Dogs | Top 15 common diseases (plus 3 population-specific additions) | Evidence chain

FAQ

Does a dog cry out when it is in pain?

Mostly it does not. A dog in pain does not cry out, it goes quiet: refusing stairs, refusing to jump into the car, getting up more slowly, shorter walks, bunny hopping, licking one joint, muscle atrophy, becoming irritable, restless at night, worse in cold weather. These are often written off as simple aging, when they are the classic presentation of osteoarthritis. Weight control is the most effective measure and it costs nothing; analgesia has to be prescribed by the veterinarian, and human painkillers may not be used.

犬は痛いときに鳴きますか？ — 多くは鳴きません。犬の痛みの表れ方は「鳴くこと」ではなく「静かになること」です：階段を上らない、車に飛び乗らない、立ち上がりが遅くなる、散歩が短くなる、後肢をそろえて跳ぶ、特定の関節をなめる、筋萎縮、気が荒くなる、夜間に落ち着かない、寒い日に目立つ。これらは単なる加齢と見なされがちですが、骨関節炎の典型的な現れ方です。体重管理は効果が最も大きく、しかも費用がかかりません。鎮痛は獣医師の処方によるものとし、ヒト用の鎮痛薬を使ってはいけません。

Does a dog cry out when it is in pain? — Mostly it does not. A dog in pain does not cry out, it goes quiet: refusing stairs, refusing to jump into the car, getting up more slowly, shorter walks, bunny hopping, licking one joint, muscle atrophy, becoming irritable, restless at night, worse in cold weather. These are often written off as simple aging, when they are the classic presentation of osteoarthritis. Weight control is the most effective measure and it costs nothing; analgesia has to be prescribed by the veterinarian, and human painkillers may not be used.

I found a lump on my dog — can I watch it for a while first?

A lump has to be sampled, not watched. The approach is fine needle aspiration cytology or a biopsy, followed by staging tests if needed. The width of the surgical excision margin is decisive for the outcome, so diagnose first and then operate; do not cut it off and only afterwards think about testing it. As a routine, do a "whole-body feel" at home once a month, including the armpits, groin, mammary chain and mouth, and have any new lump or any change in an existing lump sampled.

犬にしこりを見つけました。しばらく様子を見てもよいですか？ — しこりは検査が欠かせず、様子を見るという選択肢はありません。方法は針吸引細胞診または組織生検で、必要に応じてステージング検査を追加します。手術での切除縁の幅が予後を左右するため、先に診断してから執刀することとし、切ってしまってから検査を思い出すのは避けます。日ごろから月に一度、自宅で「全身を触る」ことをお勧めします。脇の下、鼠径部、乳腺、口腔を含め、新しく出てきたしこりや既存のしこりの変化があれば受診して検査を受けてください。

I found a lump on my dog — can I watch it for a while first? — A lump has to be sampled, not watched. The approach is fine needle aspiration cytology or a biopsy, followed by staging tests if needed. The width of the surgical excision margin is decisive for the outcome, so diagnose first and then operate; do not cut it off and only afterwards think about testing it. As a routine, do a "whole-body feel" at home once a month, including the armpits, groin, mammary chain and mouth, and have any new lump or any change in an existing lump sampled.

How can heart disease in a small dog be found earlier?

Myxomatous mitral valve disease has no signs at all in the early phase, and only auscultation reveals a heart murmur, so high-risk breeds should be auscultated yearly and twice yearly in old age, with echocardiographic staging where needed. Only after it progresses do coughing (especially at night and after activity), exercise intolerance, a rising sleeping respiratory rate, rapid labored breathing and fainting appear. Recording the sleeping respiratory rate at home every day is the most valuable task an owner can do.

小型犬の心疾患を早く見つけるにはどうすればよいですか？ — 粘液腫様僧帽弁疾患は初期にはまったく症状がなく、聴診による心雑音でしか見つかりません。そのため高リスク品種は毎年、高齢では半年ごとに聴診し、必要に応じて心臓超音波でステージを確認します。進行してから、咳（特に夜間と活動後）、運動不耐、睡眠時呼吸数の上昇、速く苦しそうな呼吸、失神が現れます。自宅で毎日、睡眠時呼吸数を記録することが飼い主にとって最も価値のある仕事です。

How can heart disease in a small dog be found earlier? — Myxomatous mitral valve disease has no signs at all in the early phase, and only auscultation reveals a heart murmur, so high-risk breeds should be auscultated yearly and twice yearly in old age, with echocardiographic staging where needed. Only after it progresses do coughing (especially at night and after activity), exercise intolerance, a rising sleeping respiratory rate, rapid labored breathing and fainting appear. Recording the sleeping respiratory rate at home every day is the most valuable task an owner can do.