With recent devastating wildfires in California, my social media newsfeed has been filled with tragic stories, including those of animals who perished in the flames and smoke. Indeed, smoke inhalation can be deadly to both humans and pets, alike. This week I wanted to shed some light on this topic…
I’m not a fan of cold weather. So, the rapidly approaching winter months of the Midwest USA does nothing for me. With the colder weather comes the increased use of ethylene glycol, a common type of antifreeze. Pets find ethylene glycol antifreeze to be quite tasty. Unfortunately, it’s exceedingly toxic,…
Can you imagine straining so much during defecation that you prolapse your rectum? Perhaps that’s too personal a question, but for some dogs and cats the possibility is real. This week’s post is dedicated to the medical predicament we call rectal prolapse, and I hope you find the information intriguing.…
Dogs and cats can develop a variety of airway and lung conditions like chronic bronchitis and asthma. Unfortunately, they can also develop a lesser known but debilitating condition called pulmonary fibrosis. This week I wanted to spend some time discussing this lung condition. I hope you find the information interesting…
Growing up and through college, I had long curly Greek blond locks of hair whenever I let my hair grow. Yet as my maternal grandfather had male pattern baldness, I knew I wouldn’t have my hair forever. Indeed, in veterinary school my receding hairline became obvious. Hair loss or alopecia…
If you’re like me, you don’t monitor every elimination your dog or cat makes. You don’t observe every urination. Yet at some point in a pet’s life, they will inevitably develop blood in their urine. This is a condition called hematuria. It’s actually pretty common, so I wanted to dedicate…
Chronic diarrhea is a common problem for our furry companions. So too are constipation and diabetes mellitus for dogs & cats. All of these medical problems may benefit from increased dietary fiber. Many veterinarians recommend supplementing meals with canned pumpkin as a means of increasing fiber in the diet. Is…
Who doesn’t love a relaxing vacation? Fun adventures. Sun & sand. Boat drinks. Making memories with friends and family. But, often times our furry family members have to stay behind while we’re galivanting on holiday. This week I share some important tips for pet parents as they prepare for vacation…
Last week I reviewed some common emergency situations for which you should bring your cat to the emergency room. Of course, we can’t forget about our canine companions! So, this week I focus on specific scenarios that necessitate emergency care for your pooch. Happy reading! Pooch Plight #1 – Non-Productive…
Here’s a sobering fact. At some point in your cat’s life, they will experience a life-threatening emergency – what I like to call CATastrophes. You don’t know when it will happen, but it will happen. And it will probably happen in the middle of the night. When your family veterinarian…