One of the most in vogue terms currently in veterinary medicine is food allergies. Dogs and cats certainly do develop food allergies. We’ll talk about how in a few moments. In my own clinical experience working with board-certified veterinary dermatologists for more than a decade, many pets are incorrectly and/or…
Diseases
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Abscesses in Dogs & Cats – Painful Pockets of Pus
I recently stumbled upon an online video showing the latest burger creation from a New York City restaurant. What was their food innovation? Cheese-filled burger buns – buns that essentially explode with cheese when cut or bitten. Yet when I watched the video of molten cheese erupting from a bun, all…
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Histiocytic Disease in Dogs – A Challenging Complex
Skin masses are relatively common in dogs. I’ve previously discussed the importance of routine surveillance and early intervention based on the mantras #SeeSomethingDoSomething and #WhyWaitAspirate as advocated by board-certified veterinary cancer specialist, Dr. Susan Ettinger (Dr. Sue Cancer Vet). One group of skin masses is collectively referred to as histiocytic…
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Pyometra in Dogs – A Potentially Deadly Uterus Infection
One of the more profound veterinary emergencies is a uterine infection in an intact female dog. This potentially lethal problem is called a pyometra. Affected patients should receive veterinary care as quickly as possible. This week I discuss this condition in hopes of raising awareness and promoting early identification and…
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Urethral Obstruction in Cats – When Your Cat Can’t Pee
One of the most common patients seen in veterinary emergency rooms around the world is that of a cat who can’t urinate. These painful critters are frequently called “blocked” cats, and absolutely require immediate veterinary care. This week I wanted to spend some time discussing urethral obstructions in cats, so I…
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Cytauxzoonosis – A Dangerous Tick-Borne Disease in Cats
When most pet parents think of think of tick-borne diseases affecting pets, they think about infections in dogs. Common examples of such ailments in dogs are Lyme disease (borreliosis), ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (rickettsiosis), babesiosis, bartonellosis, anaplasmosis, and hepatozoonosis. Yet we should not forget about cats! They, too, can be…
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Rescue Inhaler Intoxication – Don’t Let Your Pet Inhale!
I’ve just returned from a week in Cartagena, Colombia where I had the privilege of presenting several lectures at the 41st World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress. As I was hurriedly maneuvering through the airport, I saw a young woman use an inhaler after she had clearly run to her…
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EPI – Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency: A Lack of Digestive Enzymes
Most pet parents are familiar with the terms pancreatitis and diabetes mellitus. These are two common pancreatic disorders in dogs and cats. Yet another pancreatitis disease – exocrine pancreatic insufficiency or EPI – is often overlooked as a cause of chronic weight loss and diarrhea. This week I highlight this…
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IBD – Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Dogs & Cats
I evaluate patients with chronic gastrointestinal signs like vomiting and diarrhea multiple times per day. Many of these fur babies are referred to me by their family veterinarians with a concern for inflammatory bowel disease or IBD. But what is IBD? This week I endeavor to answer that important question…
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Nosebleeds in Dogs & Cats – What Do They Mean?!
Nosebleeds (called epistaxis) are a relatively common reason for pet parents to present their dogs and cats to a veterinary emergency room. Sometimes the bleeding is quite minimal, manifesting only when patients sneeze. At other times, hemorrhage can be profound and scary. This week I share some information about epistaxis…