As a pet owner, your dog’s health and well-being are top priorities. One of the most common health issues faced by dogs is osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that affects millions of dogs worldwide. At Affordable Pet Hospital in Tampa, we understand how important it is for pet owners to recognize the signs of this condition and take appropriate action to ensure their pets’ comfort and health. In this blog post, we will explore the causes and symptoms of osteoarthritis in dogs to help you better understand this common canine ailment.

Causes of Osteoarthritis in Dogs

Osteoarthritis is a progressive, degenerative disease that affects the joints. The condition occurs when the cartilage that cushions the joints begins to break down, leading to inflammation and pain. There are several factors that can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis in dogs, including:

• Age

As dogs grow older, the cartilage in their joints becomes more susceptible to wear and tear. This natural aging process makes older dogs more prone to developing osteoarthritis.

• Genetics

Certain breeds, such as Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds, have a higher predisposition to developing osteoarthritis due to their genetics.

• Weight

Excess weight puts additional strain on your dog’s joints, which can accelerate the breakdown of cartilage and lead to osteoarthritis.

• Trauma or Injury

Previous joint injuries, such as fractures or ligament tears, can increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis in the affected joint.

• Infections and Immune System Disorders

Some infections and immune system disorders, like Immune-Mediated Polyarthritis, can also contribute to the development of osteoarthritis in dogs.

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis in Dogs

Recognizing the symptoms of osteoarthritis in your dog is crucial for early intervention and proper treatment. Some common signs of osteoarthritis in dogs include:

• Limping or Lameness

One of the most noticeable signs of osteoarthritis is limping or favoring one leg over the other. This may be more evident after your dog has been resting or sleeping.

• Stiffness

Dogs with osteoarthritis may exhibit stiffness, particularly after periods of inactivity. You may notice that your dog has difficulty getting up from a lying position or seems reluctant to move around.

• Swollen Joints

Inflammation caused by osteoarthritis can lead to visibly swollen or enlarged joints.

• Decreased Activity

A dog suffering from osteoarthritis may become less active and show reduced interest in activities they once enjoyed, such as playing fetch or going for walks.

• Pain

Dogs with osteoarthritis may show signs of discomfort, such as whining or yelping when touched or when attempting to move.

• Behavioral Changes

Chronic pain can cause changes in your dog’s behavior, such as irritability, aggression, or depression.

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, it is essential to consult with a veterinarian, such as the caring professionals at Affordable Pet Hospital in Tampa. Early intervention can help slow down the progression of the disease and improve your dog’s quality of life.

Osteoarthritis Care for Your Dog in Tampa

Osteoarthritis is a common health issue faced by dogs, with various causes and symptoms. As a responsible pet owner, it is vital to be aware of the signs of osteoarthritis and seek prompt veterinary care if you suspect your dog may be suffering from this condition. At Affordable Pet Hospital, our team is ready to help you and your pup navigate treatment for osteoarthritis symptoms, so they can have the best quality of life possible. We offer wellness exams, critical care services, chiropractic treatments, and more. Call us at 813-991-9898 or schedule an appointment online at our Cross Creek Boulevard location today.

You’ve probably heard about cataracts in humans, but did you know that your dog can get cataracts too? It’s true! This eye condition can affect dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds. However, certain breeds are at a higher risk of developing cataracts. Additionally, other factors can also increase your dog’s risk of developing cataracts. In this post, we’ll break down how to spot canine cataracts and where to get the best treatment for your pup in Tampa Bay.

What are Canine Cataracts?

Just like in humans, cataracts in dogs are cloudy areas on the lens of the eye. Cataracts can be present on one or both eyes, vary in size, and vary in opacity. They are usually white or gray.

Symptoms of Canine Cataracts

In addition to white or gray spots on the lens of one or both eyes, canine cataract symptoms also include:

• Bumping into furniture
• Not recognizing familiar people
• Clumsiness
• Hesitance to climb or jump
• Unsure footing
• Misjudging distances
• Unusual gait
• Changes in eye color
• Changes in pupil size
• Changes in pupil shape
• Rubbing or scratching the eyes
• Squinting
• Watery eyes

Predisposing Factors for Canine Cataracts

While any dog can develop cataracts, veterinary and animal researchers have noticed some trends in canine cataract diagnosis. Certain breeds are more susceptible to developing cataracts, including:

• American Cocker Spaniel
• Boston Terrier
• Golden Retriever
• Miniature Poodle
• Miniature Schnauzer
• Siberian Husky

There are some other factors that also put your dog at higher risk for developing cataracts:

• Genetic predisposition
• Advanced age
• Eye inflammation
• Eye trauma
• Other eye diseases
• Diabetes
• Low blood calcium levels
• Nutritional issues
• Electric shock
• Exposure to toxins

Leading Cause of Canine Cataracts

Genetic predisposition is the biggest risk factor for your dog developing cataracts. If your dog is one of the breeds listed above or has a parent or relative with cataracts, consult with a veterinarian about prevention techniques and the possibility of genetic testing.

Getting Treatment for Canine Cataracts

At Affordable Pet Hospital in Tampa, we provide a full range of veterinary services, including canine cataract treatment. From prevention methods to surgery, we can show you all your cataract treatment options. Call us at 813-991-9898 or contact us online to schedule your dog’s cataract treatment today.

Just like humans, dogs can inherit certain conditions and disorders from their parents. Some of these inherited conditions are due to chromosomal or DNA differences, while others are caused by physical variations that predispose the dog to issues. Many people mistakenly believe that genetic disorders only affect purebred dogs, but mixed-breed dogs can also be affected.

In addition, environmental factors still play a big role in the development and progression of many of these genetic conditions. This means that just because a dog displays a genetic marker for a condition, there is no guarantee that the dog will actually develop that condition without environmental influence as well. This also suggests that dog owners can make environmental adjustments to decrease their dog’s likelihood of developing the said condition.

In this post, we’ll summarize some of the most common genetic or hereditary disorders in our canine friends:

Allergies

It is widely known and accepted that certain breeds of dogs are more susceptible to allergies, indicating that a genetic source is a likely cause. Breeds known to be vulnerable to hereditary allergies include (source and source):

• Labradors
• Golden Retrievers
• German Shepherds
• Poodles
• Spaniels
• Staffordshire Bull Terriers
• French Bulldogs
• Jack Russell Terriers
• West Highland White Terriers
• Chinese Shar-Peis
• Wirehaired Fox Terriers
• Dalmatians
• Boxers
• Boston Terriers
• Lhasa Apsos
• Scottish Terriers
• Shih Tzus

Allergies typically manifest as skin-related symptoms like excessive itchiness, licking, and scratching. This is known as atopic dermatitis or atopy. Other canine skin issues that relate to allergies are chronic inflammatory otitis, recurrent hot spots, and pruritus. Immunotherapy is the preferred method of treatment for canine allergies, just like humans. Comfort measures to soothe and heal the affected skin areas are also required.

Hip Dysplasia

Canine hip dysplasia is the most common musculoskeletal disorder found in dogs and causes instability, and eventually dislocation, of the hip joints. Dogs with a genetic predisposition to hip dysplasia usually show excessive hip laxity at very young ages. Proper assessment during puppy visits and neutering/spaying can identify hip laxity and help the dog owner prepare for the potential of dysplasia. In some cases, preventative surgery on the hip joint is recommended.

Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)

Some people just fawn over a dog with a short snout and flat face, like pugs, English bulldogs, French bulldogs, and boxers. However, these cute facial features can come at a price. The mismatch in proportions of the skull to the soft tissues in the nasal area causes serious breathing issues in these breeds, especially during and after strenuous activities. Many of these short-snouted breeds (often called brachycephalic breeds) cannot even handle relatively short walks or moderately-high outside temperatures. Prevention of BOAS must occur at the breeding stage by only choosing dogs that do not show signs of BOAS as breeding partners.

Bladder Stones

Bladder or urine stones are concentrated, crystallized minerals that build up in a dog’s urine. The amino acid cystine is a common culprit in developing bladder stones. Bladder stones can be extremely painful and impair the dog’s urinary function. In fact, changes in urinary behavior is usually the first sign a dog owner will observe in this disease process. However, bladder stones are often only found after the dog receives a radiograph for another reason. While they can affect any dog, there are certain dog breeds that tend to display genetic markers predisposing them to the development of bladder stones, including Dalmations, Newfoundlands, Bichon Frise, Miniature Schnauzers, Labrador Retrievers, Australian Cattle Dogs, Miniature Pinschers, Mastiffs, American Pit Bull Terriers, English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Chihuahuas, Rottweilers, Dachshunds, and Scottish Terriers, among others.

Inherited Cancers

Many cancers that affect dogs have a definite genetic link. While this post is not long enough to delve into all the different types of canine cancers that are connected to their genes, some of the most common types include:

• Lymphoma
• Lymphosarcoma
• Hemangiosarcoma
• Mast cell tumor
• Osteosarcoma
• Malignant melanoma
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Mammary tumors
• Transitional cell carcinoma
• Histiocytic sarcoma

Heart Disease

Heart disease in dogs can be brought on by both genetic and environmental factors. Congenital issues (those present at birth) usually cause physical alterations that impair cardiovascular function, while inherited issues (those programmed in the dog’s DNA) may not be obvious at birth and delay development until adulthood. Genetic issues that lead to heart disease are often observed in certain breed lines and are more prominent in purebred dogs.

There are many conditions in dogs with potential genetic roots that can ultimately lead to heart disease, including:

• Dilated cardiomyopathy
• Endocardiosis (especially of the mitral valve)
• Myxomatous valve disease
• Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)
• Subvalvular aortic stenosis
• Pulmonic stenosis
• Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)

Degenerative myelopathy is a devastating condition with no cure. In this disease process, nerve fibers and their protective coverings in the dog’s spinal cord begin to deteriorate. Disease progression is typically slow as the dog becomes unstable on their feet, unable to control its hind legs, and eventually has an inability to stand and paralysis. Comfort measures are the only treatment for this debilitating condition, although early identification with genetic testing and therapy has been shown to slow DM’s progression. German Shepherds and Shepherd mixes, Siberian Huskies, and Collies are by far the most common breeds found with DM, but other breeds can also be diagnosed with DM.

Have Questions About Your Dog’s Genetics?

Is your dog’s breed genetically predisposed to disease? Schedule an appointment here at Affordable Pet Hospital in Tampa to get the answers you need about your dog’s health issues from Dr. Morris and her knowledgeable staff. Armed with the best and most recent information, you can help your dog live their very best life for years to come!

Training a dog can be hard, frustrating work. Whether you are training a puppy or an older dog that is a rescue that has never been properly trained, sometimes you need a little help to get your dog to behave correctly. 

There are a lot of different methods for training dogs. Some people use the kennel method, in which the dog is put in their kennel for a time out whenever they do something undesirable. Another method for training your dog involves rewarding them for good behavior with treats. Often, if you work with your dog consistently and not just when they are misbehaving, you will be able to get them to do what you want. Read more

The heat of Florida is great for the beach, but it has serious drawbacks as well – especially when it comes to your friends on four legs. Pets are extremely susceptible to heat-related health problems and illnesses, which makes it your responsibility to take precautionary measures to protect your dog or cat through the hottest months of the year. The following tips will help you and your furry friend enjoy a safe and comfortable summer.

Never Leave Your Dog Alone in the Car

Just like you wouldn’t leave your baby alone in a hot car, you should never leave your dog. A car sitting in the sun acts like a pressure cooker. It can easily become up to 40 degrees warmer than the outside air in mere minutes. Even if you are only running into the gas station for a soda, leaving your dog in the car isn’t safe. Only travel with your dog if you know that he will be able to join you for all of your errands. Read more