Proper nutrition is just as important for our pets as it is for us. Unfortunately, when our cats and dogs become ill, their appetites often decrease or disappear altogether. Despite this worsening of appetite, the need for adequate nutrition doesn’t decrease. Indeed, it often increases! The use of temporary supplement feeding tubes is a minimally … [Read more…]
A couple of weeks ago I received a message from one of you asking me to share what I wished pet parents knew. Wow! That’s quite a request. Where do I begin? This week I’ve decided to take a stab at this intriguing inquiry. I’ve decided to let you in on four things I want … [Read more…]
Chronic diarrhea is a common problem for our furry companions. So too are constipation and diabetes mellitus for dogs & cats. All of these medical problems may benefit from increased dietary fiber. Many veterinarians recommend supplementing meals with canned pumpkin as a means of increasing fiber in the diet. Is this effective? Read this post … [Read more…]
No dog parent wants to clean up diarrhea. Cleaning up bloody diarrhea is even more unpleasant. Unfortunately, the development of acute bloody diarrhea is not an uncommon occurrence in our canine companions. Such a malady is called Acute Hemorrhagic Diarrhea Syndrome or AHDS. Formally called Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis (HGE), this ailment can be debilitating and potentially … [Read more…]
This week we finish our discussion of parvovirus infection in dogs. I reviewed the origins and diagnosis of this viral disease last week. For this post, I will focus on treatment and prevention. Happy reading! Parvovirus – How is it treated in-hospital? I won’t beat around the bush when it comes to treating canine parvovirus. … [Read more…]
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 the major winter holidays in … [Read more…]
This week’s post may surprise many of you given I typically strive to highlight how pet parents partnering with both a family veterinarian and a board-certified veterinary specialist is invaluable for your pet’s healthcare. I feel comfortable saying veterinarians wish our patients never got sick. Alas that is a utopian notion, and we certainly don’t … [Read more…]
For the past several weeks, I’ve had a survey on Because Pets Can Have Specialists Too asking about what you want to know more. Well you requested and I’ve responded! You wanted to know more about kidney diseases in dogs and cats so this week I’m giving you a post about one of the most common … [Read more…]
The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is understandably very important in all animals, and it becomes truly vital in sick pets because of its many functions that support health. The GIT has several components, all of which work together to help ensure an animal is able to maximally utilize nutrients s/he ingests. Think of the GIT as … [Read more…]
On an almost daily basis I have the privilege of consulting with families whose dog or cat isn’t eating well (or at all). Sometimes the pet is also vomiting, but often the only concern for the family is the pet’s lack of appetite. When I obtain a complete patient history, families report they have tried … [Read more…]