My cat is having labored breathing. Is this an emergency? Yes. Any time your pet has any difficulty breathing with an increased respiratory rate or effort she should be seen immediately by a veterinarian. Cats can experience labored breathing for…
What should I do if my dog is bitten by another dog? You should take your dog to your veterinarian or to an emergency hospital to be evaluated. Even a single small puncture wound can look innocent enough, but a…
Encephalitis/Meningitis Encephalitis is inflammation of the substance of the brain. Meningitis (inflammation of the substance of the spinal cord) is often part of the same set of clinical signs and symptoms. Signs of Encephalitis/Meningitis Variable presentations are known for encephalitis…
My dog vomited once; do I need to come to the emergency room? As a general rule, it is always safest to have you pet evaluated by a veterinarian when he experiences any vomiting. However, if your dog is otherwise…
My dog had a seizure, what should I do? Dogs and cats can have seizures for numerous reasons ranging from epilepsy to low blood sugar to cancer. If you pet has a seizure for the first time and it is…
My cat is squinting one eye, what should I do? Pets can squint for many reasons ranging from a corneal ulcer to glaucoma. If your cat or dog is suddenly squinting one or both eyes the best thing you can…
By Dr. Jerry Northington Trigeminal Neuritis Trigeminal neuritis is a poorly understood, probably inflammatory or autoimmune disease affecting some branches of the trigeminal nerve (Cranial Nerve V). Animals are presented with inability to close the jaw and difficulty taking food…
Canine Splenic Hemangiosarcoma Question: My 10 year old Golden Retriever, Gracie, was recently diagnosed with a ruptured splenic mass. She had surgery performed to stop the bleeding and remove the mass. Unfortunately, the mass returned as a type of cancer…
What is Canine Bloat? Bloat is more accurately called Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV), a condition where the stomach fills with gas or food and twists on its long axis. GDV can occur in any breed of dog or cat,…
My dog ate a penny, should I be worried? Simply put, yes. Pennies produced after 1983 contain zinc which is toxic to dogs and cats. Zinc causes hemolytic anemia (destruction of red blood cells) through an unknown mechanism and can…