Trusted Veterinary Education for Dogs & Cats
Accidental ingestion of human and animal medications is one of the most common toxicities in companion animal medicine, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the biggest culprits. Maybe a pill rolls under the couch, or a curious dog noses a bottle off the counter before you know it, a…
Cats and dogs often develop neurologic abnormalities at home for which pet owners bring them to veterinarians for evaluation. Possible causes of neurologic deficits are varied but certainly include brain tumors. This week I’m sharing more information about brain tumors to provide more insight for pet owners. Happy reading! Tell…
In recent weeks, the emergency team with whom I work has treated several patients for an uncommon toxicity: zinc and aluminum phosphide. So, this week – in the interest of increasing awareness – I’ve written a post about it. I hope you’ll share it with other pet owners to help…
I’ve spent more time in front of digital screens during the COVID-19 pandemic than to which I wish to admit. I’ve watched some new shows and rewatched some others. This morning, a re-run of the heart-wrenching Downton Abbey episode that saw Lady Sybil die of eclampsia had me feeling all…
One might think in a time when highly effective and safe vaccines for canine distemper virus are widely available this debilitating disease would be eradicated in the developed world. Sadly, that is not the case. In fact, canine distemper is still rampant in some areas of the United States. As…
Animal lovers know most dogs don’t have discerning tastes. They’ll put almost anything in their mouths, even items that are potentially toxic and even lethal. Some of these would-be toxins are compounds called tremorgenic mycotoxins. Many pet parents have never heard of them, so this week I’ve dedicated time to…
Warm weather has arrived for most of us in the Northern Hemisphere. With the searing temperatures comes the inevitability of someone leaving their dog locked in a blisteringly hot car or letting their canine companion run around in a park during peak temperatures without access to fresh cool water. The…
As a new home owner, I’m in the process of landscaping my property. Suffice it to say, I want a lot of greenery – plants and shrubs, galore! Yet one type of plant I plan to avoid like the plague is the sago palms. Why? They are intensely toxic to…
Infectious organisms are everywhere. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi threaten our pets every day. Some prefer specific environmental conditions to thrive. Two such organisms are Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii, the microbes that cause coccidioidomycosis or Valley fever. This week I hope you’ll enjoy learning more about this important infectious disease…
Pyrethrins and pyrethroids are common ingredients found in many flea and tick preventatives, household insecticides, and gardening products. While these chemicals are generally safe for dogs and humans when used as directed, cats are uniquely sensitive. Accidental exposure can quickly lead to life-threatening toxicity. This article explains the mechanism of…