One of my tasks as a board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialist is interpreting a wide variety of diagnostic tests. One of the most common laboratory abnormalities for which patients are referred to me is elevation of an enzyme called alkaline phosphatase, often abbreviated as SAP, SALP, and ALP. There are…
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DKA: Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Cats & Dogs
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…
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Hyperlipidemia in Dogs & Cats – Why Worry about Cholesterol & Triglycerides?
Blood fats are called lipids, and they circulate throughout the body. They play a wide variety of roles in normal organ function and metabolism. Elevated blood lipids – called hyperlipidemia – in humans are major causes of cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, and hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver syndrome). Do…
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Acute Pancreatitis – A Disease That Should Not Be Ignored!
Last week I reviewed a relatively unknown household threat to dogs and cats – bread dough intoxication. More commonly around the holidays emergency rooms see a spike in a specific type of illness in our furry companions – acute pancreatitis. This illness can manifest at any time of year, but incidence around…
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Diabetes Mellitus: Part III – Monitoring & Insulin Handling
This week I present the third and final installment in our discussion about diabetes mellitus (DM). Previously we reviewed this disease as it relates to both dogs and cats. Now we will chat about proper handling of insulin and taking care of your diabetic pet at home. Diabetes Mellitus Issue #1:…
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Diabetes Mellitus: Part II – Dogs
This week’s post is the second in a three-part series covering the topic of diabetes mellitus, and for this contribution I discuss this disease as it relates to dogs. In last week’s post, I reviewed diabetes in cats, and next week I will review insulin handling and how to perform at-home…
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Diabetes Mellitus: Part I – Cats
This week’s post is the first in a three-part series about diabetes mellitus. In this first week, I discuss diabetes mellitus in cats. Next week I will review this disease as it pertains to our canine friends, and in the third and final week of the series, I will provide…