Feline Leukemia Virus, Feline Immunodeficiency virus and Feline Bartonellosis all have one thing in common. They are all serious diseases in cats. But the last of the three, Bartonellosis, can also be a serious disease in people. Once known as Cat Scratch Fever, although more aptly now as Cat Scratch Disease (CSD), it is caused… Continue reading
While the abundance of scratching, runny eyes and itchiness that your dog or cat suffers from can be reduced with environmental and food correction, they may occasionally need medication to reduce discomfort. Several products can be used to give relief depending on the preference of your local vet. Often a simple antihistamine such as Benadryl is the… Continue reading
Sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes and now scratching at my back……sounds like your seasonal allergies, doesn’t it? At least all except the back scratching. Actually this very accurately describes some of the common symptoms associated with allergies in dogs and cats. In the previous posts we looked at the various causes, testing and evaluations required in assessing skin… Continue reading
Once diet has been altered based on allergy testing, elimination diet or random choice, it may take as long as two months to see the benefit. If a longer period has passed and your pet is still scratching, it is time to look further. If skin scrapings, fungal (ringworm) cultures, yeast preps and other diagnostics… Continue reading
Much is often inferred from pet owners, pet food manufacturers, and veterinarians regarding itchy pets and food allergies. A natural reaction on the part of the dog or cat owner is to change diets, But does this really help? Although it is true that food allergies do occur in pets, how can we best evaluate… Continue reading
Your pet is scratching…..chewing her skin……biting his feet….losing fur………….FLEAS……..Right? Probably not. Even though fleas (one of several pests that fall under the heading of External Parasites) can cause these symptoms, many pets that visit the veterinarian for the above signs do not have fleas. There is a myriad of various conditions that can cause scratching, chewing,… Continue reading
Perhaps the most important treatment for lameness of all causes in dogs and cats to emerge is Low Level Laser Therapy or LLLT. LLLT is more accurately described as photobiomodulation. Although this term seems a bit daunting if one looks at the individual parts it becomes very logical.. Photo refers to light, bio refers to… Continue reading
Let’s assume that any laboratory abnormalities have been dealt with and that we still have a limping dog or lackadaisical cat and X-rays (radiology or imaging) have revealed arthritis of one or several joints. There are certain joints that are more typically affected in some species as well as even breeds within these species. It… Continue reading
When it comes to your dog limping or cat not jumping it is not necessarily age related. Previously we talked about the various causes for these changes but how do we track it down? In looking for infectious disease causes for behavioral changes the place to start is with a history and complete physical by your… Continue reading
The above is often heard in conversation with our veterinary clients. While there are multiple causes for musculoskeletal disorders, there is an assumption that with the aging of our pets a reduction in activity and physical capability is to be expected. It is true that across the spectrum of the animal kingdom there is a decline in physical attributes in conjunction with aging. … Continue reading