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…
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Pyrethrin and Pyrethroid Toxicity in Cats: What Pet Owners and Veterinary Teams Need to Know
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…
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Bromethalin Intoxication in Dogs & Cats – Not Your Typical Rodenticide
I love mice and rats. I think they make great first pets for children. I also know not everybody shares my adoration for these rodents. Indeed, many go out of the way to expunge them from their homes, employing various traps and poisons. One common type of rodenticide contains a…
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Insulinoma in Dogs – When Too Much of a Good Thing Isn’t Good
I’ve previously published information about diabetes mellitus in dogs, including details about how to treat this disease. What if a dog or cat had too much insulin instead of too little? This is a serious condition called insulinoma. This week I’ve dedicated time to sharing some helpful tidbits about this…
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Lilies and Cats – Be Aware of These Poisonous Plants in Our Furry Felines
Easter is just around the corner in many parts of the world. With this holiday comes a bounty of delectable sweet treats and gorgeous flower arrangements. Indeed, there aren’t many things that are more stunning that fully bloomed Easter lilies. Unfortunately, those plants and many lilies are exceeding toxic to cats. Given the…
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Cytauxzoonosis – A Dangerous Tick-Borne Disease in Cats
When most pet parents think of think of tick-borne diseases affecting pets, they think about infections in dogs. Common examples of such ailments in dogs are Lyme disease (borreliosis), ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (rickettsiosis), babesiosis, bartonellosis, anaplasmosis, and hepatozoonosis. Yet we should not forget about cats! They, too, can be…
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Rescue Inhaler Intoxication – Don’t Let Your Pet Inhale!
I’ve just returned from a week in Cartagena, Colombia where I had the privilege of presenting several lectures at the 41st World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress. As I was hurriedly maneuvering through the airport, I saw a young woman use an inhaler after she had clearly run to her…
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Seizures in Dogs & Cats – What You Need to Know!
One of the scariest events in pet parents’ lives is seeing their fur baby have a seizure. They’re downright frightening even when you know what seizures look like. So this week I’ve devoted some blog space to bring you important information about seizures in dogs and cats. Happy reading! Seizures…
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Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs: What Every Pet Owner Needs to Know
Everybody loves chocolate, right? Many of us can’t resist a juicy strawberry dipped in dark chocolate. Unfortunately, our dogs often feel the same way, and that craving can turn deadly. Chocolate toxicity in dogs is one of the most common veterinary emergencies, and understanding the risks can save your pet’s…