common diseases in domestic animals

• what causes obesity in animals?

  • overfeeding
  • lack of exercise
  • medical conditions
  • genetics
• what health issues can be caused by obesity?

  • diabetes
  • heart disease
  • arthritis
  • respiratory problems
  • cancer
• acidosis occurs in cows when the ph levels of the rumen drop below the normal range of 6.5-7
• what are the causes of acidosis?

  • overconsumption of high grain diets
  • sudden dietary changes
  • poor feed quality
• when does dehydration occur in animals?

  when their body loses more fluids than it takes in
• what are the signs of dehydration?


  • sunken eyes
  • skin remains tented
  • dry nose
  • weakness
  • pale gums
• What is Cushing’s disease?

  A hormonal disorder in dogs
• What causes Cushing’s disease in dogs?

  Excess production of cortisol by the body
• Which glands produce cortisol?

  Adrenal glands
• In which age group of dogs is Cushing’s disease most common?

  Middle aged and older dogs
• What are the symptoms of Cushing’s disease in dogs?

  • Increased thirst and urination
  • Increased appetite
  • Weight gain and muscle weakness
  • Thinning hair coat
  • Skin infections
  • Lethargy and panting
• what is Addison's disease?

  an endocrine disorder in dogs
• what causes Addison's disease?

  adrenal glands not producing enough hormones, specifically cortisol and aldosterone
• cortisol and aldosterone are responsible for regulating various bodily functions, such as blood pressure, blood sugar and the body's response to stress
• Addison's disease causes the electrolyte and metabolic balance to be disrupted,
• what causes hyperthyroidism in cats?

  when the thyroid gland produces excessive amounts of thyroid hormones, leading to an overactive metabolism
• the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in cats is a benign tumour in the thyroid gland, this causes the gland to produce too much thyroid hormone
• high levels of thyroxine in cats can force the body into overdrive. the body is kept constantly at an unnaturally high level of energy, which places enormous strain on other systems
• what are the signs of hyperthyroidism?

  • increased appetite and weight loss
  • excessive thirst
  • increased urination
  • decreased activity levels
• what are the internal side effects of hyperthyroidism?

  • liver/kidney/brain damage
  • heart disease
  • blindness
  • high blood pressure
• diabetes occurs when the body doesn't produce enough insulin, or can't effectively use the insulin it produces
• what are some of the causes of diabetes?

  • pancreatic disease
  • obesity
  • genetics
  • underlying health conditions
• when does hypocalcemia typically occur?

  around the time of calving
• hypocalcemia is caused by a sudden decrease in blood calcium levels
• what causes hypocalcemia?

  • increased demand for calcium
  • inadequate calcium intake
  • impaired calcium absorption
• hypomagnesemia is caused by a deficiency of magnesium in the blood
• hypomagnesemia is most common in lactating cows grazing on lush, rapidly growing pastures, particularly in the spring