I love immunology (the study of the immune system) and hematology (the study of blood). I once contemplated completing a PhD in these fields, but two residencies was enough. Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia or ITP is an immune-mediated disease that is personal. My own dog was diagnosed with this disease during my residency training. This week I’m … [Read more…]
Like humans, our pets can experience allergic reactions. Most of them are mild in nature, but some may be life-threatening. My hope is this week’s post will raise awareness about allergic reactions so pet owners are better able to respond to these potentially serious life events. I hope you find the information helpful – happy … [Read more…]
There are many infectious organisms that cause illness in our feline friends. One of the most noteworthy diseases in feline infectious peritonitis. This week’s post is dedicated to sharing important information about the debilitating and deadly condition to raise awareness. I hope you find the information helpful. Happy reading! What is feline infectious peritonitis? Feline … [Read more…]
As I was contemplating this week’s post, I came across a news headline about several humans becoming infected with brucellosis after drinking raw milk. I then realized I hadn’t yet shared any information about this disease in dogs. Thus, this week’s blog post was born. I hope you find the information intriguing and shareworthy. Happy … [Read more…]
The world is full of infectious organisms that cause disease in our pets. One problematic parasite is called Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agent of toxoplasmosis in cats. Toxoplasmosis is relatively common in our feline friends, yet is under-recognized as potential cause of a pet’s clinical signs. This week I share some information about this important … [Read more…]
When most folks think of infection, they think of bacteria. Yet not all infections are caused by bacteria. Many infections are caused by other infectious organisms, including fungi. If you live in certain parts of the United States, fungal infections are actually quite common. One of the more common fungal infections is called blastomycosis. This … [Read more…]
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, as some encouraging news about … [Read more…]