Metabolic Diseases Metabolic Diseases All the organs in

Metabolic Diseases

Metabolic Diseases • All the organs in the body have special functions and are inter-related • A metabolic disorder means that one of the systems in the body, such as the blood, digestive or excretory system, are not working properly

Grass Sickness • Grass sickness is a disease of the nerves that co-ordinate intestinal movement and peristalsis. • More specifically, scientists think the disease is caused by toxins released from the bacteria Clostridium botulinum that damage these and other nerves throughout the horse's body.

Grass Sickness Symptoms • • • • A constrained stance. A dry and tacky anus; with minimal excretion of faeces and what is produced is hard. Colic. Difficulty in swallowing. Drooling and nasal reflux, the expulsion of stomach contents through the nasal passages. * Small involuntary twitching of muscles, similar to facial ticks in people. Most often seen on the shoulders and flanks. A non-mechanical blockage in the small or large intestine. The horse is dull and unresponsive, except to extreme stimuli. Almost comatose. Patchy sweating. Appearing only on parts of the horse’s body rather than a consistent, general sweating. Drooping eyelids, may occur in either one or both. The horse’s nasal passages become inflamed and their nasal mucus is abnormally dry. Swollen belly in acute cases; due to fluid distention in the stomach and small intestine. This may result in a rupture of the gastrointestinal tract allowing gastric acids to enter the abdominal cavity. Abnormally fast heart rate.

Milk Fever • In every cow the concentration of calcium in the blood falls at or just after calving. • When this fall is excessive, milk fever develops.

Milk Fever Symptoms • Loss of appetite and a slight drop in temperature are the first signs of milk fever. • Later, the animals may exhibit some unsteadiness as they walk. • More frequently, a sick animal may be found lying on her sternum with her head resting on the shoulder. • The eyes are dull and staring and the pupils dilated. • If untreated, the cow becomes comatose and dies within a day of the appearance of the first signs. • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=mr. MVHFSBFGI

Hyperthyroidism • Hyperthyroidism is a disease caused by overproduction of thyroxine, a thyroid hormone that increases metabolism in the body. • The thyroid gland normally produces thyroid hormones in response to stimulation by the pituitary gland, the "master gland" of the body. • Thyroid hormones normally increase chemical processes occurring within the cells of the body, especially those related to metabolism; however, in hyperthyroidism, the excessive hormone levels push the cells and body into overdrive. • Rare in dogs.

Hyperthyroidism Symptoms • Causes weight loss despite a good appetite at first. • Progressing to no appetite, nausea, weakness, and lethargy. • This is a disease that can be detected from a blood sample

Hypothyroidism • Hypothyroidism is a clinical condition resulting from a lowered production and release of T 4 and T 3 hormones by the thyroid gland. • It is common in medium to large-sized dogs, with some being more predisposed than others. • These breeds include dobermans, Irish setters, golden retrievers, great danes, old English sheepdogs, dachshunds, miniature schnauzers, boxers, poodles, and cocker spaniels. • It is also more commonly diagnosed in middle-aged dogs between the ages of 4 -10 years. Neutered male dogs and spayed females are found to be at higher risk than intact dogs.

Hypothyroidism Symptoms • Causes skin problems, weight problems, poor healing, and general health problems. • Easy to diagnose with blood work.

Eclampsia • Caused by low levels of calcium in the blood due to it being passed out into the large quantities of milk produced

Eclampsia Symptoms • The symptoms of eclampsia come on suddenly and progress quickly in a healthy, lactating bitch with a thriving litter. • The symptoms can be subtle at first and resemble those seen before whelping. • If eclampsia is not treated immediately, it will become life-threatening. • Respiration eventually becomes compromised, heart arrhythmias develop and the bitch’s condition deteriorates to seizures, paralysis, coma and death. • Eclampsia is diagnosed most frequently in young, small -breed dogs that have given birth to large litters

Metabolic Bone Disease • Is not a singular illness, but an umbrella term used to describe a collection of symptoms associated with an imbalance of calcium and vitamin D 3 in the reptile body

Metabolic Bone Disease Symptoms • Symptoms include arched spine, bowed and swollen limbs, weakness, tremors, jerky movements, constipation, paralysis, bumps on the long bones in the legs.