Explaining canine cognitive dysfunction to pet owners can be challenging. The condition cannot be definitively diagnosed and there is very little scientific evidence to explain its existence, yet we know that it occurs in our aging canine patients. In this article we provide an overview of the syndrome’s symptoms and treatment options. Table of Contents … [Continue Reading]
Avoiding Dog Neutering Complications: Risk Factors and Recovery
Canine castration, or dog neutering, is a simple surgery that small animal veterinarians perform on a daily basis. Although complications are relatively uncommon, a solid understanding of surgical technique and predisposing factors is required to ensure the best possible outcome. Table of Contents Surgical technique A routine dog neuter (in a dog with both testicles … [Continue Reading]
Senior Dog Dental Care and Anesthesia: FAQs and Best Practices
Dental care is a fact of life for older dogs. Studies have demonstrated that the prevalence of dental disease in dogs increases as they grow older and their body weight decreases, meaning that older, small-breed dogs are at the highest risk of dental disease. If left untreated, dental disease will only worsen. Therefore, anesthetizing older … [Continue Reading]
Feline Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Treating IBD in Cats
Feline inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a condition that causes chronic inflammation and irritation of the intestinal tract, most commonly in middle-aged cats. Inflammatory cells infiltrate the walls of the intestinal tract, leading to significant changes in the function of the intestines. Table of Contents Causes of IBD in cats The exact cause of feline … [Continue Reading]
Feline Anesthesia: Protocol, Side Effects and Complications
While feline anesthesia is a routine procedure in many veterinary practices, studies show that the likelihood of anesthetic mortality is higher in cats than it is in dogs. In 2018 the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) issued updated anesthesia safety guidelines to prevent anesthetic-related mortalities in cats. These guidelines address some of the most … [Continue Reading]
Focal Seizures in Cats: Causes and Treatments
The term seizure is used to describe a self-limiting, asynchronous discharge of neurons within the brain. In humans, seizures are diagnosed on the basis of electroencephalography; in veterinary medicine, however, seizures are typically diagnosed on the basis of clinical appearance. Given that most seizures are witnessed by pet owners, not veterinarians, diagnosing seizures in veterinary … [Continue Reading]
Cushing’s Disease in Dogs: Assessing the Efficacy of Dietary Changes and Holistic Treatments
Table of Contents Cushing’s disease, or hyperadrenocorticism, is a common endocrine disease of dogs. It generally affects middle-aged dogs, especially Beagles, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Dachshunds, and Miniature Poodles. There are two types of Cushing’s disease: Pituitary-dependent Cushing’s disease A benign pituitary tumor secretes excessive amounts of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). This excessive ACTH leads to increased … [Continue Reading]
Dog Heartworm Treatment: Side Effects, Aftercare, and Success Rates
Heartworm disease may be detected on routine health screenings — for example, when a heartworm test is performed at a dog’s annual veterinary wellness visit — or when a dog is tested based on clinical suspicion. Regardless of how heartworm disease is diagnosed, prompt treatment is essential. Table of Contents Goals of heartworm treatment Pet … [Continue Reading]
TPLO Surgery in Dogs: Success Rates and Alternatives
Table of Contents Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) is commonly performed to treat dogs suffering from cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture. Clients often have questions regarding the benefits of this procedure, expected success rates, and why this surgery is recommended over other treatment options. A general understanding of CCL ruptures, the TPLO procedure, and surgical … [Continue Reading]
Dog Allergy Testing: Blood vs Skin – Key Differences and Recommendations
Table of Contents When presented with a patient that has a history of seasonally inflamed, itchy skin that responds poorly to maintenance medication, most veterinarians immediately begin to suspect allergies. After ruling out parasites, skin infection, and other causes of pruritus and inflammation, the next step is often to recommend allergy testing. The benefits and … [Continue Reading]