This week a colleague asked me if I had a favorite biochemical abnormality. I’d never been asked that before, nor had I ever really thought about it. Most who know me as a clinician know I geek out over changes on a complete blood count, the non-invasive blood test that…
A common reason for which cats are referred to me is hypercalcemia or elevated blood calcium. Sometimes affected patients are incredibly sick while others have no outward clinical signs of illness. An accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause is truly important. This week I review the major causes of hypercalcemia…
One of the most common problems for which patients are presented to me is that of chronic vomiting. There are a myriad of causes and treatments available. So, this week I wanted to dedicate some bandwidth to sharing more information about this common clinical problem. I hope you find the…
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…
One of my favorite diseases to diagnose and treat is Addison’s disease. The medical name for this disease is hypoadrenocorticism, an adrenal gland disorder that predominantly affects dogs and rarely cats. The opposite of Cushing’s disease, this disease can manifest in a myriad of ways. This week I spend some…
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.…
Last week you learned from Dr. Odunayo some wonderfully helpful tips to keep your pets safe in the summer months. You may remember her comments about taking steps to help animals, particularly dogs, acclimatize effectively to warmer weather. Some dogs have more trouble than others adjusting to increased heat and humidity because…