Brachycelphalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome in Flat-Faced Pets
Dogs with Short Faces Most people are not familiar with the term brachycephalic, but if you own a Pug, Boston Terrier, Pekingese, Boxer, Bulldog, Shih Tzu or any one of the other breeds with pushed in or short faces, you should become familiar with this word. The word comes from Greek roots brachy, meaning short, and cephalic, meaning […]
Urban Animal is nominated again for Outsmart Houston’s Gayest and Greatest!
You guessed it (or maybe the title gave it away), Urban Animal Veterinary Hospital has been nominated for the second year in a row by Houston Outsmart’s magazine Gayest and Greatest Awards for two different categories: 1) Best Female Veterinarian 2) Best Pet Emergency Care Center In 2017, after only being open 5 months, Urban […]
Cerebellar Hypoplasia – the cat that wobbles
A cat with cerebellar hypoplasia is abnormal from infancy, though it may not be clear that something is wrong until the kittens are toddling around with some coordination. The cat with this disease clearly has balance issues: he walks with his legs widely placed for fear of falling and places his feet clumsily. He often […]
The Little-Known Coccidia Parasite
Coccidia Infects Intestines of Cats and Dogs Coccidia are single-celled organisms that infect the intestine. They are microscopic parasites detectable on routine fecal tests in the same way that worms are, but coccidia are not worms and are not susceptible to deworming medications. They are also not visible to the naked eye. Coccidia infection causes a […]
Cervical (Neck) Disk Disease in Dogs and Cats
Cervical (neck) disk disease is an intervertebral disk pressing on the spinal cord, causing pressure and pain. It’s essentially the same condition as intervertebral disk disease, except it occurs in the neck instead of in the back. Intervertebral disks are located between the vertebrae (bones of the spine). Each disk has two parts, a fibrous outer […]
Decreased and loss of Appetite in Cats and Dogs
Anorexia, or Lack of Appetite, in Dogs and Cats Appetite loss (anorexia) and appetite reduction are two symptoms in illness assessment and they must be noticed and acted on quickly. It’s fair to wait 24-48 hours so long as the pet maintains hydration one way or another and recovers promptly, but if poor appetite or […]
Separation Anxiety in Dogs Could be a Disaster
The worst cases of separation anxiety present an unlivable disaster for the pet owner. The animal becomes destructive, soils the house, and vocalizes loudly and unabashedly. Since the behavior occurs almost exclusively when the pet is alone, there is nothing to stop him from creating a spectacular mess and annoying the neighbors every time the […]
Liver Disease in Cats
Cholangitis and Cholangiohepatitis in Cats Cholangitis (inflammation of the bile ducts) and cholangiohepatitis (inflammation of the bile ducts and the liver) are common problems in cats. Cats with cholangitis do not usually appear ill; cats with cholangiohepatitis usually appear ill. Cause The two main causes of cholangitis and cholangiohepatitis are a bacterial infection (pancreatitis, enteritis) […]
Chronic Bronchitis in Dogs
What is Bronchitis? Most of us have heard of bronchitis and most of us have probably suffered from it at some point. The bronchi are the larger airways through which air is moved throughout the lungs. The trachea (windpipe) brings air from the throat down into the chest and branches into two mainstem bronchi, one […]
Things for the Outdoor Cat
When thinking about the health needs and risks faced by cats, outdoor cats require slightly different care. For instance, indoor/outdoor cats come in contact with fatal infectious diseases transmitted cat-to-cat. Diseases like: Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Feline Leukemia Virus Because of this, annual testing for these viruses is imperative. Vaccinations Indoor cats typically need core […]