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What else can I help you with?
If your dog has megaesophagus should you walk it with a harness?
Using a harness can be a good choice for dogs with tracheal damage or megaesophagus.
Heath for a mini schnauzer?
Miniature Schnauzers are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain health conditions. Not all Miniature Schnauzers will get any or all of these diseases, but it's important to be aware of them if you're considering this breed. Cataracts Entropion Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) Urinary Stones Myotonia Congenita Von Willebrand's Disease Congenital Megaesophagus
Is a miniature schnauzer going to stay small?
Miniature Schnauzers are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain health conditions. Not all Miniature Schnauzers will get any or all of these diseases, but it's important to be aware of them if you're considering this breed. * Cataracts * Entropion * Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) * Urinary Stones * Myotonia Congenita * Von Willebrand's Disease * Congenital Megaesophagus
Why do dogs cough after drinking water?
Sometimes they will get a bit of water in their air way if the drink quickly and this will cause them to cough as they clear the water out. If it is happening every time a dog drinks it could be something more and the dog should be taken to the vet.
Chagas disease?
DefinitionChagas disease is an illness spread by insects. It is common in South and Central America.Alternative NamesAmerican trypanosomiasisCauses, incidence, and risk factorsChagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a parasite related to the African trypanosome that causes sleeping sickness. It is spread by reduvid bugs and is one of the major health problems in South America. Due to immigration, the disease also affects people in the United States.Risk factors for Chagas disease include:Living in a hut where reduvid bugs live in the wallsLiving in Central or South AmericaPovertyReceiving a blood transfusion from a person who carries the parasite but does not have active Chagas diseaseSymptomsChagas disease has two phases -- acute and chronic. The acute phase may have no symptoms or very mild symptoms. Symptoms include:FeverGeneral ill feeling (malaise)Swelling of one eyeSwollen red area at site of insect biteAfter the acute phase the disease goes into remission. No other symptoms may appear for many years. When symptoms finally develop, they may include:ConstipationDigestive problemsPain in the abdomenSwallowing difficultiesSigns and testsPhysical examination can confirm the symptoms. Signs may include:CardiomyopathyEnlarged liver and spleenEnlarged lymph nodesIrregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)Tests include:Blood cultureChest x-rayEchocardiogramElectrocardiogram (ECG)Enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA)Peripheralblood smearTreatmentThe acute phase and reactivated Chagas disease should be treated. Infants born with the infection should also be treated.Treating the chronic phase is recommended for both children and adults. Adult patients should talk to their doctor about whether to treat chronic Chagas disease.Two drugs are used to treat this infection: benznidazole and nifurtimox.Both drugs often have side effects. The side effects may be worse in older people.Side effects may include:Headaches and dizzinessLoss of appetite and weight lossNeuropathyProblems sleepingSkin rashesExpectations (prognosis)About 30% of infected people who are not treated will develop chronic or symptomatic Chagas disease. It may take more than 20 years from the time of the original infection to develop heart or digestive problems.Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias, ventricular tachycardia) may cause sudden death. Once heart failure develops, death usually occurs within several years.ComplicationsCardiomyopathyEnlargement of the colon (megacolon)Enlargement of the esophagus (megaesophagus) with swallowing difficultyHeart diseaseHeart failureMalnutritionCalling your health care providerCall for an appointment with your health care provider if you may be infected with Chagas disease.PreventionInsect control with insecticides and houses that are less likely to have high insect populations will help control the spread of the disease.Blood banks in Central and South America screen donors for exposure to the parasite. The blood is discarded if the donor tests positive. Most blood banks in the U.S. began screening for Chagas disease in 2007.ReferencesNeva FA. American trypanosomiasis (Chagas' disease). In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier, 2007;chap 368.
