Dogs are increasingly being diagnosed with Canine Cognitive Disorder, also called Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD or CD). Dogs are living longer than ever before, thanks to the elevated status of these pets in family structure, improved knowledge of medical care…
Drug resistance. You hear about it on the television news. You read about it in the newspaper. How does it happen? Drug-resistant bacteria are produced by many, many factors. People, and our misbehavior, are the cause of most resistance. One…
A reader from Seattle writes, “My veterinarian examines my new puppy thoroughly from ‘head to toe” every three weeks when he goes in for his puppy series of vaccinations. My friend says his veterinarian examined his puppy only on the…
Methemoglobinemia and methemoglobinuria. If your pet demonstrates either or both of these conditions, pray for the best and prepare for the worst. Methemoglobin is not a disease (unless it occurs congenitally), but a result of a toxin exposure. Often, this…
Cat Scratch Fever. While it may be a catchy song title, the “real thing” is incredibly scary. Ted Nugent will want to stick to singing the song, and leave the disease alone. Cat Scratch Fever is also known as Cat…
Feline Nighttime Vocalization(FNV) is an infrequently-occurring but serious disorder. The resulting sleep loss is not only a problem for your kitty, but sleep loss in humans is known to be linked to many health disorders, some of which can lead…
Run a test. Get a result. Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it. However, the wicket gets sticky when you realize that every test we run requires interpretation. Few are simply “yes” or “no,” “black” or “white.” When results are dramatically different…
“Dr. Randolph, I appreciate that you send me reminders for Daisy, but she’s an old dog and that’s why I don’t bring her in to the clinic any more.” This is actually a common sentiment, despite the poor logic. Think…
I once accompanied my father to an emergency room visit for chest pain. I paid special attention to his answers to the staff’s questions so I could fill in if he left anything out. The first person to quiz him…
“Dr. Randolph, I appreciate that you send me reminders for Daisy, but she’s an old cat and that’s why I don’t bring her in to the clinic any more.” This is actually a common sentiment, despite the poor logic. Think…
