Urinary tract infections or bladder problems are the number one reason cats are taken to the veterinarian according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. The signs of bladder issues are pretty obvious–the cat urinates in odd places, has pain or straining with urination, licks the genitals excessively, goes frequently to the box, or passes blood or cloudy urine. If you have a male cat and he has the above signs, this could be an emergency. Cats of either sex can… Continue reading →

Lick Granulomas or Acral Lick Granulomas as they are called, can be a frustrating and difficult condition to treat. These lick spots are usually on the front or back legs in an area that the dog can reach and lick at constantly. Veterinary dermatologists tell us that these spots always contain bacteria and can be started by medical or behavioural conditions. So what are the known or suggested causes of these lick spots? Not all spots may be created for… Continue reading →

We all make New Year’s Resolutions that most of us break within a few weeks of making them! However, I have a list here of New Year’s Resolutions to make involving your pets. I would suggest that you pick a Resolution that you think you can keep for the entire year. You do not necessarily need to try to keep all of them, but pick the one that resonates with you and your pet.

Hot spots are very common. I see them most frequently from spring through fall but in warmer climates they can be seen all year. A hot spot is an area of inflammation and infection usually localized. It is also called acute moist dermatitis. These spots can either be deep or superficial and usually have pus associated with them. They are made worse by scratching. The lesions can be associated with allergies, flea bites, food allergies, ear infections, or traumatic wounds.… Continue reading →

Veterinarians tend to see a lot of gastrointestinal problems in pets this time of year. Our pets tend to indulge just like we do over the holidays. Rich and fatty foods, table scraps and holiday foods like chocolate, cookies and bones from the feast can cause havoc with the digestive tract of dogs and cats. Sometimes pets will get into the Christmas cheer. Alcohol is very dangerous for dogs and cats and will cause severe vomiting and diarrhea. Anything spicy,… Continue reading →

Veterinarians are frequently presented with questions about potential pet poisoning due to eating holiday plants. Some Christmas plants are toxic and others are not. It is best if your pets do not have access to any of your plants–that way you do not have to worry if the plant is toxic or not! Here are some common plants and the problems they can cause. Poinsettias–We get a lot of calls about this pretty Christmas plant as it is thought to… Continue reading →

Osteosarcoma is the most common bone tumor seen in dogs. It occurs in middle age to older dogs and is usually large breed dogs. It can develop in any bone in any dog but tends to grow in the limbs of large dogs in 75% of the cases. As the tumour grows, the osteosarcoma weakens the bone The tumor grows from the inside out with the bone being replaced by the cancerous tissue. This tumor becomes progressively more painful, and… Continue reading →

It can be intimidating to visit the veterinarian for the first time for both you and your pet. It always helps to know what to ask, what to do and where to start. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your vet visit. When scheduling your appointment be sure to tell the receptionist what you are coming for and if your pet has a certain symptom. Most veterinary offices will schedule longer appointments for sick pets or… Continue reading →

Winter weather can be very tough on your dog’s paws if you live in the north. With the onset of ice and snow comes salt to melt the ice. This salt can cause havoc with your dog’s paws. Prolonged contact with road salt and other chemical deicers can cause severe chemical burns to your dog’s feet. This can cause limping after a walk on the road or sidewalk in the winter. When possible, walk your dog off the sidewalk and… Continue reading →

Liver disease is fairly common in older dogs. There are many different causes of liver disease because the liver is an organ which is involved in many different physiological processes. The liver is one of the main detoxifying organs of the body. It processes and eliminates toxins from the blood, it is involved in making plasma proteins and it stores glycogen ( a form of sugar) for later use by the body. It is involved in the digestive process, immune… Continue reading →