Those who regularly read my blog (I hope that’s most of you!) know how much I love eyes. Those colorful globes are simply a site to behold! Although cliché, I believe eyes truly are the windows to the soul. This week I wanted to share information about a unique eye…
Latest Posts
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Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs – An Aggressive Blood Vessel Cancer
Every pet parent dreads “The Big C” for their fur babies. Cancer strikes fear in the hearts and minds of pet-owning families. As a board-certified critical care specialist, one of the most common cancers I diagnose and treat is called hemangiosarcoma. I wanted to dedicate some time explaining this cancer,…
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Dental Cleanings & Your Pet – What You Need to Know!
Dental health is important for both humans and pets. Diseased gums and teeth readily cause halitosis (bad breath), and can be a sign of a serious health problem. Dental diseases can also affect other organs of the body too. Since February is National Pet Dental Health Month, I was to…
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Hyperlipidemia in Dogs & Cats – Why Worry about Cholesterol & Triglycerides?
Blood fats are called lipids, and they circulate throughout the body. They play a wide variety of roles in normal organ function and metabolism. Elevated blood lipids – called hyperlipidemia – in humans are major causes of cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, and hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver syndrome). Do…
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Chylothorax in Cats: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Chylothorax is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition in cats that interferes with normal breathing. It occurs when chyle, a fat-rich lymphatic fluid, accumulates abnormally in the space between the lungs and the chest wall. Because this fluid prevents the lungs from fully expanding, affected cats can develop rapid respiratory…
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Myasthenia Gravis – When the Muscles & Nerves Don’t Talk
Nerves send vital signals to muscles throughout the body. When these chemical signals don’t interact with muscles normally, one possible result is profound muscle weakness. A unique disease caused by this very scenario is called myasthenia gravis, and has been documents in dogs, cats, and humans. This week I share…
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Von Willebrand Disease – An Inherited Bleeding Disorder
Bleeding disorders are not common in dogs and cats. Yet when they occur, they can be life-threatening. One inherited bleeding disorder is called von Willebrand disease (vWD). This week I review this important disease so I hope you find the information helpful. Happy reading! Von Willebrand Disease – What…
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Primary Hyperparathyroidism in Dogs – High Calcium Isn’t Always Cancer!
Many dog owners know a finding of elevated blood calcium can be quite concerning. Cancer, including lymphoma and apocrine gland carcinoma of the anal gland, is a leading cause of blood calcium elevations in dogs. Yet, sometimes this elevation is not caused by lymphoma or anal gland cancer! Sometimes, the…
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Canine Chronic Hepatitis – Inflammatory Liver Disease in Dogs
The liver is a unique organ with several important functions in the body. For various reasons, the liver can become inflamed, resulting in a clinical syndrome called canine chronic hepatitis. This week, I discuss this important disease entity including details about diagnosis and treatment. Happy reading! Canine Chronic Hepatitis –…
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Megacolon in Cats – Holy Constipation Batman! Part II
Last week I introduced you to a debilitating colon problem in cats called megacolon. This disease causes marked dilation of the colon with subsequent impaction with a large volume of feces. In this week’s post, I review how we treat this painful condition to make our affected feline friends feel better. Happy…