How to Identify and Manage Chronic Diseases in Pets

Many people deal with chronic illnesses every day — cats and dogs are no different. Sometimes, your pets deal with ongoing health conditions that require long-term care. Obviously, cats and dogs cannot explicitly express their needs, aches, and pains. 

But the good news is that pets can still live long and happy lives with chronic illnesses. In this article, we’ll share what you need to know about managing chronic illnesses in your cats and dogs. We’ll discuss common chronic conditions, general symptoms to look out for, and common treatment plans. 

Common Chronic Conditions Found in Dogs

While there are a number of chronic conditions your dog might face, Hypothyroidism, Cushing’s Disease, liver disease, diabetes, and heart diseases are some of the more common ones they may develop. Here’s a breakdown of each condition. 

Canine Hypothyroidism

This refers to a deficiency of hormones produced by the thyroid gland. This condition is manageable, but will affect a dog’s metabolism. It is usually caused by one of two diseases — lymphocytic thyroiditis or idiopathic thyroid gland atrophy. 

Most affected dogs will have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Weight gain without an increase in appetite
• Lethargy and lack of desire to exercise
• Cold intolerance
• Dry, dull hair with excessive shedding
• Very thin to nearly bald hair coat
• Increased dark pigmentation in the skin
• Increased susceptibility and occurrence of skin and ear infections
• Failure to regrow hair after clipping or shaving
• High blood cholesterol
• Slow heart rate

It’s usually diagnosed with a screening test called a total thyroxin (TT4) level. This measures the main thyroid hormone in a blood sample. If the test comes back low, your dog is positive for hypothyroidism. The condition is not curable, but can be treated with oral administration of thyroid replacement hormone for the rest of the dog’s life.

Canine Cushing’s Disease

If your dog is drinking and urinating more than normal, you should have them checked for Cushing’s Disease, also known as hyperadrenocorticism. If your veterinarian suspects Cushing’s Disease, they will need to conduct blood and urine tests to confirm. But be warned — this condition is tricky to diagnose

Due to the complex nature of this condition, your vet may need to utilize a dexamethasone suppression test as a secondary option to diagnose. If your dog’s cortisol level fails to drop, that indicates the presence of a tumor. 

If your dog tests positive for Cushing’s Disease, the location of the tumor will dictate which treatment to go with. While most dogs will be treated with an oral medication, some will require surgery.

Canine Liver Disease

Liver disease is a generic term applied to any number of conditions that stop a dog’s liver from working properly. As the liver serves many functions in a dog’s body, liver disease may present itself in a number of different functions. If your dog’s liver is malfunctioning, bilirubin may build up in the blood and lead to jaundice. Dogs may also suffer from neurological or gastrointestinal symptoms as well.

Your vet will start with blood work to diagnose liver disease, and may require an ultrasound. If your dog tests positive, the specific treatment plan may vary. But you can expect a combination of some of the following medications as part of your dog’s treatment:

• A high-carb and low-protein diet to decrease ammonia in the bloodstream
• Vitamin supplements — particularly vitamin K if there are bleeding issues
• Lactulose to bind toxins in the gut
• Antibiotics

Canine Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus (also known as “sugar diabetes”) is the form of this disease most commonly seen in dogs. It occurs when a dog’s pancreas fails to regulate blood sugar. Excessive blood sugar builds up in the bloodstream, yet the body’s cells that need that sugar are unable to regulate it.

When this happens, the dog’s cells are starved for vital fuel. In response, the body starts breaking down its own fats and proteins to use as alternative fuel. High blood sugar levels can also cause damage to the kidneys, eyes, heart, blood vessels, or nerves.

Here are some early signs you might notice if your dog has diabetes:

• Excessive thirst
• Increased urination that may lead to accidents in the home
• Weight loss despite eating normal portions
• Increased appetite since your dog isn’t getting the glucose they need

If you suspect your dog has diabetes, your vet will test for excessive glucose in the blood and urine. If your dog is diagnosed with diabetes, you can manage this condition at home with a veterinarian-recommended diet and exercise. Your vet will also teach you how to give your dog daily shots of insulin.

Canine Heart Disease

There is no single cause of heart disease in dogs. It can be due to aging, the dog’s breed, obesity, or poor nutrition. CVCA Cardiac Care for Pets says there are two main heart conditions in dogs. 

The first is valve disease. This condition creates turbulent blood flow which, in turn, can cause a murmur. If you work with a certified dog cardiologist to diagnose and treat the condition, your dog can live a perfectly normal life. 

The second common condition is DCM, or dilated cardiomyopathy. This happens when the muscles in the heart begin to wear thin. DCM is irreversible and could lead to heart failure. But you can manage it with the right medications from your dog’s veterinary cardiologist.

Common Chronic Conditions Found in Cats

While cats can suffer from the same chronic conditions as dogs, there are a few other chronic conditions more specific to cats. Diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, IBD, and hyperthyroidism are some conditions for which your cat may be at risk. Here’s everything you need to know.

Feline Diabetes

Cats can also suffer from diabetes mellitus. According to Cornell University, the most notable risk factors for development of this condition in cats are, “obesity, increasing age, physical inactivity, male gender, and the use of glucocorticoids (steroids) to treat other illnesses such as feline asthma.” 

Keep an eye out for two common signs of diabetes in your cats — unexplained weight loss and excessive thirst and urination. Diabetes in cats is also diagnosed by testing the blood and urine. If your cat tests positive for diabetes, your veterinarian will prescribe a combination of insulin and dietary therapy to restore glucose concentration, control/stop weight loss, control/stop excessive thirst and urination, and manage blood sugar.

Feline Heart Disease

Cats may suffer from congenital heart disease, which presents at birth, or adult-onset heart disease, which occurs when the cat’s heart is damaged at some point during its life. This condition is not quite as common in cats as it is in dogs, but it’s still worth understanding your cat’s risk factors.

These are the most common signs of heart disease in cats:

• Poor appetite
• Weight loss
• Lethargy
• Increased respiratory rate and effort
• Sudden collapse
• Sudden hind-leg paralysis accompanied by pain due to thromboembolism (blood clots)
• Stunted growth (only applies to kittens)

Your vet may call for x-rays, and ECG, or an ultrasound to diagnose heart disease. Treatment depends on the specific cause of heart disease, but most situations will call for medication and careful monitoring.

Feline Kidney Disease

While there are a number of kidney-related diseases a cat can suffer from, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the most common. Cornell University says that “cats with CKD may experience a buildup of the waste products and other compounds in the bloodstream that are normally removed or regulated by the kidneys.” This may make the cat feel ill and appear lethargic, and lose weight.

Your vet will turn to a blood test and urine analysis to test for kidney disease. There’s no cure for this condition, but the right therapies can minimize the buildup of toxic waste in the blood, improve hydration, control blood pressure, and overall slow down the progression of kidney disease. The earlier that CKD is diagnosed and treatment is initiated, the better your cat’s quality of life will be.

Feline Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

IBD refers to the condition in which a cat’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract becomes chronically irritated and inflamed. Cornell University says if you suspect your cat has IBD, watch out for vomiting, weight loss, diarrhea, bloody stools, lethargy, and decreased appetite. These symptoms may vary in severity and frequency. 

Since these symptoms may be associated with other diseases, your veterinarian will need to conduct an extensive workup in order to properly diagnose your cat. This may include baseline blood work, fecal examinations, X-rays, or an abdominal ultrasound to check for a number of different diseases. 

If the diagnosis is made, your vet will likely recommend treatment for intestinal parasites, along with a special diet and medication. Your doctor may need to try a few different combinations of medications and diet to find the best treatment plan for your cat.

Feline Hyperthyroidism

When a cat suffers from this condition, their thyroid gland produces an excess of a hormone that increases metabolism. This condition tends to impact middle-aged or older cats, with the average age of affected felines being about twelve. The most common symptom is weight loss, despite an increased appetite. Cats may exhibit increased water consumption and urination, along with becoming more vocal. 

Hyperthyroidism is diagnosed by determining the blood level of one of the thyroid hormones called total thyroxine (TT4). Cats who test positive typically show levels so high that there is no question that they have the disease. Your vet will need to conduct some tests to determine what the right path for treatment is. Treatment will likely include oral medication, radioactive iodine, a special diet, or other therapeutic monitoring. As long as the cat does well with its medication and diet, the prognosis for this disease is usually fairly positive. 

Symptoms of a Chronic Condition in Your Pet

It can be heartbreaking to see a furry loved one in pain or discomfort. But luckily, there are a few general signs that are clear indicators that something is off with your pet. 

Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences’ Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital considers the following symptoms as general indicators of chronic pain:

• Lameness or limping
• A decrease in activity levels
• Trouble standing
• Reluctance or inability to jump on objects
• Overgrooming a certain area
• Being withdrawn from family members or other pets

If you notice any of these symptoms, try to assess if they are the result of acute or chronic pain. Acute pain will go away, whether it be in a matter of days, weeks, or months. But chronic pain is generally believed to last for three months or longer. 

Emergency Symptoms of a Chronic Condition in Your Pet

As long as you understand what is going on with your pets, most symptoms shouldn’t be cause of concern. However, there are a handful of symptoms that constitute an emergency. Here are some to look out for: 

• Persistent, severe vomiting or diarrhea
• Appetite loss for more than 24 hours
• Respiratory distress or aggressive coughing without distress
• Multiple seizures within a 24-hour period or active/intractable seizures
• Collapse
• Inability to walk or stand

If your pet experiences any of these emergency symptoms, take them to a veterinary emergency room right away. Your cat or dog’s underlying disease may make them more susceptible to more rapid deterioration. Pay close attention to your pet’s regular symptoms that have seemed to escalate. 

When your pet arrives at the ER, the medical staff will triage your pet based on their condition. Depending on what is happening with your cat or dog, the doctor may recommend symptomatic home therapy or require additional hospitalized care. 

TL;DR – Cats and dogs suffer from chronic conditions in the same way that humans do, but with the right treatment and ongoing care, you can help them live a long and happy life.

Turn to Furdunkin to Manage Your Pet’s Chronic Conditions. The first step in making sure your pet is happy and comfortable is to work with their vet to identify the chronic condition they are suffering from. Keep an eye on any symptoms your pet is exhibiting to help your vet make a diagnosis and decide upon a treatment plan. 

Many pets with chronic conditions require ongoing long-term care. It’s important to develop a strong relationship with a veterinarian to make sure your cat or dog is the best care.

If you’re in the Lancaster County area, you can count on Furdunkin’s team of seasoned veterinarians to look after your pets, no matter how challenging their medical conditions may be. Take a look at our website to see the services we can provide for you and your four-legged family members.