Eyes Ears Skin
Eyes give an insight into colors and forms. Eyes are complex organs and behold way more than what we see from outside. Eyes are said to be the windows to the soul and represent overall health. When we look inside the eyes using specialized equipment, we can see nerves, vessels, and tissues that are not be seen in any other organ of the body. Eyes consist of three different layers.
- Sclera and cornea- it is the outer protective layer that envelops the eye
- Uvea tract- it is dark, thin, and contains blood vessels
- Retina- it is the neurologic layer and transmits electrical images to the brain
By carefully examining these layers your vet can determine the cause of red-eye. Red-eye can indicate a local problem such as conjunctivitis, glaucoma, and a systemic problem e.g., retinal bleeding which can be caused by high blood pressure.
Skin is the largest organ that covers the body and provides warmth and protection. It acts as a barrier between outside germs and body fluids. Any abnormality in this protective layer can lead to many consequences such as infections, hair loss, and loss of body fluids. the skin condition can be affected by allergies, yeast infection, ringworm, and bacterial infections. External parasites like fleas and mites can also affect the skin. Systemic conditions show a characteristic pattern on the skin i.e. nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalance, and autoimmune disorders.
Prevalent Urogenital ailments affecting dogs include:
- UTIs: Mostly found in female dogs, these ailments do not affect male dogs as they have large urethra. The presence of UTIs in males might be the signaling towards other problems such as bladder stones, poor immune system, or prostatic illness.
- Kidney failure: These are of two types, acute and chronic. Acute kidney infections might be due to toxins and drugs and infections. Aging can be the reason for chronic kidney issues. If there is a delay in the diagnosis then the causative agent cannot be detected.
- Urinary bladder stones: This disease is less common. Stones can either be due to some mineral imbalance or maybe due to some infection.
- Uterine infections (pyometra): Happens in females in the heat if they do not get pregnant.