Information about specific dog and cat diseases for which a pet may be referred to a board-certified veterinary specialist
Those who consistently read my blog know I love blood. That’s sounds weird, doesn’t it? Yet, it’s true. Blood is awesome – platelets, clotting factors, white blood cells, and of course, red blood cells! This week I’m dedicating space to share info about erythrocytosis or too many circulating red blood cells. It’s an intriguing abnormality, … [Read more…]
I remember being at a house party at Colorado State University. It was the Spring semester of my senior year. I’d already been accepted to veterinary school at Cornell University. We were having a great time – dancing, imbibing, and generally just whooping it up. Then it happened. A scream emanated from the kitchen. We … [Read more…]
I find eyes fascinating. They’re beautiful. They have so many unique structures. One of these structures is the nictitating membrane or third eyelid. Occasionally in dogs and cats, the gland associated with this membrane prolapses or slips out of place – a condition commonly known as cherry eye. This week I share some information about … [Read more…]
With the warmer weather months upon us here in the Northern Hemisphere, so too are environmental allergens. Those pesky particles blowing around in the wind wreak havoc on many of us because they irritate our upper airways. Naturally our bodies try to expel them through various routes – sneezing, tearing, nasal discharge, etc. Dogs and … [Read more…]
No one likes having a runny nose. Primary viral and secondary bacterial infections are common in pets and people. Most of the time these infections are self-limiting or are treated without complications. Occasionally fungi cause serious infections in the frontal sinuses and nasal passages of dogs. The most common fungal disease that causes nasal discharge … [Read more…]
As a clinician, educator, and administrator, I deal with a lot of poop – figuratively and literally. One of the most common problems I encounter is a pet with chronic gastrointestinal signs (e.g. vomiting, weight loss, diarrhea) and a concurrently low blood protein level. This is called a protein-losing enteropathy or PLE. This week I’ve … [Read more…]
I’m a foodie. Heaven knows I love some scrumptious delights to please my palate. What if the simple action of chewing delectable morsels caused excruciating pain? This dreaded scenario happens for some dogs, and is called masticatory myositis. Pain while chewing is often chalked up to dental problems. Many pet parents don’t know about this … [Read more…]
Whenever my family and I visited my maternal grandparents, my Papou (Greek for grandfather) would obsess about making sure we had enough to eat. There was always a jar of mixed nuts on the coffee table. Inevitably macadamia nuts were among the mixture of delicious nuts. They have such a delicate flavor and crunchy texture. … [Read more…]
I love most things about Summer. Hot weather. Barbecues. Boating on the lake. Making memories with friends. Yet with the warmer season comes those nasty little pests known as ticks. These creepy critters can transmit to our canine companions a myriad of diseases, including the causative agent of Lyme disease. As Summer is rapidly approaching … [Read more…]
On this – the 3rd anniversary of CriticalCareDVM.com – I wanted to devote some time to an important and under-appreciated cause of pelvic limb weakness and paralysis in dogs. Most pet parents know about intervertebral disc disease that can cause neurological complications like difficulty walking and spinal discomfort. Yet, degenerative myelopathy should be considered in … [Read more…]