Category: Illness
Demodex: A Mitey Problem
We’ve all heard of mange. The term probably brings to mind a pitiful, skinny, bald little shelter animal in one of those heart-wrenching Sarah McLachlan ads on TV. Before you reach for the tissues, fear not! We can deal with mange! It’s not such a mighty problem! But it is a MITEY problem. There are several types of mange (like...Read More
Why Is My Dog Scooting?
You’ve noticed your dog scooting his bottom across your brand new area rug. And then it hits your nose…a terrible fishy smell that has notes of something dead or at least rotten. What is that??? Anal glands (or anal sacs) are two, small glands that sit in the 10:00 and 2:00 position just inside the anus of your pet. Bothdogs...Read More
Essential Oils and Animals
As I am delving into the world of essential oils for myself, I have found many people asking me about use in and on their dogs and cats. First and foremost let me clarify I am NOT a holistic veterinarian (there are tests and lots of qualifications that go into becoming a true holistic veterinarian). I am just an interested...Read More
The Truth About Dog Flu and Pneumonia
As we have discussed, canine influenza- aka the dog flu- is a highly contagious respiratory infection. There are currently two canine strains of this virus known to affect dogs internationally. H3N8 emerged around 2004 in Florida, and continues to cause sporadic disease. H3N2, a mild strain, was recently identified around Chicago in 2015. Geographic locations for this newer strain...Read More
Beware of Grass Awns!
What are grass awns? One of the most common minor emergencies we see during the summer in the Mid-south are grass awn foreign bodies. These ‘seeds’ or grass awns can become lodged in pet ears, between toes, and under the skin. The most common presentation is a draining tract between the toes. However, grass awns can also cause much more serious...Read More
Litter Box Issues
Litter box problems are the most common behavior issue with cats. Unfortunately, it often leads to banning the cat outdoors, abandonment, or even surrender to the shelter when their owners cannot handle it anymore. While stress is often a common cause of litter box issues, medical conditions can also lead to this problem. If your cat is having litter box...Read More
Canine Influenza
Even though flu season is almost over for us humans (hooray!), canine influenza, or dog flu, season lasts all year. The flu in dogs is a relatively new disease and the most recent strain (the H3N2 strain) has proven to be quite nasty and resilient. Typically, we refer to outbreaks of disease as an epidemic. With an epidemic, we see...Read More
Are ‘Recheck’ Appointments Actually Needed?
Your dog’s ears are red and inflamed and he has been shaking his head and scratching at his ears. The doctor looks into the ears to find both ear canals are swollen with a dark wax inside. She gets a sample from the ear canals and performs cytology with a microscope diagnosing a mixed infection of bacteria and yeast. An ear...Read More
My dog has a cold, wet nose… Why?
When it comes to pets, it seems there are many mysteries about their bodies and why they were made a certain way. One thing that makes their humans curious is the fact that their noses are often both cold and wet. It is often believed that a dry, warm nose equals a sick dog and a visit to the vet...Read More
- Posted in:
- Allergies
- Dog Owners
- Dogs
- Illness
- Pet Habits
- Pet Health
- Uncategorized
- Wellness
What Can I Give My Dog/Cat For Pain?
Understandably, it is very hard for us to see our pets in pain. While it may be tempting to go in your medicine cabinet and reach for over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen, and give it to your pet, these medications must be avoided. Over-the-counter pain medications created for humans can be very harmful, and even fatal,...Read More
