Please welcome Dr. Steve Thompson, (Director, Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Pet Wellness Clinic, West Lafayette, IN) as a guest contributor today. This article, originally written in 1998, proved to be extremely popular in helping to dispel a number of urban myths…
TPR. It stands for temperature, pulse and respiratory rates. They are among the most foundational measurements a doctor takes of his patient, regardless of species. There are times you might need to take the parameters at home, so we are…
Pet owners call us almost every day with questions about flea control, when fleas are only a part of the problem. The conversation usually starts with, “My dog (or cat) is scratching and I need to know what you have to control…
So much for having a watchcat. Not surprisingly, our Maxx comes a-running when his automatic feeder clicks on. It is timed for three feedings: the first at 625 AM, the second at Noon and the third at 525 PM. I…
Last week we discussed the dangers of bromethalin, a neurotoxic rodenticide, rat poison that targets the brainClick here to read that post. One might read about those dangers and respond, “Well, if it’s so dangerous, no big deal, I will…
Bromethalin. Rat poison just got a whole lot more dangerous. Bromethalin causes swelling of the brain (cerebral edema) leading to lethargy (inactivity), ataxia (unstable walking), pupils that may be both unresponsive to light and different sizes, loss of consciousness, tremors…
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…
Recently we discussed the technical aspects of euthanasia (click here to read that post). How do we know “it’s time” for our pets to be allowed to pass on? SOMETIMES IT’S OBVIOUS There are times when our pets are acutely…
The lowly comb has dozens of uses for pet owners. Some of them even have medical implications. We often speak of brushing our pets, but sometimes the comb is a better tool. For pets who like to be groomed, a…
Mrs. Jones and I were in the examination room with Fluffy, her Golden Retriever. It was Fluffy’s second birthday, and Mrs. Jones asked me a very important question, “I’m thinking of breeding Fluffy now. What are my considerations?” The first…
