Health

Friday, March 28, 2025

Heat Stroke Havoc: Horses and Cows and Pigs, Oh My!
March 19, 2025

"Heat stroke? Horses get that?"
Hot Cars Are Not for Dogs - but They're OK for Defrosting Fish
June 19, 2023

Heat stroke can be a life-threatening condition and requires immediate treatment
Hot Cars Are Not for Dogs - but They're OK for Defrosting Fish
June 19, 2023

Heat stroke can be a life-threatening condition and requires immediate treatment
The Obese, Large-breed Dog Spay
July 15, 2022

Some veterinarians' most dreaded surgery is spaying an obese, large-breed dog
Why Are Asymptomatic Carriers Important?
March 4, 2022

An asymptomatic carrier is infected with a disease but has no signs of it
SARS-CoV-2 in Pet Hamsters (and a Massive Over-Reaction)
January 21, 2022

Short term isolation would allow the virus to be naturally eliminated in an individual hamster or group
Zoonotic Infection from Household Aquarium
December 10, 2021

There's a need to balance costs vs benefits, and being proactive vs paranoid
Toxoplasmosis in Cats and Pregnant Humans
November 19, 2021

I felt like I would be the poster child for Who Develops Toxoplasmosis
A Potential Dog-Origin Coronavirus in People
November 12, 2021

“Relax, but pay attention”
Respiratory Disease Outbreaks In Dogs
October 15, 2021

We’re still not sure what’s going on
Kennel Cough Vaccination in Dogs: Human Health Risk?
August 13, 2021

People with cystic fibrosis should avoid exposure to live veterinary bacterial vaccines
Would You Bet Your Life on Pretty Sure?
July 16, 2021

Will he get rabies and die terribly because he didn't do anything when he had the chance?
Purchasing a Puppy? Buyer Beware
June 18, 2021

Puppy Lemon Laws outline the options for the buyer of an ill puppy
Diagnosing Diabetes with My Feet
June 4, 2021

The sooner treatment is started, the sooner things will improve
When Should I Spay or Neuter My Pet? It’s Complicated
May 14, 2021

The answer "When should I spay/neuter my pet" is "It depends"
SARS-CoV-2 in Animals: Another Update
April 30, 2021

Infection of cats and dogs isn't rare, but severe disease is
Keep the Easter Bunny Out of My ER: Avoid these Easter Pet Hazards
April 2, 2021

Eating lilies can kill cats within 1-2 days
Dog-to-Person Transmission of Staph pseudintermedius
March 19, 2021

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a bug that’s found in and on most dogs
COVID-19 and Overdue Dog and Cat Vaccines
February 19, 2021

Does being overdue for a vaccine mean you have restart the primary vaccination series?
Masking the Problem
January 8, 2021

Be sure to not leave a facial mask – especially a used one – within reach of your dog
Does My Cat Have Asthma?
October 23, 2020

A brief description of the basics in feline asthma
Alaskapox Virus -- Yes, That’s a Thing
October 9, 2020

Emerging disease always emerge for one of a few reasons
Unblocking a New Perspective
October 2, 2020

That softball was his bladder, and he was completely blocked
Managing Atopic Dermatitis: A Graphic Explanation
July 3, 2020

Atopic dermatitis means your dog is allergic to something in their environment.
COVID-19 in a Cat: Belgium
March 27, 2020

I don’t have any more concern today than I did before this report
What Does Cockfighting Have to Do With Backyard Chickens?
February 28, 2020

The best way to prevent VND from spreading like a wildfire is strict biosecurity
Modified-live Pet Vaccines and Immunocompromised Owners
February 21, 2020

Most of the modified live vaccines used in dogs and cats pose no risk to people
Wounded by Wildfires
February 14, 2020

Burns have causes beyond wildfires and are seen with some regularity by veterinarians
Dr. Enema, Your Lube is Ready
January 13, 2020

Sometimes the poo just won't come
The Bodacious Misery of Giardia
December 9, 2019

Her sickest patients had been to a petting zoo
High Anxiety: Pot and Pets
November 19, 2019

Veterinary ERs can use a concentrated fat solution to treat cases of severe pot intoxication in dogs
Strangles and Horse Shows: Cancellation vs Infection Control
October 21, 2019

It’s just common sense: infection control 101
Bloody Interesting: The Amazing Properties of Blood
September 9, 2019

Your pet's blood is a shapeshifting, cancer-fighting biker gang that keeps him alive and healthy
Brucella canis Updates: US Dogs, Canadian Person, and Lots of Canadian Dogs
June 3, 2019

Brucella canis is of greatest concern in imported dogs and dogs from commercial breeders
Rat Bite Fever from Pet Rats
May 20, 2019

Both bites and scratches are implicated as sources
Staying Ahead of the Dog Flu
May 13, 2019

Vaccination recommendations can change due to circumstances
Ticks . . . Ick
May 6, 2019

There's a new kid in town
The Stranglehold of Strangles
April 29, 2019

Strangles is a bacteria-borne nightmare
Raw Food, the FDA, and Salmonella
April 22, 2019

You may have heard about raw food diets for dogs and cats.
The Sweet Truth about Dogs and Chocolate
April 8, 2019

Chocolate ain't all that bad for dogs - depending on the type of chocolate, that is.
Death Cap Mushrooms on Parade
March 25, 2019

Death Caps are being seen more often across the country
Drunk Raccoons?
March 18, 2019

If it's not rabies or distemper, it could be plain old drunkenness
Jeepers Creepers! What's up with those Feline Peepers?
February 22, 2019

Knowing what to keep your own eyes peeled for can help you identify potential problems in your cat's before they become serious.
Heart Parts: Pericardial Effusion
February 4, 2019

Imagine trying to take deep breaths wearing a jacket four sizes too small
Holiday Bites
December 17, 2018

The rabies-related response to a bite is nothing new, but it still causes a lot of confusion
Prevent Vaccine-associated Sarcoma
September 4, 2018

Some vaccinations can cause a cancer to form where the vaccine was given to a cat
Hairy Horses and Glands Gone Wild
August 6, 2018

Every spring it got worse. 'Seriously!' I glared at my horse, spitting out a mouthful of fuzz and looking at the drifts of horse hair in the pen. 'I could make a pony out of all of this!'
May the Force Feeding Not Be with You
July 30, 2018

Pets who are not eating need to be nutritionally supported, but not with force feeding
Do Bugs Need Drugs?
July 23, 2018

Antimicrobial resistance is a problem in human and veterinary medicine
Can my Dog Get Swimmer’s Ear?
June 25, 2018

Dogs can’t tell us that they feel like a 10-ton weight is inside their ear canal.
Why Are my Dog's Toenails Breaking?
June 18, 2018

Have you examined nutrition as the cause?
Tick, tick, tick…Check!
June 12, 2018

80% of ticks are found on a dog's head, legs, neck, and chest
Will you Test my Tick?
May 21, 2018

Tick-wise, we’re in a different world now
Ring around the Rosie: Ringworm
May 14, 2018

“It’s spreading like the plague!”
A Royal Pain in the Butt
April 30, 2018

Most pets keep their anal glands excreting smoothly...but not all
Old Horses at Home: Feeding
April 16, 2018

Just like us, horses can’t eat like college students forever
My Dog's Feet Smell like Fritos
March 26, 2018

We are diligent owners of a food-allergic dog
Make it Sew? To Suture or not to Suture
February 12, 2018

Sometimes the best thing for a wound is to not repair it
The Scoop on Poop
February 5, 2018

The scatological truth is that poop concerns cause veterinary visits
Should you use Cheerful Blue Cleaners in Toilets?
January 29, 2018

Toilet slurping has far less severe consequences than in the past
Old Horses at Home: (Not) Long in the Tooth
January 19, 2018

As your horse enters old age, dental exams become even more important
What’s up with Canine Leptospirosis?
December 15, 2017

The incidence of Leptospirosis seems to have increased
E-Collars Are so much Fun! (But for Whom?)
November 27, 2017

E-collars are an essential tool in veterinary medicine
Holiday Gluttony
November 20, 2017

Most holiday pet hazards revolve around food, glorious food
Super Bowl Syndrome Can Be a Dog’s Undoing
November 6, 2017

Looks like you'll be watching the game in the ER waiting room
Boobies for Newbies: Mammary (Breast) Cancer in Companion Animals
September 29, 2017

In dogs or cats spayed before sexual maturity, mammary cancer is virtually unheard of
Mostly, Lipomas in Dogs Look Bad but Aren’t Bad
August 14, 2017

Usually they're nothing more than a minor cosmetic problem
Don't Fall Victim to the By-product Panic
August 7, 2017

You should be cheering, rather than sneering, at by-products
Your Dog Ate WHAT?
July 31, 2017

Dogs view the world as edible until proven otherwise
Kennel Cough: What the Hack?
July 17, 2017

Dogs can get kennel cough anywhere
Not Cool, Bro(methalin)
April 24, 2017

Bromethalin is like some relentless, vicious psycho-killer
Flesh-Eating Disease and Horse Slobber
March 3, 2017

Remember to wash your hands
What Do You Do When Ear Drops and Oral Antibiotics Don’t Work?
February 24, 2017

Continually dumping antibiotics in won't resolve chronic ear infections
String Theory for Cats
January 30, 2017

Long stringy things are especially dangerous for cats
Living with a Dog with Megaesophagus
January 20, 2017

Bear is my second dog with megaesophagus
This Fungus is Everywhere and Wants to Kill Everyone
December 27, 2016

Blasto can pretty much do what it wants, where it wants and look like anything
Coughing, Coughing, Coughing, But Why?
November 21, 2016

The first thing that jumped out was the loud heart murmur
Say NO to Sago!
November 14, 2016

The toxic sago palm resembles a pineapple having a bad hair day
Is Giardiasis Getting Too Much Attention for Diarrhea?
October 17, 2016

Only a small percentage of dogs and cats develop diarrhea
Blood Glucose Curves Help Keep Diabetic Pets on the Straight and Narrow
October 10, 2016

Being regulated lets the kidneys do a happy dance
Diseases We Shouldn't See
October 3, 2016

The list isn't limited to illnesses caused by viruses
Is there a Health Risk with Urban Chickens?
September 26, 2016

The simple answer is: we don't know.
How to Lead a Cat to Water AND Make Him Drink it
September 12, 2016

Cats who eat a dry diet need more water than those on canned food.
Is Your Indoor Cat Completely Safe? Think Again…
August 1, 2016

Living as a house cat doesn’t rule out bad things happening
Seizures: When the Brain Misfires
July 21, 2016

Seizures are frightening things to experience
Outfoxing the Foxtail
July 11, 2016

Foxtails act like tissue-destroying missiles trailing bacteria
Skunky McSkunkface: Skunk Spray Can be Lethal
June 20, 2016

That stinky spray can - rarely - cause hemolytic anemia
Speedos and Kitty Upper Respiratory Infections
May 31, 2016

Perhaps some infected cat sneezed on the purple Speedo
The Unkindest Cut
March 14, 2016

Prepare for when your horse injures himself: not if, when
Zika Virus and Animals
March 7, 2016

Maybe, but there's no evidence animals can get sick from exposure
Confections of a Dangerous Kind: Xylitol
February 8, 2016

Xylitol does the sugar-impersonating bit too well
Von Willebrand’s Disease: Inconvenience or Deal Breaker?
January 25, 2016

Vonnie was the perfect puppy except for her one tragic flaw
I Don’t Know Why: Idiopathic Disease
January 18, 2016

"Idiopathic" sounds so definitive. Sadly it ain’t necessarily so
Our Understanding of a Disease Changes over Time
January 11, 2016

Thanks to medical research we always learn more
Popping the Corn Myth
December 7, 2015

Grain-free pet food is a fad, like salad shooters, shake weights, or hula hoops
You Want me to Brush my Dog’s Teeth?
November 9, 2015

I told clients to brush their pet's teeth but never did it myself
The Most Dangerous Poison: The Unknown
October 5, 2015

There's no readily available toxin panel like you see on TV. TV lied to you.
Hey, Who Let these Pests in Here?
September 21, 2015

One flea is all it takes to start a reaction
The Infinite Sadness of HappyTail
September 14, 2015

When the tail wags the dog, the resulting tale is sometimes one of woe.
The Eyes Have It
September 7, 2015

Eyes are deceptively complex
Killed by a 'Wart': Don't Let Entropy Do in your Dog
August 17, 2015

Doggie lumps start in mid-life with a little giblet you find while petting
Sniffles, Snuffles, and Crud: ACHOO!
April 27, 2015

Our four-legged friends are also burdened by the snurfly schnoz
Sniffles, Snuffles, and Crud: ACHOO!
April 27, 2015

Our four-legged friends are also burdened by the snurfly schnoz
Dogs Don't Get Heart Attacks, But They Do Get This
April 20, 2015

Hemoabdomen cases seem to come out of nowhere
Natural Pet Food from Mother Nature
April 6, 2015

In commercial food in the U.S., "natural" means nothing
Fleas and Ticks: How one Hot Scientist and her Pocket Protector Help your Pets
March 23, 2015

Protect your pets from the utterly unaesthetic unappealingness of disease-carrying fleas and ticks
Signs of Cancer
March 9, 2015

Cancer happens when normal cells don leather jackets and go on a vandalism spree
Spring Training
March 2, 2015

Animals fall out of peak condition during winter
Gotta Get those Annual Exams
February 16, 2015

Not to stress anyone out, but they could save your pet's life
Tinsel the Serial Killer
December 22, 2014

Tinsel twists and tangles within the confines of the contracting intestine
He Was Fine Until Yesterday
October 6, 2014

Vets hear this even when a pet is wiping their feet on Death’s doormat
The Poisons in your Purse
September 22, 2014

Pets are always curious as to what’s in your purse or backpack
I’m Not Chicken To Tell You I Have A Beef About What Many Cats Eat
September 2, 2014

Maybe beef, lamb, and seafood aren’t the best choices for most cats
Side Effects: The Other Side of the Coin
August 8, 2014

Some side effects are beneficial, some are weapons-grade bad
Nuclear Cat Poop
August 4, 2014

I131 is a smart bomb that detonates inside the thyroid
A Horse's Arch-Nemesis: Laminitis
July 7, 2014

A horse’s foot is a funny thing, and not the good Billy-Crystal-hosting-the-Oscars kind of funny
How much Kitty Vomit is too much?
June 23, 2014

Vomiting and hairballs are normal once or twice a month - but not more
The Monster in the Medicine Cabinet
May 26, 2014

Pets poisoned by their owner’s medications
Tip Toe through the Toxic Tulips
May 12, 2014

Some outdoor plants are toxic to cats and dogs
The Nightmare That is Blocked Cats
February 24, 2014

If the flow of pee stops, waste products build up and start pickling the works
The Nightmare of Colic
January 20, 2014

As the leading cause of death in domestic horses, colic is nothing to scoff at
Oh Poop, it's Parasite Mayhem
January 6, 2014

Not all animals are equally susceptible to parasites
Your Pet's New Year's Weight Loss Resolutions
December 23, 2013

Mammals were not designed to sit around relentlessly popping cookies, cheese, or Snausages into their maws
Who Knew?
December 9, 2013

Seemingly innocent objects, under the right conditions, can pose serious hazards
Cat Food: On Land or At Sea
November 18, 2013

There's no scientific proof kibble is bad for healthy cats
The Headless Horse
October 28, 2013

The horse rears, hooves pawing the mottled sky. At the apex of its neck, a bloody stump oozes black in the moonlight.
Surprise! Some sneezes go backward
June 24, 2013

Definitely no need here for a 3 a.m. ER visit
Poop Parity: Just Pick it up
June 17, 2013

Pick up someone else's poop for karma points
Joint Concerns
May 27, 2013

Arthritis doesn’t have to be a game-ender
Pilling Your Pet: Let the Pills Go in, Let Healing Begin!
May 20, 2013

If you can't get the pill into the patient...
Slithering Snakes!
May 6, 2013

Prevention is soooo much easier than treatment
Flabbalanche! Obesity Impacts Pets, Too
April 22, 2013

Avoid having a pudgy pug or a Rubenesque Rottweiler
IMHA: Four Letters You Never Want to Meet
April 15, 2013

It can happen with remarkable speed
Spring Fever
April 1, 2013

Spring means vaccines for many mammals and discussions with veterinarians
The Wrong Herbs for Your Herbivore: When Plants Attack
March 25, 2013

Eliminate these items from the large animal lunch menu
Recalls of Pet Food and Treats in U.S. are (Mostly) Voluntary
March 18, 2013

Until recently, the FDA hasn't had the legal teeth to force recalls
Gum Can Kill your Dog? GUM? Seriously?! Oh, and GRAPES, too? Great! Just great!
March 4, 2013

Some toxins make chocolate look like candy
Performing Pet Treatments at Home
February 25, 2013

What can and can't or shouldn't be done at home
Blood Clots: A Stroke of Bad Luck
February 4, 2013

If blood decides to solidify and stop flowing, bad things happen
Do Dogs Even Get Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
January 14, 2013

Common toxicities are from human medications
The Mouse in the House
December 31, 2012

The fearsome list of zoonotic nightmares is difficult to digest
Rabies Testing: Things Better Left Unsaid
December 3, 2012

Avoid having your pet beheaded
Excitingly Unusual Pets at the ER
November 13, 2012

Most ERs have exotics folks they can call for advice
What Kind of Noses? Zoonoses!
October 22, 2012

Zoonoses are not nearly as funny as prosthetic monkey faces
The Worst Form of Animal Abuse
October 4, 2012

The most common form of animal abuse is overfeeding.
Nature (Particularly Coyotes) May Try to Eat Your Pet
September 24, 2012

A coyote can do an astounding amount of damage to a cat or small dog
Big Choices, Big Money
September 19, 2012

Money can get very big very quick in an emergency.
Creepy Crawlies
September 17, 2012

Fleas have a shady, dive-bar, back-alley, sneaking-the-Twinkie-out-of-the-freezer-at-midnight taboo about them.
Can Paperwork be Life-Saving?
August 13, 2012

Discharge instructions cover nearly every aspect of a pet's care at home after leaving the hospital.
Use of NSAIDs in Horses is Tricky
August 6, 2012

NSAIDs should be handled with proper supervision, accurate, evidence-based dosing
It’s The Great Undiagnosable, Charlie Brown!
July 30, 2012

Not everything that goes wrong can be neatly defined and quantified.
Antibiotics: Harnessing the Power of… Mold???
June 25, 2012

Most nasty bacteria will relent if the right dose of antibiotic is used for the right amount of time.
The Goat that can Eat Anything – and other Mythological Creatures
May 15, 2012

Without a doubt, the "Omnivorous Goat" is the mother of all insidious goat myths.
Pleasantly Plump Pasture Pets
April 23, 2012

No, he is not well-muscled, stocky, deep in the heart girth, or even pleasingly plump. But being fat may not be his fault. It may not even be yours.
Waiting is the Hardest Part – on the Pet
April 13, 2012

The cost and effort involved in fixing a chronically ill pet is many times what it could have been had the condition been caught early on.
Uncharted Waters: Life and Death in ICU
May 7, 2011

When faced with a sick patient, medical people (both human and veterinary, and for all I know slimy 8-legged doctors on Alpha Centauri) formulate what is called a problem list.

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