure: medications help, allergy shots are
available but are expensive
Integumentary System Problems
AllergiesAllergy symptoms for people are itchy eyes, sneezing, hay fever etc.Dogs exhibit allergies through skin and ears
Integumentary System Problems
Hot SpotsCause: bacterial infection….. Common in
dogs with allergies or who swim a lotSymptoms: defined area of skin that is
inflamed, red, hairless and oozingCure: Oral and topical antibiotics
Nervous System
Purpose: Send and receive messages for motor control and overall function of organs
Made up of: Brain Spinal Cord Nerves Neurons
Nervous System
Neuron
Nervous System
Nervous System Problems
SeizuresCause: Usually unknown “idiopathic”Symptoms: Muscle twitching, foaming at
the mouth, seizuresCure: No cure, but daily medication helps
control the seizures
Immune System
Purpose: Identifies and kills pathogens Viruses and bacteria
Made up of: lymph nodes Lymph system Spleen
Immune System
2 categories of Immune Systems:Innate
First line of defense No memory Non specific, tries to stop everything from coming in
Skin, hair, stomach acid etcAdaptive Immunity
Has a memory… remembers how to defeat specific pathogens and heals faster/prevents next exposure
Attacks SPECIFIC threats
Immune System
Innate or Adaptive?A dog becomes immune to parvovirus,
because it had it as a puppyA horse cuts its leg on the fence, they body
sends wbc’s to the area to fight infectionA cat is vaccinated for rabies virus and likely
won’t contract the diseaseA dog contracts bordatella. Once recovered,
it likely won’t contract the exact same virus. (it could mutate)
Immune System Problems
LymphomaCause: unknown, very common in boxersSymptoms: middle aged dog with lumps.
Usually acts otherwise healthyCure: Chemotherapy if elected by owner…
but tx typically only extends life for a short time.
Reproductive System
Purpose: Produce more animals
Made up of: Male:
Testicles, scrotum, penis
Female: Ovaries, uterus, cervix vagina, mammary glands
Reproductive System Problems
Mammary TumorCause: Hormones & Abnormal cell growthSymptoms: Lumps on bellyCure: surgery to remove, spay also
recommended
Reproductive System Problems
PyometraCause: bacterial infection in unspayed,
usually old female dogsSymptoms: Vomiting, lethargy, abdominal
pain, vaginal dischargeCure: SX: spay female to remove infected
uterus
Reproductive System Problems
Testicular CancerCause: Unknown, lack of castration at
young ageSymptoms: abnormal shape and size to
testiclesCure: SX neuter the male but it may have
spread
Reproductive System Problems
CryptorchidismCause: UnknownSymptoms: 1 or both testicles NOT palpable
in scrotumCure: SX neuter the male
