I don’t like skin diseases, so I’m very thankful for folks like board-certified veterinary dermatologists who do! This week my family’s dog, Tobyas, required urgent dermatologic care for an immune-mediated condition called idiopathic sterile nodular panniculitis. Thanks to the wonderful veterinary dermatology team at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, Tobyas is now on … [Read more…]
Our canine friends can become infected with a wide variety of infectious agents. We explored many of them, including parvovirus and leptospirosis, in previous posts. This week I share information about another one – salmon poisoning disease. Happy reading! Salmon poisoning disease – What is it? Salmon poisoning is caused by a rickettsial bacterial organism … [Read more…]
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…]
Almost every dog parent has heard the term kennel cough before. Perhaps their dog went to daycare or was recently boarded. Perhaps their fur baby played with some new dogs at the dog park or visited a grooming facility. Then, their dog started to cough about a week later. So, they brought the pet to … [Read more…]
I love most things about Summer. Hot weather. Barbecues. Boating on the lake. Making memories with friends. Yet with the warmer season comes those nasty little pests known as ticks. These creepy critters can transmit to our canine companions a myriad of diseases, including the causative agent of Lyme disease. As Summer is rapidly approaching … [Read more…]
I love diseases of the blood and immune system. I find them fascinating. I love helping patients living with them. One common infection of the blood in cats is hemotropic mycoplasmosis. Specific bacteria called Mycoplasma parasitize red blood cells to destroy them and to trigger a powerful (and potentially deadly) response by the immune system. … [Read more…]