Veterinarian, Speaker & Author
When I perform a physical examination on a cat, I try to open their mouth to check their teeth. I say ‘try’ because some cats absolutely refuse to give me a look inside. I hold the upper jaw (maxilla) with one hand and then gently apply pressure to the lower jaw (mandible) to open the mouth. When …
Continue reading “You Make The Diagnosis: Cat Lower Jaw Problem”
Today is National Dog Day. To celebrate, I decided to post pictures of a few of the fantastic canines I know. ENJOY! Molly Scout Frankie Mason Greta
After a Minnesota dentist killed Cecil, a beloved lion from Zimbabwe, the sport of trophy hunting has come under scrutiny. In this so-called sport, wealthy hunters pay local guides to help them bag a prize specimen. In Africa, the big 5 are the most common kills – African lions, African elephants, cape buffalo, leopards and rhinoceros. …
Hiking with your dog is a wonderful past time. Recently, I was hiking on the north rim of the Grand Canyon when I met Frankie. He was ‘hiking’ out to Bright Angel Point with his family. Frankie does not like crates because his prior family kept him locked up for extended periods of time. But, he loves …
Dental disease is a common problem in cats. Some cats get a build up of tartar that is easy to see. Other problems are more subtle and require dental X-rays to assess what is happening below the gums. Look at the teeth pictured below. The tooth on the right (Third premolar, #408) is normal but the tooth …
Continue reading “Beneath The Surface: Dental Disease In Cats”
During the summer, many people take their dogs to the beach. Swimming provides a wonderful low impact form of exercise that is also a great cardiovascular workout. The cool water even provides relief for dogs with osteoarthritis. Here are my tips for keeping your dog safe at the beach: 1) Check the water – Unfortunately, there can …
A client brought their 8 month old female kitten in for an examination because they thought she hurt her back. Two days ago, Blackie (not her real name) started arching her back and meowing loudly. Sometimes, she rolled around on the floor as if she couldn’t get comfortable. The behavior continued all day and all …
Continue reading “You Make The Diagnosis: Owner Thinks This Cat Is In Pain”
Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell produced in the bone marrow. They are easy to identify on a blood smear because the granules inside the cell are a beautiful red color when stained with eosin dye. Other types of white blood cells include monocytes, basophils, lymphocytes and neutrophils. Each white blood cell has a specific job to …
With the Fourth of July almost here, I thought it would be a good idea to remind people about pet safety. During holiday celebrations, many pets escape through doors and windows that were accidentally left open. In my experience, the Fourth of July is the worst time for pet escapes because of fireworks. The loud …
Variety is the spice of life! This applies to dogs and cats as well as humans. People love to try new restaurants or go to exotic locations for vacation. Dogs walk around their neighborhood, ride in the car and sometimes, have play dates at the local dog park. What about cats? How do we give …
Continue reading “Tips for Creating a Cat Friendly Environment”