Information about specific dog and cat diseases for which a pet may be referred to a board-certified veterinary specialist
As a new home owner, I’m in the process of landscaping my property. Suffice it to say, I want a lot of greenery – plants and shrubs, galore! Yet one type of plant I plan to avoid like the plague is the sago palms. Why? They are intensely toxic to dogs. This week, I’ve dedicated … [Read more…]
The environment contains all sorts of infectious organisms, little microscopic critters that can cause illness in our beloved dogs and cats. One such infection called coccidiosis is a common parasitic infection of the small intestine. Given the prevalence of this disease, I wanted to share some useful information about it in this week’s post. Happy … [Read more…]
When most folks think of infection, they think of bacteria. Yet not all infections are caused by bacteria. Many infections are caused by other infectious organisms, including fungi. If you live in certain parts of the United States, fungal infections are actually quite common. One of the more common fungal infections is called blastomycosis. This … [Read more…]
Motherhood is a beautiful thing. Watching queens and bitches care for and raise their kittens and puppies, respectively, is heart-warming to say the least. Occasionally, being a mom can become physically painful, especially when mammary (breast) tissue becomes inflamed and/or infected – this is a condition called mastitis. This past week I helped care for … [Read more…]
One of my favorite TV shows growing up was Growing Pains. Watching the exploits of Mike, Carol, and Ben Seaver as the traveled the road of adolescence was uniquely entertaining as a pre-teen. What isn’t entertaining is watching a dog experience the tremendous growing pains caused by a disease called hypertrophic osteodystrophy or HOD. This … [Read more…]
Infectious organisms are everywhere. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi threaten our pets every day. Some prefer specific environmental conditions to thrive. Two such organisms are Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii, the microbes that cause coccidioidomycosis or Valley fever. This week I hope you’ll enjoy learning more about this important infectious disease in pets. Happy reading! Coccidioidomycosis … [Read more…]
Fleas are disgusting. Honestly, every time I see one I get the heebie-jeebies. I immediately need to take a shower. This is just one of many reasons why I’m a huge proponent of flea control, and I strongly recommend pet parents speak with their primary care veterinarians about the best preventative for their fur babies. … [Read more…]
Recently I came across a news story of a couple who visited the Dominican Republic. While in the tropical paradise, they became infected with a parasite from the genus Ancylostoma. more commonly known as hookworms. They likely contracted this painful parasitic infestation while walking barefoot on the local beaches of Punta Cana. I wanted to … [Read more…]
Every day I take a multi-vitamin. After all, medical doctors advocate vitamins are healthy supplements when taken appropriately. The same is true for dogs and cats. Unfortunately, too much of some vitamins is not good. In fact, ingestion of toxic amounts of specific vitamins can be deadly. This week, I wanted to share information about … [Read more…]
I love mice and rats. I think they make great first pets for children. I also know not everybody shares my adoration for these rodents. Indeed, many go out of the way to expunge them from their homes, employing various traps and poisons. One common type of rodenticide contains a toxic chemical called bromethalin. When … [Read more…]