• Brain Tumors in Cats & Dogs – What You Need to Know!

    Cats and dogs often develop neurologic abnormalities at home for which pet owners bring them to veterinarians for evaluation. Possible causes of neurologic deficits are varied but certainly include brain tumors. This week I’m sharing more information about brain tumors to provide more insight for pet owners. Happy reading! Tell…

  • AAI – Atlantoaxial Instability in Dogs & Cats

    I’ve written about spinal cord problems like intervertebral disc disease in previous posts. This week’s post comes as a result of a specific request from one of you, a dedicate follower of CriticalCareDVM.com. Here’s some information about another important spine problem: atlantoaxial instability or AAI. I hope you enjoy reading…

  • Hydrocephalus in Pets – Too Much Water on the Brain

    The brain is a vital organ with many unique parts. Cerebrospinal fluid or CSF must be able to circulate appropriately. When flow of CSF is inadequate, serious and potentially life-threatening problems arise. This week I wanted to share information about hydrocephalus, a condition characterized by inappropriate accumulation of CSF in…

  • Ectopic Ureter – A Cause of Urinary Incontinence

    In previous posts I wrote about variety of urinary tract problems, including tumors of the urinary bladder and protein losing nephropathy (PLN). This week I wanted to share information about another urinary issue – ectopic ureter. I hope you find the post interesting and informative. Happy reading! Ectopic Ureter –…

  • Spontaneous Pneumothorax in Dogs & Cats

    Respiratory distress in dogs and cats is stressful for all involved – pet, owner, and even veterinarians. In previous posts I’ve shared information about various breathing problems, including kennel cough and aspiration pneumonia. This week I wanted to spend some time discussing a truly life-threatening respiratory problem – spontaneous pneumothorax.…

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    Nasopharyngeal Polyps – A Tricky Airway Problem in Cats

    The airway is a complicated system that can be affected by many different problems, including pneumonia and asthma. A common problem in younger cats is nasopharyngeal polyps. This week I share information about this disease that can dramatically and negatively affect quality of life. Happy reading! Nasopharyngeal Polyps – What…

  • Vestibular Diseases – When Our Dogs & Cats Get Dizzy!

    As a child (and honestly even now as an adult) I abhorred amusement park rides that moved in circular patterns because they made me inevitably vomit due to vertigo. Roller coasters? Great! The Gravitron? Over my dead body! I don’t need to put myself into a human centrifuge. I hate…

  • Osteosarcoma in Dogs – A Painful & Aggressive Bone Cancer

    Lameness is a common problem in dogs. Muscle injuries like an iliopsoas muscle strain and ligamentous injuries like a cranial cruciate ligament rupture are frequently diagnosed in dogs. Every once and a while, a lameness is more serious than a strain or ligament problem. Sometimes it’s cancer, specifically a cancer in…