Pet Health Columns

Pacemakers Solve Canine Heart Problems

Jul 18, 2017 / Cardiology / Dogs

‘They are more common than you think’ The heart is essential to the body, regardless of the species. Luckily, when dogs have heart problems, veterinary cardiologists, like Dr. Ryan Fries at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, are able to keep things ticking along. Pacemakers have been used in human medicine since...

Behind-the-Scenes in the ER

Jul 15, 2017 / Emergency/Critical Care / Cats / Dogs

If you have concerns, bring your pet to the ER vet You’re worried, you’re weary, and maybe you’re waiting for what seems like hours. Fortunately, you and your pet are in good hands when you bring your animal to the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, which is open 24 hours a day,...

Old Dogs (and Cats), New Tricks

Jul 9, 2017 / General Care / Preventive Health / Cats / Dogs

Tips for Keeping Geriatric Pets Healthy Thanks to advancing medicine, pets live longer than ever before. However, with these added years of valuable life come more age-related health problems. In her role as a rehabilitation specialist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, Kimberly Knap sees many geriatric pets—including the group of...

Prevent the Big Three Pet Parasites

Jul 3, 2017 / Parasites / Preventive Health / Cats / Dogs

Ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes. Nobody wants these bugs on their pets or in their house. But the reasons for keeping these bugs away go beyond just avoiding pests. “Ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes are dangerous because they can carry and cause malicious diseases,” explains Dr. Gary Brummet, who heads the small animal primary care service at...

Land of the Free, Home of the Not-So-Brave Dogs

Jun 27, 2017 / Behavior / General Care / Preventive Health / Cats / Dogs

No Fireworks or Fatty Foods for Fido For Americans, the Fourth of July is a day of celebration, fireworks, and finding hundreds of ways to incorporate the American flag into food, outfits, and decorations. For our pets, it’s a random hot day full of strangers and lots of good-smelling food, accompanied by inexplicable loud “kabooms.”...

Paralysis Arises from Close Encounters of the Dog-Raccoon Kind

Jun 19, 2017 / Infectious Disease / Neurology / Dogs

What to Do When Your Pet Gets into Household Toxins

Jun 12, 2017 / Emergency/Critical Care / Toxicology / Cats / Dogs

Not sure if it’s toxic? Assume it is. Life would be much easier if pets could read the words “Warning!” or “Toxic!” on product labels. Then we wouldn’t have to worry when a chocolate bar or pack of gum goes missing. But until your pet learns to read, you should learn what to do in...

Decoding Your Dog’s Excessive Barking

Jun 5, 2017 / Behavior / Dogs

Barking May Be Exacerbated by Boredom If you’re using a quick fix to stifle your dog’s excessive barking, you’re probably barking up the wrong tree. An expert from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine advises finding out why your pooch is barking in the first place, so you can find solutions that address...

Be Prepared: Include Pets in Disaster Planning

May 22, 2017 / Preventive Health / Public Health / Cats / Dogs / Small Mammals

Emergency responders help all household members “You may not be able to prevent a disaster from occurring, but you can reduce its impact with a little planning,” advises Dr. Loukia Agapis, a veterinarian at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana. Your pets should be part of your plan. Dr. Agapis, who...

Warmer Weather Prompts Heat Stroke Advisory

May 15, 2017 / Emergency/Critical Care / Preventive Health / Dogs

Heat stroke requires immediate medical attention The approach of summer brings a spike both in temperatures and in cases of heat stroke in dogs. Dr. Maureen McMichael, a boarded emergency and critical care specialist who heads the emergency service at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, urges owners to acclimate their dogs...