Hyperadrenocorticism, or Cushing’s disease, occurs when the adrenal glands produce too much cortisol, the body’s natural steroid. The condition is more common in dogs than in cats. The result affects many organ systems and may result in increased drinking and urination, poor hair coat quality, panting excessively, weight gain and a pot-bellied appearance to your pet. Left untreated the disease progresses and many related conditions can shorten the life span. The goal of therapy is to reduce the hormonal load… Continue reading →

Adrenal glands have traditionally been thought of as the body’s organ system responsible for the “fight or flight” response of our pets. During stress conditions they pump out epinephrine which is used in metabolizing glucose to give the body energy for it’s response. The adrenal gland has many other important functions besides releasing epinephrine during stress events. It is integral to many metabolic processes and involved significantly in the body’s immune system response. Supportive therapy of stressed-out adrenal glands can… Continue reading →

EFA’s are just as important in our pet’s diet as they are in human diets. There has been much research on the importance of essential fatty acids in the daily diet and on the management of various degenerative disease. EFA’s function primarily as a natural anti-inflammatory and are therefore used extensively in the treatment of many skin conditions. EFA’s help reduce the inflammatory process that predisposes the initiation of many other disease processes as well. They have shown benefit in… Continue reading →

Many animals are plagued by itchy skin. The constant scratching proves miserable for both pet and owner alike. Concerned owners get little sleep when their pet is up scratching all night. Skin inflammation is the underlying source of the itching and scratching. Inflammation can be caused by a variety of conditions including parasites, bacterial or yeast infections. Some animals can be predisposed to recurrent skin infections due to underlying sensitivities. These sensitivities can be allergies to food, allergies to environmental… Continue reading →

The kidney is responsible for forming urine. It functions along with the liver and other organs to filter toxins and metabolic waste from our pet’s bodies. Kidneys are a sensitive organ and kidney failure can sometimes be an unfortunate condition in our pets. Failure occurs when the kidney is no longer able to adequately eliminate toxins from the body. Symptoms of kidney disease include excessive drinking and urination. Our pets are often dehydrated and will have a dull dry haircoat.… Continue reading →

As guardians of our animals it is our responsibility to provide the best of care to promote and maintain our pet’s health. True health is not only the absence of disease but also the vitality and essence in which they live their daily lives. Shiny haircoats, healthy teeth and gums, bright eyes, boundless energy and love for their people are all good indications of animal health! At some point in their lives our pets will need some form of veterinary care.… Continue reading →