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, Massachusetts, Tobyas is now on … [Read more…]
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 their furry companions. Happy reading! … [Read more…]
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 explaining pruritus in detail to … [Read more…]
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 this bacterium is commonly found … [Read more…]
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 infections is called blastomycosis. This … [Read more…]
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 in pets. Happy reading! Coccidioidomycosis … [Read more…]
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 parents. Happy reading! Hot Spots … [Read more…]
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 – What is it? Lymphoma – … [Read more…]
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 medical problem, I wanted to … [Read more…]
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. Happy reading! Malignant Melanoma – … [Read more…]