Dewclaws. Even the name is funny. Spellcheck doesn’t even know it. Then, again, spellcheck doesn’t know “spellcheck”, either! Dewclaws are functionless first digits (toes) on the inside of the front legs of most dogs and cats, and on the rear legs of some individuals. When present on the front legs they almost always have three [...]
“Doctor, Poppet’s nose was warm yesterday. Is that a sign of illness?” Poppett’s mom has asked a common question, but one that doesn’t have a simple answer. Dogs, and to some extent cats, use their noses and foot pads as sweating mechanisms to lose body heat. Usually a cold, wet nose is evaporating moisture so [...]
This week it was announced that Chanel, the “world’s oldest dog” celebrated her 21st birthday. In fact, the dog with the greatest recorded age was an Australian cattle dog named Bluey. Bluey was euthanized at 29 years and 5 months of age. Of course, this is an extreme case and most dogs live nowhere near [...]
Today is the four-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Our prayers are with the survivors who lost loved ones, their homes, their belongings and their treasures. And with those whose pets were killed, injured or lost. And those people, dogs and cats who continue to be displaced. See you Monday, Dr. Randolph.
Sebaceous cysts are interesting structures. All pores and hair follicles in the skin are surrounded by microscopic oil glands. These glands produce the oil that makes our pets’ hair (and our own hair) shiny, as well as producing a protective and moisturizing layer for the hair and skin. This oil is called sebum. Sebaceous cysts [...]
A few days ago we reported on Jack, who had run upon some marijuana in a duffle bag in a public park. Jack, we are happy to report, is now doing fine. Jack’s story reminded me of an event that occurred during my senior year at Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Each night the [...]
Yesterday we observed what a natural fit pets and kids are. All of us pet-loving adults would confirm that our animals are an integral part of our lives, too. And, by “adult” I’m putting no age limits. Take my father, for example. He’s 88 years young and looooooooooooooves a dog! Until a couple of years ago he [...]
Allergy alert! It seems that every other dog and cat who comes in the front door of our hospital is complaining of itchiness. Allergy years tend to run in cycles. Dogs’ immune systems are known to be able to react to 64 allergens that they inhale, as well as contact and other allergens. Dust, pollen [...]
Continuing the topic of minimizing recurrent ear problems in dogs and cats, today we will discuss proper treatment. In order to have treatment success the duration of treatment must be adequate. Do not stop treatment just because the ears look better! Even with first-time ear infections one cannot hope to clear the infection with three [...]
Today we have a really short but really touching story to tell. It’s stories like this that keep us going back to work for our patients and their pet-loving owners. Rascal came in for an appointment for an ear problem. His left ear had been itchy for a couple of days and this was the [...]
Arthritis. Glucosamine. Chondroitin. Dasuquin and Cosequin. Seems simple enough to some of us, doesn’t it? As much as I dislike bursting bubbles, I’ll have to. There is very little in the practice of medicine that is simple. The good news is that with dogs and cats most arthritis is limited to one kind: osteoarthritis. Regardless [...]
Worms. The very word makes you cringe, doesn’t it? Worms are creepy. All worms. Even the ones you fish with. No wonder your wife requires that you put hers on the hook. Our pets can be worm free, from both intestinal worms and heartworms. (Click Revolution to read more of what MyPetsDoctor.com’s Dr. James W. Randolph [...]
My father used to be an avid tennis player. Does every day and sometimes twice in a day qualify as avid? He had a number of regular doubles partners. One was a dentist, one a cardiologist, a urologist, an internist and one of his fellow teachers. Any medical emergency that might occur on the court [...]
Some people are night owls, some rise with the chickens. Dogs pick up on that. My first client of the day today is a lady with a long commute who rises at 4 AM. She owns two dogs, CC and Sophie. CC is a couch potato and night owl who will lie in bed until [...]
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