A common clinical scenario I encounter is a pet referred to me for evaluation of enlarged lymph nodes. Parents may incidentally discover the swellings while petting or playing with their pet. At other times family veterinarians find the enlargements during an annual preventative healthcare examination. Given the commonality of this…
-
-
Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs – A Common Canine Skin Cancer
Mast cells are unique cells of the immune system that are involved in the body’s response to inflammation and allergies. Unfortunately, these cells can become cancerous to affect different areas of the body, particularly the skin. Given their commonality in our canine companions, I wanted to dedicate some time to…
-
Ultrasonography in Dogs & Cats – Fun with Sound Waves
Veterinary medicine is advancing every day. One of the most significant advances in recent memory is the use of ultrasonography to help diagnose various disorders in our animal companions. This week I share some information about this truly important imaging modality, and hope you find the information insightful. Happy reading! As…
-
Lymphoma in Dogs – What You Need to Know
The word cancer elicits many different feelings for people – fear, helplessness, and uncertainty just to name a few. Sadly, our fur babies aren’t immune from the grips of “the big C” but everyday we are learning more thanks to the efforts of researchers and board-certified veterinary oncologists. One of…
-
Mammary Tumors in Dogs – Don’t Ignore a Lump!
Each October in the United States, various organizations strive to raise awareness of and funds for finding a cure for breast cancer in humans. Breast cancer, also called mammary cancer, in dogs has both similarities and differences to the human condition. To end the month of October, I review the…
-
Blood Pressure Monitoring – Vital Yet Under Appreciated
Vital signs (i.e.: heart rate, respiratory rate and body temperature) are non-invasive clinical measurements used to assess the state of a patient’s essential body functions. Clinical board-certified veterinary specialists consider blood pressure (BP) to be the fourth vital sign, but sadly the prevalence of appropriate blood pressure monitoring in veterinary…
-
Skin Lumps – Don’t Ignore Them!
A common reason for a pet parent to bring his/her pet to a family veterinarian is because s/he has discovered a new skin lump/mass on his/her dog or cat. This lump can be big or small. It may cause the pet discomfort or may truly be an incidental finding. Nevertheless…