Latest Posts

  • High Blood Fat Levels in Dogs & Cats

    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.…

  • Hypercalcemia (High Calcium Levels) in Dogs

    A common reason for which dogs are referred to me for further evaluation is an elevated blood calcium level (called hypercalcemia). Sometimes affected patients are incredibly sick while others have no outward clinical signs of illness. An accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause of a dog’s hypercalcemia is truly important.…

  • Urinary Tract Infection in Dogs and Cats

    Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are relatively common in companion animals. Given the frequency of UTI diagnosis, the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Disease (ISCAID) developed guidelines for the diagnosis and management of urinary tract infection. One should not confuse guidelines with “standards of care”, as the former are simply…

  • Empirical Therapy – Can’t You Just Treat It Doc?

    I have the privilege of evaluating patients and conversing with their families every day I’m in the hospital. Although I rarely meet healthy patients, I find tremendous satisfaction sitting on the floor with them in my consultation room, examining (and cuddling) them and chatting with their parents. As my patients are invariably…

  • When Pet Parents Pop The Question

    Pet parents pop the question to me multiple times per day. Unfortunately each time I can never answer them the way the want me to do so. Invariably I feel guilty when I give them my answer, but I know my response is the only fair one to give. Of…

  • Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome – A Vexing Airway Problem

    With the warmer and more humid weather of the summer months comes an increased incidence of heat related events like heat stroke. Patients with shorter snouts/muzzles often have more difficulty acclimating to this type of environment due to the conformation of their airway. This week I discuss the implications of…

  • Repeating X-Rays – Are Specialists Wasting Your Money?

    Veterinarians order radiographs (often called X-rays) for their patients on a daily basis. These special pictures of bones, joints, and internal organs help us figure out what may be causing our patients to be sick. Some of these ill and injured pets are ultimately referred to board-certified veterinary specialists for…

  • Unbalanced Wheels Make For A Bumpy Journey

    This week’s post is quite different from my typical ones. For the first time in the history of Because Pets Can Have Specialists Too I’m deviating from the norm of providing digestible bits of information about a specific pet health topic. Rather this week I focus on an all too important…

  • Injuries in Pets: The Team Approach To Trauma Patient Care

    The thought of a pet being involved in a traumatic accident is undeniably cringe-worthy and heartbreaking. These catastrophic mishaps can be lethal or leave a pet maimed if veterinary emergency care isn’t provided appropriately. This week I’m happy to turn Because Pets Can Have Specialists Too over to Dr. Kelly…