Tapozole (Methimazole) in Cats

Tapazole is a drug used to treat hyperthyroidism in cats.  The generic name for tapazole is methimazole.  It acts by inhibiting iodine incorporation into thyroglobuin thereby interfering with the synthesis of thyroid hormones.  Originally, the drug only came in a pill form.  Since pilling cats is not always pleasant, the medication can be compounded into …

Coconut Oil for Dogs and Cats

Coconut oil has become a popular fatty acid supplement for humans.  Some of my clients who supplemented their pets with fish oil have switched to coconut oil because they thought it was better.  Unfortunately, this is only true for patients with severe gastrointestinal disease or cognitive dysfunction.  Unlike fish oil, it does not help with inflammation.  Let me …

2013 National Veterinary Technician Week

October 13th-19th is National Veterinary Technician Week.  I want to dedicate this blog to all the veterinary technicians who dedicate their lives to saving animals.  These gifted health care professionals are the wind beneath a veterinarian’s wings.  We simply couldn’t do our jobs without them.  Let me give you a peak into what veterinarian technicians …

You Make The Diagnosis: A Dog’s Painful Encounter

Last Saturday night, I treated a unusual case for a city clinic.  A dog went out into his fenced backyard before retiring with his family for the night.  When he returned, blood covered his paws and face.  He was in extreme pain.  Please examine the picture of my patient’s paw then answer the following questions; What happened to …

You Make The Diagnosis: Strange Structure On Paw

Pictured below is the paw of a dog who came in for veterinary care.  During my examination, I found this structure on the inner side of the dog’s leg.  Look at it closely then answer the following questions:  What is the structure?  How is it treated?  Diagnosis:Overgrown Dewclaw(360 degrees) I have never seen a nail grown …