Updated Articles and Resources

By Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM, About.com Guide since 1999

Wild Animal Attacks - Protect Your Pet from Wild Animal Attacks Created: Monday, July 27, 2009 Updated: Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Wild animals sting, bite, and poke our pets. What animals should you be concerned about? This depends on where you live. Here are some tips to keep your pet safe while camping, hiking or out in the...
Animal Bites, Scratches and Injuries to Humans: prompt medical care is essential for animal bites and scratches Created: Tuesday, September 12, 2006 Updated: Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Animals, even well-trained ones, can be unpredictable. Pet owners and bystanders should exercise caution when dealing with animals that are stressed, frightened or injured to protect themselves fro...
Safe Handling of Commercial Pet Food Created: Monday, May 14, 2012 Updated: Monday, May 14, 2012
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 commerciall...
Protecting Your Family from Food- and Water-Borne Disease of Animal Origin Created: Friday, September 23, 2011 Updated: Tuesday, May 08, 2012
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 Created: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 Updated: Tuesday, May 08, 2012
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 animal...
Contributing and Guest Authors at Veterinary Medicine at About.com Created: Monday, April 19, 2010 Updated: Friday, May 04, 2012
Meet the contributing writers for this site. They cover a wide range of topics from equine dentistry, pet insurance questions and emergency and poison control topics. Your questions and topic sugge...
Laparoscopy Offers Diagnostic and Treatment Options In Veterinary Medicine Created: Friday, May 04, 2012 Updated: Friday, May 04, 2012
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 lap...
Catnip Toys - Share Your Story: Is Your Cat Crazy For Catnip? Created: Friday, May 04, 2012 Updated: Friday, May 04, 2012
Catnip is a cat-friendly plant that causes a variety of behaviors in cats. Some cats get
Shai - 16-year-old Shitzu x Llaso - Share Your Story: Senior Pets - Older dogs and cats have lots of love to share Created: Friday, May 04, 2012 Updated: Friday, May 04, 2012
Senior pets have a special place in my heart. While they may take extra time and extra care to accommodate for the changes seen in old age, they still give their all to their human family members. ...
Tyson the 14-year-old Rottie Cross - Share Your Story: Senior Pets - Older dogs and cats have lots of love to share Created: Friday, May 04, 2012 Updated: Friday, May 04, 2012
Senior pets have a special place in my heart. While they may take extra time and extra care to accommodate for the changes seen in old age, they still give their all to their human family members. ...
Filfil the 17 year old Arabian Mau Cat - Share Your Story: Senior Pets - Older dogs and cats have lots of love to share Created: Friday, May 04, 2012 Updated: Friday, May 04, 2012
Senior pets have a special place in my heart. While they may take extra time and extra care to accommodate for the changes seen in old age, they still give their all to their human family members. ...
Alpha by Natural Balance - Reader Reviews Adult Cat Food Created: Friday, May 04, 2012 Updated: Friday, May 04, 2012
Pet food is always a hot topic. People want to know what to feed their pets (kibble, canned, raw or home cooked), learn about special diets for weight loss, seniors or prescription situations and b...
ACVO®/Merial® National Service Dog Eye Exam - Veterinary Ophthalmologists Offer Free Eye Exams for Working Service Animals Created: Monday, February 06, 2012 Updated: Tuesday, May 01, 2012
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 s...
Pet Medication Tip - Make sure your pet gets the correct medications while you are away Created: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 Updated: Monday, April 23, 2012
I recently attended seminar presented by Pfizer Animal Health, and their research shows that people forget to take their own medications just as often as they forget to give their pet's their medic...
Sunburn: Not Just For Humans - Protect Your Pets From Getting Sunburned Created: Monday, June 09, 2008 Updated: Monday, April 23, 2012
People are realizing dangers of sun exposure. Now this sun care attention is turning to our pets. White animals and those that have a summer hair cut or with naturally thin (or nonexistent!) hair c..
Corneal Ulcers in Dogs and Cats Created: Monday, April 23, 2012 Updated: Monday, April 23, 2012
Corneal ulcers are a common problem in dogs and cats. This painful condition has numerous causes. Quick diagnosis and treatment is essential to prevent additional eye damage. Learn about corneal ul...
E-collar cone alternatives - alternative dog and cat e-collar cones Created: Tuesday, December 29, 2009 Updated: Monday, April 23, 2012
Elizabethan collars, or more commonly known as e-collars, are often used in veterinary medicine and sometimes referred to as a cone, lampshade, or
Eyelash Disorders in Dogs - Ectopic Cilia - Distichiasis - Trichiasis Created: Tuesday, April 06, 2010 Updated: Monday, April 23, 2012
About eyelash disorders in dogs, including ectopic cilia, distichiasis, trichiasis. Risk factors, signs, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment are discussed.
Herpesvirus 1 Infections in Cats - Information about Feline Herpesvirus 1 Created: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 Updated: Monday, April 23, 2012
About Herpesvirus 1 in cats, including information about Herpesvirus 1, diseases associated with Herpesvirus 1, risk factors, and vaccination against Herpesvirus 1.
Anal Sacs (Anal Glands) - Why does my pet scoot and other questions anal sac impactions, infections and abscesses in dogs and cats Created: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 Updated: Thursday, April 19, 2012
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 ana..
Itching, Scratching, Hair Loss in Dogs and Cats - Skin Conditions in Pets Created: Monday, December 08, 2003 Updated: Wednesday, April 18, 2012
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 ...
Itching and Scratching - Information about allergies, parasites, infections and hair loss in dogs and cats Created: Wednesday, January 05, 2011 Updated: Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Itching, scratching, fleas, allergies and hair loss are among the most common questions to veterinarians. Hair loss and scratching are very common signs that represent a multitude of possible healt...
Babesia in Dogs - Signs - Diagnosis - Treatment of Babesiosis Created: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 Updated: Monday, April 16, 2012
About Babesia infections in dogs, including risk factors, signs, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of babesiosis.
Westminster 2011 - Veterinary Professionals and Service Dogs at the 135th Westminster Dog Show Created: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 Updated: Thursday, April 12, 2012
Westminster 2011 - Veterinary Professionals and Service Dogs at the 135th Westminster Dog Show
Dog Eye Diseases - Cherry Eye, Eyelash Problems, Entropion, Ectropion, Conjunctivitis and more Created: Monday, April 18, 2011 Updated: Thursday, April 12, 2012
Common eye diseases of dogs, including Cherry Eye, Eyelash Problems, Entropion. If your dog is pawing at, rubbing or shows signs of pain or irritation around the eyes, seek veterinary help as soon ...
Seizures in Dogs - Signs, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment of Seizures in Dogs Created: Thursday, February 24, 2011 Updated: Thursday, April 12, 2012
Seizures are one of the most common neurological problems seen in dogs. A seizure happens when the cerebral cortex, part of the brain, functions abnormally. There are many different diseases that c...
Pet Poison Helpline iPhone App Review Created: Wednesday, April 11, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Pet Poison Helpline, a service for veterinarians and pet owners, has released an iPhone app that contains an extensive database of poisons found around the home and yard. Find information about dru..
Pet First Aid - Review of Jive Media iPhone app for Pet First Aid Created: Wednesday, September 02, 2009 Updated: Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Guide review of Pet First Aid v2.2.0, an iPhone application by Jive Media and PetTech of Vacaville, California. Emergencies happen any place, at any time. Chances are, you won't have that helpful p..
Veterinary Q & A - Lipomas (fatty tumors) in Dogs and Cats Created: Saturday, November 29, 2003 Updated: Monday, April 02, 2012
Veterinary Q & A - Lipomas (fatty tumors) in Dogs and Cats
Reverse Sneeze - What is a "reverse sneeze"? Created: Wednesday, September 05, 2007 Updated: Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Reverse sneezing is a fairly common respiratory event seen in dogs (rarely cats) that, while harmless, can be quite frightening for dog owners to witness. Find out what happens during reverse sneez..
Summer Dangers For Pets - Besides the Heat Created: Friday, May 07, 2004 Updated: Tuesday, March 27, 2012
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.
Feline Reproduction: Estrus (Heat), Pregnancy, Spaying and Neutering of Cats Created: Thursday, March 15, 2012 Updated: Monday, March 26, 2012
Learn the average age and length of the first heat cycle, pregnancy length, and about spaying and neutering in cat. Also learn about abnormal conditions such as ectopic ovaries and facts specific t..

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