You Make The Diagnosis: Eye Problems in Welsh Corgi

Welsh Corgi or the Pembroke Corgi are prone to certain eye problems. Thankfully, the beautiful dog pictured below does not have any issues. As you can see, she has beautiful eyes. Name the common eye diseases in this breed. These diseases may be inherited, congenital or acquired. Diagnosis: Distichiasis which means abnormal eye lashes that …

You Make The Diagnosis: Common Dog Parasite

Last week, a client brought in a fecal sample from their puppy. The dog had been given a medication to kill internal parasites called fenbendazole. What are the long white worms called? How did the pup get them? (The intestinal parasites or worms are the things that look like spaghetti noodles.) Diagnosis: Roundworms ( Toxocara canis) …

Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) in Dogs

Immune mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is a life-threatening disease in dogs. This disease is also called autoimmune mediated hemolytic anemia because the dog’s immune system actually makes antibodies against it’s own red blood cells. If large numbers of antibodies attach to a red blood cell, it will lyse or burst open inside the bloodstream. Red …

You Make The Diagnosis: Rare Blood Disorder In Dog

Pictured below is the blood from a female cocker spaniel. She was anorexic, lethargic and breathing harder than normal. When I looked at her gums, they were pale. Her eyes, gums and skin, had a faint yellow tint. I placed a sample of her blood in a purple top tube. The EDTA in this tube …

Scorpions Pose Threat To Pets

In Arizona, the bark scorpion ( Centruroides exilicanda and Centruroides sculpturatus) is the most common type of scorpion. These insects hide during the scorching daytime temperatures then come out at night to hunt. They sting their prey with their tails, injecting a potent venom. Scorpion venom contains a potent neurotoxin that can cause disorientation, hypertension, paralysis, convulsions, excessive tearing and salivation, …

EPA’s Prohibition of Second-Generation Anticoagulants Creates New Problems for Pets and Children

In 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decided to ban the use of second-generation anticoagulants in products used to control rodents. Anticoagulants kill pests and pets by causing the animal to bleed to death. This ban will go into affect in 2015. To comply with this ban, many manufacturers of rat baits and other rodenticides have switched to …

You Make The Diagnosis: Common Schnauzer Blood Disorder

Pictured below on the left side is a blood sample from a Miniature Schnauzer who presented for vomiting. Abdominal X-rays showed an empty stomach with no other abnormalities. We drew blood from the dog, placed it in a serum separator tube then spun it in a centrifuge. After the spinning finished, the yellow colored material in the tube …

Children’s Hospitals & Clinics of Minnesota

On August 6th I have the privilege of serving as a conversationalist at CHA’s Table Talk in St. Paul.  We will have a wonderful time and raise money in support of Children’s health.  One of the great programs Table Talk helps fund is Pets Assisting With Healing (PAWH). Animals bring a world of medical benefits …