WIth more and more pets struggling with obesity, toys that stimulate our dogs and cats to exercise are gaining in popularity. I like toys that encourage interaction between people and their pets because it builds their relationship while providing exercise. The exception to this rule is pen lasers. Although many dogs and cats love to chase …
Category Archives: Ask The Vet
Plastic Bags Are Dangerous To Pets And Children
Many plastic bags come with a printed warning “May cause suffocation in children.” I wish this warning also included animals. If you use plastic bags, please store and dispose of them properly and promptly. Each year animals, pets and wildlife die after encountering these bags. Some die of suffocation if they crawl inside while others die of gastrointestinal obstructions after eating them. …
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Feline Pancreatitis – Treatment
The main goal of treatment in pancreatitis is simple: to quiet down inflammation in the pancreas. This involves removing the cause (if known), treating the side effects caused by the release of pancreatic enzymes and providing supportive care. Since most cats with pancreatitis have severe nausea and vomiting, I place them on intravenous fluids to maintain their …
Feline Pancreatitis – Diagnosis
Since the most common signs of pancreatitis in the cat are nonspecific; lethargy and anorexia, diagnosis can be challenging. The gold standard is a surgical biopsy of the pancreas and evaluation by a veterinary pathologist. During surgery, the pancreas is swollen and often an angry pinkish-orange color. The downside of a surgical biopsy is that it …
Flyball Is Great Fun For Dogs And People
If you are looking for a fun activity for you and your dog, give flyball a try. In this timed sport, two teams of four dogs and their handlers compete against each other in a best of three heat format. Each dog takes their turn running over hurdles to grab a tennisball from a box and then run back …
Feline Pancreatitis – Causes
Pancreatitis in cats may be caused by several factors. Here are some to consider: 1) Inflammatory Bowel Disease – It is thought that bacteria migrate into the pancreas, triggering an infection which leads to inflammation. 2) Trauma – When I interned at the Animal Medical Center in New York City, I saw several cats develop pancreatitis …
Feline Pancreatitis – Clinical Signs
The pancreas is a pink/tan lacy organ that has two big jobs. First, it secretes insulin to control blood sugar levels. Second, it produces enzymes that flow into the intestines to digest food. In a normal pancreas, these powerful enzymes are stored in special compartments and then secreted into the pancreatic duct when needed. If the …
Dogs – Short Noses And Heat Stroke
Dogs rely on panting to cool off their bodies during periods of high temperatures. Unfortunately, the brachycephalic breeds are disadvantaged because of the shape of their skulls. Their compressed faces are adorable but result in abnormalities of the upper airways restricting air flow. Specifically, these breeds often have small nostrils, very long soft palates, everted laryngeal saccules and an under-developed …
Protective Aggression In Dogs
Recently, I was asked about a dog who started nipping at people who enter its home. With a new baby in the house, the owners assumed the little watch dog is ‘protecting’ the new member of the family. I’m afraid this is not the case. Protective aggression is a a manifestation of fear-based aggression. In the above scenario, …
Flyball Is A Fun Sport For Dogs
For those of you looking for a fun activity to share with your dog, let me recommend the sport of flyball. Two teams of four dogs compete against each other over a series of three hurdles. When the starter says go, the lead dog for each team is released. It runs and jumps over three …