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                      Canine Medical Information, Part II
                                       
Author

   Cindy Tittle Moore, rpd-info@netcom.com
   Copyright 1996.
   
Table of Contents

     * Prologue
     * Hip Dysplasia (HD, or C(anine)HD)
          + In general
          + Development
          + Breeding
          + Clinical symptoms
          + Environmental Influences
          + Diagnosis of Hip Dysplasia
          + Life for dogs with Hip Dysplasia
          + Treatment of Hip Dysplasia
          + Prevention of Hip Dysplasia
          + References of Interest
     * Infectious Canine Hepatitis
     * Interdigital Cysts
     * Kennel Cough (Infectious Tracheobronchitis)
     * Kidney Failure
     * Leptospirosis
     * Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
     * Panosteitis (puppy limp)
     * Parvovirus
     * Patellar Subluxation
     * Poisons
          + Local Poison Control Centers
          + National Animal Poison Control Center
          + Foods
          + Poisonous houseplants
          + Poisonous outdoor plants
          + Poisonous household items
          + Poisonous animals
     * Puppy Strangles
     * Rabies
     * Ringworm
     * Thyroid Disorders
     * von Willebrand's Disease
     * Wobblers -- Cervical Vertabral Instability
       
     _________________________________________________________________
                                      
Prologue

   Much of the information found in this article is summarized from
   Carlson & Giffin. I would like to thank them for their informative and
   accessible information. Any mistakes made in the summaries are my
   responsibility and not Carlson & Giffin's. I believe that I am within
   copyright laws by using summarizations (no direct quoting, except for
   the toxic plants section), my own organization of the material, and
   precise acknowledgement where relevant. -Cindy Tittle Moore
   
   An _excellent_ resource that details all aspects of health issues for
   dogs, and one that every conscientious dog owner should have is:
   
   Carlson, Delbert G., DVM, and James M. Giffin, MD. _Dog Owners's Home
   Veterinary Handbook (Revised and Expanded)_. Howell Book House,
   Macmillan Publishing Company, 866 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022 USA
   (1992, 2nd ed). ISBN: 0-87605-537-4 (hardcover).
   
     This comprehensive book is a complete guide to health care of dogs.
     It lets you know when you can treat the dog, or when you need to
     take it to the vet post-haste. It lists symptoms so that you may
     inform your vet of relevant information about its condition. The
     arrangement of the material facilitates rapid reference.
     Illustration of key procedures (pilling, taking pulse/temperature,
     etc). Lists poisonous substances, including houseplants. A must
     have home veterinarian handbook.
     
     _________________________________________________________________
                                      
Hip Dysplasia (HD, or C(anine)HD)

   An _excellent_ source of information on hip dysplasia is:
   
     Hip Dysplasia
     A Guide for Dog Breeders and Owners
     2nd Edition 1989
     By E.A. Corley and G.G. Keller
     
   A single copy is available for a donation and multiple copies are
   $3.00 each at Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, Inc, 2300 Nifong
   Blvd, Columbia, MO 65201, 573-442-0418. It is informative, and highly
   recommended.
   
   The work is copyrighted and permission to reproduce the work was not
   given since the costs of production are still being recouped, so only
   highlights from the monograph are presented here. I do encourage you
   to get your own copy.
   
   Another good source of information on Hip Dysplasia may be found in
   the chapter "Hip Dysplasia" in _Genetics of the Dog_ by Malcolm B.
   Willis (Howell Book House). Information from this chapter is also
   presented below.
   
   Other online information includes:
     * http://www.working-retriever.com/library/chd6696.shtml
     * http://www.idsonline.com/userweb/djones/ofahips.htm
     * http://www.idsonline.com/userweb/djones/ofahipup.htm
     * http://www.ici.net/cust_pages/jiminma/dysp2.htm
     * http://www.biomedtrix.com/bioquest.html
       
  In general
  
   Hip dysplasia ("bad development") appears in people and many species
   of animals. In some breeds of dogs, it is the most common cause of
   osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease. Because both humans and
   dogs get hip dysplasia, dogs made a good subject to use in research.
   Most of these techniques below are also used on humans.
   
   Research on hip dysplasia suggests that CHD is a more complex disease
   than was first thought. There are no simple answers or solutions to
   the problem. The complexity of CHD results in research findings that
   appear to be contradictory. However, many aspects of the disease have
   been repeatedly and independently documented and are generally
   accepted by the scientific community. Three important ones are:
     * Canine hip dysplasia is caused by the presence of many genes
       (polygenic). While no environmental cause has been found, many
       environmental factors contribute to its expression in a particular
       dog (phenotype).
     * The only current means for reducing the occurrence of CHD is by
       selectively breeding for normal hips.
     * Radiography is the accepted means for evaluating the hip status.
       
  Development
  
   Regardless of what the initiating factor or factors may be, abnormal
   looseness of the hip joint after 2 weeks of age seems to be the event
   most commonly reported to result in hip dysplasia. However, there are
   exceptions to this, and dogs with tight hips have developed hip
   dysplasia.
   
   The early changes are not easily detected. Severe cases may be
   diagnosed as early as 7 weeks of age; others may not show up in
   radiographs until over 2 years of age. This is why OFA only certifies
   dogs over two years of age.
   
  Breeding
  
   Most inherited traits in animals are polygenic. These traits do not
   follow patterns based on dominant/recessive pairs because polygenic
   traits are affected by many genes. Only some puppies will have the
   same combination of genes for a trait as the parents. Some will have a
   more desirable combination while others will have a less desirable
   pattern. As the number of involved genes increase, the possible
   outcomes also increase. In addition, remember that it is also possible
   for different genes to have a different level of influence on the
   trait, complicating the outcomes considerably. Predictions of a
   specific outcome from a particular mating involving polygenic traits
   is currently impossible.
   
   In Corley and Keller's opinion, a dog with excellent hips but with
   more than 25% of its brothers and sisters affected with hip dysplasia
   is a poorer breeding prospect than a dog with fair hips and less than
   25% of its brothers and sisters exhibiting dysplasia.
   
  Clinical symptoms
  
   (from Corley & Keller)
   
   "...[T]he signs [of hip dysplasia] vary from decreased exercise
   tolerance to severe crippling. They include: a reluctance or inability
   to go up or down stairs, difficulty in rising from a sitting or prone
   position, bunny-hopping gait when running, stiffness early in the
   morning that improves as the dog warms up, change in disposition due
   to pain, lameness after exercise, wobbly gait, a clicking sound when
   walking, and many others. Many dogs will shift their center of gravity
   forward in an effort to relieve weight and pressure on the hips. These
   dogs generally present a front end that appears well-developed
   relative to the rear end.
   
   "In dysplastic dogs, the hip joint is a weakened structure that is
   more subject to being injured by normal activity such as jumping off a
   couch, or rough housing with a playmate. Frequently, this results in
   an acute lameness that in the mind of the owner was caused by the
   injury, whereas the underlying dysplasia actually made the joint more
   susceptible to injury. Obviously, the normal hip can be injured, but
   the radiographic examination can usually distinguish between a hip
   problem due to dysplasia and one due to other causes.
   
   "CHD can not be diagnosed by observing how the dog moves, acts, lies
   down, etc. The clinical signs may be caused by other problems;
   therefore, a complete orthopedic and radiographic examination is
   required before arriving at the conclusion that the signs are caused
   by CHD."
   
  Environmental Influences
  
   Environmental factors such as type of food and exercise in puppyhood
   have been shown to affect the displayed symptoms within the same
   litter. However, subsequent generations from both groups showed the
   same rates of dysplasia meaning that while the phenotype may be
   affected, the genotype is what determines whether a dog has the
   potential for being affected with HD.
   
   In general, low protien diets and low activity levels through
   puppyhood reduced the symptoms of HD markedly. However, the degree of
   diet reduction and no activity may or may not be practical for the
   average dog-owner to attempt. (See Willis.)
   
   It's best to keep your puppy from any kind of jumping for the first
   year or so in life. It's also best to keep from sustained exercise
   until at least a year old. Sustained exercise includes: jogging with
   owner, pulling weights, mushing, running with owner on bike, etc. Even
   for dogs not at risk from HD, it's wise not to exercise too strongly
   too early as such exercise may interfere with proper growth of joints,
   leading to similar problems such as arthritis on the joint or OCD.
   
  Diagnosis of Hip Dysplasia
  
   Any diagnosis of Hip Dysplasia must be made via expert radiographic
   diagnosis. This involves taking xrays of the joint and typically
   sending the film to organizations that will evaluate, register, and
   certify the dog. Veterinarians will often "diagnose" the film
   themselves but if the question is critical its best to have them
   properly evaluated (unless, of course, your vet is experienced with
   radiographic evaluation -- not all are).
   
   You cannot, repeat, cannot make a reliable diagnosis of Hip Dysplasia
   on the basis of external symptoms such as lameness or gait.
   
    OFA
    
   The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals is the most well known registry
   in the United States. It grades all joints, most commonly hips, as
   severe, moderate, fair, good, and excellent. It will certify all
   passing grades given to dogs over 2 years of age. Contact:
   573-442-0418.
   
    PennHIP
    
   PennHIP is a new evaluation technique that flexes the limbs
   differently to produce the xray pictures. There are only a handful of
   vets around the country that have been certified to take xrays using
   the PennHip method. See also:
     * http://www.allsaint.com/pennfaq.html
     * http://www.canismajor.com/dog/pennhqpa.html
     * http://www.canismajor.com/dog/pennhip1.html
     * http://www.allsaint.com/vet.html
       
    Genetic Disease Control, UC Davis
    
   There is a program here for radiographic evaluation of dogs. Wind
   Morgan is the most well known of these programs, offered to Labrador
   Retrievers. There are similar programs for Rottweilers and a few other
   breeds. Wind Morgan will certify at one year of age or older and
   requires xrays of hips, elbows, and hocks. They will hold clinics
   around the country to help hold costs down.
   
   Genetic Disease Control is actually a larger effort to collect data on
   all kinds of genetic diseases, of which Hip Dysplasia is only one.
   They have registries and information on a wide array of diseases. All
   their registries are open, in an effort to make more information
   available to breeders in making informed choices about their breeding
   stock. For more information, write to
   
     GDC
     PO Box 222
     Davis, CA 95617
     916-756-6773
     
    Outside the United States
    
   Each country typically has its own hip evaluation program. These are
   not consistent from country to country and may differ with the
   evaluations give by the above US organizations. In Australia, dogs are
   evaluated by the Australian Veterinary Association that has an
   Australian wide scoring scheme with averages for each breed.
   
  Life for dogs with Hip Dysplasia
  
   First of all, be sure that your dog has been accurately diagnosed with
   HD. Many vets do not have the expertise in reading the x-rays, so you
   need to be sure that an experienced radiologist reads them. If you're
   not familiar with the competencies of the vets in your area, your best
   bet is to have the x-rays sent in to OFA for evaluation. You CANNOT
   definitively diagnose HD on the basis of external appearance or
   palpitation of the joint or anything like that. Many things can cause
   limping, some of which are correctible, so it pays to be certain you
   have the correct diagnosis.
   
   Diagnosis of Hip Dysplasia is not an automatic death sentence for your
   dog! Because it is a polygenetic trait, the variability of expression
   is actually quite wide. Some dogs may experience little or no
   discomfort and you may never know they have HD unless you test for it.
   Other dogs may experience more pain, but it may be easily controlled
   with proper exercise and judicious use of aspirin under the direction
   of a vet. Only a small percentage of cases are so crippled by HD that
   they must be put down.
   
   You _should_ immediately neuter any dog that has HD. The only known
   means of eliminating this disease lie in well-managed breeding
   programs, so do your part by eliminating the possibility of your dog
   contributing to the overall problem.
   
   Discuss with your vet appropriate strategies for dealing with HD. In
   most cases, the general advice is to keep the dog from doing any kind
   of jumping or causing other sudden stress to the joints. However, as
   solid muscle buildup around the joint helps to ease the pressure on
   the joint, regular exercise is generally recommended, with swimming
   topping the list as gaining the most benefit with the least stress to
   the joints.
   
  Treatment of Hip Dysplasia
  
   In many cases, simple restriction of exercise and perhaps aspirin as
   directed by the vet is all that the dog needs to remain comfortable.
   However, there are several options for the more severely affected
   dogs:
   
   Non-traditional treatments (not validated by controlled trials):
     * acupuncture
     * chiropractic
     * vitamin therapy (generally Vitamins C & E & selenium)
     * superoxide dismutase
       
   Medical therapy (aimed at reducing pain/inflammation from arthritic
   changes):
     * aspirin
     * bute
     * adequan therapy
       
     "Adequan is a polysulfated glycosaminoglycan which is used
     primarily for treatment of degenerative joint disease in horses. In
     fact, it is not actually approved in the U.S. for dogs. However, I
     have seen remarkable results in many of my older patients with
     chronic DJD. In theory, it stimulates increased production of joint
     fluid and the joint moves more freely and with less pain. It does
     not always work, but when it does, it is usually dramatic." -Ralph
     M. Askren, DVM
     * Gycoflex, Cosequin (a synthetic glycosaminoglycans supplement)
       glucosamin -- similar effects to Adequan
     * Rimadyl -- a new non-steriod anti-inflammatory drug, can help
       considerably in some cases without the typical side effects of
       traditional steroidal drugs.
       
   Surgical intervention
     * Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO)
       TPO is a surgical procedure to rotate the acetabular portion of
       the pelvis so that there is increased coverage of the femoral
       head. Increasing coverage promotes improved articulation and, in
       the ideal situation, joint degeneration is halted. However, if
       degeneration is already present within the hip, cartilage
       breakdown is likely to continue, even with improved articulation.
       This is why checking your dog at 6-8 months regardless of symptoms
       is often recommended. The best candidate for TPO is a young dog
       (6-8 mths) with moderate laxity that has no damage to the dorsal
       acetabular rim or early evidence of degeneration of radiographs.
       Currently, the cost of Triple Pelvic Osteotomy, including
       examination, radiographs and hospitalization, is approximately
       $1,200.
     * Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO)
       Sometimes the head of the femur can be simply removed and the
       muscles around the site compensate for the missing joints The dog
       is pain free afterwards and learns to walk again, but running and
       jumping are not done normally again. Most commonly, smaller dogs
       are the best candidates for this surgery. Obese or very large dogs
       will still experience some pain, as the muscles cannot totally
       compensate.
     * Uncemented hip prosthesis (subcategory of hip replacement surgery)
       Dr. David J. DeYoung of NCSU, professor of orthopedic surgery in
       the College of Veterinary Medicine, helped develop the prosthesis
       based on a human version that is held in place without cement. The
       prosthesis features a beaded surface into which bone and fibrous
       tissue can grow and secure the components. More than 100 of the
       new prostheses have been implanted in dogs over a five-year period
       without loosening or infection, two of the main concerns with
       cemented total hip replacements,
     * BOP shelf arthroplasty
       This is a relatively experimental method, whose effectiveness is
       debated. Polymer "lattices" are implanted in the affected joint.
       The premise is that new bone will gro owver the lattice,
       correcting the degeneration and/or deformation of the joint. than
       it is experimental)
     * Total Hip Replacement (THR)
       This traditional surgery involves replacing the femoral head or
       ball portion of the joing with a metal prosthesis. The acetabulum
       is replaced with a polyethylene socket. The procedure thus removes
       the source of pain and inflammation as the bone is no longer in
       contact with the degenerated joint.
       
   When the dog's pain cannot be controlled nor alleviated
     * Euthanasia
       
  Prevention of Hip Dysplasia
  
   There is no known method of preventing hip dysplasia except for a
   thoughtful and carefully executed breeding program with regular
   radiographic analysis of all stock before breeding. It is possible to
   reduce symptoms entirely to the point where the dog will radiograph
   much less severely [1], however followup studies show that these dog's
   offspring have the same risk for HD as they would have whether the
   parents had been so treated [2]. The implication is that it is
   unethical to use as breeding stock dogs that were treated to prevent
   their symptoms from disappearing. On the other hand, pet owners with
   no intention of breeding their dogs might consider reading [1].
   
   [1] Kealy, et al. "Effects of limited food consumption on the
   incidence of hip dysplasia in growing dogs." JAVMA, v201, n6 Sept 15
   1992.
   
   [2] Willis, Malcom, _Genetics of the Dog_.
   
   _Radiographic Diagnosis and Control of Canine Hip Dysplasia_ by Joe P.
   Morgan, DVM, Vet.med.dr. (Stockholm) and Michele Stephens, DVM.
   
  References of Interest
  
   This is by no means a conclusive list, I add to this from time to time
   as I come across them. Feel free to send me more. Also, Working
   Retriever Central has a great list kept at
   http://starsouth.com/wrc/library/chd6696.shtml.
   
   Belkoff, SM et. al: Development of a Device to Measure Canine
   Coxofemoral Joint Laxity. VCOT 1: 31-36, 1989.
   
   Kealy, RD, Lawler, DF, Ballam, JM, Lust, G, Smith, GK, Biery, DN,
   Olsson, SE: Five-year longitudinal study on limited food consumption
   and development of osteoarthritis in coxofemoral joints of dogs. (J Am
   Vet Med Assoc 1997; 210:222-225)
   
   Lust G et al: Joint Laxity and Its Association with Hip Dysplasia in
   Labrador Retrievers. Am. J. Vet. Res. 54: 1990-1999, No. 12, December
   1993.
   
   Popovitch, Catherine A., DVM; Gail K. Smith, VMD, Ph.D.; Thomas P.
   Gregor, BS; Frances S. Shofer, Ph.D. Comparison of susceptibility for
   hip Dysplasia between Rottweilers and German Shepherd Dogs. JAVMA, Vol
   206, No 5, March 1, 1995
   
   Smith, GK et al: Coxofemoral Joint Laxity from Distraction Radiography
   and its Contemporanious and Prospective Correlation with Laxity,
   Subjective Score, and Evidence of Degenerative Joint Disease from
   Conventional Hip-Extended Radiograph in Dogs. Am. J. Vet. Res. 54:
   1021-1042, No. 7, July 1993.
   
   Smith, Gail K., VMD, PhD; Catherine A. Popovitch, DVM; Thomas P.
   Gregor, BS; Frances S. Shofer, PhD. Evaluation of risk factors for
   degenerative joint disease associated with hip dysplasia in dogs.
   JAVMA, Vol. 206, No 5, March 1, 1995
   
   Swenson, L, Audell, L, and Hedhammer, A: Prevalence and inheritance of
   and selection for hip dysplasia in seven breeds of dogs in Sweden and
   benefit:cost analysis of a screening and control program (J Am Vet Med
   Assoc 1997;210:207-214)
   
   Swenson, L, Audell, L, and Hedhammer, A: Prevalence and inheritance of
   and selection for elbow arthrosis in Bernese Mountain Dogs and
   Rottweilers in Sweden and benefit:cost analysis of a screening and
   control program. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 1997;210:215-221)
     _________________________________________________________________
                                      
Infectious Canine Hepatitis

   (summarized From Carlson & Giffin)
   
   This disease should NOT be confused with human hepatitis. This is a
   highly contagious disease transmissible only to dogs. It affects the
   liver, kidneys and lining of the blood vessels. It can sometimes be
   hard to distinguish from distemper as there are a variety of signs and
   symptoms that range from mild to fatal. Exposed dogs rapidly become
   contagious and remain contagious throughout convalescence.
   
   Fatal form: the dog becomes ill, develops bloody diarrhea, collapses
   and dies. Puppies may die without symptoms.
   
   Acute form: High fever, bloody diarrhea, possibly bloody vomit.
   Refusal to eat and painful movements. The dog can become
   light-sensitive.
   
   Mild form: Lethargy, possible loss of appetite.
     _________________________________________________________________
                                      
Interdigital Cysts

   Interdigital cysts are a common problem in short haired breeds of
   dogs. Males do seem to be worse and Labs probably worst of all. There
   are a number of differential diagnoses to consider such as demodex,
   fungi, pyoderma secondary to atopy, dermoid cysts, etc. Dermoid cysts
   are invaginations of the skin which forms a pocket of hair and misc.
   junk. They are often infected and they always recurr unless surgically
   removed.
   
   Especially if the cysts are recurrent, a good option is to have the
   cyst surgically removed and send it to a _dermatopathologist_, not a
   regular pathologist. It is expensive but it will greatly reduce the
   number of return trips to the vet. With that diagnosis, it will be
   easier to deal with future recurrences.
   
   Other treatment includes long-term antibiotic treatment... three to
   six months may be required. Make sure the antibiotic choice and dosing
   is appropriate. Culture & antibiotic sensitivity tests are
   recommended.
   
   Also demodectic mange may be underlying the problem. Skin scrapes can
   make the diagnosis, but false negatives are possible. Foot dips in
   mitoban (diluted) followed by warm soaks in dilute chlorihexidine may
   clear it up.
   
   Fitting the dog with a rubber boot to protect the foot may help speed
   recovery following the removal of the cyst.
     _________________________________________________________________
                                      
Kennel Cough (Infectious Tracheobronchitis)

   This is characterized by a harsh, convulsive cough. It is persistent,
   contagious, and often develops into secondary complications, such as
   chronic bronchitis. This disease can eventually be fatal especially in
   the very young, very old, or already ill. If your dog is exposed to
   many other dogs, or will be boarded at a kennel, it should be
   vaccinated against this. It is so-called, because it spreads rapidly
   under "kennel" conditions -- many dogs kept relatively close together.
   
   "Kennel Cough" is a generic name for a set of symptoms caused by a
   number of organisms. These include parainfluenza as well as
   bordatella, as well as many others. Dogs vaccinated with the
   bordatella vaccine can still get "kennel cough" because of all the
   bugs involved, but it tends to be much less severe.
   
   Bordatella vaccine is squirted into each nostril of the dog and should
   be repeated semi-annually. Parainfluenza vaccine should be a normal
   part of your dog's regular shots.
   
   The vaccination is not effective for the first 24 hours, so if you are
   getting your dog vaccinated because you will be boarding it, get it
   done at least several days in advance!
     _________________________________________________________________
                                      
Kidney Failure

   Acute kidney failure, or kidney failure, is sudden and extreme and
   requires urgent care. Usually the dog recovers completely if it
   survives at all.
   
   Chronic kidney failure, or kidney disease, is common in old dogs. The
   kidneys slowly wear out over a long time. It can be diagnosed by a
   blood test or urinalysis. Early signs include drinking and urinating
   more, since the kidneys need extra water, and foamy urine is sometimes
   seen.
   
   Treatment is mostly dietary. They need a very low protein diet that is
   also low in certain minerals. The kidneys are stressed by too much
   protein and will wear out more slowly on a low protein diet. Dogs with
   sick kidneys should be given all the water they will drink.
   
   The best known kidney diet is Hills K/D, but there is also Hi-Tor
   Neodiet, Neura Kidney Diet, and others. Some "senior dog food" is low
   in protein as well, but not as low as the kidney foods.
   
   If you have any reason to suspect it, have the dog checked by a vet.
   Many old-dog kidney cases live happily for years with no special care
   other than the food.
     _________________________________________________________________
                                      
Laryngeal Paralysis

  Causes
  
   Causes appear to be multiple. Trauma, such as excessive pulling on the
   leash or other pressure/force to the neck have been implicated. Older
   Labrador Retrievers account for a large proportion of cases.
   Overactive thyroid levels can contribute to the problem.
   
  Symptoms
  
   While the symptoms can vary somewhat, you will notice coughing while
   exhaling, particularly after exercise. The coughing sometimes sounds
   very odd. As the condition progresses, the dog may have problems
   breathing and panting.
   
   Secondary complications such as bronchitis, etc. may occur.
   
  Diagnosis
  
   As there are various possible causes for shortness of breath and/or
   coughing, you must have your veterinarian look at the dog. The vet may
   put your dog under in order to examine the laryngeal muscles, xray to
   check the condition of the dog's lungs. Anesthesia is required to be
   able to observe the laryngeal muscles at work.
   
  Treatment
  
   The standard treatment for dogs with LP is to surgically "tie back"
   one of the laryngeal muscles. This allows adequate air flow without
   giving pathogens, etc. completely unimpeded access to the dog's lungs.
   Typically, a specialist may be called in to do the surgery, it is not
   normally done in most veterinary clinics.
     _________________________________________________________________
                                      
Leptospirosis

   In most cases the disease is mild. Primary symptoms are fever,
   listlessness, loss of appetite and depression. Other symptoms involve
   the kidneys: a "hunched up" look due to kidney pain, ulcers on the
   mucus membranes of the mouth and tongue, thick brown coating on the
   tongue, bleeding from the mouth or bloody stools, severe thirst with
   increased urination. The whites of the eyes may turn yellow.
   Persistent vomiting and diarrhea are common. This disease is more
   prevalent in some areas than others. (Summarized From Carlson &
   Giffin.)
   
   Many dogs seem to be allergic to the leptospirosis vaccination. If
   your dog is vaccination against lepto for the first time, keep a close
   eye on it for a few hours afterwards. If the dog goes into
   anaphylactic shock, get him back to the vet immediately.
   
   Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, so if you come into contact with
   a dog that has Lepto, consult with your own doctor.
     _________________________________________________________________
                                      
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

   Summarized from a set of articles posted by Jim Jaskie,
   
   
    jim_jaskie@tempeqm.sps.mot.com
    
  Excessive licking:
  
   Retrievers that lick their paws excessively, horses that "stump suck",
   Dobermans that "flank suck" share the same disorder. The disorder is

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