Diseases / Disorders

Question 1

What is Ruminant Bloat?

Answer 1

• Cause: A build-up of gas within the rumen
• Symptoms: Swollen stomach
• Treatment: Surgery

Question 2

What is Mitral Valve Disease? (MVD)

Answer 2

• Problems to the valve between left heart chambers. Either valve flaps don’t close or become too thick so blood flow is reduced so blood flows back into left atrium

- Cause:
• Genetic 
• Heart conditions
• Infections 
• Age related 

• Symptoms:
  • Fatigue
  • Irregular heart beat
  • Irregular heart sound
• Treatment:
  • Medication to ease symptoms
  • Surgery in severe cases to repair / replace valve
• Prevention:
  • Healthy eating
  • Regular exercise
  • Controlling related issues

Question 3

What are Heart Murmurs?

Answer 3

• When the heart is producing swishing sounds
• Cause:
  • Turbulent blood in / near heart
  • Holes in the heart
  • Genetic
• Symptoms:
  • Swelling
  • Shortness of breath
  • Enlarged neck veins
• Treatment:
  • Not required unless severe
  • Medications to ease symptoms
  • Underlying cause treated
• Prevention:
  • Healthy diet
  • Regular exercise
  • Good dental hygiene

Question 4

What is Von Willebrand Disease (VWD)?

Answer 4

• Blood doesn’t clot properly
• Causation:
  • Inherited
  • Defects / Deficiencies in avon Willebrand Factor (Large protein)
• Symptoms:
  • Prolonged bleeding
  • Haemorrhage
  • Nausea
• Treatment:
  • No cure
  • Blood clotting agents during surgeries and injuries
• Prevention:
  • Not to breed animals with this condition

Question 5

What is Osteogenesis Imperfecta?

Answer 5

• Cause:
  • Mutation in general responsible for production of collagen (protein for bone, muscles and blood)
  • Inherited
• Symptoms:
  • Loose joints
  • Difficulty walking
• Treatment:
  • No cure
  • Animals under severe pain are euthanised
  • Surgeries for small / mild fractures
• Prevention:
  • No breeding of animal diagnosed with this
  • Healthy diet and exercise can help reduce severity

Question 6

What is Osteoarthritis?

Answer 6

• Cause:
  • Cartilage in body breaks down, friction between joints
• Symptoms:
  • Joint tenderness
  • Stiffness
  • Less range of movement
• Treatment:
  • Regular intake of painkillers
  • Heat & cold therapy
  • Exercise
• Prevention:
  • Regular exercise
  • Posture improvement
  • Weight loss

Question 7

What is Hip Dysplasia?

Answer 7

• Cause:
  • Malformation of the hip joint
• Symptoms:
  • Loose joints
  • Reduced activity
  • Difficulty running / Jumping
• Treatment:
  • Exercise restriction
  • Physical therapy
  • Weight loss
• Prevention:
  • No breeding animals with this condition