Lungs are a vital organ essential for delivering oxygen to the lungs and expelling carbon dioxide from the body. In various disease states, the lungs become damaged, and fluid can inappropriately swamp them with fluid. This fluid accumulation in the lungs is called is called pulmonary edema and can dramatically impede oxygenation and ventilation. In … [Read more…]
The heart is a vital organ. It pumps blood throughout the body, delivering oxygen-rich blood to organs and returning oxygen-poor blood back to the lungs to be loaded with oxygen. There are a variety of ailments that cause the heart to function abnormally, impairing its ability to circulate blood. This week I’ve dedicated a post … [Read more…]
Pediatric patients – humans, dogs, and cats, alike – can get into things they shouldn’t when left unattended and to their own devices. Cupboards full of potential toxins. Drawers full of sharp objects. One potential household hazard for our pets is electrical cords. Puppies and kittens love to chew on things, including cords plugged into … [Read more…]
The heart is unquestionably a vital organ. Without it, life-sustaining oxygen can’t circulate to the tissues of the body. Without a properly functioning heart, animals and humans, alike, develop debilitating conditions and die. This week I share information about one of the most common heart conditions to afflict our canine companions: dilated cardiomyopathy or DCM. … [Read more…]
The heart is obviously a vital organ. Proper function is essential to deliver oxygen to tissues throughout the body. When not functioning properly, our dogs and cats becoming rapidly debilitated, and indeed, can die. This week I’ve dedicated some time to explaining a type of severe heart dysfunction called congestive heart failure or CHF. I … [Read more…]
The heart is unquestionably a vital organ. Unfortunately, sometimes it doesn’t develop properly in utero, and these congenital defects can range from minor and inconsequential to life threatening. This week I share information about a relatively common congenital heart defect called subaortic stenosis. Please consider sharing it with other pet parents. Happy reading! Subaortic Stenosis … [Read more…]
Winter is rapidly approaching – at least here in North America. With the advent of this season comes bone-chilling temperatures in many regions. Dogs and cats – just like humans – are at risk for developing subnormal body temperatures, a condition known as hypothermia. This week I’ve dedicated some blog space to spreading the word … [Read more…]
I think most pet parents are familiar with term heartworm disease. They know veterinarians recommend preventative medications. In my experience, though, families don’t fully appreciate the seriousness of this condition in both dogs and cats. So, this week I wanted to take some time to explain what exactly is heartworm disease and emphasize the importance … [Read more…]
People are frequently born with heart defects. They often require intricate and specialized surgeries to help correct them. So too can dogs and cats be affected by congenital heart abnormalities, the most common of which is called patent ductus arteriosus or PDA. This week I share some important information about this serious condition. I hope … [Read more…]
Inevitably at some point in a pet’s life, anesthesia and surgery will be necessary. For example, spaying (called an ovariohysterectomy) and neutering (called and orchiectomy) are very common surgical procedures recommended for non-breeding dogs and cats. Both surgeries are performed while a patient is under anesthesia. Prior to anesthesia veterinarians recommend a few non-invasive tests … [Read more…]