Every pet owner will need to give their pets medications by mouth at some point in their lives. As a veterinarian, I realize making recommendations to give oral drugs is a lot easier said than done. Not every family can easily “pill” their cats and dogs. This week I’m sharing some of my favorite foods … [Read more…]
In previous posts I’ve shared information about diabetes mellitus in both cats and dogs. This week, I’m expanding our discussion to include information about a potentially life-threatening complication of this hormone disorder called diabetic ketoacidosis or DKA. I hope you find this post helpful and shareworthy. Happy reading! What is DKA? Cells throughout the body … [Read more…]
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the term used to characterize a group of chronic intestinal diseases. It’s common in both cats and dogs and is thought to be related to a variety of triggers: Reactions to food antigens – an antigen is a foreign substance that triggers an immune response. Commonly implicated antigens are protein … [Read more…]
I’ve spent more time in front of digital screens during the COVID-19 pandemic than to which I wish to admit. I’ve watched some new shows and rewatched some others. This morning, a re-run of the heart-wrenching Downton Abbey episode that saw Lady Sybil die of eclampsia had me feeling all sorts of ways again. Did … [Read more…]
Unquestionably our lives have temporarily changed due to the COVID19 pandemic. Most states have stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders in effects. We’re spending more time at home with our two-legged and four-legged family members. Essential businesses are allowed to operate, but we’re practicing social distancing when patronizing these establishments. As I discussed last week, veterinary team … [Read more…]
In the past week, several pet owners have asked me how they can help veterinarians during these unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic. I found myself at a loss for words. To be honest, I was humbled to even be asked such a compassionate question. After all, I’m not fighting on the proverbial frontline of … [Read more…]
In this unprecedented time of the COVID-19 pandemic, you’ve probably heard about the dire need for more mechanical ventilators. You may have also heard veterinary emergency and critical care facilities around the globe are loaning their mechanical ventilators to human hospitals to help meet the needs of human patients who desperately need them. Given the … [Read more…]
Unfortunately our feline and canine companions are susceptible to cancers just like we humans. In previous posts, I’ve shared information about some common cancers in cats and dogs, including mast cell tumors, malignant melanoma, mammary tumors, and urinary bladder cancer. This week I wanted to provide some facts about a group of cancers collectively called … [Read more…]
It should come as no surprise to anybody who follows this blog that I love hematology and immunology! In previous posts I’ve written about various immune-mediated problems, including immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, and immune-mediated polyarthropathy. This week I’m sharing information about another immune-mediated condition: immune-mediated neutropenia or IMN. I hope you find the material … [Read more…]
If you’ve remotely paid attention to the news recently, you’ve undoubtedly heard or read about COVID-19, a novel coronavirus infection. This is a serious and potentially lethal disease. CriticalCareDVM.com is dedicated to providing pet owners with comprehensive, up-to-date, and unfiltered details about various pet health conditions. To that goal, this week I’m sharing information about … [Read more…]