I don’t like skin diseases, so I’m very thankful for folks like board-certified veterinary dermatologists who do! This week my family’s dog, Tobyas, required urgent dermatologic care for an immune-mediated condition called idiopathic sterile nodular panniculitis. Thanks to the wonderful veterinary dermatology team at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston,…
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Pododermatitis – Why Are My Pet’s Paws Red?
One of the more common reasons for pet owners to present their pets for evaluation by a veterinarian is red, inflamed paws. The general term for skin inflammation of the paws is called pododermatitis. This week’s post is dedicated to sharing detailed information for families about this common condition in…
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Pruritus in Dogs & Cats – Why is My Pet Itchy?
No person likes to feel itchy. Neither do our dogs and cats. It’s annoying, and sometimes painful. There are a myriad of reasons for our pets to be itchy. Indeed, pruritus – the medical term for itching – is very common in companion animals. I’ve dedicated this week’s post to…
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Capnocytophaga & Your Pet – The Real Kiss of Death?
You may have recently read a news story about a Wisconsin man who lost both of his legs and arms to an infection caused by the bacterium, Capnocytophaga canimorsus. This story caught the attention of news media because of the rarity of the infection and the severity of injuries. As…
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Blastomycosis – A Potentially Lethal Fungal Infection in Our Pets
When most folks think of infection, they think of bacteria. Yet not all infections are caused by bacteria. Many infections are caused by other infectious organisms, including fungi. If you live in certain parts of the United States, fungal infections are actually quite common. One of the more common fungal…
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Coccidioidomycosis in Dogs & Cats – An Important Fungal Infection in Pets
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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Drop It Like It’s Hot Spots – Pyotraumatic Dermatitis in Dogs
Summer is upon us in the Northern Hemisphere. With the heat comes the potential for a painful skin condition called pyotraumatic dermatitis, often referred to as hot spots. Given the frequency with which this problem is diagnosed, I’ve dedicated some time to expound on it to increase awareness among dog…
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Lymphoma in Cats – What to Know About This Common Cancer
In a previous post, I reviewed a cancer in dogs called lymphoma. You can find that information here. Unfortunately, lymphoma also commonly affects our feline friends. So, this week I’ve dedicated some time to spreading news about lymphoma in cats. I hope you find it helpful. Happy reading! Lymphoma –…
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Lymph Node Enlargement in Dogs & Cats – A Swelling Not to Be Ignored!
A common clinical scenario I encounter is a pet referred to me for evaluation of enlarged lymph nodes. Parents may incidentally discover the swellings while petting or playing with their pet. At other times family veterinarians find the enlargements during an annual preventative healthcare examination. Given the commonality of this…
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Malignant Melanoma in Dogs – A Colorful Canine Cancer
With my bald head, I’m keenly aware of my risk for skin cancer, specifically malignant melanoma. Unfortunately, our canine companions can develop this cancer too. This cancer is quite aggressive, so I wanted to share information with pet parents to raise awareness. Please consider sharing with other dog parents you know.…