Case Report: Albuterol Toxicity in a Boxer
Guest author Ahna Brutlag DVM, Assistant Director of Veterinary Services at the Pet Poison Helpline, shares this case of a common poisoning hazard for pets; human medications. In this case report, learn about Rooney the curious Boxer and the dangers of albuterol inhalers for pets.
Related Reading:
Photo: A Boxer Knows by Kyle May on Flickr
What to do if your pet is having a seizure
Seizures are one of the most common neurological problems that are seen in both dogs and cats.
Watching your dog or cat have a seizure can be a frightening experience. However, with a little bit of knowledge, you can make the situation safer for your pet and less frightening for you. Learn what to do if your pet is having a seizure with tips from Lorie Huston, DVM, About.com Contributing Writer.
There are many possible causes of seizures in dogs and cats. Signs seen vary with each animal, and diagnosis may be difficult. If you suspect that your pet has had a seizure, please consult your pet's veterinarian as soon as possible.
Readers Respond: Living with a dog or cat who has seizures
Related:
Photo: Java - she had some seizures / D'Arcy Norman on Flickr
Happy Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is today (February 14), and for many of us, that means enjoying chocolate! Most people are aware that chocolate is toxic to pets, but may not know why chocolate is toxic or how much is "too much."
Chocolate isn't the only worry though. Wrappers (plastic and foil), string and ribbon around candy packages, raisins, the artificial sweetener xylitol, macadamia nuts and seasonal bouquets and planters containing flowers such as lilies and daffodils all pose a risk.
Some human foods are OK in small quantities, but if unsure, better to pass on it. I have seen some very convincing (e.g. yummy looking) dog cookies such as the one pictured at right, but always make sure they are safe for pets and do not contain any of the above ingredients.
Check out this list:
- Chocolate
- String Foreign Bodies (linear foreign bodies)
- Raisins and Grapes
- Yeast Dough
- Xylitol
- Macadamia Nuts
- Lilies and related toxic flowers
Photo: An Airedale Valentine / Lulu Hoeller on Flickr
Meet Ceva - Future Leader Dog Puppy
In this interview, Theresa DePorter DVM MRCVS dip ECVBM-CA, a veterinarian specializing in behavior, shares what it is like as a co-puppy raiser for Leader Dogs For The Blind.
Dr. DePorter and I have known each other via email and phone calls for a few years, this year we will meet in person at the 136th Westminster Dog show. I will be the 'official photographer' of Ceva, future Leader Dog puppy, as she and Dr. DePorter visit New York City for the first time.
More Westminster:
Photo: Dr. Theresa DePorter and Ceva, Future Leader Dog
Westminster 2012: Meet Emmett the Affenpinscher
In this interview, meet vet tech Kara Hickey who started showing dogs like I did; in 4-H. She works at a veterinary practice where "75% of the staff is involved in conformation showing, breeding, obedience, or all of the above," and one of the veterinarians is boarded in veterinary reproduction.
Interview: Meet Emmett the Affenpinscher and Kara Hickey LVT
More Westminster:
Photo: Emmett the Affenpinscher and Kara Hickey LVT
Westminster 2012: Meet French Bulldogs Porter and Sherman
This is the 5th year that Dr. Terri Marks and I have met at the Westminster dog show. We met in 2008, when she was showing her Mastiff, Kubota (Bo for short). Kubota is also the star of the how to brush your dog's teeth and how to give a dog a pill videos on this site. This year, we meet up again; Sherman and Porter (pictured at right) the French Bulldogs, are in the ring.
Interview: Terri Marks DVM at Westminster 2012
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Photo: Porter the French Bulldog and Terri Marks DVM - Westminster Show 2010 © Janet Tobiassen Crosby DVM
Westminster 2012: Meet Calvin the Shetland Sheepdog
In this interview, meet Calvin, a beautiful Shetland Sheepdog (a.k.a. Sheltie) who, in addition to completing his championship, as also earned titles in agility and herding. In addition to competitive work, Julie Iverson DVM has another 'use' for Calvin; using his undercoat to spin yarn, creating a variety of knitted goods.
Interview: Calvin the Sheltie and Julie Iverson DVM
More Westminster:
Photo: Calvin the Shetland Sheepdog / Julie Iverson DVM
ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam Event
Each year, members of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) donate their time and expertise to provide eye exams for service animals. Dogs that guide the visually impaired, search and rescue dogs and horses, physical assistance dogs, and other people-assisting animals are eligible to apply. Animals qualified to receive the complimentary eye exams must meet the qualifications as outlined by the ACVO.
To learn more about this event, I interviewed Dr. William Miller, a veterinary ophthalmologist at Advanced Animal Eye Care.
Related Information:
- ACVO MERIAL Annual Service Animal Eye Exam PSA Video
- Visit the ACVO Eye Exam site to register as a service dog handler or veterinary ophthalmologist
- Does your Service Dog qualify to participate?
Westminster 2012: Queso the Entlebucher Mountain Dog
This year is the 136th year of the Westminster Dog show. Six new breeds will be showing this year, including the Entlebucher Mountain Dog.
Learn about this breed, a member of the herding group and a native of Switzerland, and what dog show life is like for veterinarian Rebecca Hahn DVM in this interview.
Meet: Queso the Entlebucher Mountain Dog and Rebecca Hahn DVM
More Westminster:
Photo: Entlebucher Mountain Dogs / Rebecca Hahn DVM
Girl Survives Rabies Infection
In an amazing story of survival, Precious Reynolds, an eight-year old girl from California, has recovered from rabies. She is only the third known case in the US of surviving rabies infection without receiving rabies vaccine. The vaccine is normally given post-exposure or suspected exposure to rabies. Officials think Reynolds may have contracted the usually fatal viral disease from a feral cat near her school.
Rabies is a viral disease, spread via the saliva of infected animals. Most commonly this is through bite wounds, although contact with infected saliva via mucous membranes (eyes, mouth, nose or existing open wound) is also a risk.
According to ABC American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (via ABC), contracting rabies from a feral cat is rare. The virus spreads from the point of the bite along the nerves to the final target, the brain. Read More...