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Collie eye anomaly (CEA), also called “collie eye defect,” is an inherited, developmental disease in dogs in which there is a mutation of the gene that determines the development of the eye. This mutation results in defects of many layers of the back of the eye. The most common sign of CEA is blindness.
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Color dilution alopecia (CDA) is a genetic, recessive, inherited condition that causes patches of hair thinning or loss and may also include flaky and/or itchy skin. Some dogs will also be affected by secondary bacterial infections so topical management and pruritus treatments may be needed to improve the dog's comfort. Affected dogs and their relatives should not be bred.
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Congestive heart failure (CHF) refers to the heart's inability to pump adequate blood to the body. There are many causes of CHF in dogs. The two most common causes are mitral valve insufficiency (MVI), or a leaky mitral valve, and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The most common clinical sign of CHF is persistent coughing accompanied by difficulty breathing. Other signs include coughing when at rest or sleeping, an increased resting respiratory rate or excessive panting, persistent loss of appetite, a swollen belly, and pale or bluish gums.
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Conjunctivitis means inflammation of the conjunctiva. The most common signs of conjunctivitis include discharge from the eyes, squinting or excessive blinking, and redness or swelling around the eyes. Causes of conjunctivitis include bacterial and viral infections, allergies, breed-associated conditions, and tumors. Conjunctivitis can be secondary to other eye conditions including eyelid abnormalities, corneal ulcers, decreased tear production, uveitis, or glaucoma. To differentiate many of these conditions, your veterinarian must perform a complete and detailed ophthalmic examination, as well as several additional diagnostic tests. Treatment may include both topical and oral medications. Most dogs have an excellent prognosis, though some causes of conjunctivitis require long term or surgical treatment.
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Contenido en español actualizado.
Translated from the original English article Conjunctivitis in Dogs -
Constipation is infrequent or difficult passage of stool or feces. This article outlines the most common causes of constipation, signs, treatment, and prognosis.
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Coonhound paralysis is a sudden inflammation of multiple nerve roots and peripheral nerves in dogs, and occasionally cats. It can be caused by an immune reaction to raccoon saliva. It can also occur in dogs who have not encountered a raccoon. In this case, it is called acute idiopathic polyradiculoneuritis, and its cause is often unknown. Dogs with coonhound paralysis start out with a stiff-legged gait that rapidly progresses to paralysis of all four legs. Good nursing care is essential for recovery.
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Corkscrew tail, also known as screw tail or ingrown tail, is a vertebral malformation that commonly occurs in certain dog breeds. Vertebrae may be fused together or otherwise abnormally structured, causing the tail to take an abnormal shape and curvature that can cause health problems.
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Corneal dystrophy is a condition that causes the corneas to become opaque (cloudy). There are three major categories of corneal dystrophy: epithelial, stromal, and endothelial. Each is named by the anatomic location of the abnormal tissue and opacity.
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Corneal lipidosis is an accumulation of fatty substances within the cornea. This is caused by genetics (corneal dystrophy), eye inflammation (corneal degeneration), or by an increase in circulating lipids in the body (hyperlipidemia). Visually, lipidosis appears as a sparkly or shiny area of the cornea. It is diagnosed by a thorough eye exam, bloodwork, and patient history. Treatment and prognosis will depend on the cause and may include treatment of underlying inflammatory conditions of the eye, or systemic treatment of elevated lipid blood levels.