Veterinarian, Speaker & Author
Cat blood is broken down into three different blood types; A, B and AB. Problems occur when an A type tom is bred to a B type queen. All of the kittens will be type A because A is the dominant gene and B is the recessive. When they nurse, the kittens receive antibodies from the queen through the colostrum. The …
Continue reading “Neonatal Isoerythrolysis And Cat Blood Types”
Based on the blood typing system used in the United States, dogs are divided into eight different blood types depending upon the antigens present on their red blood cells. Dog erythrocyte antigen (DEA) 1.1 is the most important to me in clinical practice because it is the most antigenic. Repeated exposure of a DEA 1.1 …
Continue reading “Dogs Have Eight Blood Types – Does Neonatal Isoerythrolysis Occur In Dogs?”
After seeing so many poisonous plants for sale at the local home improvement store, I decided to start a new category dealing with poisonous plants. The number of poisonous plants used in landscaping and as indoor plants is absolutely staggering. Before you bring any plant into your house, check to see if it is safe …
Each year thousands of hopeful students apply to veterinary college with the dream of becoming a veterinarian. With hard work, persistence and careful planning, you can be one of them. The following is a list of tips to help you achieve your dream. Grades: Work hard to get the best grades you can in high school. …
Continue reading “Advice For High School Students Who Want To Be Veterinarians”
This is a picture of the incisors and canine teeth of an adult dog. The fingers are holding the upper lip off the teeth on the right side of the dog’s head. Notice the abnormalities in these teeth. The incisors (small teeth between the big canine teeth) in the middle of the upper and lower jaw are …
Continue reading “You Make The Diagnosis: Dog With Worn Teeth”
In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), an allergic reaction in the walls of the intestines causes inflammation that interferes with the normal function of the gastro-intestinal system. Treatment centers around removing the cause of the allergic reaction and suppressing the immune system. In addition, some veterinarians like to add a broad spectrum antibiotic to the treatment …
Continue reading “The Controversy Over Antibiotics For Cats With Inflammatory Bowel Disease”
Inflammatory bowel disease is cats is a frustrating problem characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss and anorexia. Since other problems such as parasites, pancreatitis or cancer may cause the same clinical signs, a biopsy of the intestinal wall provides the definitive diagnosis. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are reacting to something in their intestinal tract. …
Continue reading “Treatments For Inflammatory Bowel Disease In Cats”
Inflammatory bowel disease can make the cat miserable and challenge their veterinarian to find a treatment protocol that works. Cats with this disease suffer an inflammatory reaction in the walls of their intestines that causes vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss. These cats seem painful when I palpate their abdomens. The inflammation occurs when the cat develops antibodies …
Continue reading “Diet Recommendations For Cats With Inflammatory Bowel Disease”
Last week, my husband and I lost our beautiful dove. Poor Job developed liver cancer. He lost the use of his left leg when the tumor grew so large it put pressure on the sciatic blocking the nerve impulses. He limped around his cage and found it difficult to perch. Instead of sitting on both feet like …
One of the most overlooked aspects of allergy treatment for dogs is removing allergens from the animal’s environment. We spend so much time treating the dog that we sometimes forget to treat the environment in a way that will minimize allergens. The following is a list of recommendations I make to my clients who live with allergic …