“Neurologic disease” refers to disease affecting the nervous system, which is comprised of the brain, spinal cord and nerves throughout the body. Very similar to ours, a dog or cat’s nervous system can be affected by numerous disease processes. These processes can be traumatic, inflammatory or infectious, degenerative, neoplastic and sometimes idiopathic—meaning we do not…
We would like to dedicate this blog post to our long time technician Rachel and her beloved dog, Brody. Brody was recently diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, which is heartbreaking to us all. Rachel is letting Brody live every day he has left to the fullest, and we are all celebrating the phenomenal life…
This month’s topic is allergies. So many of our patients are affected that it was hard to select just one “case of the month.” The most common types we see here are atopy (inhalant allergies), food, and flea. The diagnosis can be difficult, especially since some patients have multiple reactions. Achooooo!!! An allergy occurs because…
The upcoming 4th of July holiday is one that most of us humans love, but it can be terrifying for most dogs and cats. The noise from fireworks can cause pets anxiety and fear, and many pets will bolt at the sound of the loud explosions. Below are some steps you can take to help…
Ever wonder what it feels like for a dog helplessly trapped in a hot car? Watch this brief video by Veterinarian Ernie Ward to get an idea: Within just 30 minutes, even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside the car climbed to a sweltering 117 degrees. While most of us here in the Northwest…
Vomiting is a common complaint in many of our patients—whether dogs or cats. The list of things that can cause vomiting is endless and it can sometimes be challenging to pinpoint a specific diagnosis. Sometimes the cause of vomiting is obvious. A young dog that got into the garbage, for example, is clearly suffering the…
Pain and management of pain falls into two categories: acute and chronic. ACUTE pain is often associated with procedures that involve anesthesia. This is something we as veterinarians anticipate, based on the age, specific health concerns of our patient and the procedure performed. We may address this anticipated pain by administering a combination of pre-anesthetic…
Periodontal disease is one of the number one health problems in cats and dogs. In fact, by the age of two, it is estimated that 70% of cats and 80% of dogs have some degree of periodontal disease. Untreated periodontal disease may cause more than just oral discomfort and tooth loss. The bacteria associated with…
As the temperature drops during the winter months, here are a few cold weather cautions and tips to follow to help keep your pets safe and comfortable: Step 1: Alert hidden guests… Bang on the hood of your car before starting it up. Cats have been known to crawl up into the engine compartments of…
Rather than a specific case story this month, we thought it might be fun (and informative) to provide you all with a basic overview of your dog or cat’s anatomy. What is anatomy? Anatomy is defined as the study of the structure of the body. Anatomy contributes to a pet’s basic appearance–from the way they…