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Articles written by Lorie Huston

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Canine and Feline Systemic Hypertension
Blood pressure in dogs and cats is usually measured through indirect methods. Canine and feline systemic hypertension is most often secondary to another disease process.
Common Poisonous Plants Affecting Dogs and Cats
Lilies, castor beans, cycad palms, rhododendrons, azaleas, laurels, yews, crocuses, foxgloves and oleanders are among the most common poisonous plants for cats and dogs.
Causes of Fever for Canine and Feline Pets
Fever in the dog or cat can be caused by many different disease processes. Successful treatment depends on finding the cause. Antibiotics may or may not be indicated.
Evaluating Feline Nutrition and Diet
Diet recommendations vary depending on the age and health of the individual cat. A high protein, low carbohydrate diet is the best recommendation for a healthy adult cat.
Choosing the Best Food for a Healthy Cat
Choices for cat food include canned, dry, raw and home-cooked foods. Familiarity with the advantages and disadvantages of each type of cat food can make choosing simpler.
Prednisone and Prednisolone in Dogs and Cats
Prednisone and prednisolone are glucocorticoids, or steroids, which are used to treat dogs and cats for a variety of different diseases and symptoms.
Treating Canine Kidney Disease & Kidney Failure
Appropriate treatment of chronic kidney disease or kidney failure in the dog can slow the progression of the disease and increase the quality of life for the affected pet
Kidney Disease in Dogs – Nephrotic Syndrome
Nephrotic syndrome, often a result of glomerulonephritis or renal amyloidosis, causes excessive protein loss through the kidneys and is a form of kidney disease in dogs.
Glomerulopathies – Glomerulonephritis in Dogs
Glomerulonephritis, inflammation within the canine kidney which causes protein loss, is one of the most common causes of kidney disease and even kidney failure in dogs.
Lyme Disease Vaccination in Dogs
A dog which is exposed to ticks may be a candidate to receive vaccination for canine Lyme disease but tick control is the most important factor in preventing disease.
Preventing Lyme Disease in Dogs
Tick control is the cornerstone of Lyme disease prevention in dogs, although there are vaccines available that provide protection against infection with the disease also.
Causes of Canine Aggression – Fear Vs. Dominance
Dominance rarely causes aggression in dogs. Most aggressive dog behavior is a result of fear. Handlers need to be able to recognize fear in order to train a dog properly.
Testing for Lyme Disease in Dogs
In a sick dog, a positive Lyme disease test indicates a need for treatment. When a healthy dog tests positive, the proper course of action is more difficult to determine.
Nutrigenomics – Linking Nutrition to Genetics
The science of nutrigenomics studies how diet interacts with the genetic code. In dogs, nutrition can overcome genetics to reduce obesity and improve diseased joints.
Common Mistakes in Litter Box Training a Cat
When a cat stops using the litter box, there may be many causes. There are some simple but important things that cat owners can do to encourage return to the litter box.
Treatment Options for Canine Demodectic Mange
Demodectic mange in dogs may require no treatment in some cases. When treatment is necessary, options include amitraz dips (Mitaban® dips), Promeris®, or ivermectin.
Fluoxetine for Dogs
Fluoxetine, also known as Prozac® or Reconcile®, is used to treat numerous behavioral disorders in dogs, including canine separation anxiety and other fears and phobias.
Canine Influenza Vaccination
Canine influenza is a non-core vaccination which should only be used in dogs at risk of exposure. The vaccine may be particularly helpful in shelter or kennel situations.
Canine Influenza Virus Infection
Canine influenza is a contagious respiratory disease similar to other flu viruses and is most commonly seen in areas where large numbers of dogs are housed together.
Vaccinating Dogs for Canine Kennel Cough
Canine kennel cough is a multifactorial disease and vaccines against Bordetella and other infectious agents which affect the respiratory tract are used to protect dogs.
Selamectin in Dogs and Cats
Selamectin is most commonly used for preventing heartworms and controlling fleas in dogs and cats, but is also able to treat ear mites as well as several other parasites.
Hypoglycemia in the Diabetic Dog and Cat
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, usually occurs in diabetic pets as a result of an insulin overdose. Symptoms include weakness, tremors, collapse and seizures.
Antibiotic Resistance in Dogs and Cats
Factors which can contribute to bacterial resistance to antibiotics and antimicrobial drugs include patient health, antibiotic choices and bacterial characteristics.
Treating Feline Idiopathic Interstitial Cystitis
Stress plays a large role in the development of feline idiopathic interstitial cystitis. Multimodal environmental modification is effective in reducing stress in cats.
Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs
Canine diabetes mellitus is primarily controlled through insulin therapy. Treating diabetes in dogs also requires a consistent diet and monitoring of blood glucose levels
Canine Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes in dogs causes increased thirst, increased urine volume and weight loss.Canine diabetes mellitus almost always requires insulin therapy for successful treatment.
Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs and Cats
Blood glucose curves and fructosamine levels are used to diagnose and monitor canine and feline diabetes.Solitary blood glucose measurements are deceptive and misleading.
Feline Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes is commonly diagnosed in cats and often causes increased thirst, increased urination and weight loss. Insulin is a necessary treatment for many diabetic cats.
Treating Canine and Feline Diabetes Mellitus
Blood glucose curves are often used to help monitor and regulate diabetes mellitus in cats and dogs. This test allows evaluation of the efficacy of treatment of diabetes.
Diabetes Mellitus in Cats
Treating feline diabetes most often involves insulin administration, dietary control and frequent monitoring of blood glucose levels using various methods of testing.
Types of Insulin for Diabetic Dogs and Cats
There are several types of insulin commonly used to treat feline and canine diabetes. These include Vetsulin®, glargine (Lantus®), NPH, and detemir (Levemir®) insulin.
Finding the Right Food for Large Breed Puppies
The proper food for large breed puppies will have an ample high-quality protein source and will not contain excess calcium. Growth rate should be average for the breed.
Determining Proper Body Weight for Dogs and Cats
The ideal body weight for a dog or cat can be difficult to determine but there are simple signs which can help determine whether a pet is overweight or underweight.
Recognizing Obesity in Dogs & Cats as a Disease
Canine and feline fat cells, or adipocytes, produce hormones known as adipokines which decrease the metabolic rate and inhibit appetite suppression in obese dogs and cats
Canine Kennel Cough
Canine kennel cough is common in dogs in crowded or stressful situations, is multi-factorial in nature, is characterized by a deep cough and is extremely contagious.
Ear Infections in Dogs and Cats
Ear cytology is a valuable test used to diagnose ear infections in dogs and cats. Cytology detects bacterial, yeast and parasitic infections and helps direct treatment.
Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis in Dogs
Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis causes severe and life-threatening vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration in dogs. Fluid replacement is the most important part of treatment.
Canine Gastroenteritis
Canine gastroenteritis is literally defined as inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract of the dog, has many causes, and usually results in vomiting, diarrhea or both.
Treatment Options for Sarcoptic Mange in Dogs
Sarcoptic mange, or scabies, in dogs can be treated with a number of different medications, including ivermectin, selamectin, moxidectin, milbemycin or amitraz.
Distichiasis, An Eye Disease in Dogs
Distichiasis is an eye disease in the dog wherein extra eyelashes or hairs cause irritation to the canine eye. Treatment involves removing the offending eyelashes/hairs.
Ivermectin for Dogs
Ivermectin is a medication which is used in dogs to treat a variety of different medical conditions in addition to being a commonly prescribed heartworm preventive.
Leptospirosis in Dogs
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease often passed to dogs through contaminated water or soil. Leptospirosis causes potentially fatal liver and/or kidney disease.
Sarcoptic Mange in Dogs
Scabies, or sarcoptic mange, is a parasitic disease which may affect both dogs and people and which causes extreme itchiness and hair loss resulting in a skin rash.
Propofol Anesthesia in Pets
Propofol, also known as Diprivan®, is commonly used to induce and maintain anesthesia for short periods of time in pets. Propofol needs to be monitored closely during use
Risks and Benefits of Pet Vaccinations
Vaccinating a pet should be based on an individual analysis of the pet's risk of disease exposure as compared to the risk of an adverse reaction to the vaccine.
Cherry Eye in Dogs
Cherry eye in dogs is a common eye disease for which surgery is the only treatment option. Most commonly seen in young dogs, cherry eye is more common in certain breeds.
Puppy Socialization and Obedience Training
The first three to four months of a puppy's life are the most critical period for socialization. Well socialized puppies are less fearful and better behaved as adult dogs
Caring for a New Puppy
New puppies require specialized care. Feeding, training, socialization, and veterinary care are just a few of the things which are essential to caring for the new puppy.
Animal Hoarding – A Mental Illness
Animal hoarding is a mental illness which results in animal cruelty and abuse. Unfortunately, the hoarder is often unable to see the neglect being inflicted on their pets
Myths About Fleas on Dogs and Cats
Effective flea control in pets begins by understanding how and where fleas live and by understanding that all dogs and cats are susceptible to flea infestation.
Feline Asthma and Feline Heartworm Disease
Feline asthma and heartworm disease in cats produce very similar respiratory symptoms. It is difficult to distinguish between the two diseases, but treatment is similar.
Canine and Feline Rabies
Rabies is a fatal viral disease which infects dogs, cats and many other types of animals. Rabies is also contagious to people. Vaccination helps prevent rabies in pets.
Palladia - A New Cancer Treatment for Dogs
Palladia is a newly introduced drug which is used as a treatment option for cutaneous mast cell tumors. Palladia may be used with other therapies to treat this cancer.
Anal Glands and Anal Gland Disease in Dogs
Anal glands in dogs can frequently fill with fluid or other material and become an irritant. Scooting is one of the common symptoms seen in dogs with anal gland problems.
Responsible Dog and Cat Breeding
Breeding dogs and/or cats carries a great deal of responsibility and it is important that those currently breeding animals be ready and able to assume the responsibility.
Rat Bite Fever—A Danger in Handling Rodents
Rat bite fever is a disease passed to people from rats. Exposures are more common through wild rats, but pet rats and other pet rodents can pass the disease to people.
Making Life Easier for a Senior Dog or Cat
Pain and anxiety are some of the factors which can affect cognition for older pets. Stimulation, proper diet and palliative therapies can improve the lives of senior pets
Canine Distemper Virus and Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis has been linked to several infectious organisms and the canine distemper virus is one of these organisms. Ongoing research could aid in curing MS.
Preventing Dog Bites and Dog Attacks
Dog bites and dog attacks can cause serious injury. Some simple training techniques and some common sense can prevent your dog from exhibiting aggressive behavior.
Protecting Dogs and Cats from Pet Poisons
Pet poisoning can occur suddenly and without warning and can be fatal. Follow these simple tips to keep pets safe and avoid ingestion of or exposure to pet poisons.
Canine Distemper in Dogs and Puppies
Canine distemper is a viral disease that most often affects puppies, but adult dogs are at risk also. Canine distemper can be fatal but vaccines can prevent the disease.
Nutro Pet Food Recall
Nutro pet foods has recently voluntarily recalled several dry cat food formulations after it was discovered that the foods are nutritionally imbalanced.
How to Train a Puppy or an Adult Dog to be Calm
Over-exuberant puppies and dogs can be trying for pet owners. A few simple training tricks, basic dog obedience training and exercise can work wonders for these dogs.
Myths About Spaying Female Dogs and Cats
Rumors and myths about when and why to spay female dogs and cats are persistent and often confusing to pet owners. Read on to find out which are true and which are not.
Choosing the Best Obedience Trainer for a Dog
Choosing an experienced, knowledgeable dog trainer who uses reward-based training methods can produce a dog who is well-behaved and free of fear and/or aggression.
Feline Flea Medications
There are many medications marketed to control fleas in cats. Cat owners need to consider both the pros and cons of these medications when deciding which to use.
Popular Tick Medicines for Cats
Tick control medicines for cats are fewer in number than flea control products but tick control remains important for cats who frequently visit tick infested areas.
Canine Flea Medications
Dog owners often contemplate what products should be used to control and prevent fleas on their dogs. There are pros and cons involved with using any of the flea products
Popular Tick Medicines for Dogs
There are several tick medicines which may be used in dogs and the best choice will depend on many factors, including the pros and cons of each individual tick medicine.
Heartworm Medications for Cats
There are numerous heartworm medicines which can be used for cats. All are effective in preventing heartworms but there are several important differences between them.
Heartworm Medications for Dogs
There are numerous medications which can be used to prevent heartworms in dogs. All are effective but there are differences in them as well. Read on to find out more.
Treatment Options in Canine Hip Dysplasia
Canine hip dysplasia is a painful, sometimes crippling disease in dogs. Treatment options include various surgical procedures or conservative medical management of pain.
Cats with Feline Leukemia Virus Infections
Cats which test positive for feline leukemia can lead long, healthy lives under the right conditions. It is not necessary to euthanize a healthy FeLV-infected cat.
Canine Hip Dysplasia
Canine hip dysplasia is caused by a deformity within the hip joints of the dog. The deformity causes pain in the hips and leads to arthritic changes within the hip joints
Performing Routine Surgical Procedures in Pets
An appointment to have surgery performed on a pet can make a pet owner apprehensive. Knowing what to expect before, during and after a dog or cat's surgery may be helpful
Making the Decision to Declaw a Cat
Declawing a cat is a surgical procedure which has pros and cons. While there are people opposed to declawing cats, there are others that believe declawing is beneficial.
Canine Osteosarcoma - Bone Cancer in Dogs
Canine osteosarcoma is a bone cancer in dogs which causes extreme pain and is a very aggressive tumor. Lameness is normally the first symptom noticed by the dog owner.
Palliative Cancer Care in the Dog and Cat
Palliative cancer care is a viable option for cats and dogs suffering from cancers and tumors which cannot be cured. Maintaining quality of life is the primary goal.
Microchipping Dogs, Cats and Other Pets
Microchipping is a procedure which permanently identifies a pet so that the pet can be returned home safely if he becomes missing or lost. Read on for more information.
GPS Pet Locator and Tracking Systems
GPS pet tracking and locator systems can be valuable aids in retrieving pets which have been lost or stolen. The technology currently works well for dogs but not for cats
Arthritis in Cats - Learning to Spot the Signs
Feline arthritis is a degenerative joint disease which occurs most often in middle-aged to older cats. Arthritis in cats results in pain which affects the quality of life
Revolution - Flea and Heartworm Control for Dogs
Revolution can be used to control many parasites in dogs, including heartworms, fleas, some ticks, ear mites and scabies mites.Read on to find out more about Revolution.
Revolution - Flea and Heartworm Control for Cats
Revolution is a commonly used product in cats and is effective at controlling many parasites, including feline heartworms and fleas. Read on to find out more.
Heartworm Treatment in Dogs
Successful heartworm treatment in dogs is possible but heartworm treatment of infected dogs always carries risks for the dog and a successful outcome is not guaranteed.
Heartworm Disease in Dogs
Heartworm disease in dogs is a potentially fatal disease which is difficult to treat but easy to prevent. Read on to find out more about canine heartworm disease.
How to Train a Dog to Stay When Commanded
Training a dog to stay when commanded can be a valuable asset in many different situations and training a dog to stay is not difficult to teach. Read on to learn how.
Antioxidant Supplements in Cancer Treatment in Pets
Antioxidant nutritional supplements may be beneficial in treating certain forms of cancer in pets, but there are also some potential drawbacks which must be considered.
Canine Health Care Tips
For most dog owners, keeping their pet healthy is a priority. Follow these canine health care tips to keep your dog healthy, fit, active and free of disease.
H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus
Avian influenza viruses are also known as bird flu viruses and can infect all types of birds, including wild birds, commercially raised poultry and pet birds of all types
Treatment of Vomiting in Dogs and Puppies
Vomiting in dogs and puppies can range from mild to life-threatening. Whether to treat at home or contact the veterinarian will depend on how severe the symptoms appear.
Treating Diarrhea in Dogs and Puppies
Diarrhea is a common occurrence in both dogs and puppies. When mild, diarrhea can often be controlled through feeding a bland diet. When severe, medical help is necessary
Leash Training a Dog or Puppy
Training a dog to walk on a leash without pulling can be problematic for a dog owner but proper leash training is an essential part of basic dog training.
Choosing the Best Dietary Supplement for a Pet
Administering dietary supplements to a pet can be beneficial under some circumstances, but supplements should be investigated carefully before being administered to a pet
Dogs Who are Scared of Thunderstorms
Rooted in fear and anxiety, thunderstorm phobias in dogs can be difficult to deal with. Anxiolytic medications coupled with behavior modification techniques can help.
Swine Flu in People and in Pet Pigs
Recent outbreaks of swine flu within the human population have caused a great deal of concern for health officials in the US and abroad. Read on for facts about swine flu
Allergy Testing and Hyposensitization for Dogs
Allergy testing in dogs, by blood testing or skin testing, is done to determine which substances the dog is allergic to prior to instituting a hyposensitization program.
Food Allergies in Dogs - Finding the Right Diet
Feeding trials are the only way to definitively diagnose food allergies in dogs. The feeding trial must be strictly controlled in order to produce helpful results.
Treating Skin Allergies in Dogs
There are numerous options for treating skin allergies in dogs. Often, a comprehensive approach to treatment is the best option to control the associated itchiness.
Diagnosing Skin Allergies in Dogs
Finding the exact cause of a skin allergy in a dog can take time and patience. Many factors need to be considered and ruled in or out as the potential cause.
Diagnosing and Treating Ear Infections in Dogs
Ear infections are one of the most commonly diagnosed problems in dogs. Infections can have many different causes and a dog's ears may be very painful when infected.
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