Canine Eyes

"An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language", Martin Buber. Not all people love dogs or not even close to liking them. But some change their minds after some close encounters with the canine kinds. After all, they would not be called as man's best friend for nothing. There must have been things or events consistently happening to different kinds of people from all over the world (and under) that has made this adage so socially accepted.

There was once a story of a mother who hates it when dogs come near her. Belonging to a family who adores dogs, she tolerates her coexistence with them but takes no particular liking on owning them herself. She got married to a guy who shares her sentiment (could be the reason why they got married in the first place!). But their furry friend just wouldn't let go until their hearts are softened. It happened when their eldest daughter cajoled them into giving her permission to adopt a dog on her apartment where she was staying. On one of their visits to her apartment, the dog, though they were strangers to him, couldn't be as sweeter and as playful to the couple as to their daughter. They were so touched by the closeness of the two (the dog and their daughter) that they decided to extend their stay and try liking this mysterious dog as well. To their astonishment, it wasn't so bad after all. With his chocolate brown eyes that always seem to want to play and with all his sweetness, he won their hearts. All it took was constant staring at those eyes and alas, they started adoring him as well. 

The idea that the eyes are indeed the windows of the soul couldn't be truer than in this case. Dogs may not have souls but they act as though they do have one. What's worse is when a person acts as though he has no soul when he has one! This is one of the reasons why there are those who prefer dogs as their companions rather than getting a wife or a husband or maybe adopt a child. When they need silence, the comfort they get just by walking along side with their dogs or blankly staring at the wall, sitting on the sofa beside their dogs (as seen on movies), is incomparable. It so soothes their minds that they wouldn't exchange their dogs for a possibly nagging wife. Sometimes, just looking at the eyes of their pet dogs give them the comfort they need, for their eyes never lie (they don't know how anyway). For whatever language the eyes of the dogs speak of, they indeed bring comfort to those who need it, and that's as invaluable as a priceless gold.

Canine Addison's Disease

Did you just get back from the veterinarian with a diagnosis that your dog has Canine Addison's disease? Did you say, "What in the world is that?" Maybe he even explained, but you're still unsure of what this diagnosis means to you and your pet. In this article you will see that, while dangerous, this condition can be treated and your pet can enjoy a long and healthy life.
Canine Addison's disease, also known as canine hypoadrenocorticism, is a condition in which the adrenal gland does not produce sufficient amounts of hormones. This is seen especially in case of dogs. Glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids are the two types of hormones deficient with Addison's disease. Glucocorticoids (cortisol) regulates numerous systems in the body and deals with stress. Potassium and sodium are regulated by mineralocorticoids (aldosterone).

Some of the common signs and symptoms of this disease include 
- anorexia or weight loss 
- diarrhea or constipation. 
- more water consumption and urination.
- lack of appetite and lethargy. 
- low blood pressure, slow heart beat. 
- vomiting and muscle weakness. 
- hyperpigmentation. 


Symptoms way worsen during different times, but when left undiagnosed and improperly treated, it causes a severe health crisis. Primary confirmation of the Addison's disease is done by laboratory analysis which includes a complete blood count, serum cortisol concentration and serum chemistry profile. Common hematological findings with the disease includes lymphocytosis and eosinophilia. Addison's disease can be diagnosed by a series of blood tests. Adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test will give a definitive diagnosis for the disease. This test measures the levels of cortisol in two blood samples, before and after stimulation.
Electrolyte levels are to be monitored through the course of treatment. Treatment includes replacement of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid steroids. Supplementation of drugs include prednisone or prednisolone (glcocorticoid) and Percorten-V or Florinef (mineralocorticoid). Dogs with this disease are more prone to urinary tract infections which includes small volume urination, blood in the urine is not very common. 
The most concerned complications of Addison's disease include an Addisonian crisis. This may be due to environmental or emotional crisis. During this condition, the dog has to be hospitalized and given high doses of intravenous fluids and glucocorticoids to prevent dehydration and collapse. With the proper management and medication dogs with this disease can have a normal lifespan.

Cats and the Disease Called Heartworm

What is this condition called heartworm? Heartworm is a disease that is very common yet potentially dangerous and fatal for most domestic animals, more so house cats. This disease originates from infected mosquitoes, which in turn leaves larval infections or parasites that bury themselves deeper and deeper into the different layers of the skin of their hosts, particularly house cats which may have more sensitive skin. The name heartworm is derived from the activity of said parasites within the host body wherein after making its way under the layers of skin. They also find their way through the blood stream until it ultimately reaches the heart of the host. Thereafter, it will sit pretty to grow and develop into a community of parasites that will then have enough capacity to harm the host and pose a condition so fatal as to ensure your cat's untimely demise. This is no exaggeration. Cat owners, do we finally have your attention?

Perhaps you may have thought that we were merely exaggerating and blowing up this whole issue on heartworm out of proportion because this condition is better known for pet dogs, and even species that belong to the canine family. However, this condition has never been exclusive to canines. After all, it is said that illness knows no definite target. But fortunately for us cat owners and enthusiasts, heartworm indeed has less grave effects in cats and the parasites are a lot less likely to complete the cycle and reach the heart of the infected host. Hence because of this difference in nature of cats, the only real damage these parasites cause is a side effect on the lungs instead of the heart. But at least with cats, the fewer worms and parasites survive the journey within their body. However, this is not to say that we are completely downplaying the significance more so the effects of heartworm on your pet cats. In fact, it is quite the opposite. We seek to caution all cat owners as this is a very important concern more so if you are living in areas that are seemingly saturated with mosquitoes. In this case, the best advice that we would be able to give is to bring your beloved feline to your trusted vet and have it checked for any possible signs of heartworm. Furthermore, you can ask your vet about preventive medicines or methods that would ensure your cat a worm-free heart.

Another advice would be to inquire with your vet about generic alternatives of these preventive heartworm medicines because you do not really need to buy the ones that are branded as these would only bring you nothing more than a greater dent on your budget. While research shows that there is currently no known or concrete product or medicine in the United States for treating feline heartworm infection, there are still ways of ensuring that your cat is healthy enough not to contract this lethal condition. All in all, it is our firm belief that the best mode of prevention for any illness is to keep you well informed. More so with heartworm, well aware is half there.