As a child (and honestly even now as an adult) I abhorred amusement park rides that moved in circular patterns because they made me inevitably vomit due to vertigo. Roller coasters? Great! The Gravitron? Over my dead body! I don’t need to put myself into a human centrifuge. I hate…
Diseases
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Toxoplasmosis in Cats – A Problematic Infection for Our Feline Friends
The world is full of infectious organisms that cause disease in our pets. One problematic parasite is called Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agent of toxoplasmosis in cats. Toxoplasmosis is relatively common in our feline friends, yet is under-recognized as potential cause of a pet’s clinical signs. This week I share…
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Sago Palm Toxicosis – Protect Your Pets from This Poisonous Plant
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…
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Coccidiosis in Dogs & Cats – A Problematic Intestinal Parasitic Infection
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…
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Blastomycosis – A Potentially Lethal Fungal Infection in Our Pets
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…
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Mastitis in Dogs & Cats – A Painful Part of Motherhood
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…
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Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD) in Dogs – A Bone Growth Disorder
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…
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Coccidioidomycosis in Dogs & Cats – An Important Fungal Infection in Pets
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…
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Pyrethrin and Pyrethroid Toxicity in Cats: What Pet Owners and Veterinary Teams Need to Know
Pyrethrins and pyrethroids are common ingredients found in many flea and tick preventatives, household insecticides, and gardening products. While these chemicals are generally safe for dogs and humans when used as directed, cats are uniquely sensitive. Accidental exposure can quickly lead to life-threatening toxicity. This article explains the mechanism of…
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Hookworms in Dogs & Cats – Blood-Sucking Parasites in our Pets
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…