PET OWNER VERSION

Introduction to Disorders Affecting Multiple Body Systems of Dogs

ByDana G. Allen, DVM, MSc, DACVIM, Ontario Veterinary College;

Bert E. Stromberg, PhD, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota;J. P. Dubey, MVSc, PhD, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, USDA;Paul Ettestad, DVM, MS, Epidemiology and Response Division, New Mexico Department of Health;Jodie Low Choy, BVSc, BVMS, IVAS Cert, Menzies School of Health Research; University Avenue Veterinary Hospital, Northern Territory, Australia;Joseph Taboada, DVM, DACVIM, Office of Student and Academic Affairs, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University;Charles O. Thoen, DVM, PhD, Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University;John F. Timoney, MVB, PhD, Department of Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky;Ian Rodney Tizard, BVMS, BSc, PhD, DSc (Hons), DACVM, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University;Geoffrey W. Smith, DVM, PhD, DACVIM-LAIM, Zoetis;Martin E. Hugh-Jones, VetMB, MPH, PhD, MRCVS, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University;Henry R. Stämpfli, DMV, Dr Med Vet, DACVIM-LAIM, Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph;Kate E. Creevy, DVM, MS, DACVIM-SAIM, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A & M University;Gad Baneth, DVM, PhD, DECVCP, Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University, Rehovot;Katharine F. Lunn, BVMS, PhD, DACVIM-SAIM, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University;Reinhard K. Straubinger, DrMedVetHabil, PhD, Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, LMU;Jodie Low Choy, BVSc, BVMS, IVAS Cert, Menzies School of Health Research; University Avenue Veterinary Hospital, Northern Territory, Australia;Manuals Staff;Márcio Garcia Ribeiro, DVM, PhD, Department of Animal Production and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil;Thomas Wittek, Dr Med Vet, DECBHM, University Clinic for Ruminants, Department of Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna;Yasuko Rikihisa, PhD, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University;Janet E. Foley, DVM, PhD, Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis

Reviewed/Revised Jun 2018 | Modified Sept 2024

There are many disorders that can affect multiple parts of the body. These may be caused by bacteria, viruses, poisonous or toxic substances in the environment, and other health hazards. Disorders affecting multiple body systems can also be inherited or develop while the animal is still in the womb. Diseases or conditions that involve multiple organ systems may also be described as systemic or generalized.

Many disorders are discussed in this chapter. A listing of congenital and inherited conditions is followed by a discussion of the most significant disorders, which have been arranged alphabetically by medical name to help you locate a particular disease or condition easily.

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