There are a variety of common veterinary diseases, many of which mimic those in people and are often receive treatment that is similar, if not identical, to people. Veterinary medicine provides a bridge for clinical research, allowing pets access to new therapies that may otherwise not be available while informing on applications for human medicine.
Listed below are some common veterinary diseases by area:
-Musculoskeletal and orthopedic diseases
-Dental disease and periodontal disease
-Gastrointestinal, hepatic and pancreatic disease
-Cardiac disease such as congestive heart failure
-Lower urinary tract and kidney disease
-Ocular diseases such as cataracts and dry eye
-Neurologic and spinal cord disease
-Infectious disease (bacterial, fungal, viral)
-Cancer and neoplastic disease
-Dermatologic disease including atopy and allergic dermatitis
-Ear disease including infections
-Endocrine diseases such as diabetes and thyroid disorders
-Respiratory tract disease
-Obesity
-Behavioral problems including phobias and separation anxiety
Comparative and Translational Medicine
In addition to cancer, dogs also develop a range of orthopedic, dermatological, ophthalmic, autoimmune, immune mediated, gastrointestinal, and other conditions which are comparative to humans. This similarity in patho-physiology allows researchers to study veterinary diseases which can lead to treatments for veterinary and human medicine.
Watch the video right on why studying canine diseases such as cancer can benefit people and pets. [Attribution: YouTube: canines could the key to discovering cures for cancer. Cronkite News]