Diseases Affecting Multiple Species

When a pet exhibits chronic vomiting and/or diarrhea, it can mean Inflammatory Bowel Disease, IBD. IBD is usually seen in middle-aged or older pets, but it can affect pets at any age. The term IBD covers several gastrointestinal disoders. Although veterinarians are not sure, they think IBD occurs when the immune system attacks the tissues […]

Giardia is a parasite, a protozoa (one-celled organism) that lives in the small intestine of cats and dogs (it affects humans too). Giardia are present throughout the U.S. and other parts of the world. Infestation usually occurs when water containing fecal matter of fish and other animals is ingested. Contaminated food can also be a […]

Dogs and cats suffer from some of the same eye ailments that humans do. Glaucoma is one of those ailments. Glaucoma occurs with increased pressure due to the abnormal drainage of fluid. The fluid, call aqueous humor, is inside the eye, giving nourishment and helping to maintain the normal shape. Normally, the fluid drains into […]

To explain, most all carbohydrates when eaten are converted into glucose. Glucose then circulates in the blood stream, entering the body’s cells to be used as energy. The pancreas produces the hormone, insulin, which allows glucose into the cells. The pancreas of a diabetic dog or cat does not produce enough insulin. When blood levels […]

Pythiosis is caused by a microorganism called pythium insidiosum. It can be found in climates where winters are mild and water does not freeze – southern U.S. coast, Eastern Australia, New Zealand, South America and Southeast Asia. While it can affect cats, cattle and humans, it is most common in dogs and horses. The organism […]

When there is a mass or abnormality present in the body of your pet and x-rays don’t reveal their nature, a biopsy needs to be performed. Before performing a biopsy, the veterinarian will check your pet’s health and take x-rays, blood test and check heart. There are a number of methods used to perform a […]

Babesiosis is another of the major tick-borne diseases. It is similar to malaria in that it can recur intermittently. The Babesia Canis can be found throughout the world. The major carrier is the brown dog tick which transfers the disease to another animal through its saliva when it bites. The tick carries the disease when […]

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is another tickborne disease. Despite its name, it has spread throughout North and South America. RMSF is carried by the American Dog Tick, the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick and the Brown Dog Tick. The ticks bite small mammals, chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, etc. who are infected with the disease, a bacterium known […]

Ringworm is really not a worm, it’s a fungus. Ringworm is a zoonotic meaning it spreads from animals to humans. Called dermatophytes, these fungi live in soil, some in humans and others in animals. Those found in animals are called ringworm. The ringworm found in animals is usually not itchy and less inflamed and reddish […]

Following is a list of some of the neurological problems pets can face. Wobbler’s Syndrome Encephalitis (brain infection) Stroke – Caused by bleeding into the brain Brain Tumors and Abcesses Muscular Dystrophy – Progressive degeneration of skeletal muscles Degenerative Myelopathy – Progressive loss of coordination beginning in hind quarters, resulting eventually in paralysis Necrotic Myelopathy […]