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…
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…
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…
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…
Whenever my family and I visited my maternal grandparents, my Papou (Greek for grandfather) would obsess about making sure we had enough to eat. There was always a jar of mixed nuts on the coffee table. Inevitably macadamia nuts were among the mixture of delicious nuts. They have such a…
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…
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…