Part III — Health and disease

167 conditions across 19 body systems, of which 29 are flagged as emergencies. Entries describe what the condition is, which dogs get it, and what an owner would notice — deliberately not how to treat it. Treatment, where mentioned, is named only at the level of a medication class; drugs, doses, routes, and durations are a veterinarian's decision and appear nowhere in this encyclopedia.

Each entry carries an explicit urgency — EMERGENCY (go now), URGENT (today), or Routine (book an appointment). Urgency used to be guessed from the wording of the description; it is now stated, and it is a vet-review field. A condition that belongs to more than one system is listed once, under its primary system, and cross-referenced from the others.

All entries in this part are DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING unless the entry says otherwise; see Review status in the front matter and the review workflow in Appendix A.3.

3.1 Cardiovascular (9)

Pericardial effusion — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

fluid around the heart; often haemangiosarcoma-related in Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds. Signs: sudden weakness, abdominal distension. EMERGENCY.

Endocarditis — URGENT — see a vet the same day

infection of the heart valves. Uncommon but serious. Signs: fever, lameness (from immune-complex arthritis), heart murmur.

Heartworm disease — URGENT — see a vet the same day

Also known as: Heartworm; Dirofilaria immitis.

mosquito-borne. Endemic in many regions, especially warm and humid climates. Prevention via monthly chewable medication class (macrocyclic lactone) is standard of care. Signs: chronic cough, exercise intolerance.

Aortic stenosis — Routine — book an appointment

congenital in Boxer, Newfoundland, Golden Retriever. Signs: exercise intolerance, sudden death. Cardiology screening in puppies of predisposed breeds.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Boxer; Newfoundland; Rottweiler.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: cardiomyopathy; dcm.

enlarged heart with reduced pumping. Most common in Doberman (leading breed cause of death), Boxer, Great Dane. Signs: weakness, syncope, breathing difficulty. Emergency indicator: sudden collapse.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Boxer; Doberman Pinscher; Dogue de Bordeaux; Great Dane; Irish Wolfhound; Manchester Terrier; Mastiff (English); Neapolitan Mastiff; Newfoundland; Portuguese Water Dog; Saint Bernard; Saluki; Scottish Deerhound.

Mitral valve disease — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: mitral valve; heart murmurs; heart murmur.

degenerative valve disease; most common in senior small breeds (Cavalier King Charles, Dachshund, Chihuahua). Signs: soft cough, exercise intolerance, murmur. Cardiology screening.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Affenpinscher; Bull Terrier; Cavachon (Cavalier × Bichon Frise); Cavalier King Charles Spaniel; Cavapoo; Chihuahua; Cocker Spaniel (English); Japanese Chin; King Charles Spaniel (English Toy Spaniel); Norfolk Terrier.

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) — Routine — book an appointment

congenital; failure of a foetal blood vessel to close. Signs: heart murmur in puppy, exercise intolerance. Surgical / interventional correction.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Pyrenean Shepherd.

Pulmonary hypertension — Routine — book an appointment

elevated pressure in pulmonary vasculature. Signs: exercise intolerance, syncope, cough. Complex management.

Tricuspid valve dysplasia — Routine — book an appointment

congenital right-heart valve malformation. Labrador Retriever predisposed. Signs: exercise intolerance, ascites.

3.2 Respiratory (10)

Aspiration pneumonia — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

food or gastric contents in airway. Signs: cough, fever, laboured breathing. EMERGENCY.

Laryngeal paralysis — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

senior large breeds (Labrador). Signs: change in bark, exercise intolerance, breathing difficulty. Surgical options exist.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Black Russian Terrier; Dogo Argentino; Labrador Retriever.

Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) — URGENT — see a vet the same day

Also known as: brachycephalic airway; brachycephalic airway syndrome; brachycephalic syndrome; breathing difficulties.

anatomical obstruction in flat-faced breeds (Pug, French Bulldog, Bulldog, Boxer). Signs: loud breathing, snoring, exercise intolerance, heat intolerance. Surgical options exist for severe cases. Heat management critical in hot climates.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Affenpinscher; Boston Terrier; Boxer; Brussels Griffon; Bulldog (English); Chinese Shar-Pei; Dogue de Bordeaux; French Bulldog; Griffon Belge; Japanese Chin; King Charles Spaniel (English Toy Spaniel); Pekingese; Petit Brabancon; Pug; Shih Tzu.

Canine distemper — URGENT — see a vet the same day

viral, multi-system. Signs: respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological in sequence. Prevention via vaccination. Endemic in free-roaming and street-dog populations.

Chronic bronchitis — Routine — book an appointment

small-breed senior condition. Signs: chronic cough. Anti-inflammatory medication class + weight control.

Chronic rhinitis — Routine — book an appointment

chronic inflammation of nasal passages. Multiple causes; workup includes imaging, biopsy.

Kennel cough (canine infectious respiratory disease complex) — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: Kennel cough; CIRDC.

bacterial and viral infection. Signs: dry hacking cough. Prevention via vaccination.

Nasal aspergillosis — Routine — book an appointment

fungal infection of nasal passages. Signs: chronic nasal discharge, epistaxis, sneezing. Difficult treatment.

Reverse sneezing — Routine — book an appointment

paroxysmal snorting; benign and self-limiting in most.

Tracheal collapse — Routine — book an appointment

floppy trachea in small breeds (Pomeranian, Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier). Signs: 'goose honk' cough. Weight management is a first-line intervention.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Chihuahua; Morkie; Pomeranian; Silky Terrier; Yorkshire Terrier.

3.3 Gastrointestinal (18)

Acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome (AHDS/HGE) — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

Also known as: HGE; Haemorrhagic gastroenteritis; AHDS.

A dramatic and rapidly dangerous syndrome in which the gut lining leaks blood and fluid into the intestine. What makes it lethal is not the visible blood but the invisible fluid shift: a dog can go into shock within hours as its circulating volume drains into its own gut. Small breeds (Miniature Schnauzer, Yorkshire Terrier, Miniature Poodle, Maltese) are over-represented. The critical thing for an owner to know is that this looks superficially like 'a bad tummy' and is not — a dog with sudden bloody diarrhoea and lethargy needs to be seen the same hour, not the next morning. Aggressive intravenous fluid support is the mainstay of treatment and is what saves these dogs; the vet will also rule out parvovirus, poisoning, and intestinal obstruction, which can look identical at presentation.

What an owner would notice:

• Sudden, profuse, bright-red bloody diarrhoea, often described as raspberry jam
• Vomiting, frequently before the diarrhoea starts
• Rapid, dramatic collapse into lethargy — worse than the volume of loss suggests
• Pale gums, fast heart rate, shock
• Usually a previously healthy, often small-breed dog

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com); MSD Veterinary Manual (msdvetmanual.com). DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING.

Canine parvovirus — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

Also known as: Parvovirus; Parvo.

highly contagious viral gastroenteritis. Signs: vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, lethargy in unvaccinated puppies. Endemic in many regions. EMERGENCY. Prevention via vaccination.

Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV, 'bloat') — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

Also known as: gastric torsion; bloat; GDV; gastric dilatation; gastric-torsion.

stomach twists on itself. Deep-chested large breeds (Great Dane, German Shepherd, Weimaraner, Standard Poodle). Signs: distended abdomen, unproductive retching, restlessness. TRUE EMERGENCY — survival tied to speed of surgical intervention. Prophylactic gastropexy commonly recommended.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Airedale Terrier; Aksaray Malaklisi; Alangu Mastiff / Sindh Mastiff; American Akita; Anatolian Shepherd; Basset Hound; Beauceron; Bernese Mountain Dog; Black and Tan Coonhound; Bloodhound; Borzoi; Bouvier des Flandres; Bracco Italiano; Broholmer; Bucovina Shepherd Dog; Bully Kutta (Indian Mastiff); Cane Corso; Carpathian Shepherd; Caucasian Shepherd Dog; Central Asian Shepherd (Alabai); Chart Polski (Polish Greyhound); Chow Chow; Curly-Coated Retriever; Dogue de Bordeaux; English Foxhound; Estrela Mountain Dog; Fila Brasileiro; German Shepherd Dog; German Shorthaired Pointer; German Wirehaired Pointer; Giant Schnauzer; Gordon Setter; Grand Bleu de Gascogne; Grand Griffon Vendeen; Great Dane; Great Pyrenees; Greater Swiss Mountain Dog; Greyhound; Irish Setter; Irish Wolfhound; Kangaroo Dog; Kanni; Komondor; Landseer; Leonberger; Maremma Sheepdog; Mastiff (English); Mioritic Shepherd; Mudhol Hound (Caravan Hound); Neapolitan Mastiff; Newfoundland; Otterhound; Plott Hound; Presa Canario (Dogo Canario); Pyrenean Mastiff; Rafeiro do Alentejo; Rottweiler; Saint Bernard; Sarabi Mastiff; Scottish Deerhound; Spanish Mastiff; Spinone Italiano; Tosa Inu; Uruguayan Cimarron (Cimarron Uruguayo); Weimaraner.

Intestinal obstruction — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

foreign body. Signs: repeated vomiting, reduced appetite, painful abdomen. EMERGENCY — surgical.

Hepatic lipidosis — URGENT — see a vet the same day

fatty liver. Signs: anorexia, weight loss, jaundice. Aggressive nutritional support.

Hookworm (Ancylostoma) — URGENT — see a vet the same day

Also known as: Hookworms; Ancylostomiasis.

A blood-sucking intestinal worm and, in warm, humid soils, a genuinely dangerous one — heavy burdens can bleed a puppy to death. Larvae are picked up from contaminated ground, or penetrate the skin directly (typically the feet and belly of a dog lying on infected soil), and can also pass to puppies in the milk. It is a leading cause of the severe anaemia seen in street and shelter puppies. Hookworm is zoonotic: larvae can penetrate human skin and cause an itching, migrating track, which is why children should not play barefoot where dogs defecate. Diagnosis is by faecal examination; treatment is an anthelmintic class the vet selects, with supportive care (including transfusion in severe cases), and prevention is routine deworming plus faeces removal.

What an owner would notice:

• Pale gums and weakness from blood loss
• Dark, tarry, foul stool
• Poor growth and weight loss
• Itchy, inflamed skin between the toes (from larvae penetrating the skin)
• Sudden collapse or death in heavily infected young puppies

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com); WSAVA global guidelines (wsava.org). DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING.

Megaesophagus — URGENT — see a vet the same day

dilated non-functional oesophagus. Congenital or acquired. Signs: regurgitation (not vomiting). Elevated feeding management.

Pancreatitis — URGENT — see a vet the same day

inflammation of the pancreas. Miniature Schnauzer, Cocker Spaniel, senior small breeds. Signs: vomiting, hunched posture, abdominal pain. Low-fat diet often long-term recommendation.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Miniature Schnauzer.

Portosystemic shunt — URGENT — see a vet the same day

Also known as: liver shunt.

abnormal blood vessel bypassing liver. Small-breed puppy or congenital in Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese; also acquired in cirrhosis. Signs: stunted growth, neurological signs after meals.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Biewer Terrier; Cairn Terrier; Irish Wolfhound; Maltese; Morkie; Scottish Deerhound; Shih Tzu; Yorkshire Terrier.

Anal gland disease — Routine — book an appointment

impaction or abscess. Signs: scooting, licking. Manual expression or surgical management.

Chronic hepatitis — Routine — book an appointment

chronic liver inflammation. Doberman, Labrador, Cocker Spaniel. Signs: weight loss, anorexia, jaundice. Complex management.

Colitis / large-bowel diarrhoea — Routine — book an appointment

dietary, parasitic, or stress. Signs: mucous or blood in stool, frequent urgent defecation.

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: epi.

pancreas fails to secrete digestive enzymes. German Shepherd Dog predominantly. Signs: severe weight loss despite normal appetite, cow-pat faeces. Lifelong enzyme replacement.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: German Shepherd Dog.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — Routine — book an appointment

chronic. Signs: intermittent vomiting or diarrhoea. Diagnostic and dietary work-up.

Perianal fistulas — Routine — book an appointment

chronic draining tracts around anus. German Shepherd Dog predisposed. Immunosuppressive medication class.

Roundworm (Toxocara canis) — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: Toxocara; Ascarid; Roundworms.

The most common intestinal worm of dogs worldwide and near-universal in unwormed puppies. Puppies are typically infected from their mother — across the placenta before birth and through her milk after it — which is why worming starts in the first weeks of life and why worming the bitch is not sufficient. It matters beyond the dog: Toxocara is zoonotic, and eggs shed in faeces contaminate soil and public parks, where children can ingest them, with rare but serious consequences for the eyes and other organs. That makes routine worming and picking up faeces a public-health act, not only a courtesy. Diagnosis is by faecal examination; treatment is a routine anthelmintic class on a schedule the vet sets, and prevention is a lifelong deworming programme (see the parasite-control section).

What an owner would notice:

• Pot-bellied puppy with a dull, staring coat
• Spaghetti-like white worms in vomit or stool
• Poor growth despite a good appetite
• Intermittent diarrhoea, sometimes with coughing in heavy infections
• Adult dogs often show nothing at all while still shedding eggs

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com); WSAVA global guidelines (wsava.org); Indian Council of Medical Research (icmr.gov.in). DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING.

Tapeworm (Dipylidium, Echinococcus) — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: Tapeworms; Dipylidium; Echinococcus; Hydatid.

Usually a trivial infection with one profoundly important exception. The common tapeworm (Dipylidium) is acquired by swallowing an infected flea during grooming, so a tapeworm diagnosis is really a flea diagnosis — treating the worm without treating the fleas guarantees its return. The exception is Echinococcus, the hydatid tapeworm, which is endemic in livestock-keeping regions, particularly where dogs have access to raw offal from sheep and goats. In Echinococcus the dog is only mildly affected, but humans who ingest the eggs can develop hydatid cysts in the liver or lungs — a serious, sometimes fatal human disease. This is the clearest reason in this encyclopedia not to feed dogs raw offal or allow them to scavenge slaughter waste, and to worm dogs in livestock-keeping areas on a schedule the vet sets. Handwashing after handling dogs matters.

What an owner would notice:

• Rice-grain-like white segments around the anus or in bedding or stool
• Scooting or excessive licking under the tail
• Usually a well dog otherwise — most infections are mild
• Occasionally poor coat or mild digestive upset

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com); WSAVA global guidelines (wsava.org); Indian Council of Medical Research (icmr.gov.in). DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING.

Whipworm (Trichuris vulpis) — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: Whipworms; Trichuris.

Lives in the large intestine and causes a stubborn, relapsing, mucus- and blood-streaked diarrhoea that is often mistaken for colitis or food intolerance and treated for months as such. Two things make it awkward: the eggs are shed intermittently, so a single negative faecal test does not rule it out, and the eggs are exceptionally tough and survive in soil for years, which means a contaminated yard reinfects the dog indefinitely. It is worth considering in any dog with chronic large-bowel signs that has not responded to the obvious. Treatment is an anthelmintic class chosen by the vet, usually repeated, alongside environmental control.

What an owner would notice:

• Chronic, intermittent large-bowel diarrhoea, often with fresh blood or mucus
• Straining to pass stool
• Gradual weight loss in long-standing cases
• Frequently no signs in light infections

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com); MSD Veterinary Manual (msdvetmanual.com). DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING.

Also relevant to this system, listed under their primary system: Anal sac adenocarcinoma.

3.4 Musculoskeletal (12)

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

Also known as: ivdd; disc disease; back problems.

disc herniation. Dachshund, French Bulldog, Beagle. Signs: back pain, hind-limb weakness or paralysis. EMERGENCY if paralysis. Cage rest through surgery.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Basset Hound; Beagle; Cardigan Welsh Corgi; Chiweenie; Clumber Spaniel; Dachshund; Dandie Dinmont Terrier; French Bulldog; Pekingese; Pembroke Welsh Corgi; Skye Terrier; Sussex Spaniel.

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture — URGENT — see a vet the same day

Also known as: cruciate; cruciate ligament; acl.

the most common orthopaedic surgical presentation. Signs: sudden hind-limb lameness. Weight and activity management, surgical options.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: American Bulldog.

Masticatory muscle myositis — URGENT — see a vet the same day

immune-mediated inflammation of chewing muscles. Signs: inability to open mouth, muscle wasting. Immunosuppressive management.

Osteosarcoma — URGENT — see a vet the same day

bone cancer, aggressive. Large breeds (Rottweiler, Great Dane, Greyhound). Signs: limb swelling, lameness. Poor prognosis.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Great Dane; Great Pyrenees; Greyhound; Irish Setter; Irish Wolfhound; Large Munsterlander; Leonberger; Presa Canario (Dogo Canario); Rottweiler; Saint Bernard; Scottish Deerhound.

Achilles tendon rupture — Routine — book an appointment

acute or chronic degenerative tear. Signs: hock hyperflexion. Surgical.

Elbow dysplasia — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: elbow problems.

abnormal elbow joint development. Similar breed predisposition. Signs: forelimb lameness.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: American Bulldog; Barbet; Belgian Laekenois; Belgian Malinois; Belgian Sheepdog (Groenendael); Belgian Tervuren; Bernedoodle; Bernese Mountain Dog; Black Russian Terrier; Bloodhound; Boerboel; Bulldog (English); Cane Corso; Caucasian Shepherd Dog; Chesapeake Bay Retriever; Chow Chow; Curly-Coated Retriever; Dogue de Bordeaux; English Setter; Eurasier; Fila Brasileiro; German Shepherd Dog; German Wirehaired Pointer; Golden Retriever; Gordon Setter; Great Pyrenees; Greater Swiss Mountain Dog; Irish Water Spaniel; Labrador Retriever; Landseer; Leonberger; Mastiff (English); Neapolitan Mastiff; Newfoundland; Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever; Otterhound; Polish Tatra Sheepdog; Pyrenean Mastiff; Rhodesian Ridgeback; Rottweiler; Saint Bernard; Spanish Mastiff; Spinone Italiano; Tibetan Mastiff; Tosa Inu.

Hip dysplasia — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: hip problems; hip issues.

abnormal hip joint development. Large-breed predisposed (German Shepherd, Labrador, Golden Retriever, Rottweiler). Signs: bunny-hopping gait, exercise intolerance, difficulty rising. Weight management, physiotherapy, surgical options in severe cases.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Affenpinscher; Afghan Hound; Airedale Terrier; Akbash; Akita (Japanese); Aksaray Malaklisi; Alaskan Malamute; American Akita; American Cocker Spaniel; American Eskimo Dog; American Foxhound; American Pit Bull Terrier / American Bully; American Staffordshire Terrier; American Water Spaniel; Anatolian Shepherd; Appenzeller Sennenhund; Aussiedoodle; Australian Cattle Dog; Australian Kelpie; Australian Shepherd; Basenji; Basset Hound; Bearded Collie; Beauceron; Bergamasco Shepherd; Berger Blanc Suisse (White Swiss Shepherd); Berger Picard; Bichon Frise; Black and Tan Coonhound; Blue Picardy Spaniel; Bohemian Shepherd; Border Collie; Border Terrier; Bouvier des Flandres; Boxer; Boykin Spaniel; Bracco Italiano; Braque Francais (Pyrenean type); Braque Saint-Germain; Braque d'Auvergne; Braque du Bourbonnais; Briard; Brittany; Broholmer; Brussels Griffon; Bucovina Shepherd Dog; Bully Kutta (Indian Mastiff); Ca de Bou (Perro de Presa Mallorquin); Cairn Terrier; Cao da Serra de Aires; Cardigan Welsh Corgi; Carpathian Shepherd; Catalan Sheepdog; Cavalier King Charles Spaniel; Central Asian Shepherd (Alabai); Cesky Fousek; Chinese Shar-Pei; Chinook; Cimarron Uruguayo; Clumber Spaniel; Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel × Poodle); Cocker Spaniel (English); Coton de Tulear; Cão de Castro Laboreiro; Dalmatian; Deutsch Stichelhaar; Dogo Argentino; Drentse Patrijshond; Dutch Shepherd; English Foxhound; English Shepherd; English Springer Spaniel; Entlebucher Mountain Dog; Estrela Mountain Dog; Field Spaniel; Fila de Sao Miguel; Finnish Lapphund; Finnish Spitz; Flat-Coated Retriever; French Bulldog; French Spaniel (Epagneul Francais); Galgo Espanol (Spanish Greyhound); German Longhaired Pointer; German Pinscher; German Shorthaired Pointer; Giant Schnauzer; Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever × Poodle); Great Dane; Hamiltonstovare; Harrier; Havanese; Hokkaido; Hovawart; Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla; Icelandic Sheepdog; Irish Setter; Irish Terrier; Irish Wolfhound; Jämthund (Swedish Elkhound); Kangal Shepherd; Karakachan Dog; Karelian Bear Dog; Karst Shepherd Dog; Keeshond; Kerry Blue Terrier; Kombai; Komondor; Korean Jindo; Labradoodle (Labrador × Poodle); Lagotto Romagnolo; Lapponian Herder; Large Munsterlander; Lhasa Apso; Maremma Sheepdog; Miniature American Shepherd; Mioritic Shepherd; Mudi; Norfolk Terrier; Norwegian Buhund; Norwegian Elkhound; Norwich Terrier; Old Danish Pointer; Old English Sheepdog; Olde English Bulldogge; Pembroke Welsh Corgi; Picardy Spaniel (Epagneul Picard); Pointer (English Pointer); Polish Lowland Sheepdog; Poodle (Standard / Miniature / Toy); Portuguese Pointer; Portuguese Water Dog; Presa Canario (Dogo Canario); Pudelpointer; Puli; Pumi; Pyrenean Shepherd; Rafeiro do Alentejo; Rat Terrier; Samoyed; Sarabi Mastiff; Sarplaninac; Schapendoes; Schipperke; Schnoodle; Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie); Shiba Inu; Shih Tzu; Shikoku; Siberian Husky; Slovakian Rough-Haired Pointer; Small Munsterlander; South Russian Ovcharka; Spanish Water Dog; Stabyhoun; Staffordshire Bull Terrier; Standard Schnauzer; Sussex Spaniel; Swedish Lapphund; Swedish Vallhund; Thai Ridgeback; Tibetan Terrier; Tornjak; Vizsla; Weimaraner; Welsh Springer Spaniel; Wetterhoun; Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.

Hypertrophic osteodystrophy — Routine — book an appointment

young large-breed metabolic bone disease. Signs: pain in growing bones, fever.

Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: legg-calvé-perthes; legg-calve-perthes; perthes.

femoral head necrosis in small breeds (Toy, terriers). Signs: hind-limb lameness in a young dog. Surgical.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: American Eskimo Dog; American Hairless Terrier; Australian Terrier; English Toy Terrier (Black and Tan); Fox Terrier (Wire); Jack Russell Terrier; Manchester Terrier; Miniature Pinscher; Schipperke; Silky Terrier; Smooth Fox Terrier; Toy Fox Terrier; West Highland White Terrier (Westie).

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: ocd; osteochondrosis.

cartilage-bone lesion. Large-breed puppies. Signs: lameness in a growing dog. Surgical correction.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

Panosteitis — Routine — book an appointment

self-limiting bone inflammation in young dogs. German Shepherd Dog, Basset. Signs: shifting-leg lameness, self-resolves.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Pyrenean Mastiff; Spanish Mastiff.

Patellar luxation — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: luxating patella; luxating patellas; slipping kneecap.

kneecap slips out of groove. Small breeds predominantly. Signs: skipping gait. Grade 1–4; surgical for higher grades.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Affenpinscher; Alaskan Klee Kai; American Cocker Spaniel; American Eskimo Dog; American Hairless Terrier; Australian Terrier; Bedlington Terrier; Bichon Frise; Biewer Terrier; Bolognese; Boston Terrier; Boykin Spaniel; Brazilian Terrier (Terrier Brasileiro); Brussels Griffon; Cairn Terrier; Cavachon (Cavalier × Bichon Frise); Cavapoo; Chihuahua; Chinese Crested; Chiweenie; Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel × Poodle); Continental Toy Spaniel (Phalene); Coton de Tulear; Dachshund; Danish-Swedish Farmdog; English Toy Terrier (Black and Tan); Eurasier; Finnish Spitz; Fox Terrier (Wire); German Spitz (Mittel/Klein); Great Pyrenees; Griffon Belge; Havanese; Icelandic Sheepdog; Jack Russell Terrier; Japanese Chin; Japanese Spitz; Japanese Terrier; King Charles Spaniel (English Toy Spaniel); Kromfohrlander; Lancashire Heeler; Lowchen (Little Lion Dog); Maltese; Maltipoo; Manchester Terrier; Miniature Bull Terrier; Miniature Pinscher; Morkie; Nederlandse Kooikerhondje; Norfolk Terrier; Norwich Terrier; Papillon; Parson Russell Terrier; Patterdale Terrier; Petit Brabancon; Plummer Terrier; Pomeranian; Pomsky; Poodle (Standard / Miniature / Toy); Prague Ratter (Prazsky Krysarik); Pumi; Rat Terrier; Russian Toy; Schipperke; Schnoodle; Shiba Inu; Silky Terrier; Smooth Fox Terrier; Sporting Lucas Terrier; Teddy Roosevelt Terrier; Tibetan Spaniel; Toy Fox Terrier; Volpino Italiano; Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican Hairless); Yorkshire Terrier.

Also relevant to this system, listed under their primary system: Exercise-induced collapse (EIC).

3.5 Integumentary (skin, coat, ears) (15)

Myiasis (maggot wounds) — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

Also known as: Maggot wound; Fly strike; Flystrike.

Fly larvae infest living tissue. It is a defining problem of the tropical monsoon and of hot humid regions generally, it is largely absent from Western texts, and it is a true emergency: maggots liberate enzymes that digest tissue, so a small neglected wound can become an extensive one within 48 hours, with systemic toxicity and death in advanced cases. Any moist, soiled, or neglected site attracts flies — a wound, a hot spot, a matted coat, faeces-soiled fur, an ear-tip fly-strike lesion, the umbilicus of a newborn puppy. Free-roaming and community dogs, long-coated dogs, and immobile or elderly dogs are most at risk. Do NOT attempt to treat it at home: the wound must be clipped, every larva removed, and the tissue debrided by a vet, with supportive care and an antiparasitic and antimicrobial class of the vet's choosing. Prevention is prompt attention to every wound in fly season, keeping the coat clean and dry, and daily checks of skin folds and hindquarters in monsoon.

What an owner would notice:

• A foul, distinctive, sweetish smell — often noticed before the wound is seen
• Visible maggots in a wound, or a wound that appears to be moving
• A wound that enlarges rapidly over a day or two, with undermined edges
• Matted, damp, discoloured fur over the site
• Dullness, fever, and loss of appetite as toxins are absorbed

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com); MSD Veterinary Manual (msdvetmanual.com). DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING.

Aural haematoma — URGENT — see a vet the same day

Also known as: Ear haematoma; Aural hematoma; Pinna haematoma.

A blood vessel inside the ear flap ruptures — almost always because the dog has been shaking its head or scratching hard at an itchy, infected ear — and the flap fills with blood like a cushion. It is a consequence, not a primary disease, and this is the point most often missed: draining the swelling without treating the ear infection or allergy that caused the head-shaking guarantees it returns. Long-eared breeds (Cocker Spaniel, Basset Hound, Labrador) and dogs with allergic or yeast-driven ear disease are typical. Left alone it will eventually resolve, but by scarring into a permanently thickened, crumpled 'cauliflower ear'. A vet drains or surgically manages the flap AND investigates the underlying ear disease — both, or neither is worth doing.

What an owner would notice:

• A soft, fluid-filled, pillow-like swelling of the ear flap
• Persistent head-shaking or ear-scratching, usually preceding it
• The ear carried lower than usual; discomfort when touched
• Often an underlying ear infection with discharge or odour

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com); MSD Veterinary Manual (msdvetmanual.com). DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING.

Atopic dermatitis (canine atopy) — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: skin allergies; skin allergy; allergies; atopy; skin conditions; skin sensitivity; allergic skin disease.

allergic skin disease. Golden Retriever, Labrador, terriers. Signs: chronic itch, self-trauma. Environmental, food, and flea sensitivities investigated.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Airedale Terrier; American Hairless Terrier; American Pit Bull Terrier / American Bully; American Staffordshire Terrier; Bichon Frise; Chinese Crested; Chow Chow; Dalmatian; German Shepherd Dog; Lhasa Apso; Peruvian Inca Orchid (Perro Sin Pelo del Perú); Pointer (English Pointer); Sealyham Terrier; Shiba Inu; West Highland White Terrier (Westie); Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican Hairless).

Colour dilution alopecia — Routine — book an appointment

'blue' or fawn coats. Doberman, Weimaraner. Signs: coat thinning in dilute-colour areas. Cosmetic management.

Demodectic mange (demodicosis) — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: demodex; demodicosis.

mite. Localised (puppy) usually self-limiting; generalised (adult) requires medication. Signs: hair loss, secondary skin infection.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Cane Corso.

Flea allergy dermatitis — Routine — book an appointment

hypersensitivity to flea saliva. Signs: hind-quarter dermatitis. Flea control is the intervention.

Hot spots (acute moist dermatitis) — Routine — book an appointment

sudden painful moist skin lesion. Trigger and treat.

Nasal solar dermatitis — Routine — book an appointment

collie-nose. UV-triggered. Signs: crusting on nose. Sun protection.

Otitis externa (ear canal inflammation) — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: ear infections; ear infection; otitis; recurrent ear problems.

very common in drop-eared breeds (Cocker Spaniel, Basset Hound) and warm, humid climates. Signs: head shaking, scratching, odour. Regular ear cleaning; medication for acute episodes.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: American Cocker Spaniel; American English Coonhound; American Water Spaniel; Ariegeois; Barbet; Basset Artesien Normand; Basset Bleu de Gascogne; Basset Fauve de Bretagne; Basset Hound; Beagle; Beagle-Harrier; Black and Tan Coonhound; Bloodhound; Blue Picardy Spaniel; Bluetick Coonhound; Boykin Spaniel; Braque Francais (Pyrenean type); Briquet Griffon Vendeen; Cavalier King Charles Spaniel; Cesky Fousek; Clumber Spaniel; Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel × Poodle); Cocker Spaniel (English); Deutsch Stichelhaar; Drever; English Springer Spaniel; Field Spaniel; French Spaniel (Epagneul Francais); German Longhaired Pointer; Golden Retriever; Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen; Grand Bleu de Gascogne; Grand Griffon Vendeen; Griffon Nivernais; Hamiltonstovare; Hanover Hound; Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla; Irish Water Spaniel; Labradoodle (Labrador × Poodle); Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen; Petit Bleu de Gascogne; Picardy Spaniel (Epagneul Picard); Plott Hound; Pont-Audemer Spaniel; Porcelaine; Posavac Hound; Pudelpointer; Redbone Coonhound; Segugio Italiano; Shih Tzu; Slovakian Rough-Haired Pointer; Spinone Italiano; Treeing Walker Coonhound; Welsh Springer Spaniel.

Pyoderma — Routine — book an appointment

bacterial skin infection. Secondary to underlying allergy or immune issue. Signs: pustules, crusts.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Chinese Shar-Pei.

Sarcoptic mange (scabies) — Routine — book an appointment

contagious mite. Intense pruritus. Prescription topical treatment.

Sebaceous adenitis — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: sebaceous adenitis.

autoimmune destruction of sebaceous glands. Poodle, Akita, Samoyed. Signs: dandruff, alopecia. Topical management.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: American Akita.

Skin fold dermatitis — Routine — book an appointment

Bulldog, Pug, Shar-Pei. Signs: odour, redness in folds. Regular cleaning.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Bloodhound; Bulldog (English); Dogue de Bordeaux; French Bulldog; Neapolitan Mastiff; Presa Canario (Dogo Canario); Pug.

Vitiligo — Routine — book an appointment

pigment loss. Cosmetic; no health impact.

Zinc-responsive dermatosis — Routine — book an appointment

Northern breeds (Husky, Malamute). Signs: crusts around eyes / mouth. Zinc supplementation.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Siberian Husky.

Also relevant to this system, listed under their primary system: Bite wounds and abscess; Tick-borne disease.

3.6 Endocrine (7)

Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison's disease) — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

Also known as: addison's disease; addisons; addison's.

insufficient cortisol. Standard Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog. Signs: episodic vomiting, weakness, sudden collapse. EMERGENCY in Addisonian crisis.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Bearded Collie; Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever × Poodle); Labradoodle (Labrador × Poodle); Poodle (Standard / Miniature / Toy); Portuguese Water Dog; Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier.

Juvenile hypoglycaemia — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

Also known as: hypoglycaemia in puppies; puppy hypoglycaemia.

toy-breed puppies. Signs: weakness, collapse. Frequent feeding schedule.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Maltese; Yorkshire Terrier.

Diabetes mellitus — URGENT — see a vet the same day

insulin-dependent. Middle-aged females predominantly. Signs: increased drinking / urination, weight loss despite appetite. Lifelong management.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Australian Terrier; Samoyed; Silky Terrier.

Insulinoma — URGENT — see a vet the same day

pancreatic tumour secreting insulin. Signs: episodic hypoglycaemia, seizures. Surgical.

Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease) — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: cushing's; cushings; cushing's disease.

excessive cortisol. Senior small breeds. Signs: increased drinking / urination, pot-belly, coat changes. Complex diagnosis.

Hyperlipidaemia — Routine — book an appointment

Miniature Schnauzer predisposed. Dietary management.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Miniature Schnauzer; Standard Schnauzer.

Hypothyroidism — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: thyroid; thyroid disease.

underactive thyroid. Middle-aged medium-large breeds (Labrador, Golden Retriever, Doberman). Signs: weight gain, coat thinning, lethargy, cold intolerance. Blood test diagnosis.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Afghan Hound; Airedale Terrier; Akita (Japanese); Alaskan Klee Kai; Alaskan Malamute; American Akita; American Pit Bull Terrier / American Bully; Anatolian Shepherd; Basenji; Beagle; Bearded Collie; Bouvier des Flandres; Briard; Brittany; Chow Chow; Dandie Dinmont Terrier; Doberman Pinscher; English Setter; Eurasier; Fila Brasileiro; Finnish Lapphund; German Shorthaired Pointer; German Wirehaired Pointer; Giant Schnauzer; Golden Retriever; Gordon Setter; Hovawart; Irish Setter; Irish Water Spaniel; Italian Greyhound; Karelian Bear Dog; Keeshond; Kerry Blue Terrier; Kishu Ken; Korean Jindo; Miniature Pinscher; Norwegian Elkhound; Old English Sheepdog; Polish Lowland Sheepdog; Rhodesian Ridgeback; Saluki; Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie); Siberian Husky; Spanish Water Dog; Tibetan Mastiff; Vizsla; Welsh Springer Spaniel; Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.

3.7 Nutritional and metabolic (1)

Obesity — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: Overweight; Excess body condition.

The most common preventable health problem in urban pet dogs, and the one most often mistaken for good health — in many places a round dog is still frequently read as a well-cared-for dog. Excess weight is not cosmetic: it measurably shortens life, and it worsens nearly everything else in this encyclopedia — it accelerates arthritis and hip and elbow dysplasia, strains the heart and airway, sharply raises heatstroke risk (a critical concern in hot climates), predisposes to diabetes and to cruciate ligament rupture, and raises anaesthetic risk. Common drivers are free-feeding, table scraps and other human food, biscuits and treats used as affection, unmeasured portions, and too little exercise. Assessment is by body condition score — a hands-on judgement of whether you can feel the ribs and see a waist — not by the number on a scale, which means nothing without a breed and frame to compare it to. Weight loss is achieved by measured portions of a diet the vet specifies, treats counted within the daily allowance, and a gradual increase in exercise; crash dieting is harmful. This is a condition owners control completely, which is precisely why it deserves a monograph rather than a footnote.

What an owner would notice:

• Ribs cannot be felt easily under a flat palm
• No visible waist when seen from above; no belly tuck from the side
• Reluctance to walk, play, or climb stairs; tires quickly
• Panting on mild exertion or in mild heat
• Difficulty grooming; skin problems in fat folds

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Basset Hound; Beagle; Caucasian Shepherd Dog; Dachshund; Labrador Retriever; Pug; Rottweiler.

Sources: WSAVA global guidelines (wsava.org); AAHA guidelines (aaha.org); Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com). DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING.

3.8 Haematology and immunology (4)

Immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA) — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

Also known as: IMHA; Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia; AIHA.

The immune system destroys the dog's own red blood cells, and the resulting anaemia can become life-threatening within days. It may arise on its own or be triggered by an underlying problem — in tick-endemic regions, tick-borne infection is a particularly important trigger, so the two are investigated together. Cocker Spaniel, Springer Spaniel, Poodle, and Old English Sheepdog are among the over-represented breeds, and middle-aged females are typical. Diagnosis rests on blood work; treatment is immunosuppression (a medication class the vet selects), supportive care, and sometimes transfusion. Mortality is significant and clotting complications are the main danger, so this is a condition to present for immediately rather than monitor at home. Pale gums in a suddenly weak dog are an emergency finding.

What an owner would notice:

• Very pale or yellow-tinged (jaundiced) gums
• Profound weakness, collapse, or exercise intolerance
• Fast breathing and a fast heart rate at rest
• Orange-brown or dark urine
• Fever and loss of appetite

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Cocker Spaniel (English).

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com); MSD Veterinary Manual (msdvetmanual.com). DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING.

Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP) — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

Also known as: ITP; Immune-mediated thrombocytopaenia.

The immune system destroys the platelets that make blood clot, so the dog bleeds spontaneously into the skin and mucous membranes. The tell-tale sign is petechiae — pinpoint red dots that, unlike a rash, do not blanch when pressed. As with IMHA, tick-borne disease is an important trigger in tick-endemic regions and is investigated at the same time. It can occur alongside IMHA. Diagnosis is by platelet count; management is immunosuppressive (class chosen by the vet) plus strict rest, because the risk is bleeding into the brain or gut. Any spontaneous bruising or bleeding in a dog is an immediate veterinary matter.

What an owner would notice:

• Pinpoint red spots on the gums, belly, or inner ear flap
• Bruising with no memory of an injury
• Nosebleeds, or blood in urine or stool
• Black, tarry stool (digested blood)
• Lethargy and pale gums if blood loss has been significant

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com); MSD Veterinary Manual (msdvetmanual.com). DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING.

Anaemia — URGENT — see a vet the same day

Also known as: Anemia; Low red blood cell count.

Not a disease in itself but a sign with many causes, and one that owners can and should learn to spot: lift the lip and look at the gum colour. Anaemia means too few red blood cells, whether from blood loss (trauma, a bleeding tumour, heavy flea or hookworm burden — the last is a genuinely common cause in puppies and street dogs), destruction (immune-mediated disease, tick-borne infection such as babesiosis or ehrlichiosis), or failure to produce them (chronic kidney disease, bone-marrow disease). Because the causes range from trivial to fatal, and because a severely anaemic dog can decompensate suddenly, pale gums always warrant prompt veterinary assessment and blood work. The cause determines the treatment; treating the anaemia without finding the cause is not treatment.

What an owner would notice:

• Pale or white gums, inner eyelids, and tongue
• Tiredness; unwilling to walk as far as usual
• Fast breathing and fast heart rate at rest
• Eating dirt or unusual objects (pica) in chronic cases
• Collapse if severe or sudden

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Cocker Spaniel (English).

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com); MSD Veterinary Manual (msdvetmanual.com). DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING.

von Willebrand disease — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: vWD; Von Willebrand's disease; von willebrand's; von willebrands.

The most common inherited bleeding disorder of dogs: a deficiency of von Willebrand factor, a protein needed for platelets to plug a damaged vessel. Doberman Pinscher is the classic breed (a large proportion of the breed carries it), with Scottish Terrier, Shetland Sheepdog, German Shepherd, and Standard Poodle also affected. Most dogs live normally and the disease only announces itself as unexpected, hard-to-stop bleeding during a routine procedure — which is exactly why it matters: a DNA or blood test BEFORE elective surgery in an at-risk breed is the entire point. There is no cure; management is avoiding unnecessary surgery, testing before any that is necessary, and telling every vet who treats the dog. Breeders of affected breeds should test and select against it (see the breeding ethics part).

What an owner would notice:

• Prolonged bleeding after surgery, neutering, or a lost tooth
• Recurrent nosebleeds
• Bleeding gums, or blood in urine or stool
• Excessive bruising
• Often no signs at all until the dog is injured or operated on

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Doberman Pinscher; German Pinscher; German Shorthaired Pointer; German Wirehaired Pointer; Manchester Terrier; Nederlandse Kooikerhondje; Pembroke Welsh Corgi; Poodle (Standard / Miniature / Toy); Scottish Terrier (Scottie); Toy Fox Terrier; Weimaraner.

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com); MSD Veterinary Manual (msdvetmanual.com). DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING.

3.9 Urogenital (9)

Pyometra — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

pus in the uterus of intact females. Signs: increased drinking, discharge (open pyo) or nothing obvious (closed pyo). EMERGENCY — surgical.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia — URGENT — see a vet the same day

intact senior males. Signs: difficulty defecating, blood in urine. Neutering resolves.

Bladder stones (uroliths) — URGENT — see a vet the same day

dietary, breed, and metabolic causes. Struvite, calcium oxalate, urate (Dalmatian). Signs: straining, blood in urine. Dietary or surgical management.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Bichon Frise.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) — URGENT — see a vet the same day

Also known as: kidney disease; renal disease; renal failure.

the leading senior chronic condition. Signs: increased drinking / urination, weight loss, poor appetite. Staging via blood and urine tests; renal diet is central; management not curative.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Bull Terrier; Lhasa Apso; Miniature Bull Terrier.

Fanconi syndrome — URGENT — see a vet the same day

Also known as: fanconi syndrome; fanconi.

The kidney tubules fail to reabsorb the nutrients the body has already filtered, so glucose, amino acids, and electrolytes are lost in the urine. The classic clue is glucose in the urine of a dog whose blood glucose is entirely normal — which means it is sometimes misdiagnosed as diabetes, a mistake with serious consequences. It is inherited in the Basenji, where it is common enough that regular urine glucose monitoring is recommended for the life of the dog, and it can also be acquired. There is a DNA test for the Basenji form. It is managed, not cured, by replacing what is being lost under close veterinary supervision, and dogs can do well for years with committed monitoring.

What an owner would notice:

• Drinking and urinating far more than normal
• Weight loss despite a normal appetite
• Poor coat and general condition
• Weakness; in advanced cases, collapse
• Often first suspected when routine urine testing shows glucose in a dog with normal blood sugar

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Basenji; Norwegian Elkhound.

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com); MSD Veterinary Manual (msdvetmanual.com). DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING.

Cystinuria — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: cystine stones.

inherited amino-acid transport defect leading to bladder stones. Newfoundland, Bulldog. Dietary and medical management.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Irish Terrier; Landseer; Mastiff (English); Newfoundland.

Testicular cancer — Routine — book an appointment

intact senior males. Neutering is prevention.

Urinary incontinence (senior spayed females) — Routine — book an appointment

sphincter mechanism incompetence. Medication class management.

Urinary tract infection — Routine — book an appointment

common in females. Signs: increased frequency, straining, blood.

3.10 Neurological (13)

Degenerative myelopathy — URGENT — see a vet the same day

progressive spinal-cord degeneration in senior large breeds (German Shepherd, Boxer). Signs: hind-limb weakness progressing.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Berger Blanc Suisse (White Swiss Shepherd); Boxer; Cardigan Welsh Corgi; Chesapeake Bay Retriever; German Shepherd Dog; Pembroke Welsh Corgi; Puli; Pumi; Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Exercise-induced collapse (EIC) — URGENT — see a vet the same day

Also known as: exercise-induced collapse; eic.

An inherited disorder in which intense, excited exercise causes the hind limbs to fail and the dog to collapse. It is classically a Labrador Retriever condition, and is also seen in the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Curly-Coated Retriever, and some Spaniels. It typically first appears in young adults during the activity they love most — retrieving, field work, hard play. Episodes can be fatal, particularly in heat, which makes it a serious matter in hot climates specifically. A DNA test identifies affected dogs definitively, and is worth doing in any working-line retriever. Management is entirely about avoidance: recognise the trigger, stop the activity at the first wobble, cool the dog, and keep it out of the excitement-plus-heat combination that provokes it. Do not confuse it with heatstroke — but do treat any collapse in the heat as heatstroke until a vet says otherwise.

What an owner would notice:

• Wobbliness in the hind limbs after five to twenty minutes of intense excited exercise
• Progression to a dragging, staggering gait, then collapse
• The dog stays alert and aware throughout, which distinguishes it from a seizure
• Recovery over five to thirty minutes of rest, usually complete
• Triggered by excitement and heat as much as by the exercise itself

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Boykin Spaniel; Chesapeake Bay Retriever; Labrador Retriever.

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com); MSD Veterinary Manual (msdvetmanual.com). DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING.

Granulomatous meningoencephalitis (GME) — URGENT — see a vet the same day

inflammatory brain disease. Small-breed middle-aged females. Signs: neurological deficits. Immunosuppressive.

Hydrocephalus — URGENT — see a vet the same day

Also known as: hydrocephalus; water on the brain.

Cerebrospinal fluid accumulates within the brain and raises the pressure inside the skull. It is most often congenital and is seen predominantly in the toy and brachycephalic breeds — Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier, Pug, Boston Terrier, English Bulldog — where a domed head is sometimes wrongly admired as a breed characteristic rather than recognised as a warning. Severity ranges from a dog that lives a near-normal life to one with severe neurological impairment. Diagnosis is by imaging. Management may be medical (a medication class that reduces fluid production, chosen by the vet) or surgical (a shunt). It is a reason to look carefully at the head shape of any toy-breed puppy before buying it, and a reason not to breed from affected animals.

What an owner would notice:

• A domed, unusually round skull in a puppy; an open soft spot on the top of the head
• Eyes that appear to point down and out
• Slow learning; hard to house-train; seems 'not quite right'
• Circling, pressing the head against walls, staring vacantly
• Seizures

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Chihuahua.

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com); MSD Veterinary Manual (msdvetmanual.com). DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING.

Idiopathic epilepsy — URGENT — see a vet the same day

Also known as: epilepsy; seizures; seizure disorder.

seizure disorder with no identifiable cause. Onset typically 1–5 years. Border Collie, Beagle, Labrador. Lifelong medication class (anticonvulsants) if frequent.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Australian Shepherd; Beagle; Belgian Laekenois; Belgian Malinois; Belgian Sheepdog (Groenendael); Belgian Tervuren; Boerboel; Border Collie; Brittany; Cane Corso; Chinook; Finnish Spitz; Greater Swiss Mountain Dog; Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla; Irish Setter; Italian Greyhound; Keeshond; Lagotto Romagnolo; Mudi; Nederlandse Kooikerhondje; Otterhound; Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen; Pyrenean Shepherd; Shikoku; Siberian Husky; Smooth Collie; Stabyhoun; Vizsla; Welsh Springer Spaniel.

MDR1 (ABCB1) drug sensitivity — URGENT — see a vet the same day

Also known as: mdr1 mutation; mdr1; ivermectin sensitivity; abcb1.

A single gene mutation that breaks the pump which normally keeps certain medication classes out of the brain. A dog carrying it can be poisoned by a perfectly normal dose of a perfectly normal drug — several antiparasitic classes, some anti-diarrhoeal, sedative, and chemotherapeutic agents among them. The affected classes are a matter for the veterinarian; the owner's job is simply to KNOW, and to tell every vet who treats the dog. It is common in the herding breeds — Collie, Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Shetland Sheepdog, Old English Sheepdog, and their crosses — with the Rough Collie most affected of all. There is a cheap, definitive DNA test (a cheek swab), and it should be done once in the life of any herding-breed dog, ideally before it ever needs treating. This is one of the few entries in this encyclopedia where a single test, done once, can prevent a death.

What an owner would notice:

• Severe reaction after a routine medication — drooling, tremors, disorientation
• Wobbliness, blindness, collapse, coma following a normal dose of a common drug
• No signs whatsoever until the dog is given an affected medication class

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Aussiedoodle; Australian Shepherd; Border Collie; Collie (Rough); English Shepherd; Longhaired Whippet; Miniature American Shepherd; Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie); Silken Windhound; Smooth Collie.

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com); MSD Veterinary Manual (msdvetmanual.com). DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING.

Necrotizing encephalitis — URGENT — see a vet the same day

Pug, Yorkshire Terrier. Signs: seizures, circling. Poor prognosis.

Syringomyelia — URGENT — see a vet the same day

Also known as: syringomyelia; chiari-like malformation; sm.

Fluid-filled cavities form within the spinal cord, usually because the skull is too small for the brain it contains and the flow of cerebrospinal fluid is obstructed. It is painful — often severely so — and it is over-represented in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to a degree that has become a defining welfare issue for the breed, with the Griffon Bruxellois and other small brachycephalic toys also affected. The characteristic sign is a dog scratching at its neck, on one side, without touching it. Diagnosis requires MRI. Management is by medication classes that reduce fluid production and pain, chosen by the veterinarian, and sometimes surgery; it can rarely be cured. This is a condition that should be discussed frankly with any breeder of a Cavalier before purchase, and MRI-screened breeding stock is the only real answer to it.

What an owner would notice:

• Scratching at the neck or shoulder, often without making contact ('air scratching')
• Scratching that is worse when excited, when walking, or when the collar is touched
• Yelping or crying for no apparent reason, particularly at night
• Sensitivity around the head, neck, and ears
• Weakness, or an unwillingness to jump or use stairs

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Brussels Griffon; Cavachon (Cavalier × Bichon Frise); Cavalier King Charles Spaniel; Griffon Belge; Petit Brabancon.

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com); MSD Veterinary Manual (msdvetmanual.com). DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING.

Vestibular disease — URGENT — see a vet the same day

'idiopathic' or geriatric. Signs: sudden head tilt, circling, nystagmus. Often self-resolves.

Wobbler syndrome (cervical spondylomyelopathy) — URGENT — see a vet the same day

Also known as: wobbler; wobblers.

Doberman, Great Dane. Signs: wobbly gait, neck pain.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Doberman Pinscher; Great Dane.

Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (canine dementia) — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: Cognitive dysfunction; CCDS; Canine dementia.

senior dogs. Signs: disorientation, altered sleep, altered interactions. Dietary and environmental interventions.

Congenital deafness — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: Deafness; Hereditary deafness; Bilateral deafness.

Present from birth and permanent. It is strongly linked to the genes that produce white coats, merle patterning, and blue eyes — which is why it appears in the Dalmatian, the Australian Cattle Dog, the Bull Terrier, merle herding breeds, and, in India, in the white Rajapalayam. Deafness may be in one ear (easily missed; the dog behaves almost normally) or both. It is diagnosed definitively by a BAER test, which measures the brain's electrical response to sound and can be done in a puppy. A deaf dog can live a full, happy life on hand signals and vibration cues, but it must never be off-lead near traffic and must be woken by touch on the body, gently and predictably, never by surprise. Because it is heritable, affected dogs and — for the merle-linked form — merle-to-merle matings are the breeder's responsibility to avoid.

What an owner would notice:

• A puppy that does not startle at a loud noise behind it
• Sleeps through sounds that wake its littermates
• Does not respond to its name, but responds instantly to being seen or touched
• Excessive barking, or a bark with an unusual quality
• Hard to rouse from sleep; may startle and snap when woken by touch

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: American Foxhound; Australian Cattle Dog; Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog; Boston Terrier; Bull Terrier; Dalmatian; Dogo Argentino; Dunker (Norwegian Hound); English Setter; Fox Terrier (Wire); Gull Terrier; Havanese; Ibizan Hound; Jack Russell Terrier; Koolie; Miniature Bull Terrier; Old English Sheepdog; Parson Russell Terrier; Rajapalayam; Smooth Fox Terrier; Whippet.

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com); Orthopedic Foundation for Animals — breed screening databases (ofa.org). DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING.

Trigeminal neuritis — Routine — book an appointment

sudden inability to close the jaw. Usually self-resolves.

3.11 Ophthalmic (13)

Corneal ulcers — URGENT — see a vet the same day

brachycephalic breeds, trauma. Signs: squinting, tearing.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Japanese Chin; Pug.

Glaucoma — URGENT — see a vet the same day

elevated intraocular pressure. Basset Hound, Cocker Spaniel, Beagle. Signs: red eye, cloudy cornea, pain. EMERGENCY.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Basset Hound; Bouvier des Flandres; Dandie Dinmont Terrier; Welsh Terrier.

Retinal detachment — URGENT — see a vet the same day

sudden vision loss. Emergency ophthalmology referral.

Uveitis — URGENT — see a vet the same day

inflammation of the uveal tract. Multiple causes.

Cataracts — Routine — book an appointment

congenital or diabetic or senior. Signs: cloudy lens. Surgical options.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Afghan Hound; Alaskan Malamute; American Cocker Spaniel; Australian Shepherd; Bichon Frise; Boston Terrier; Brussels Griffon; Field Spaniel; Fox Terrier (Wire); German Pinscher; Havanese; Icelandic Sheepdog; Large Munsterlander; Lowchen (Little Lion Dog); Miniature American Shepherd; Miniature Schnauzer; Mudi; Norwegian Buhund; Pointer (English Pointer); Siberian Husky; Staffordshire Bull Terrier; Standard Schnauzer.

Cherry eye — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: prolapsed nictitating gland.

prolapse of the third eyelid gland. Cocker Spaniel, Bulldog, Beagle. Surgical correction.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Beagle; Neapolitan Mastiff; Pekingese; Tibetan Spaniel.

Collie eye anomaly — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: collie eye anomaly; cea; choroidal hypoplasia.

An inherited malformation of the tissue layers at the back of the eye, present from birth and non-progressive in its mild form. It is common in the Rough and Smooth Collie, the Border Collie, the Shetland Sheepdog, and the Australian Shepherd. Most affected dogs are mildly affected and live normally, which is precisely the problem for breeding: a dog can carry and pass on the gene while appearing perfectly healthy. A small proportion develop retinal detachment or haemorrhage and lose sight. Diagnosis is by an ophthalmologist's examination of puppies at around six to eight weeks — the window matters, because the mild changes can become harder to see as the eye matures — and by DNA test. It is not treatable; it is avoidable, by testing before breeding.

What an owner would notice:

• Usually none — most affected dogs see adequately and look entirely normal
• In severe cases, impaired or absent vision, sometimes from puppyhood
• Bumping into things in dim light; reluctance on stairs

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Australian Shepherd; Border Collie; Collie (Rough); Hokkaido; Lancashire Heeler; Miniature American Shepherd; Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie); Smooth Collie.

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com); Orthopedic Foundation for Animals — breed screening databases (ofa.org). DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING.

Distichiasis — Routine — book an appointment

extra eyelashes irritating cornea. Surgical or manual.

Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: dry eye; kcs.

Cocker Spaniel, Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso. Signs: thick discharge. Lifelong topical management.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Lhasa Apso.

Ectropion — Routine — book an appointment

eyelid rolls outward. Basset, Saint Bernard. Chronic care.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Bloodhound; Boerboel; Cane Corso; Clumber Spaniel; Field Spaniel; Pyrenean Mastiff; Saint Bernard; Spanish Mastiff.

Entropion — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: eyelid problems.

eyelid rolls inward. Chow Chow, Shar-Pei, Bulldog. Surgical.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Akbash; Anatolian Shepherd; Bloodhound; Bracco Italiano; Ca de Bou (Perro de Presa Mallorquin); Cane Corso; Caucasian Shepherd Dog; Central Asian Shepherd (Alabai); Chinese Shar-Pei; Chow Chow; Clumber Spaniel; Kangal Shepherd; Kerry Blue Terrier; Kishu Ken; Komondor; Pekingese; Pointer (English Pointer); Pyrenean Mastiff; Saint Bernard; Spanish Mastiff; Tibetan Mastiff; Weimaraner; Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.

Immune-mediated keratoconjunctivitis (pannus) — Routine — book an appointment

German Shepherd Dog characteristic. Signs: corneal opacification. Lifelong topical immunosuppressive.

Progressive retinal atrophy — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: pra; retinal atrophy.

genetic retinal degeneration. Many breeds. Signs: night blindness progressing to day blindness.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Akita (Japanese); American Cocker Spaniel; American Eskimo Dog; American Water Spaniel; Appenzeller Sennenhund; Australian Cattle Dog; Australian Kelpie; Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog; Basenji; Belgian Malinois; Belgian Sheepdog (Groenendael); Belgian Tervuren; Berger Picard; Border Terrier; Brittany; Cao da Serra de Aires; Cardigan Welsh Corgi; Catalan Sheepdog; Chesapeake Bay Retriever; Chinese Crested; Cocker Spaniel (English); Collie (Rough); Continental Toy Spaniel (Phalene); Coton de Tulear; Curly-Coated Retriever; Dachshund; Drentse Patrijshond; English Springer Spaniel; Entlebucher Mountain Dog; Finnish Lapphund; Flat-Coated Retriever; Glen of Imaal Terrier; Golden Retriever; Gordon Setter; Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla; Irish Setter; Italian Greyhound; Labrador Retriever; Lancashire Heeler; Lhasa Apso; Lowchen (Little Lion Dog); Miniature American Shepherd; Miniature Pinscher; Miniature Schnauzer; Norwegian Elkhound; Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever; Papillon; Polish Lowland Sheepdog; Poodle (Standard / Miniature / Toy); Portuguese Water Dog; Puli; Pyrenean Shepherd; Samoyed; Schapendoes; Shiba Inu; Shih Tzu; Siberian Husky; Smooth Collie; Spanish Water Dog; Swedish Vallhund; Tibetan Spaniel; Tibetan Terrier; Vizsla.

3.12 Oncology (common cancers) (12)

Haemangiosarcoma — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

blood-vessel cancer, aggressive. Golden Retriever, German Shepherd. Often presents as sudden collapse from internal bleeding.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Golden Retriever.

Lymphoma — URGENT — see a vet the same day

the most-diagnosed haematological cancer in dogs. Golden Retriever, Boxer. Signs: enlarged lymph nodes. Chemotherapy class of treatment.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Golden Retriever.

Mammary tumours — URGENT — see a vet the same day

intact and late-spayed females. Signs: mammary lump. Early spay reduces risk.

Mast cell tumour — URGENT — see a vet the same day

skin cancer. Boxer, Boston Terrier, Golden Retriever. Signs: variable skin lump. Surgical excision.

Transitional cell carcinoma — URGENT — see a vet the same day

bladder. Scottish Terrier, Shetland Sheepdog. Signs: blood in urine, straining.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Scottish Terrier (Scottie).

Transmissible venereal tumour (TVT) — URGENT — see a vet the same day

Also known as: TVT; Canine transmissible venereal tumour; Sticker's sarcoma.

One of the most important tumours in warm regions with large free-roaming dog populations, and almost invisible in Western references, because it is a disease of free-breeding, free-roaming dog populations — which is to say, of most free-roaming dogs worldwide. TVT is extraordinary: the tumour cells themselves are the infectious agent, transmitted physically from dog to dog during mating (and, for the nasal and oral forms, by licking and sniffing). It is one of only a handful of known transmissible cancers in nature, and the cell line is thousands of years old. It presents as a fleshy, bleeding, cauliflower-like growth on the genitals of either sex; owners often notice blood dripping rather than the mass. It rarely spreads internally, and — importantly — it responds well to a chemotherapeutic protocol that a vet administers, with a high cure rate, so this is a diagnosis to act on rather than despair over. Any genital mass or unexplained genital bleeding should be seen promptly. Neutering and control of free-roaming breeding are what prevent it at population level, which ties this entry directly to Animal Birth Control programmes.

What an owner would notice:

• A cauliflower-like, fleshy, easily-bleeding mass on the genitals
• Blood or blood-tinged discharge dripping from the prepuce or vulva
• Excessive licking of the genital area
• Occasionally masses on the nose or in the mouth (from licking or sniffing)
• Otherwise a well, bright dog — this is often the only sign

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com); MSD Veterinary Manual (msdvetmanual.com); Indian Council of Medical Research (icmr.gov.in). DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING.

Anal sac adenocarcinoma — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: Anal sac carcinoma; Anal gland cancer.

cancer of anal glands. Senior dogs. Signs: perianal mass, hypercalcemia. Surgical / oncological management.

Fibrosarcoma — Routine — book an appointment

connective-tissue cancer. Signs: subcutaneous mass.

Hepatocellular carcinoma — Routine — book an appointment

senior dogs. Signs: weight loss, abdominal mass.

Melanoma — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: Oral melanoma.

oral, ocular, cutaneous. Chow Chow, Standard Poodle. Signs: pigmented mass.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Chow Chow.

Nasal adenocarcinoma — Routine — book an appointment

senior dogs. Signs: unilateral nasal discharge, facial deformity. Radiation-therapy option.

Thyroid carcinoma — Routine — book an appointment

Boxer, Beagle. Signs: neck mass, dysphonia.

3.13 Infectious disease (18)

Rabies — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

zoonotic viral. Endemic in much of Asia and Africa (which carry the highest burden of human rabies deaths). Vaccination is legally required in many jurisdictions and non-negotiable ethically.

Tetanus — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

Also known as: Lockjaw; Clostridium tetani.

A toxin produced by bacteria that grow in a deep, dirty, oxygen-poor wound — a puncture, a bite, a nail injury, or a fresh castration or umbilical wound. Dogs are considerably more resistant than horses or humans, so tetanus is uncommon, but in many regions the combination of soil contamination and untreated wounds makes it a genuine risk, and it is worth recognising. The signature is progressive, generalised muscle rigidity with a fixed facial expression, and spasms provoked by any stimulus. It is a critical-care emergency: affected dogs need intensive nursing in a dark, quiet room, wound management, muscle relaxation and antimicrobial classes chosen by the vet, and sometimes weeks of support, and many still die. Prevention is prompt, thorough cleaning of every deep or dirty wound — the same message as the myiasis and bite-wound entries.

What an owner would notice:

• Stiff, stilted, 'sawhorse' gait; a rigid, board-like body
• Wrinkled forehead, ears drawn back, lips pulled into a fixed grin
• Third eyelid protruding across the eye
• Inability to open the jaw ('lockjaw'), difficulty eating and swallowing
• Violent spasms triggered by noise, light, or touch
• Usually a wound in the preceding 1–3 weeks, which may look healed

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com); MSD Veterinary Manual (msdvetmanual.com). DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING.

Anaplasmosis — URGENT — see a vet the same day

bacterial tick-borne. Signs: fever, lameness.

Babesiosis — URGENT — see a vet the same day

protozoal tick-borne. Signs: anaemia, jaundice. Anti-protozoal-class treatment.

Ehrlichiosis (canine monocytic) — URGENT — see a vet the same day

very common tick-borne disease in India. Signs: fever, lethargy, thrombocytopenia. Antibiotic-class management.

Hepatozoonosis — URGENT — see a vet the same day

protozoal, tick-transmitted (dog swallows infected tick). Signs: fever, gait abnormalities. Reported in India.

Leptospirosis — URGENT — see a vet the same day

zoonotic bacterial. Rat urine reservoir; peaks in warm, wet and monsoon seasons. Prevention via vaccination (regional serovar considerations).

Tick-borne disease — URGENT — see a vet the same day

Also known as: Tick fever; Tick-borne diseases.

Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis. Endemic in tropical and subtropical regions. Signs: fever, lethargy, joint pain, anaemia. Tick control is prevention.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Indian Native Dog (INDog / Pariah).

Blastomycosis — Routine — book an appointment

fungal. Uncommon in most regions; environmental exposure. Signs: respiratory, skin, ocular.

Brucellosis — Routine — book an appointment

bacterial. Zoonotic. Reproductive-tract disease.

Canine adenovirus (infectious canine hepatitis) — Routine — book an appointment

vaccination prevention.

Coccidiosis — Routine — book an appointment

protozoal in puppies. Signs: diarrhoea.

Cryptosporidiosis — Routine — book an appointment

protozoal. Signs: diarrhoea in puppies.

Giardia — Routine — book an appointment

protozoal. Signs: intermittent diarrhoea. Zoonotic risk.

Neosporosis — Routine — book an appointment

protozoal. Signs: neurological in young dogs.

Rickettsiosis (spotted fever group) — Routine — book an appointment

tick-borne. Zoonotic risk.

Salmonellosis — Routine — book an appointment

bacterial. Zoonotic risk. Signs: diarrhoea.

Toxoplasmosis — Routine — book an appointment

protozoal. Zoonotic. Signs: variable.

Also relevant to this system, listed under their primary system: Canine parvovirus; Heartworm disease; Hookworm (Ancylostoma); Kennel cough (canine infectious respiratory disease complex); Roundworm (Toxocara canis); Tapeworm (Dipylidium, Echinococcus); Whipworm (Trichuris vulpis).

3.14 Dental and oral (4)

Gingivitis — Routine — book an appointment

early stage; reversible.

Malocclusion — Routine — book an appointment

misaligned bite. Congenital.

Periodontal disease — Routine — book an appointment

Also known as: dental disease; dental problems; tooth decay.

the most-diagnosed condition overall in adult dogs. Signs: bad breath, tartar, gingival recession, loose teeth. Prevention: daily brushing; dental cleaning under GA every 1–3 years.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Biewer Terrier; Bolognese; Chihuahua; Chinese Crested; Chiweenie; Continental Toy Spaniel (Phalene); English Toy Terrier (Black and Tan); Italian Greyhound; Maltese; Maltipoo; Morkie; Papillon; Peruvian Inca Orchid (Perro Sin Pelo del Perú); Pomeranian; Prague Ratter (Prazsky Krysarik); Russian Toy; Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican Hairless); Yorkshire Terrier.

Tooth fracture — Routine — book an appointment

cracks and slab fractures from bones and hard chews. Signs: reluctance to chew, pain. Root canal or extraction.

Also relevant to this system, listed under their primary system: Melanoma.

3.15 Reproductive and neonatal (5)

Dystocia — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

difficult birth. Toy breeds and brachycephalic breeds predisposed. C-section often required.

Eclampsia (puerperal tetany) — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

low blood calcium in nursing dam. Small-breed predominantly. EMERGENCY.

Fading puppy syndrome — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

sudden-death puppies in first 2 weeks. Multiple causes.

Mastitis — URGENT — see a vet the same day

mammary gland infection during lactation.

Cryptorchidism — Routine — book an appointment

undescended testicle. Increased testicular cancer risk; surgical removal recommended.

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Chinook; Yakutian Laika.

Also relevant to this system, listed under their primary system: Transmissible venereal tumour (TVT).

3.16 Behavioural conditions (medical framing) (3)

Compulsive disorders — Routine — book an appointment

genuine behavioural pathology; not just 'a bad habit'. Behavioural + medication class treatment.

Noise phobia (thunderstorm, fireworks) — Routine — book an appointment

critical during fireworks and festival seasons. Desensitisation programme + medication class as short-term relief on high-risk days.

Separation anxiety — Routine — book an appointment

see Part IV; medication class as adjunct to behavioural modification when severe.

Also relevant to this system, listed under their primary system: Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (canine dementia).

3.17 Environmental and traumatic emergencies (3)

Heatstroke (hyperthermia) — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

Also known as: Heat stroke; Hyperthermia; Heat exhaustion.

The single most preventable canine emergency in hot climates, and the one most under-represented in Western references. Dogs shed heat almost entirely by panting, so high humidity — not just high temperature — is what kills: a hot, humid tropical afternoon can be lethal well below the temperature at which a dog from a temperate climate would be at risk. Brachycephalic breeds (Pug, Bulldog, Boxer, Shih Tzu), thick-coated northern breeds (Husky, Saint Bernard, German Shepherd), obese dogs, puppies, seniors, and any dog with laryngeal or airway disease are far more vulnerable. Classic triggers are a midday walk on hot tarmac, exercise or play in the sun, and being left in a parked car or on an unshaded balcony or terrace. Heatstroke is a true emergency: it damages the gut lining, kidneys, and clotting system, and a dog that appears to recover can deteriorate hours later. Begin cooling immediately with cool (not iced) water over the body while arranging transport, and get to a vet even if the dog seems to improve — the internal damage is not visible. Prevention is walking at dawn and dusk, unlimited shade and water, and never leaving a dog in a stationary vehicle.

What an owner would notice:

• Frantic, non-stop panting that does not settle with rest
• Bright red or brick-coloured gums, thick ropey drool
• Wobbliness, collapse, or refusal to stand
• Vomiting or diarrhoea, sometimes bloody
• Rectal temperature above roughly 40 °C
• Confusion, seizures, or unresponsiveness in late cases

Breeds noted as predisposed in Part II: Bulldog (English); French Bulldog.

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com); MSD Veterinary Manual (msdvetmanual.com). DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING.

Road traffic trauma (polytrauma) — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

Also known as: Hit by vehicle; RTA; Polytrauma.

A leading cause of death and serious injury in free-roaming and community dogs, and a constant risk to owned dogs walked off-lead near traffic. The visible wound is rarely the problem: the killers are internal haemorrhage, a ruptured bladder, a diaphragmatic tear, chest bruising, and shock, all of which can be present in a dog that gets up and walks away. Every dog hit by a vehicle needs veterinary assessment even if it looks unharmed, and should be reassessed over the following 24–48 hours. Move the dog as a single unit on a board or blanket without twisting the spine, muzzle only if breathing is unobstructed (a frightened, painful dog will bite the person it loves), control obvious bleeding with direct pressure, and keep it warm and quiet in transit. Do not offer food or water. Prevention is unglamorous and effective: a lead on every road walk, a secured gate, and a collar with an identity tag.

What an owner would notice:

• Obvious wounds, abrasions, or an abnormally angled limb
• Pale or white gums, fast breathing, weak pulse (shock)
• Reluctance or inability to stand; dragging the hind limbs
• Distended or painful abdomen
• Blood at the nose, mouth, or in the urine
• Apparent normality — internal bleeding and bladder rupture can be silent at first

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com); MSD Veterinary Manual (msdvetmanual.com). DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING.

Bite wounds and abscess — URGENT — see a vet the same day

Also known as: Fight wound; Dog bite abscess; Cellulitis.

Common wherever dogs meet dogs — territorial fights with community dogs are a routine cause in many places. A bite is a puncture that injects bacteria deep under the skin and then seals over, so the skin heals while infection builds beneath it; the abscess appears days later as a hot painful lump. Bites over the chest or abdomen are far more serious than they look, because a canine tooth can penetrate the body wall. All bite wounds warrant veterinary attention: they typically need clipping, exploration, flushing, sometimes a drain, and an antimicrobial class chosen by the vet. Rabies risk must be assessed for any bite from an unknown or unvaccinated dog (see the rabies entry and the zoonoses part) — this is a decision with human consequences, not just canine ones.

What an owner would notice:

• A hot, painful, firm swelling, often a few days after a fight
• Small puncture wounds that have already scabbed over
• Fever, dullness, and loss of appetite
• A foul-smelling discharge if the swelling has burst
• Limping if a limb is involved

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com); MSD Veterinary Manual (msdvetmanual.com); National Centre for Disease Control, India — rabies programme (ncdc.mohfw.gov.in). DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING.

Also relevant to this system, listed under their primary system: Myiasis (maggot wounds).

3.18 Envenomation and regional emergencies (6)

Organophosphate and carbamate poisoning — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

Also known as: Pesticide poisoning; Insecticide poisoning; OP poisoning.

One of the most common serious poisonings in many regions, because the agents are everywhere: agricultural pesticides, household insecticide sprays and chalks, some older tick and flea preparations, and — the reason many cases present — deliberate poisoning of street dogs. Exposure can be by ingestion, by skin contact, or by inhalation. The toxin blocks the enzyme that switches nerve signals off, so everything fires at once: the classic picture is a dog drooling, urinating, defecating and tremoring with pinpoint pupils. This is an immediate emergency with a narrow window. Take the dog to a vet at once, and carry the product packaging if it is known — naming the agent changes what the vet can do. If the exposure was to the skin or coat, wash the dog thoroughly with mild detergent and lukewarm water while arranging transport, wearing gloves. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet instructs it. Specific antidotes and decontamination exist and are given by the vet; survival depends heavily on how quickly the dog reaches care.

What an owner would notice:

• Drooling, streaming eyes and nose, urination and diarrhoea (all-taps-open)
• Pinpoint pupils
• Muscle twitching and tremors, progressing to seizures
• Laboured breathing; blue-tinged gums
• Weakness and collapse; a chemical smell on the coat or breath

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com); MSD Veterinary Manual (msdvetmanual.com); Indian Council of Medical Research (icmr.gov.in). DRAFT — VET REVIEW PENDING.

Scorpion sting — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

warm, arid and tropical regions especially. Signs: severe local pain, cardiac symptoms, autonomic storm. Emergency vet care.

Snake bite — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

Snakebite is a leading envenomation emergency in tropical and subtropical regions, and South Asia's burden is world-leading. In India, the 'Big Four' medically significant snakes: Russell's viper (Daboia russelii), common krait (Bungarus caeruleus), spectacled cobra (Naja naja), saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus). Signs vary by venom type: haemorrhagic (viper) = swelling, bleeding; neurotoxic (krait, cobra) = weakness, difficulty breathing, ptosis. TRUE EMERGENCY. Antivenom class treatment at any equipped vet or human hospital.

Tick paralysis — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

Australia's Ixodes holocyclus is the classic, but ticks in other regions can occasionally cause similar rare presentations. Signs: progressive weakness from hindlimbs forward. Remove the tick.

Toad poisoning — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

Bufo species (Indian common toad, Duttaphrynus melanostictus). Signs: excessive salivation, oral pain. Rinse mouth thoroughly.

Bee / wasp sting — URGENT — see a vet the same day

swarm stings are dangerous. Signs: swelling, hives; systemic anaphylaxis if severe. Emergency response.

3.19 Wildlife encounter injuries (5)

Leopard predation — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

a real risk in some cities where leopards enter urban peripheries (Mumbai, Bengaluru, Nashik). Fatal outcomes possible.

Wild boar attack — EMERGENCY — see a vet immediately

A risk in rural and agricultural areas. Significant trauma from tusks.

Elephant / other large-mammal encounters — URGENT — see a vet the same day

rare but catastrophic.

Monkey aggression — URGENT — see a vet the same day

rhesus and bonnet macaques in parts of urban South Asia. Bite wounds and infections; rabies risk from monkey bite is low but not zero.

Porcupine quills — URGENT — see a vet the same day

deep-tissue injury; quills continue to work inward. Emergency vet removal.