Seizures are on of the most common neurological problems that occur in dogs. A seizure is abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Seizures can occur as full or grand mal seizures or partial seizures. Grand mal seizures cause the dog to be unresponsive, paddling, foaming at the mouth and lose control of bladder and bowel. This type of seizure may last from a few seconds to several minutes. If the seizure last more than 5 minutes you need to seek… Continue reading →

Are you thinking of getting a new puppy for the family? I am often asked what breed of dog would be the best. Well that depends on the situation. When I am asked I always ask a few questions: Do you want a long or short haired dog? Is your family very active and you want an active dog? Do you want a large or small breed, knowing that large breed dogs have greater exercise requirements? Do you have small… Continue reading →

One of the most common problems seen in dogs is diarrhea. In most cases, the diarrhea can be traced to bad eating habits – foraging through a garbage can or eating spoiled food or non food items. When this happens, the dog diarrhea is usually resolved in a day or two and poses no long-term problems. When is dog diarrhea a problem? If the diarrhea persists more than 24 hours or is accompanied by vomiting or contains blood, your dog… Continue reading →

Heart Disease is common in dogs. There are several types of heart problems that dogs can get. Giant dogs like Great Danes and Dobermans can have problems with the muscle of the heart. This is called Cardiomyopathy. The heart muscle has a genetic problem in these dogs and literally wears out. Some large breed dogs like Boxers have their own breed related Cardiomyopathy. Small breed dogs are more likely to suffer from heart valve problems which cause congestive heart failure.… Continue reading →

Everyone should have a first aid kit for their pets. You should have a kit that you can take with you on vacation and also one at home. Here is a list of what I would put in your pet first aid kit. Keep these numbers at home on your fridge and a copy in your first aid kit Local Veterinarian Number Emergency Clinic Number Numbers for the Animal Poison Control

A few months ago I wrote about Kidney Disease in Dogs but here is a cat specific article. Chronic kidney failure is extremely common in older cats. In most cases when the pet starts to show signs of kidney disease the cause of the problem may be long gone but the damage to the kidney has been done. When we treat this disease we do not expect cure it but to manage the problem so the kitty have a good… Continue reading →

Pets love holidays and holiday foods just as much as we do. Some foods can cause tummy upsets but here are some that are sure to please and most ( not all) pets can enjoy at least a few of them. If your pet has severe food allergies don’t try them but otherwise a few treats are nice for everyone. Turkey or other lean meats– a small amount is good for your pets and contains tryptophan to promote sleep. Sweet… Continue reading →

Cushing’s Disease or Hyperadrenocorticism is a common endocrine disease in older dogs. The adrenal gland is located at the top of the kidney and is one of the major glands of body. The adrenal gland produces hormones like cortisol, and adrenalin. It is this gland this responsible for the “automatic” fight or flight response that all mammals feel when stressed. It is also responsible for producing our own natural cortisone. The adrenal gland is under the control of the pituitary… Continue reading →

Air travel I would prefer it if my patients did not travel by air as they often end up in cargo and this can be dangerous. Your pet can become lost , injured or even die as a result of air travel. If you absolutely must travel with your dog by air here are some tips. Make sure you check with your airline for requirements for size of carrier, if water, food and litter (in the case of cats) are… Continue reading →

Bad breath is very common in dogs and cats and is often a sign of dental disease. 85 % of all dogs and cats have periodontal disease by the age of 2 years. Periodontal disease starts with plaque accumulating on the teeth. If the plaque is not removed, it hardens into tartar. Accumulations of tartar lead to swollen and sensitive gums and gingivitis. By this time your pet has advanced dental disease. Advanced dental disease is not just a cosmetic… Continue reading →