Health and Nutrition

Large dog breeds with deep chests such as Great Dane, Saint Bernard, Weimaraner, Irish Setter, and Gordon Setter, are more predisposed to developing Bloat compared to other breeds of dogs. However this does not mean that other dog breeds such as Labradors won’t develop Bloat. Clinical data have shown that even with prompt and adequate treatment, mortality as a consequence of GDV still range from 25-35%.

The condition is generally characterized by two phases—the first occurs when the stomach fills up with air and swells leading to bloat; the second phase occurs when the bloated stomach exerts pressure on the adjacent organs and the stomach rotates on its axis thus sealing off the entrance near the esophagus and the exit to the small intestines.

Each half of the heart is also divided into an upper (called the atrium) and lower (ventricle) chamber. The atrium is the chamber that receives blood which then passes the blood to the ventricle. It is the ventricle that pumps the blood to the tissues. The heart is equipped with valves to prevent backflow and ensure that blood flows in only one direction. Between the atria and the ventricles are two atrio-ventricular valves that control blood flow between the atrium and ventricle—the mitral valve controls blood flow between the right atrium to the right ventricle while the tricuspid valve controls blood flow between the left atrium and left ventricle.

In dogs, Seborrhea can occur as a hereditary condition, which is first observed when the dog is less than two years old, or as Secondary Seborrhea which can arise as a result of hormonal disorders, injuries to the skin, parasites, nutritional deficiencies, or hypersensitivity reactions. The hereditary form of Seborrhea often progresses as a dog grows older.

In dogs, there are three clinical manifestations of Seborrhea—Seborrhea oleosa, Seborrheic dermatitis, and Seborrhea secca.

Seborrhea oleosa is also termed as oily seborrhea. The condition is manifested by skin flaking accompanied by excess oil production on the skin’s surface. Dogs with Seborrhea oleosa often have a greasy coat and a distinct smell.