Articles Index

Safe Handling of Commercial Pet Food

Salmonella is a common source of food poisoning in humans, but may also be a factor for dogs, cats, and other animals, too. A sometimes overlooked source of contamination in the home is commercially prepared pet foods; dry kibble, canned foods, and prepared raw diets for dogs and cats. Here are tips to keep your human and pet family safe from food-borne pathogens and disease.

Protecting Your Family from Food- and Water-Borne Disease of Animal Origin

There are many diseases that can be passed to both pets and people through contaminated food and water. Learn how to protect yourself, your family and your pets from food- and water-borne diseases.

Salmonellosis - Infection with Salmonella Bacteria

Salmonella is a genus of bacteria that is normally found in the intestines of both cold- and warm-blooded animals and in the environment. Learn how this bacteria causes disease in humans and animals, what the symptoms are, and how to prevent infection and spread of this disease.

Laparoscopy In Veterinary Medicine

Many of the diagnostic and treatment options available to humans are also available for animals. Guest Author Dr. Alvaro Larin, DVM, a veterinary surgeon in Miami, Florida, discusses the use of laparoscopy in veterinary medicine, for diagnosing and treating a variety of conditions.

ACVO®/Merial® National Service Dog Eye Exam

May 2012 is the 5th annual ACVO®/Merial® National Service Dog Eye Exam. Veterinary Ophthalmologists around the US and Puerto Rico offer free eye exams for working service dogs and other service animals. Since the Service Dog Eye Exam event started in 2008, more than 10,500 service animals have been examined. To learn more about this event, I interviewed Dr. William Miller, a veterinary ophthalmologist at Advanced Animal Eye Care.

E-collar "cone" alternatives for dogs and cats

Elizabethan collars, or more commonly known as e-collars, are often used in veterinary medicine and sometimes referred to as a cone, lampshade, or "the cone of shame" as in the movie UP. These cones are used to prevent dogs and cats from biting, scratching and licking wounds, incisions, or other injured areas. Cumbersome and sometimes uncomfortable for the pet, we now have new versions of this tool that are a nice alternative for many pets.

Eyelash Disorders in Dogs and Cats

About eyelash disorders in dogs, including ectopic cilia, distichiasis, trichiasis. Risk factors, signs, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment are discussed.

Feline Herpesvirus 1

About Herpesvirus 1 in cats, including information about Herpesvirus 1, diseases associated with Herpesvirus 1, risk factors, and vaccination against Herpesvirus 1.

Why does my pet scoot?

Both dogs and cats have anal sacs that may become impacted or infected if not emptying properly. This causes itching, scooting and pain. Severe cases may abscess and rupture. Learn the signs of anal sac problems and how to keep your pet comfortable and scoot-free.

Itching, Scratching, and Hair Loss

Itching, scratching, and hair loss are very common problems for many pets, both dogs and cats. Fleas, allergies, parasites and immune problems are often to blame. A thorough veterinary examination is in order to find the problem and the inciting cause. Here are some answers to common itchy skin and hair loss questions.

Babesia Infections in Dogs

About Babesia infections in dogs, including risk factors, signs, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of babesiosis.

Veterinary Q & A: Lipomas (Fatty Tumors)

Veterinary Q & A - Lipomas (fatty tumors) in Dogs and Cats

Summer Dangers Besides the Heat

Familiarizing yourself with common yard and garden hazards and taking some preventative measures now can help you to keep your pets safe all summer long.

Poison Proof Your Home

Given the curious and unpredictable nature of our pets, poison proofing your home is important. Taking simple steps such as making sure the plants in your home are non-toxic or storing your medications in secure areas will significantly reduce the chance that your pet will come in contact with a toxic substance. Guest author Ahna Brutlag DVM from Pet Poison Helpline offers these tips to keep your pets safe.

Recipe: Turkey and Yams

Lucy Postins, CEO of human-grade whole food pet food company The Honest Kitchen and author of the healthy pet food cookbook Made Out of Love, offers this recipe for people who would like to try home cooking for their dog or cat. This diet is not meant to be a full-time diet, rather a treat or short-term diet, used in rotation with diets that are balanced with complete vitamins and minerals that a dog's diet requires.

Recipe: Liver Nibbles

Lucy Postins, CEO of human-grade whole food pet food company The Honest Kitchen and author of the healthy pet food cookbook Made Out of Love, offers this recipe for people who would like to try home cooking for their dog or cat. This diet is not meant to be a full-time diet, rather a treat or short-term diet, used in rotation with diets that are balanced with complete vitamins and minerals that a dog's diet requires.

Onion Toxicity in Dogs and Cats

The icky things dogs eat is a common topic on this site. Not all of the toxic foods are 'icky,' raisins and grapes, yeast dough, and as many people know, chocolate, all pose a risk to dogs. Here is another human food to add to the list: onions.

Anemia

Definition of Anemia including possible causes in dogs and cats.

Glossary Term: Jaundice

Definition of Jaundice including signs of jaundice, and possible causes in dogs and cats.

Ceva Future Leader Dog

In this interview, Theresa DePorter DVM MRCVS dip ECVBM-CA, a veterinarian with a practice limited to 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.

Hairballs

Hairballs are common problems for cats, rabbits, ferrets. Trichobezoars are occasionally found in dogs and humans too. Learn why they are formed, signs to watch for, and how to treat and prevent hairball formation.

Meet Argos the American Foxhound

The Westminster spotlight for 2012 is veterinary professionals; veterinarians and veterinary technicians, who show dogs at Westminster. This year is the 136th year of the Westminster Dog show. This interview is a two-for-one spotlight; on Argos the American Foxhound who will be at Westminster this year, and Jefferson, a Bull Terrier who Dr. Jeanne Fournier-Fike thought would be attending Westminster, but had a change of plans at the last minute.

French Bulldogs, Mastiffs and Terri Marks DVM at Westminster 2012

The Westminster spotlight for 2012 is veterinary professionals; veterinarians and veterinary technicians, who show dogs at Westminster. This year is the 136th year of the Westminster Dog show. 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 the French Bulldogs are in the ring.

Meet Porter the French Bulldog

We first met Terri Marks DVM in 2008, with her Mastiff, Bo, short for "Kubota." Bo had a story to tell; first of injury then of rescue and recovery. He went on to become a show and therapy dog. Now Marks is back with a new dog, Porter, who, like Bo, has a few stories to tell.

Meet Queso the Entlebucher Mountain Dog

The Westminster spotlight for 2012 is veterinary professionals; veterinarians and veterinary technicians, who show dogs at Westminster. 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 and what dog show life is like for veterinarian Rebecca Hahn DVM.