What are Coccidia? 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 watery diarrhea that is […]
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common heart disease in cats today. Cardiomyopathy means heart (cardio) muscle (myo) disease (pathy). Other cardiomyopathies in cats that you may hear your veterinarian discuss are: Dilated cardiomyopathy Restrictive cardiomyopathy Unclassified cardiomyopathy Dilated Cardiomyopathy Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) used to be a much more common disease in cats than it is […]
Definition and Causes Chronic bronchitis means a non-infectious, inflammatory condition affecting the lining (mucosa) of the large airways (the trachea and bronchi) that results in a cough that is present for more than two months. In most cases, the specific cause of chronic bronchitis in dogs is not identified. Chronic bronchitis is neither infectious nor contagious […]
Houston is hot – it’s especially hot June through Auguist. This is when we really need to pay attention to our companion animals when they go outside. Dogs, unlike people, can’t get rid of heat by swaeting. The only way they can cool down is to pant. In very hot temperatures for any length of […]
Vomiting is when the contents of the stomach and upper intestine are forcefully ejected; regurgitation occurs when contents of the mouth, pharynx, or esophagus are expelled. For example, dogs with megaesophagus regurgitate; the food comes back up from the esophagus. The most notable signs of vomiting are nausea and abdominal heaving. Pets that are nauseated tend to […]
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 […]
Bringing home a new puppy or kitten can be a fun and exciting experience. However, the learning and development process for puppies and kittens can be challenging. Biting is a common issue for young pets and is a part of their development. However, it needs to be addressed properly. Why Do Puppies and Kittens Bite? […]