The heart is unquestionably a vital organ. Without it, life-sustaining oxygen can’t circulate to the tissues of the body. Without a properly functioning heart, animals and humans, alike, develop debilitating conditions and die. This week I share information about one of the most common heart conditions to afflict our canine companions: dilated cardiomyopathy or DCM. … [Read more…]
The environment contains all sorts of infectious organisms, little microscopic critters that can cause illness in our beloved dogs and cats. One such infection called coccidiosis is a common parasitic infection of the small intestine. Given the prevalence of this disease, I wanted to share some useful information about it in this week’s post. Happy … [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…]
There are many causes of chronic diarrhea in dogs and cats – inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, chronic pancreatitis just to name a few. A protozoan called Giardia duodenalis is found worldwide, and is a very common cause of diarrhea. This week I’ve dedicated some space to providing more information, and I hope … [Read more…]
Most pet parents are familiar with the terms pancreatitis and diabetes mellitus. These are two common pancreatic disorders in dogs and cats. Yet another pancreatitis disease – exocrine pancreatic insufficiency or EPI – is often overlooked as a cause of chronic weight loss and diarrhea. This week I highlight this disease to bring information about … [Read more…]
This week’s post is the first in a three-part series about diabetes mellitus. In this first week, I discuss diabetes mellitus in cats. Next week I will review this disease as it pertains to our canine friends, and in the third and final week of the series, I will provide information about at-home glucose monitoring … [Read more…]