ask a vet

There are two types of mange in dogs, Demodectic mange and Sarcoptic mange and because one type is contagious between dogs and people as well as other dogs, it is important to be aware of the differences. Both can appear as hair loss and redness of the skin, and/or itching. Demodectic mange Demodectic mange in dogs is caused by a skin mite known as Demodex Canis (and other Demodex species). Demodex mites can live on normal skin, but in cases … Read more

We hopefully all know how important heartworm preventative is, and I often get questions about my recommendation for yearly testing for heartworms. Heartworms kill dogs. But people wonder why they need to test every year and it seems like there are those on the internet that want to make veterinarians into the villains, making ridiculous and unnecessary suggestions. The American Heartworm Society is a group that helps veterinarians make unified recommendations to promote eradication of this damaging parasite and they recommend … Read more

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you see your dog scratching? Allergies? Fleas? Mange? Any of these could be reasons your dog is having constant scratch-fests, and figuring out the source of his itchiness is the first step in providing relief. Below are some of the most common reasons dog owners bring their pets to see me when the scratching starts. Inhalant allergy (atopy) Atophy is a very common cause of pruritus (itching). I see patients … Read more

Dog owners tell me often that their dog was “mad” at them and acted out. I have clients that post video and photos of their pet’s destruction on social media and then everyone comments. Many of the comments reflect this exact sentiment- “He must have been mad at you for leaving him”. Dogs feel emotions (See Does My Dog Feel Jealousy?), but if your dog is extremely destructive or urinating when you are away, it’s probably not anger. Animals do … Read more

Whether you notice it as it happens or not, hair doesn’t just disappear overnight. Sudden bald patches or thinning fur on your dog’s body may be cause for alarm in a loving owner – but don’t panic! Your dog’s fur didn’t just pack up and walk away – and it’s not going to come back without some attention. Here are 5 common causes of hair loss in dogs that you can discuss with your vet if you notice your dog’s … Read more

Constipation in dogs is defined by the inability to pass normal stools. The stool itself can be hard and dry when it is passed and sometimes, dogs strain and are unable to produce stool at all. There are many reasons for constipation. To make a normal stool, a dog must be eating, have the ability to digest and concentrate the waste normally, have an open passageway for the stool to proceed through, have the muscle movement to push stool forward, … Read more

We talk all the time about diseases you could catch from your dog, but have you ever thought about diseases that you cannot catch from your dog? There are a handful of diseases that raise eyebrows and sometimes get blamed on pets, and our poor, innocent, pets have been taking the rap for them this whole time! Here’s a list of illnesses that have been blamed on dogs erroneously. #1 – Pinworms Pinworms are a human parasite. They do not … Read more

Every dog parent knows that sometimes you need to take your fur friend to the vet. Dogs come in so many sizes that I thought I would explore the top 5 reasons that small breed dogs see me. All purebred dogs can probably trace back to a handful of similar ancient breeds, so there are definitely genetic predispositions in purebred dogs. Some of the problems simply are made more likely by the size, conformation or lifestyle of the patient. In … Read more

Lyme’s disease is a well-known disease that is spread by ticks to both pets and people. Projections indicate that Lyme’s disease is an ongoing risk in endemic areas and appears to be spreading. The causative agent is a bacterium called Borrelia Burgdorferi. The organism is spread from the tick to its host during feeding. Signs of infection may not show for months after the tick bite. Endemic areas include New England, the upper Ohio River Valley and the Pacific Northwest. … Read more

Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea) is the most common ectoparasite in North America. He is not exclusive to cats despite his name. He is ubiquitous in environments with higher than 50% humidity. Only one stage (adult) of the flea life cycle is seen on animals and they only stay on the animal long enough to get a blood meal and lay eggs. The other three: eggs, larvae and pupae are an environmental infestation. Eggs are deposited on animals and fall off … Read more

I tell pet owners often about the risk of fraudulent products purchased online.  Sometimes I think that they look at me skeptically, like I am exaggerating the risk for my own benefit. Even with the advent of the A.W.A.R.E. program from FDA to help consumers protect themselves, I had no personal experience with counterfeit products… until now. I recently acquired a phony flea control product purchased from a large well-known online retailer. The client was frustrated that the product did … Read more

Every dog lover has had to give medications to their dog. Sometimes the meds are flavored and appealing and sometimes they aren’t. Many dog owners and vets alike have hidden pills in peanut butter. Peanut butter is excellent camouflage to hide bitterness and is very popular among dogs. Recently, certain food manufacturers have started to add xylitol to peanut butter to try to make it a lower calorie choice for those people watching calorie intake. Xylitol is a sugar substitute found … Read more

Does your vet speak to you in Pig Latin? Actually it is really Latin and Greek mostly. Here are some terms that I use that have gotten some questionable looks and I think that understanding what your vet is saying is the best way to have a pet health care team for your pets’ best lives. This is your crash mini course in Medical Terminology! #1 – Neoplasia The word neoplasia roughly translated from the Greek root word neo– new, … Read more

In my practice, I see large breed dogs every day. Dogs come in so many sizes that I thought I would explore the top 5 reasons that large breed dogs see me. All large breed dogs can probably trace back to a handful of similar ancient breeds, so there are definitely genetic predispositions in large and giant breeds. Some of the problems simply are made more likely by the size of the patient. #1 – Ear Infections Otitis Externa is … Read more

We all love our dogs and want the best for them. In my years as a small animal vet, I have learned a few things about keeping pets healthy and happy. Most of these points may seem intuitive, but you would be surprised how often clients seem surprised at this info. Nothing shows our pets how much they mean to us more than making their care a priority in our lives. Here’s a few hints to help if you’d like … Read more

Heat stoke is a very dangerous syndrome that has a high mortality rate. Over half of severely affected dogs die regardless of medical care, so if you think that your dog has heat stroke, you should act immediately. It is important to understand that the actual heat is only the inciting cause of the entire deadly cascade of events.  The cells suffer from damage because of the heat and begin to release chemicals that start a series of inflammatory landslides … Read more

The word “toxic” is applied to many plants. The word itself brings to mind images of horrific consequences and even death, but fortunately, few house plants are so dramatically deadly. Plants have evolved defense mechanisms over time to deter animals from damaging their foliage. It is interesting to note that some of these compounds that have been vilified in the press for harming pets are showing promise in medical research as potential cancer chemotherapeutics and groundbreaking treatments.  Some of the … Read more

Poison Ivy, sumac, and oak are some of the downsides of summer. They are pretty common in the US and Canada. They belong to the family that also includes cashews – I guess every family has “those” relatives! The plants contain an oil called Urushiol that causes an allergic reaction in 90% of people. It can cause a rash in pets too, especially dogs because they have areas of their bodies that are not thickly covered by hair (like the … Read more

No one is perfect and neither is their dog. But there are things you should know and your vet is probably not going to tell you. They’re not pretty, and you won’t like hearing them at all – which is probably why you will never hear these phrases come out of your vet’s mouth. Still, knowing these things will help your dog live the best life possible, and make you a more responsible pet owner. #1 You are the reason … Read more

An E-collar, short for Elizabethan collar, is a device used to prevent self-mutilation in animal patients. An animal’s instinct drives him to lick and rub in response to the itchy feeling associated with healing and can delay (or prevent) complete recovery. Some people believe that licking wounds is a natural and beneficial reaction, but it actually disrupts the healing process and impregnates the wound with bacteria. People think pets seem emotionally bothered by an Elizabethan collar. It seems cruel to … Read more

Every veterinarian knows that animal patients are driven to lick wounds. We have all seen the destructive force it can be in surgical wound healing. I can recognize a wound that has been licked the instant I see it. Not only does licking potentially introduce infection, but the act of licking can break down tissues and suture. Many people still feel that as a natural response of a dog to a wound, it is a good idea. We also know … Read more

What is Spondylosis? Spondylosis deformans is a term that describes when the body has attempted to form a bony bridge over a vertebral space. It is visible on the ventral (bottom) surface of the spinal column as a solid bar linking two vertebral bodies and spanning the space between them. Spondylosis is a very common disease middle-aged to older dogs. It is sometimes an incidental finding on radiographs taken for a separate reason, but I usually have a suspicion of … Read more