An allergen is a substance that sometimes stimulates an immune response but otherwise is not harmful to an organism.

Antihistamine or histamine antagonist is any agent which inhibit the release or action of histamine. Since Histamine is involved in local immune responses, antihistamine can greatly decrease the local immune response.

Cushing's syndrome (also called hypercortisolism or hyperadrenocorticism) is an hormonal disorder caused by high levels of cortisol in the blood from a variety of causes, including primary pituitary adenoma (known as Cushing's disease), primary adrenal hyperplasia or neoplasia, ectopic ACTH production (e.g., from a small cell lung cancer), and iatrogenic (steroid use).

Cushing's disease a common condition in older dogs, often mistaken for the aging process itself.

Deciduous teeth (lat. decidere, to fall off, temporary), otherwise known as temporary teeth, baby teeth, milk teeth, or primary teeth, are the first set of teeth in the growth development of dogs, cats, humans and many other mammals.

Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a condition characterized by excretion of large amounts of severely diluted urine, which cannot be reduced when fluid intake is reduced. It denotes inability of the kidney to concentrate urine. DI is caused by a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also known as vasopressin, or by an insensitivity of the kidneys to that hormone.

Diabetes mellitus often simply diabetes (Greek: διαβήτης), is a syndrome characterized by disordered metabolism and inappropriately high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) resulting from either low levels of the hormone insulin (diabetes type 1) or from abnormal resistance to insulin's effects (diabetes type 2) coupled with inadequate levels of insulin secretion to compensate. The common symptoms are excessive urine production (polyuria), consecutive excessive thirst and increased fluid intake (polydipsia), and blurred vision.

Diabetes mellitus strikes 1 in 400 cats and a similar number of dogs.

Gingiva or gums is the soft tissue that surrounds the teeth and provides a seal around them. Healthy gingiva is usually coral pink, but may contain physiologic pigmentation. Changes in color, swelling (edema) and bleeding, suggest an inflammation (gingivitis) that is possibly due to the accumulation of bacterial plaque.

Halitosis, oral malodor (scientific term), fetor ex ore, or bad breath are terms used to describe noticeably unpleasant odors exhaled in breathing – whether the smell is from an oral source or not.

Hyposensitization (or allergy desensitization) is a form of immunotherapy in which the patient is vaccinated with progressively larger doses of an allergen to which they have been diagnosed as being sensitive. Hyposensitization can either reduce the severity of symptoms or eliminate hypersensitivity altogether.

Hypothyroidism is the disease state in animals and humans caused by insufficient production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland. Since thyroid hormones control broad spectrum of body functions, hypothyroidism could cause alterations on: carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism, vitamin utilization, mitochondrial function, digestive process, muscle and nerve activity, blood flow, oxygen utilization, hormone secretion and sexual and reproductive health.

An immunosuppressant is a substance that reduces the activation or efficacy of the immune system. Reduced activity of the immune system is called Immunosuppression.

The kidneys are organs that filter wastes (such as urea) from the blood and excrete them, along with water, as urine. The medical field that studies the kidneys and diseases of the kidney is called nephrology^[1]. The prefix nephro- meaning kidney is from the Ancient Greek word nephros (νεφρ?ς); the adjective renal meaning related to the kidney is from Latin r?n?s, meaning kidneys.

Parts of the kidney:
1. Renal pyramid
2. Efferent vessel
3. Renal artery
4. Renal vein
5. Renal hilum
6. Renal pelvis
7. Ureter
8. Minor calyx
9. Renal capsule
10. Inferior renal capsule
11. Superior renal capsule
12. Afferent vessel
13. Nephron
14. Minor calyx
15. Major calyx
16. Renal papilla
17. Renal column

More about kidney  found at Britannica.

A Labradoodle is a crossbred between two breeds of dogs: the Labrador Retriever and the Standard or Miniature Poodle.

Melamine is an organic base with the chemical formula C₃H₆N₆. It is commonly used to produce melamine resin, a very durable thermosetting plastic, and of melamine foam, a polymeric cleaning product.

On 30 March 2007, the US Food and Drug Administration reported finding white granular melamine in the pet food, in samples of white granular wheat gluten imported from China; as well as in crystalline form in the kidneys and in urine of affected animals.

The practice of adding "melamine scrap" to animal feed is reported to be widespread in China in order to give the appearance of increased protein content in animal feed.

Dental plaque is tiny layer that builds up on the teeth. It is a aggregation of microorganisms marked by the excretion of a protective and adhesive matrix. Usually it is of a clear color. If not removed regularly, it can lead to dental cavities (caries) or periodontal problems (such as gingivitis).

The microorganisms that form the plaque are bacteria (mainly Streptococcus mutans and anaerobes).

The microorganisms in dental plaque are all naturally inhabitants of the oral cavity, and are normally harmless. However, failure to remove plaque means that they are allowed to build up in a thick layer. This means that the microorganisms nearest the tooth surface will not have acces to air ant they will convert to anaerobic respiration. As result of anaerobic respiration they start to produce acids which consequently lead to demineralization of the adjacent tooth surface, and dental caries. Since acids are protected by the thick layer of plaque, saliva is also unable to neutralize them remineralize the tooth surface.

When plaque become mineralized – it form tartar (calculus).

A Puggle is a crossbreed between two breeds of dogs: a pug and a beagle.

Steroids are a big group of lipid substances that are playing key role in body metabolism. The most important steroids are:

• Sex steroids are sex hormones that produce sex differences or support reproduction. They include androgens, estrogens, and progestagens.
• Corticosteroids include glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. Glucocorticoids regulate many aspects of metabolism and immune function.. Mineralocorticoids control blood volume and maintain renal excretion of electrolytes.
• Anabolic steroids are a class of steroids that interact with the androgen receptors to increase muscle and bone synthesis.

Tartar or calculus are calcified deposits on the teeth. They are formed by the continuous presence of dental plaque. As tartar has Its rough surface provides an ideal medium for further plaque formation, threatening the health of the gingiva. Calculus absorbs unaesthetic stains far more easily than natural teeth.

Theobromine, is a bitter alkaloid of the cacao plant, and is therefore found in chocolate. It is in the methylxanthine class of chemical compounds, which also includes the similar compounds theophylline and caffeine. Same as caffeine, theobromine is potent stimulant of nervous system. However, theobromine is much more potent heart stimulator.

The amount of theobromine found in chocolate is small enough that it can be safely consumed by humans, but animals that metabolize theobromine more slowly, such as dogs, can succumb to theobromine poisoning from as little as 10 grams of baker’s chocolate for a smaller dog and 150 grams for an average-sized dog.

Wheat gluten, or simply gluten, is a food made from the gluten of wheat. It is made by washing wheat flour dough with water until all the starch dissolves, leaving insoluble gluten as a gummy mass made of the proteins gliadin and glutenin.

Wheat gluten, is an important alternative to soybean-based meat substitutes.