I’ve been feeling off colour for a couple of weeks now. My tummy is all swollen, even though I hardly touch my food. I’m out of energy, thirsty all the time and generally feeling miserable. What is going on? (Dolly, 10 years, Beagle, Potato Point)
Dr Alan
A number of possibilities come to mind. At the top of the list is a serious infection in your uterus that we vets call “pyometra”. Sounds like you weren’t desexed (speyed) when you were a teenager, Dolly, as this infection can occur in older, non-speyed female dogs. The uterus fills with puss and that could be why your tummy is enlarging. Another cause could be a problem with your adrenal glands. Try to get you owners to call the vet as soon as possible so you can be checked out. Help is at hand.
For some time I have been leaving my food because every time I bite down I get a pain in my mouth. The smell coming from my mouth is terrible. Also I haven’t been feeling too well of late. My owners are concerned and so am I! What should I do? (Barney, 8 years, Kelpie Cattle cross, North Narooma)
Dr. Alan
Sounds like an abscessed tooth, Barney. The infection has most likely spread to the roots of one (or more) of your teeth and because you are not feeling well may also have spread to the rest of you. If the tooth involved is one of the big ones you use for crushing bones in your upper jaw, the infected roots can spread the infection into one of the sinuses. If not treated, the abscessed sinus will rupture through the skin just below your eye. Your vet needs to do a thorough examination and you may have to have the infected tooth removed, and take some antibiotics for a while.
As long as I can remember I have had tears flowing down from my eyes. The hair around my eyes looks pretty ugly. My humans are sympathetic, but I feel inside that they think I am unattractive. I could not agree more. I am very unhappy as this “look” is terribly unattractive! Also, my family are worried that my eyesight might be affected by the mess the tears make. Can anything be done to help? (Flo, White Miniature Poodle, 3 years, Kianga)
Dr Alan
I can appreciate your concern Flo. A girl’s looks are important! In a few words, your tear ducts aren’t working properly. To solve the problem first, we must determine the cause. Commonly, the lower eyelids can be rolled in, blocking the small tear duct opening in the corner of your eye. This condition is referred to as an entropian. Your vet can do a little op to fix it if that is the problem. Another reason could be that your tear ducts may be swollen closed from an infection or allergy, so tears cannot pass down them. When tear ducts are not functioning it is a clue there may be some underlying eye disease that needs attention. Your owners are correct to be concerned about your vision.
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