Overview Weight loss is a physical condition that results from a negative caloric balance. This usually occurs when the body uses and/or excretes essential nutrients faster than it can consume them. Essentially more calories are being burned than are being taken in. Weight loss is … [Read more...]

Overview Vomiting, also called “emesis”, is the act of expelling contents from the stomach through the mouth. There are multiple causes of vomiting. An occasional, infrequent isolated episode of vomiting is usually normal. Vomiting is a symptom that can be caused by disorders of … [Read more...]

Gastroenteritis Overview Acute vomiting and diarrhea are characterized by a sudden onset and short duration of less than two to three weeks. Acute vomiting and diarrhea are both extremely common in animals. An occasional bout of vomiting and diarrhea may be typical in some dogs or … [Read more...]

Overview A seizure or convulsion is a sudden excessive firing of nerves in the brain. It results in a series of involuntary contractions of the voluntary muscles, abnormal sensations, abnormal behavior, or some combination. A seizure can last from seconds to minutes. The severity of the … [Read more...]

Overview Red eye is a non-specific sign of inflammation or infection. Some conditions associated with a red eye can be painful, itchy and cause sensitivity to light resulting in squinting or the eye being held closed.  A red eye may be seen with diseases of the external eyelids, third … [Read more...]

Overview Lethargy is a state of drowsiness, inactivity, or indifference in which there are delayed responses to external stimuli such as sound, sight, or touch. Lethargy may also refer to the general malaise and decreased activity exhibited by animals that do not feel well. Lethargy … [Read more...]

Overview Any decrease in an animal's ability to bear weight on a limb or a decrease in the normal mobility and function of a limb can be considered lameness. Lameness can be extremely subtle or profound, affecting one limb or several limbs. It can be intermittent or constant, worse in … [Read more...]

Overview Diarrhea is a common problem characterized by abnormal loose, watery or watery-mucoid stools.  Occasionally the fecal material is also bloody.  Diarrhea can be describedas acute,sudden onset and short duration (three weeks or less), or chronic (longer duration). There are … [Read more...]

Overview Coughing is a common protective reflex that clears secretions or foreign matter from the throat, voice box (larynx), windpipe (trachea) or airways, and protects the lungs against aspiration. It affects the respiratory system by hindering the ability to breathe … [Read more...]

Overview Urinary incontinence is the loss of voluntary control of urination, often resulting in leaking. Normal urination requires that the nerves and muscles of the bladder work properly. The most common form of incontinence in dogs is called “primary sphincter mechanism” … [Read more...]