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 numerous potential reasons for the … [Read more…]
Recently I came across a news story of a couple who visited the Dominican Republic. While in the tropical paradise, they became infected with a parasite from the genus Ancylostoma. more commonly known as hookworms. They likely contracted this painful parasitic infestation while walking barefoot on the local beaches of Punta Cana. I wanted to … [Read more…]
Social media are truly curious phenomena. Opinions abound, including those unsupported by actual fact. We’ve all read them. Last week I read a dangerously inaccurate post regarding canine parvovirus that claimed humans made this potentially deadly disease. This post made my blood boil. Yet rather than perpetually fume, I’ve decided to be proactive. So over the … [Read more…]