Common Medical Problems

Spring is upon us in a big way in New England.  The record warmth early, the deluges later and now the seasonal temperatures  have brought on a bumper crop of ticks,  fleas and mosquitoes.  The scratching and irritation your dog and cat exhibit is but a minor inconvenience (maybe not for them) compared to the… Continue reading

In the past 5 to 10 years the growth of veterinary dental practices has been rapid.  Tooth brushing for dogs and cats has long been emphasized as part of routine care as has the need for dental prophylaxis or professional cleaning.  But often we receive calls from pet owners who have recently visited their veterinarians … Continue reading

Frequently, veterinary disease conditions that do not seem to respond to initial treatment are often dealt with by adding additional medications. Although in certain illnesses such as cardiac disease this may be an accepted and appropriate response, in other situations additional chemicals may serve only to cloud the short and/or long term prognosis. Consider, for… Continue reading

Recently I was the victim of a serious automobile accident. The first responding paramedics were exemplary as well as the team that air lifted me to a prominent Boston medical facility. The trauma team was extraordinary and the orthopedic service very capable. However in reflecting on my recent hospitalization it missed the mark. In spite… Continue reading

The primary objective of medicine is always to find a cure for what is afflicting the patient.  In many instances, however this may not be possible or even practical.  For these unique cases there are multiple options available to the pet owner.  The various paths of treatment include supportive, palliative or hospice care.  Supportive care is the… Continue reading

As the profession continues to evolve and we expand our knowledge, the importance of dentistry to the health and well being of our pets grows.  As noted in previous posts, home dental care as well as occasional dental prophylaxis and cleanings are essential in contributing to the longevity of your pet’s health. In keeping with our… Continue reading

As the cheerful greeting of “Happy Holidays”  rings out this holiday season, remember that the same happiness may not be experienced by your pet.  As families reunite and households become busy with all the plans, the family dog or cat is often left out of the focus.   In some ways this is positive since cats in… Continue reading

In the previous post the importance of regular dental care by your pet’s caretaker is emphasized.  As diligent as we might be in accepting this responsibility, cats and dogs as in people require periodic professional dental cleaning or prophylaxis.  This is usually in a veterinary hospital that has full laboratory, surgery, dental and anesthesia capabilities.  The… Continue reading

The most rapidly expanding service of veterinary medicine today is in the area of routine and advanced dentistry.  In years past the emphasis on dental hygiene usually included feeding hard foods or offering crunchy dental treats with the occasional dental prophylaxis performed by your local veterinarian.  Although brushing your dog’s or cat’s teeth was mentioned, it… Continue reading

As the holidays are rapidly approaching it is important to note that one of the most serious conditions that affect cats (as well as other pets)  is a  linear foreign body.   This refers to the ingestion of such materials as ribbons, strings, tinsel, or thread which in some instances may actually have a sewing needles attached. The condition’s severity stems from the possibiilty… Continue reading