TOA PAYOH VETS
toapayohvets.com

Date:   22 November, 2012  

Focus: Small animals - dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pig, turtle & rabbits.

The Schnauzer scratches himself all day long  
Dr Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow), MRCVS
22 November, 2012  
TOA PAYOH VETS 
Be Kind To Pets
Veterinary Education
Project 2010-0129

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

1189. The Schnauzer scratches all over his body. Why?

 
Skin diseases are most common in practice. There are many causes and one of them is a lack of grooming as Singapore pet owners are harassed by the fast-paced city life.

In this 7-year-old male Miniature Schnauzer, his whole body, limbs and backside are itchy. The Schnauzer had a good coat until recently. He had not been to the groomer for some time. "My wife used to take care of him," the man in his late 40s told me that the dog had a good coat previously. The wife was no longer around and the dog developed  generalised itchiness in the body, limbs, backside and ears. Hair loss over parts of the backside and legs.

A urinary tract infection was evident from the presence of blood and bacteria. The X-ray did not show any radio-dense stones. "There could be prostatitis," Dr Daniel discussed the case with me and had spoken to the owner about neutering. "Spermatozoa +++" was present in the urine analysis. This lab finding does occur and my hypothesis is that the male dog displayed hypersexuality. Neutering would certainly resolve his behavioral problem.   

I noted that the prepuce was inflamed. It was possible that this male dog had relieved his pain from an inflamed or enlarged prostate. For some male dogs, neutering would prevent much prostate problems of inflammation and infection at the older age.

The dog has an excellent appetite as you can see lots of the dry dog food in the stomach and intestines.  
 
tpvets_logo.jpg (2726 bytes)5766 - 5767. Urinary tract infection and possible prostatitis. Air contrast would be useful in bladder X-rays

A follow-up one month later would be advised.

tpvets_logo.jpg (2726 bytes)Toa Payoh Vets
 Clinical Research

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