Veterinarian, Speaker & Author
Dental problems are common in dogs and cats. Pictured below is the L side of the maxilla, upper jaw, of a dog. Study the image and then answer the following questions: 1) What is wrong with this dog’s mouth? 2) Is is painful? 3) What is the best treatment for the problem? DIAGNOSIS: Fractured incisor …
Continue reading “You Make the Diagnosis: Dental Problem in a Dog”
Trazadone is a serotonin antagonist/reuptake inhibator that veterinarians prescribe for behavior problems in dogs. It is actually an antidepressant that works well for dogs with anxiety or fear issues especially when combined with other anti-anxiety medications such as amitriptyline. It is also used to calm dogs during hospital stays and surgical procedures. Trazadone has less …
On January 31, 2019, Hill’s Pet Nutrition announced a recall of their canned canine prescription diets due to excessive levels of vitamin D. Please see the list below to see the SKU and lot numbers involved. If you have cans from this list, please stop feeding it immediately and bring it back for a refund. …
Continue reading “Voluntary Hill’s Prescription Canned Dog Food Recall January 2019”
K13 is an endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal. The scientific name for this species is Monachus schauinslandi but I prefer the Hawaiian name ilio-holo-i-kauaua which means ‘dog that runs on water’ or ‘dog running in rough seas’. Monk seals are named for the loose folds of skin around their necks that look like a monk’s cowl. I …
The Morris Animal Foundation has a long history of funding studies that help diagnose, treat and prevent disease in animals. Since 1950, the foundation has funded many many projects that have led to significant discoveries. They have invested $15.8 million in 368 studies at 60 different institutions around the world. Here is a list of …
Continue reading “The Morris Animal Foundation Funds New Feline Studies”
The Morris Animal Foundation has a long history of funding studies that help diagnose, treat and prevent disease in dogs and cats. Since 1950, the foundation has funded many many projects that have led to significant discoveries including the first vaccine to prevent parvovirus enteritis in dogs. This infectious disease destroys rapidly dividing cells in …
Continue reading “The Morris Animal Foundation Funds Many New Studies on Dog Diseases”
Tartar in dogs and cats will fluoresce when exposed to ultraviolet light. Bacteria found in the mouth produce porphyrins that emit a pinkish orange glow. In fact, researchers have found feline, canine and human tartar as well as bacterial cultures will fluoresce as well. Why is this important? Because fluorescence can be used to look …
Continue reading “Using Fluorescence to Look For Dental Calculus in Dogs and Cats”
Feline acne or chin acne is a common skin disease in cats. Unlike humans, feline acne occurs in cats of all ages. It is a disorder of the hair follicles that leads to secondary infections. Although many ideas have been proposed including allergies, poor grooming, increased sebum production and viral infections, none have been proven. …
Given the marketing push behind grain free diets, I feel urgency to share the following information. Veterinary Cardiologist, Dr. Joshua Stern, has noticed a a disturbing trend in dogs. Golden Retrievers are developing acquired dilated cardiomyopathy, (DCM) caused by lack of an amino acid called taurine. The other form of dilated cardiomyopathy is called inherited …
Rattlesnakes are highly adaptable venomous snakes that live thoughout the continental United States. They are members of the Crotalidae family of venomous snakes which is a subfamily of vipers. Beside rattlesnakes, this group includes water moccasins and copperheads. This group does not include coral, mamba or sea snakes which are part of the Elapidae family. …