Monthly Archives: April 2014

Apatite or calcium phosphorous stones are the least common type of stone I see in practice. These rare stones form from the same risk factors responsible for calcium oxalate stones. These include increased amounts of calcium and/or phosphate in the urine. The one big difference is pH. While calcium oxalate stones precipitate out of acidic urine, …

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Ammonium urate or urate stones in dogs are common in Dalmations and bulldogs. Dalmations lack the enzyme needed to convert uric acid in the urine to allatoin. As a result, their urine contains high concentrations of uric acid leading to formation of uroliths (stones) in the urinary tract. Urate uroliths are also seen in dogs with …

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Struvite is the common name for magnesium ammonium phosphate uroliths (stones) found in dogs. These stones may occur anywhere in the urinary tract including the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder and urethra. Struvite stones often form when the dog has a urinary tract infection with bacteria that produce urease. This enzyme leads to over production of …

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Hypoadrenocorticism or Addison’s Disease is a serious health problem that can cause death if left untreated. In this disease, the adrenal glands fail to produce two very important hormones, cortisol and aldosterone. Cortisol is the stress hormone important for regulating heart rate and blood pressure. Aldosterone is the hormone that regulates electrolyte levels. Without aldosterone, levels of sodium plummet while potassium surges. Without …

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Now that Walmart is offering an NPH insulin (RelinOn) for approximately $25.00 a vial, I am getting questions from some people wanting to switch their pets to save money. Unfortunately, not all insulin is the same which means switching may not save money. Let me explain: There are many types of insulin used in human and veterinary …

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Weight loss and/or poor appetite is a common problem in elderly cats. A cat who used to be a good eater suddenly becomes selective, refusing to eat any food consistently. Concerned owners try all kinds of foods including a variety of canned and dry food, human baby food and home cooking. Unfortunately, the results are disappointing, the cat will …

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Tear stains are a common problem in toy breed dogs due to their confirmation. Once and awhile, a dog with normal confirmation will develop tear stains from a blocked tear duct. In either case, tears spill down the face usually between the inner corner of the eye and nose. I was taught in veterinary college that the stains are …

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