Information about specific dog and cat diseases for which a pet may be referred to a board-certified veterinary specialist
A common reason for which cats are referred to me is hypercalcemia or elevated blood calcium. Sometimes affected patients are incredibly sick while others have no outward clinical signs of illness. An accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause is truly important. This week I review the major causes of hypercalcemia in cats, and I hope … [Read more…]
One of the more common reasons patients are presented to me is for evaluation of an new and/or unusual lump or bump under the jaw. Arguably, the most common cause is an enlarged lymph node, but occasionally the problem is an abnormal salivary gland. This week’s post is dedicated to a salivary gland problem called … [Read more…]
Getting old comes with a plethora of healthcare issues. Medical problems likes osteoarthritis, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and cognitive dysfunction (CD) are relatively common. The latter – more commonly referred to as senility – is an under-appreciated cause of behavior changes in our older pets. In this week’s post I share some information about this … [Read more…]
I’ve said it before. I love eyes…albeit not enough to want to be an ophthalmologist, but at least enough to respect their function and beauty. Unfortunately, sometimes our pets develop serious eye conditions. This week’s post is dedicated to a specific intraocular (inside the eye) condition called hyphema. I hope this information is interesting to … [Read more…]
Potassium is a uniquely important electrolyte involved in a myriad of essential cellular functions throughout the body. Derangements of potassium, both elevations and decreases, are quite commonplace. Perhaps most commonly, potassium decreases in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD). An under-recognized cause of hypokalemia (low potassium) is primary hyperaldosteronemia. This week’s post is dedicated to … [Read more…]
There are many infectious organisms that cause illness in our feline friends. One of the most noteworthy diseases in feline infectious peritonitis. This week’s post is dedicated to sharing important information about the debilitating and deadly condition to raise awareness. I hope you find the information helpful. Happy reading! What is feline infectious peritonitis? Feline … [Read more…]
The brain is a vital organ with many unique parts. Cerebrospinal fluid or CSF must be able to circulate appropriately. When flow of CSF is inadequate, serious and potentially life-threatening problems arise. This week I wanted to share information about hydrocephalus, a condition characterized by inappropriate accumulation of CSF in the brain. I hope you … [Read more…]
The heart is a vital organ. It pumps blood throughout the body, delivering oxygen-rich blood to organs and returning oxygen-poor blood back to the lungs to be loaded with oxygen. There are a variety of ailments that cause the heart to function abnormally, impairing its ability to circulate blood. This week I’ve dedicated a post … [Read more…]
Working in an emergency room for almost two decades, I’ve definitely seen my fair share of patients who’ve ingested some weird things – rocks, plastic, feminine hygiene products, hair ties, etc. Sure, dogs and cats love to chew on things, but actually ingesting them is problematic. This unusual habit of consuming objects is called pica. … [Read more…]
Eyes are beautiful, truly unique, and colorful. Unfortunately, accidents involving the eyes happen. One of the more common mishaps is proptosis of an eye. This week I’m sharing information about this unique problem to help raise awareness. I hope you find the post insightful and helpful. Happy reading! Proptosis – What is it? Proptosis is … [Read more…]