I work at a large hospital located in central Phoenix. For the last two weeks, we have seen a surge in parvovirus infections in puppies. While some of them were not vaccinated to prevent the disease, I am also seeing some dogs who were vaccinated. Here is the problem, in an effort to save money the …
Category Archives: Ask The Vet
Feline Oral Resorptive Lesions
Feline Oral Resorptive Lesions (FORL’s) are a common, painful problem in cats. In this disease, the cat’s own body destroys their teeth by resorption. In the early stages, the gums are inflamed around the affected tooth as the outer layer of cementum is destroyed. As the disease progresses, more layers of the tooth are destroyed all the way down to …
Common Injuries In Cats Who Fall Out Of Buildings
During my internship at The Animal Medical Center in New York City, I was introduced to a condition in cats called ‘High-rise syndrome’. When people open their windows to enjoy the fresh air, some cats accidently fall to the sidewalks below. On the first nice day of spring, I remember the senior veterinarian saying, “It’s going …
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Check Nails on Furry Animals
The following pictures are of a furry little dog who had severely overgrown nails. One of the nails grew in a circular fashion instead of straight out. The 360 degree nail ended up growing through the dog’s pad! I can’t image how much this hurt. When I removed it, he had a hole in the …
Cats in Heat Often Act Like They are in Pain
Over my career, I have had many concerned people bring in their female cats for pain. The cats are rolling around on the ground, crying, moaning and keeping them up all night. These cats definitely need treatment . . . they need to be spayed. The following video clip is of an adorable kitten who is in …
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Long Haired Chihuahua Gives Birth
This is Angel, a beautiful long-haired Chihuahua. This is her before picture . . . before having puppies. Scroll down to learn more about the normal stages of canine labor and a video clip to see Angel’s pups. In normal canine parturition, the female (bitch) goes through three specific stages of labor. Prior to its onset, her body temperature will drop …
Bear The Clinic Cat
Pictured below is Bear, one of the clinic cats at Alta Vista Veterinary Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. This is a large hospital that is open from 7 am to 10 pm seven days a week. I love working there because of the variety of animals we treat and the wonderful staff. This clinic reminds me of my internship …
Marrow Bones May Be Dangerous to Dogs
Many who love dogs give their pets marrow bones to chew on. They naturally believe that marrow bones are safe. However, one look at the picture below demonstrates why I do not recommend them. When the dog is chewing out the center, it is easy for the bone to pass over the lower canine teeth and get stuck around …
Cats Need Exercise
Owners do too, but we will focus on the cats. It is very important for cats to get at least 15 minutes of play each day. There are a variety of great toys available for them to enjoy. Remember to mimic their behavior in the wild – hunt, catch, kill. They need to catch the toy …
Vaginitis and Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s) in Dogs
Excess hair can lead to vaginitis and UTI’s. When the female squats to urinate, the urine wets the hair trapping debris. The dirt can actually wick back into the vagina leading to infection. The resulting vaginitis or UTI is both painful and can lead to more serious complications. If you have a female, be sure this …
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