One of my favorite diseases to diagnose and treat is Addison’s disease. The medical name for this disease is hypoadrenocorticism, an adrenal gland disorder that predominantly affects dogs and rarely cats. The opposite of Cushing’s disease, this disease can manifest in a myriad of ways. This week I spend some…
-
-
Physical Examination – What Are Veterinarians Doing?
If you’ve read some of my previous blogs, you know I believe the two most important diagnostic tests veterinarians perform do not involve collecting blood or urine samples. They’re basic. They’re the first tests veterinarians learn in veterinary school. What are they? These quintessential tests are obtaining a thorough patient…
-
Mammary Tumors in Dogs – Don’t Ignore a Lump!
Each October in the United States, various organizations strive to raise awareness of and funds for finding a cure for breast cancer in humans. Breast cancer, also called mammary cancer, in dogs has both similarities and differences to the human condition. To end the month of October, I review the…
-
Grains & Grain-Free Diets – Good Idea or Waste of Money?
Inevitably during a traditionally hectic day of patient consultations, at least one pet parent tells me s/he feeds her/his pet a grain-free diet. Yet when I ask why such a diet was selected, I’m rarely met with a response based on sound scientific evidence. Rather the reply is usually something…
-
Chemotherapy for Dogs & Cats – Better Than You Think!
The word chemotherapy often elicits negative images in the minds of most people – hair loss, vomiting, and pain. Therapies meant to attack cancers can have the unfortunate effect of making patients sick. While this is often the case for humans receiving chemotherapy, the same is not true for our…
-
Pre-Anesthetic Testing – Is It Really Necessary?
Inevitably at some point in a pet’s life, anesthesia and surgery will be necessary. For example, spaying (called an ovariohysterectomy) and neutering (called and orchiectomy) are very common surgical procedures recommended for non-breeding dogs and cats. Both surgeries are performed while a patient is under anesthesia. Prior to anesthesia veterinarians…
-
Etiquette in the Hospital – Don’t Be That Guy/Gal!
Recently while organizing a lecture in an airport, a fellow traveler surmised my profession by sneaking a glimpse at the Microsoft Powerpoint™ slides on which I was working. She was clearly intrigued, and began asking a lot of questions about my job and veterinary medicine in general. One question struck…
-
Urinary Bladder Cancer in Dogs
The urinary tract of dogs is comprised of two kidneys, two ureters (tubes that connect the kidneys to the urinary bladder), the urinary bladder, prostate gland (male dogs only), and the urethra (tube that connects the urinary bladder to the outside world). The urinary bladder is the most common site…
-
Dr. Google & Veterinary Medicine – Partners or Foes?
Inevitably at some point during my daily consultations I will have at least one pet parent say to me, “I was reading on the Internet” or “I found some information through Google.” I won’t lie. Early in my career this use to frustrate me to no end. What could possibly motivate…
-
Preventive Care for Dogs and Cats
This week’s post may surprise many of you given I typically strive to highlight how pet parents partnering with both a family veterinarian and a board-certified veterinary specialist is invaluable for your pet’s healthcare. I feel comfortable saying veterinarians wish our patients never got sick. Alas that is a utopian…