Those who regularly read my blog (I hope that’s most of you!) know how much I love eyes. Those colorful globes are simply a site to behold! Although cliché, I believe eyes truly are the windows to the soul. This week I wanted to share information about a unique eye…
Diseases
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Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs – An Aggressive Blood Vessel Cancer
Every pet parent dreads “The Big C” for their fur babies. Cancer strikes fear in the hearts and minds of pet-owning families. As a board-certified critical care specialist, one of the most common cancers I diagnose and treat is called hemangiosarcoma. I wanted to dedicate some time explaining this cancer,…
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Chylothorax in Cats – Our Feline Friends Don’t Like This Milk!
In a previous post, I reviewed pleural space disease. If you recall, these ailments cause fluid and/or air to abnormally accumulate between the lungs and the chest wall. There are many potential reasons for fluid to collect in the pleural space. There are even different types of fluid. This week,…
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Myasthenia Gravis – When the Muscles & Nerves Don’t Talk
Nerves send vital signals to muscles throughout the body. When these chemical signals don’t interact with muscles normally, one possible result is profound muscle weakness. A unique disease caused by this very scenario is called myasthenia gravis, and has been documents in dogs, cats, and humans. This week I share…
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Von Willebrand Disease – An Inherited Bleeding Disorder
Bleeding disorders are not common in dogs and cats. Yet when they occur, they can be life-threatening. One inherited bleeding disorder is called von Willebrand disease (vWD). This week I review this important disease so I hope you find the information helpful. Happy reading! Von Willebrand Disease – What…
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Primary Hyperparathyroidism in Dogs – High Calcium Isn’t Always Cancer!
Many dog owners know a finding of elevated blood calcium can be quite concerning. Cancer, including lymphoma and apocrine gland carcinoma of the anal gland, is a leading cause of blood calcium elevations in dogs. Yet, sometimes this elevation is not caused by lymphoma or anal gland cancer! Sometimes, the…
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Canine Chronic Hepatitis – Inflammatory Liver Disease in Dogs
The liver is a unique organ with several important functions in the body. For various reasons, the liver can become inflamed, resulting in a clinical syndrome called canine chronic hepatitis. This week, I discuss this important disease entity including details about diagnosis and treatment. Happy reading! Canine Chronic Hepatitis –…
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Megacolon in Cats – Holy Constipation Batman! Part II
Last week I introduced you to a debilitating colon problem in cats called megacolon. This disease causes marked dilation of the colon with subsequent impaction with a large volume of feces. In this week’s post, I review how we treat this painful condition to make our affected feline friends feel better. Happy…
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Megacolon in Cats – Holy Constipation Batman! Part I
Nobody likes to feel constipated, not even cats. Unfortunately, some of our feline friends develop dysfunction in their colon called megacolon. In this first part of a two-part series, I’ll explain what megacolon is and how it’s diagnosed. Next week, I’ll review how to treat this potentially debilitating condition. Happy reading!…
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Stomatitis in Cats – A Profoundly Painful Dental Problem
Dental disease in cats is an exceedingly common health concern for parents. One of the more frequently encountered problems is stomatitis, a generalized inflammation of the oral cavity. Also called gingivostomatitis, this condition is extremely painful without prompt and proper treatment. This week I share some fun facts about stomatitis…