Posts highlighting some non-specific information about veterinary specialty medicine
The liver is a vital organ charged with many important functions, including removing toxic substances from the bloodstream. One of those toxins is copper. Unfortunately, some dogs have changes in their livers that traps copper inside individual liver cells, gradually resulting in toxicity. This week I spend time discussing this important liver disease, and hope … [Read more…]
Low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, is a relatively common biochemical abnormality documented in sick dogs and cats presented to the emergency room, as well as those hospitalized in Intensive Care Units for various illnesses. This week I spend some time discussing hypoglycemia so pet parents can be aware of this potential health issue. … [Read more…]
If you’ve read some of my previous blogs, you know I believe the two most important diagnostic tests veterinarians perform do not involve collecting blood or urine samples. They’re basic. They’re the first tests veterinarians learn in veterinary school. What are they? These quintessential tests are obtaining a thorough patient history and performing a complete … [Read more…]
Inevitably during a traditionally hectic day of patient consultations, at least one pet parent tells me s/he feeds her/his pet a grain-free diet. Yet when I ask why such a diet was selected, I’m rarely met with a response based on sound scientific evidence. Rather the reply is usually something like “I read online that … [Read more…]
The word chemotherapy often elicits negative images in the minds of most people – hair loss, vomiting, and pain. Therapies meant to attack cancers can have the unfortunate effect of making patients sick. While this is often the case for humans receiving chemotherapy, the same is not true for our fur babies! The majority of … [Read more…]
Inevitably at some point in a pet’s life, anesthesia and surgery will be necessary. For example, spaying (called an ovariohysterectomy) and neutering (called and orchiectomy) are very common surgical procedures recommended for non-breeding dogs and cats. Both surgeries are performed while a patient is under anesthesia. Prior to anesthesia veterinarians recommend a few non-invasive tests … [Read more…]
Recently while organizing a lecture in an airport, a fellow traveler surmised my profession by sneaking a glimpse at the Microsoft Powerpoint™ slides on which I was working. She was clearly intrigued, and began asking a lot of questions about my job and veterinary medicine in general. One question struck me: Do pet owners ever … [Read more…]
Inevitably at some point during my daily consultations I will have at least one pet parent say to me, “I was reading on the Internet” or “I found some information through Google.” I won’t lie. Early in my career this use to frustrate me to no end. What could possibly motivate an animal owner to seek … [Read more…]
This week’s post may surprise many of you given I typically strive to highlight how pet parents partnering with both a family veterinarian and a board-certified veterinary specialist is invaluable for your pet’s healthcare. I feel comfortable saying veterinarians wish our patients never got sick. Alas that is a utopian notion, and we certainly don’t … [Read more…]
Elevated blood fats/lipids (called hyperlipidemia) are a major cause of health issues in humans. These lipids, most commonly cholesterol and triglycerides, can negatively affect heart and cardiovascular health, often times contributing to death. Both dogs and cats can have high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but dogs are more often affected. High lipids unquestionably pose a … [Read more…]