Many pet parents take prescription medications for various health reasons. Despite their best efforts, many of our pets get into the bottles of pills, and often ingest the potentially harmful drugs. One common medication that can be readily toxic and potentially lethal to dogs and cats is a drug called…
Diseases
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Tremorgenic Mycotoxins – Moldy Food Strikes Back
Animal lovers know most dogs don’t have discerning tastes. They’ll put almost anything in their mouths, even items that are potentially toxic and even lethal. Some of these would-be toxins are compounds called tremorgenic mycotoxins. Many pet parents have never heard of them, so this week I’ve dedicated time to…
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Acne & Your Cat – When Your Feline Gets Zits
Who can forget one of the joyous wonders of puberty? Which one, you ask? Acne of course! Our furry feline friends aren’t immune to developing this annoying skin condition. Yet many pet parents don’t recognize this problem in their cats. So, this week’s post highlights this skin disorder, and I…
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Intussusception – When the Gut Becomes a Telescope
Most dog owners have heard of many of the common gastrointestinal problems that afflict dogs. Parvovirus in dogs. Intestinal parasites (aka “worms), foreign objects causing an obstruction, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and even gastric dilatation-volvulus (aka: “bloat”). Yet, there is one about which few parents know. Which one you ask?…
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Capnocytophaga & Your Pet – The Real Kiss of Death?
You may have recently read a news story about a Wisconsin man who lost both of his legs and arms to an infection caused by the bacterium, Capnocytophaga canimorsus. This story caught the attention of news media because of the rarity of the infection and the severity of injuries. As…
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Nasopharyngeal Polyps – A Tricky Airway Problem in Cats
The airway is a complicated system that can be affected by many different problems, including pneumonia and asthma. A common problem in younger cats is nasopharyngeal polyps. This week I share information about this disease that can dramatically and negatively affect quality of life. Happy reading! Nasopharyngeal Polyps – What…
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Electrical Cord Injury in Dogs & Cats – Don’t Chew on That!
Pediatric patients – humans, dogs, and cats, alike – can get into things they shouldn’t when left unattended and to their own devices. Cupboards full of potential toxins. Drawers full of sharp objects. One potential household hazard for our pets is electrical cords. Puppies and kittens love to chew on…
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Heatstroke in Dogs & Cats – It’s Getting Hot in Here!
Warm weather has arrived for most of us in the Northern Hemisphere. With the searing temperatures comes the inevitability of someone leaving their dog locked in a blisteringly hot car or letting their canine companion run around in a park during peak temperatures without access to fresh cool water. The…
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Herpesvirus Infection – An Upper Respiratory Tract Disease in Cats
It’s vaccine season. In a previous post, I reviewed the most recent recommendations for feline immunizations. Cat parents are getting emails and postcards from their primary care veterinarians reminding to schedule preventative healthcare visits. One of the most common vaccines is abbreviated FVRCP, an acronym for feline viral rhinotracheitis, calici…
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Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs – When the Heart Becomes Too Big
The heart is unquestionably a vital organ. Without it, life-sustaining oxygen can’t circulate to the tissues of the body. Without a properly functioning heart, animals and humans, alike, develop debilitating conditions and die. This week I share information about one of the most common heart conditions to afflict our canine…