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Chemotherapy works by damaging rapidly growing cells. Cancer cells are rapidly growing and often cannot repair the damage caused by chemotherapy drugs. Side effects, when they occur, are a result of the chemotherapy contacting normal rapidly growing cells within the body, such as the bone marrow, which continually produces blood cells, and the lining cells in the intestinal tract.

Pyoderma is defined as a bacterial skin infection. Pyoderma may also be referred to as impetigo, especially in young puppies. The most common clinical signs associated with pyoderma are papules or pustules that form on the skin. These lesions often look similar to pimples in humans. They are most often red and raised, with a white pus-filled center.

Hemangiosarcoma (HSA; angiosarcoma or malignant hemangioendothelioma) is an extremely aggressive tumor of blood vessel origin. Because blood vessels are present throughout the body, virtually any site in the body can have HSA.

Mast cell tumors (MCT) are one of the most common malignancies (cancers) found on and under the skin of dogs. Although certain breeds such as golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, boxers, Boston terriers, pugs, and sharpeis appear to be predisposed to this tumor, any breed or mixed breed can develop MCT.

In the body, balance is controlled by the ears (vestibular receptors of the inner ear) working together with specific areas of the brain. Together they represent the vestibular system. A problem affecting the vestibular system will cause loss of balance manifested by a head tilt, a large base stance, and a tendency to fall to the side or to roll or to walk in tight circles.

The lymphomas (malignant lymphoma or lymphosarcoma) are a diverse group of cancers that originate from a type of white blood cell called a lymphocyte. They are one of the most common cancers diagnosed in dogs and cats.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a relatively uncommon disease in dogs and is rare in cats. It is a condition in which transmission of information between nerves and muscles is abnormal, causing weakness. Normally, nerves send commands to our muscles via a “messenger” called acetylcholine (Ach).

Vaccine associated sarcomas are soft-tissue tumors that can occur in cats at site of previous vaccination. Originally it was thought that FeLV and rabies vaccines were linked primarily to the development of sarcomas at vaccine sites in 1/10,000 or as frequently as 1/1,000 vaccines administered. More recent reports have not linked specific vaccines to the development of sarcomas in cats.

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is a condition that is also commonly referred to as dry eye. The medical term means inflammation of the cornea and surrounding tissues from drying. It is a common eye condition resulting from inadequate production of the aqueous portion of the tear film by the lacrimal gland and/or gland of the third eyelid.