The Comparative Genetics and Orthopedic Research Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Veterinary Medicine had developed a genetic test to determine if a dog is at risk for cruciate ligament ruptures. Cruciate ligament rupture is one of the more common causes of lameness, pain,...
Bringing your dog to the park, beach, and other public places is a great way to provide your dog with opportunities to interact with other dogs and their people. But before you bring your dog to social gatherings, it’s good to keep some health and safety...
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners recently passed a model pet insurance act, which is designed to establish regulatory standards for the pet insurance industry. The NAIC notes that the pet insurance industry has grown in the past few years, with the number of pets insured...
Different from periodontal disease, tooth resorption is another type of dental problem that can be common in cats, especially as they age. Tooth resorption occurs when the dentin (the part of the tooth beneath the enamel) in one or more teeth begins to erode. This can...
This cute little girl is 7-year-old Abby. Not long after she was adopted as an adult dog, she started showing signs of pain. She was diagnosed with pyometra, a serious uterine infection. Abby needed life-saving emergency surgery. After spending money on her urgent veterinary care, her...
This bright-eyed kitty is Tuchina! Tuchina’s mom is a graduate student who adopted her from a cat café in 2020. Besides being a beloved pet, she is also her emotional support animal. Tuchina developed a life-threatening urinary blockage, one of the most common feline health emergencies...
This summer's record high temperatures mean that it's more important than ever to keep dogs, cats, and other pets safe from the effects of extreme heat. Seattle Humane has created a helpful video with practical pet summer safety tips. Check it out here to ensure that...
The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association has published a North American rabies surveillance report for 2020. You can access the full report at the JAMA website. Here are a few highlights. The number of wild animals testing positive for rabies in the US stayed consistent...
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus, strain 2 is a contagious and lethal disease that has been spreading among wild rabbits and hares worldwide. When pet rabbits become infected with this virus, they can also become severely ill and even die. An article on the science website Inverse...
Cats can be prone to urinary tract issues like infections and the formation of stones which can lead to pain and life-threatening urinary blockages, particularly in male cats. You may have seen ads for health monitoring cat litter than can alert owners to urinary health problems...
Fish keepers seeking expert veterinary care for their pet fish may soon be able to find vets that are officially certified as specialists in this unique area of care. The American Association of Fish Veterinarians and the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association are developing a petition...
Do you think Lillie knows how pretty she looks posing with those flowers? This adorable Sheltie was in training to be a service dog for her dad when she began to suffer from bladder stones. Lillie needed surgery, but as her mom was laid off from...
School-age children have been experiencing high levels of stress in recent years. Stress can negatively affect learning and development in kids. A group of researchers in the UK were interested in how animal-assisted interventions (AAI) with therapy dogs could help alleviate stress in school children. The...
This stylish pup is Zeus! Recently, his mom took him to the vet for what she thought was a broken toenail on his back foot. It was actually a ruptured mass, serious enough to require amputation of his toe. Zeus’s mom is a student at California...
Cancer is a leading cause of death in dogs. Some breeds are at higher risk than others of getting some form of cancer, so a new early detection blood test is offering pet owners hope. The CANcer Detection in Dogs (CANDiD) study has been evaluating the...
Miniature Poodle Teddy is a rescue dog who was out in her fenced-in yard for a potty break when she was snatched by a coyote! Luckily the coyote let go of her but not before Teddy sustained jaw and skull fractures. Teddy needed extensive emergency surgery,...
This handsome fellow is a Mastiff mix named Raven. Raven and his mom recently moved to San Diego not long after the sad passing of another dog in the family. Raven unexpectedly fell ill and needed an urgent splenectomy. Raven's human friends did their best to...
Fleas, ticks, and other parasites can be a source of serious health problems for our pets. Parasite-borne illnesses become a special concern at this time of year when the weather turns warmer. The Pet Disease Alerts website lets US pet owners know about the current threat...
Snickers is the fur kid of two members of the military here in San Diego. When he began to show signs of pain and struggled to urinate, his owners took him to the vet’s office, where he was diagnosed with a urinary tract obstruction. Snickers’ owners...
The sudden death of a beloved pet can be a traumatic event for many pet owners. The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that there has been very little in the veterinary literature about the causes of unexpected death in pets. One Canadian study done in the...
This little cutie is Apollo! When he began to show signs of pain and have a hard time walking, his mom took him to the vet, where he was diagnosed with a serious spinal condition known as intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Apollo needed surgery to relieve...