Meet Fern. Fern is a fun-loving pointer mix puppy who ate some grapes. Little did Fern know, this dietary indiscretion would land her in the hospital. It has been an urban legend that has floated around the internet for some time, but has been proven to be a legend no more. The reason why grapes [...]
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in dogs and people in the United States. It is caused by a bacteria called Borelia Burgdorferi and is transmitted through the bite of an infected tick. Many species of mammals are susceptible to infection. In companion animals, dogs and horses seem to be the most likely to develop [...]
What exactly is a mast cell tumor? Mast cells are normal inflammatory cells responsible for releasing histamine as part of an allergic response. When disturbed, the mast cells releases granules containing histamine, causing swelling, redness and itchiness of the surrounding tissue. A mast cell tumor a malignant skin tumor that is composed of an abnormal [...]
Fleas are one of the most common parasites of dogs and cats. These insects live on the skin and feed on the blood of the host. Animals infested with fleas are extremely itchy due to inflammation caused by the flea bites. In severe cases, the pet may develop Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD), an allergy to flea [...]
Neutering is the surgical removal of the testicles from male animals. A neuter surgery can be performed on most species, but this article will describe the surgery as performed in dogs and cats. Purpose All animals that will not be used for breeding should be spayed or neutered. Neutering prevents testicular cancer and greatly reduces [...]
A spay (or ovariohysterectomy) is a surgery that removes the ovaries and uterus from female pets. In small animal medicine, this surgery is most often performed on dogs and cats, but can also be performed on rabbits, guinea pigs, reptiles, and other animals. The surgery is generally performed in order to prevent or treat diseases [...]
A fecal floatation is a laboratory method of collecting parasite eggs from fecal material so they can be identified under the microscope. A gram of fecal material is mixed with a concentrated salt solution, topped with a cover slip, and left to sit for fifteen minutes. During this period, the fecal material sinks to the [...]
Roundworms are one of the most common intestinal parasites found in dogs and cats. They are so common, in fact, that all puppies and kittens should be routinely dewormed early in life. Roundworms are large worms that are easily seen with the naked eye. They look like spaghetti noodles and may pass live in an [...]