Surgery
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Cat Hyperthyroidism: Complete Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment, and Care.
Introduction Feline hyperthyroidism, or cat hyperthyroidism, is the most common endocrine disease in older cats, occurring when the thyroid gland overproduces thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism, heart rate, and nearly every organ system. If your senior cat is losing weight despite eating more than ever, cat hyperthyroidism should be at the top of your list…
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Old Cat Health Problems: A Veterinarian’s Guide to Senior Feline Care
Introduction Old cats face a predictable set of health problems, commonly referred to as old cat health problems, that become significantly more common once they cross into their senior years. Chronic kidney disease, arthritis, hyperthyroidism, dental disease, diabetes mellitus, and cancer represent the six conditions that Dr. Roger Hart, DVM, diagnoses most frequently in aging…
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Cat Throwing Up White Foam: Veterinary Guide to Causes, Treatment, and When to Seek Emergency Care
Reviewed by Dr. Roger Hart, DVM Introduction Another common reason for cat throwing up white foam is dietary indiscretion. If your cat has eaten something it shouldn’t have, it may lead to upset stomach and the subsequent vomiting of cat throwing up white foam. When your cat is throwing up white foam, you’re typically seeing…
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Dog Cries When Picked Up: Veterinary Guide to Causes and Solutions
Introduction When your dog cries when picked up, it almost always signals pain or discomfort rather than simple moodiness. Dogs are remarkably skilled at masking suffering, and the act of lifting often exposes underlying conditions—spinal issues, muscle injuries, or internal disease—that remain hidden while the dog rests quietly. A dog whimpering when lifted often indicates…
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Dog is Dry Heaving: Emergency Signs, Causes, and When to Seek Immediate Care
Introduction Dog dry heaving—also known as non-productive retching—is the act of forceful gagging and abdominal contractions that mimic vomiting but produce little to no stomach contents. When your dog keeps dry heaving, it can signal anything from mild throat irritation to a life-threatening veterinary emergency like bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus). As a veterinarian, I’ve seen cases…
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Dog Ate Chicken Bones Symptoms: What Pet Owners Need to Know
Introduction If your dog ate chicken bones, the symptoms you need to watch for include vomiting, difficulty swallowing, excessive drooling, abdominal pain, lethargy, and changes in bowel movements. Some of these warning signs appear within minutes, while others may take 24-72 hours to develop as bone fragments move through the digestive tract. Cooked chicken bones…
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Symptoms of Dog Dying from Cushing’s Disease: Recognizing End-Stage Signs
Introduction Dogs dying from Cushing’s disease typically show severe muscle weakness, uncontrollable urination, extreme lethargy, recurring infections that no longer respond to treatment, and complete loss of appetite. These end-stage symptoms represent a critical turning point where the body can no longer compensate for the devastating effects of too much cortisol. Understanding the signs of…
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Dog Mitral Valve Disease, Should I Worry?
Introduction Mitral valve disease, specifically dog mitral valvle disease, is the most common heart disease in dogs, responsible for approximately 80% of heart disease in dogs. This degenerative condition targets the heart’s mitral valve-the critical gateway between the left atrium and left ventricle-causing it to thicken, weaken, and ultimately fail to close properly. While valve…
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Pictures of Bumps on Dogs: Visual Guide to Identifying Common Skin Growths
Introduction Bumps on dogs skin can range from harmless to serious growths, and discovering an unexpected lump on your dog’s skin naturally triggers concern. This visual guide provides detailed descriptions and photographic references of the most common skin bumps on dogs skin, helping pet parents compare what they see at home with known benign and…
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Otitis Media Symptoms in Dogs and Cats: Complete Recognition Guide
Introduction Otitis media symptoms in dogs and cats signal a middle ear infection that demands prompt attention-these signs range from subtle head shaking and ear pain to serious neurological issues like loss of balance, facial nerve paralysis, and vestibular disease. This comprehensive guide covers how to recognize every stage of otitis media symptoms in companion…