Autoimmune diseases, which occur more commonly in dogs than in cats, are those diseases in which the pet’s body forms antibodies and various chemicals which attack the pet’s own tissues. The exact cause of autoimmune diseases is not known. However, many doctors feel that the immune system may malfunction as a result of [...]

Asthma is an inflammatory disease affecting the smooth muscle of the bronchi of cats (and rarely dogs.) The inflammation causes reversible airflow obstruction through smooth muscle constriction, bronchial wall fluid buildup (edema), and thickening of the mucous glands of the airways. This inflammation, occurring as a result of a reaction (allergy) to environmental [...]

Arthritis/osteoarthritis/degenerative joint disease (DJD), is a common condition in dogs and cats. Arthritis (technically “inflammation of the joint,”) is characterized by swelling, stiffness, and pain; therapy is designed to counteract these effects of inflammation. When possible, the therapy should also slow down the progression of the arthritis and actually help the joint to [...]

Allergic dermatitis (atopy) is among the most common skin diseases seen in private veterinary practice. Atopy is a genetic disease in which the pet becomes sensitized to environmental proteins called allergens. Allergic dogs (and probably cats) develop allergen-specific IgE antibodies (and to some extent IgG antibodies as well.) These IgE [...]

Addison’s disease, also called hypoadrenocorticism, is an uncommon disease of dogs and occurs very rarely in cats. The cause is unknown in some cases; in others it appears as an immune-mediated disorder in which the pet’s body makes antibodies destroying its own adrenal glands. Chronic use of corticosteroids (such as prednisone) can cause [...]