Eyes are beautiful! The many potential colors of the iris simply make them truly stunning to admire. However, there is one color no one wants to see associated with the eyes – red! In this week’s post, I share some information about red eyes in dogs and cats. Happy ready!…
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Euthanasia and Your Pet – What You Need to Know
I find myself, once again, seated at a counter in the United Club at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. I’m flying back to where I grew up to say goodbye to my Yiayia (that’s Greek for grandmother) who passed last week. As I contemplate about what to write for this week’s…
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Burns in Dogs & Cats – Avoid This Heated Problem!
As the weather turns warmer in the United States, many of us will be enjoying backyard bonfires and campfire sing-alongs with friends and family. Yet those beautiful and comforting flames are just one potential source for burning not only you, but also your fur babies. Burns, are thankfully relatively uncommon,…
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Glaucoma in Dogs & Cats – A Painful Eye Problem
An old English proverb states “the eyes are the window of the soul.” I’m quite certain there isn’t anything more soulful than the eyes of a beloved dog or cat. Yet sometimes those beautiful orbs of sight are injured or become diseased. A common eye disorder is glaucoma, and this week I…
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Infective Endocarditis in Dogs & Cats – A Serious Heart Wall Problem
Infective endocarditis. I’m willing to bet many of you have never heard of it. Many pet parents know about heart murmurs and even some heart muscle diseases like dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). A lesser known potential cardiac problem is endocarditis or inflammation of part of the heart wall. In this week’s blog I…
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Alliums in Dogs and Cats – A Tasty Toxicity!
Most of us enjoy the extra flavor certain herbs and spices add to our meals. Many pet parents believe their fur babies will similarly appreciate the added flavor on the palate. Unfortunately, spices like garlic and onions belong to a group called alliums, and they are toxic to both dogs…
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Pleural Space Disease – A Common Cause of Respiratory Distress
Respiratory distress in dogs and cats is always scary and often frustrating. A common cause is pleural space disease, the accumulation of fluid and/or air between the body wall and the lungs. This week I review this medical condition so pet parents have some familiarity with it. Please consider sharing…
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Tracheal Collapse in Dogs – Conquering the Cough
Chronic coughing is a frequent health concern of dog parents. In a previous blog, I discussed the most common cause of this sign in dogs – chronic bronchitis. Another reason for dogs to cough habitually is tracheal collapse (e.g. collapsing trachea). This week I discuss this common condition, and hope…
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Hemotropic Mycoplasmosis – Bad News For Cat’s Blood
I love diseases of the blood and immune system. I find them fascinating. I love helping patients living with them. One common infection of the blood in cats is hemotropic mycoplasmosis. Specific bacteria called Mycoplasma parasitize red blood cells to destroy them and to trigger a powerful (and potentially deadly)…
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Acetaminophen & Cats – A Deadly Combination!
Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol®, is commonly taken by humans to help reduce inflammation and fever. Many other over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications contain acetaminophen too – click here to see an extensive list. Logically many pet parents believe this medication can be administered to cats for the same…