Oxygen is unquestionably required for life. Without our lungs, oxygen can’t get into the bloodstream to be transported to cells throughout the body. Sometimes inappropriate bodily fluids end up in the lungs because they were inhaled (aspirated) into the airway. The resulting lung inflammation and infection is called aspiration pneumonia. This week I share some … [Read more…]
Heartburn is an uncomfortable feeling caused by stomach acid splashing into the esophagus. Also called acid reflux, people often take various over-the-counter medications to alleviate discomfort associated with heartburn. Severe and/or chronic acid reflux is called gastroesophageal reflux disease, and may be associated with more serious conditions. Like humans, dogs and cats are affected by … [Read more…]
For many families the mere mention of a murmur or heart disease instills fear, a sincere concern about an illness that could negatively affect their fur baby’s quality of life. In an effort to provide useful information, I’m pleased to welcome another guest blogger, Dr. Kacie Schmitt, a board-certified veterinary cardiologist who will present a two-part series … [Read more…]
This week was filled with patients with some challenging diseases, none more so than megaesophagus! What’s that you ask? Please take a few minutes to read more about this potentially debilitating disease of the esophagus (food tube) below. What is megaesophagus? Megaesophagus is a condition where there is decreased or absent muscular contractions of the … [Read more…]
This is a statement I hear from pet parents almost on a daily basis. When I ask them where they heard such a concept, the response is usually, “that’s what my vet said.” Furthermore their family veterinarians have usually simply treated the vast majority of these cats symptomatically with diets for “sensitive stomachs”, hypoallergenic diets, … [Read more…]