Archive Animal Disease

Urinary Incontinence   Loss of voluntary control of micturition, usually observed as involuntary urine leakage.   PATHOPHYSIOLOGY Usually, a disorder of the storage phase of micturition. Urine storage failure is caused by impaired urinary bladder accommodation, failure of urethral continence ...

Fecal Incontinence The inability to retain feces, resulting in involuntary passage of fecal material.   PATHOPHYSIOLOGY Reservoir fecal incontinence develops when disease processes reduce the capacity or compliance of the rectum. Sphincter incontinence develops when the external anal sphincter is ...

Immunodeficiency Disorders Diminished ability to mount an effective immune response due to heritable defects in the immune system. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY Defects in the cell-mediated, humoral, complement, and phagocytic systems have all been described in the veterinary literature. Defects involving the humoral ...

Icterus Icterus also known as jaundice is an excessive accumulation of a yellow pigment in the blood and tissues, most easily seen in the gingivae and sclerae. Increased total bilirubin concentration causing yellow tissue discoloration   PATHOPHYSIOLOGY Bilirubin—derived from degradation ...

Myocarditis   Inflammation of the heart muscle, often caused by infectious agents affecting the myocytes, interstitium, vascular elements, or pericardium. Viral, bacterial, rickettsial, fungal, and protozoal diseases are all associated with myocardial inflammation (i.e., myocarditis). Pharmacologic agents (e.g., doxorubicin) can ...

Eclampsia   Eclampsia does not occur during pregnancy (before giving birth). Eclampsia is a well-known disorder in dogs, but it occurs very rarely in cats. Timing (postpartum) and symptoms are the telltale features that lead a veterinarian to suspect eclampsia. ...

Ebstein’s Anomaly Ebstein’s Anomaly is an atrialization of the right ventricle—an apical displacement of the tricuspid valve complex into the right ventricle. Accompanied by various degrees of tricuspid insufficiency or stenosis. Major pathophysiology is related to the degree of tricuspid ...

Discospondylitis   Discospondylitis Is a bacterial or fungal infection of the intervertebral discs and adjacent vertebral bodies.   PATHOPHYSIOLOGY Hematogenous spread of bacterial or fungal organisms—most common cause. Neurologic dysfunction—may occur; usually the result of spinal cord compression caused by ...

Diaphragmatic Hernia Protrusion of an abdominal organ through an abnormal opening in the diaphragm either as an acquired injury or as a congenital defect. Traumatic—most common acquired cause; usually the result of automobile trauma but also any forceful blow; sudden ...

Hypopyon   Hypopyon—accumulation of white blood cells in the anterior chamber of the eye. Inflammatory breakdown of blood-aqueous barrier allows entry of blood cells into the anterior chamber; chemoattractant mediate influx. Cells often settle in the ventral anterior chamber because ...