Retained Testicles in Dogs and Cats – Cryptorchidism

Cryptorchidism in dogs

Cryptorchidism is a condition in which a male’s testicles have not descended (dropped) into the scrotum as they mature. At birth, a male puppy’s or kitten’s testicles are located in the abdomen close to the groin in an area called the inguinal ring. By 2 to 3 weeks of age, typically, they’re in the puppy’s […]

Clumsy Cats – Cerebellar Hypoplasia

Cerebellar hypoplasia (Spastic Cat Syndrome and Wobbly Cat Syndrome) A kitten born with cerebellar hypoplasia is abnormal from infancy, though it may not be clear that something is wrong until the kittens are becoming more ambulatory. The cat with this disease clearly has balance issues: he/she walks with his legs widely placed to not fall […]

My Puppy’s Face is Swollen – Puppy Strangles

Puppy Strangles (also called Juvenile Cellulitis or Sterile Granulomatous Dermatitis and Lymphadenitis) Puppy strangles is a classic disease though fortunately not a common one. It comes up suddenly, manifesting as marked swelling of the muzzle, eyelids, and face in a puppy between the ages of 3 weeks and 6 months of age. It may appear as though […]

Food to Avoid Over the Holidays: Chocolate toxicity in Dogs

Most folks know that chocolate is bad for dogs and can cause significant problems; cats usually don’t eat chocolate, so this article focuses on dogs and what signs of chocolate toxicity look like and what you should do if you think or know your dog ate chocolate. What to Watch For The active ingredient in chocolate that […]

Shock: What it Means, the Causes and What You Should Know

Shock is a condition resulting from a depressed state of many vital body functions caused by a lack of effective circulation. A veterinary textbook on emergency medicine defines shock as “the clinical state resulting from an inadequate supply of oxygen to the tissues or an inability of the tissues to properly use oxygen.” The term […]

So Much Pressure! Glaucoma in Dogs and Cats

Glaucoma is an eye disease where by the pressure within the eye becomes elevated. It can cause significant pain and lead to blindness. Dogs and cats with primary glaucoma are believed to have an anatomic or biochemical problem that affects how fluid drains from the eye, so the onset can be spontaneous. Secondary glaucoma results […]

Dental Care, What to Expect if your Pet Needs it

Root canals, dental x-rays, braces, crowns, caps, implants, and periodontal surgery for pets? You must be kidding! Not at all. Dental procedures are performed daily in veterinary practices. How does a loving pet owner know if dental care is needed, and where can a pet owner go for advanced dental care? Examination is the key […]

Coccidia a Common Cause of Diarrhea in Young Cats and Dogs

What is Coccidia? Coccidia is a single-celled organism that infects the intestine. They are microscopic parasites detectable on fecal tests, 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 sometimes bloody and can be a life-threatening […]

My Pet Yacked! – Vomiting or Regurgitation in Dogs and Cats?

When companion animals bring food back up, most owners notice a problem. What you may not know, is there are two different mechanisms for spitting up. food – vomiting and regurgitation.  Vomiting is when the contents of the stomach and upper intestine are forcefully ejected – owners will see abdominal effort as the material is […]

Feline Appetite Stimulant – Mirtazapine (Remeron)

Background Mirtazapine was developed for human use as an antidepressant for moderate to severe depression. While there is certainly a call for anti-anxiety pharmaceuticals in veterinary medicine, Mirtazipine’s side effect of an increased appetite, is what makes it so useful. The drug also exerts anti-nausea effects by acting on the neuroreceptors in the intestine and […]