Experts on animal health from the college's clinics in Urbana and Chicago share their knowledge in informative columns written for animal owners. Scan the categories and tags at left for topics that interest you. Subscribe to our weekly Pet Health Columns email.
![[Vet Med Open House cow milking]](http://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pc-openhouse2016-260x157.jpg)
On Sunday, October 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., more than 350 veterinary students will host a behind-the-scenes look at the state’s only veterinary college. From prospective veterinarians to anyone fascinated by animals, everyone will find something of interest at the University of Illinois veterinary college Open House. The event offers more than 40...
![[vitale-epilepsy]](http://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/pc-vitale-epilepsy-260x157.jpg)
Dogs with epilepsy can live high-quality lives Seizures are scary to witness in humans, but they can be just as alarming to see in your pets. Many owners don’t realize that dogs can have seizures until the event happens. When a dog has two or more seizures, this disorder is called epilepsy. Dr. Samantha Vitale,...
![[Spay neuter clinic University of Illinois]](http://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/pc-neuter-Weedon-260x157.jpg)
Sterilizing your pet means fewer animals in shelters Sterilization is one of the most important procedures owners can choose for their cat or dog. Spays and neuters not only prevent unwanted pregnancies but also prevent some health and behavioral complications. So why do many owners opt to forgo this procedure? Dr. G. Robert Weedon is...
![[feline hyperthyroidism - cat]](http://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/pc-felhyper-ferguson-260x157.jpg)
Feline hyperthyroidism is likely a man-made disease Feline hyperthyroidism is a disease that didn’t even exist 40 years ago. Now, it has become the most common endocrine disorder in older cats in the United States. In June 2016, the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) issued its first set of guidelines for veterinarians regarding signs,...
![[pet's pain can be subtle]](http://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/pc-pain-Mitek-260x157.jpg)
pets have varying responses and tolerance levels to pain Everyone has to deal with pain. Whether from a minor cut or a major surgery, pain is part of life for people and their pets. “Pain is a very individualized experience,” says Dr. Ashley Mitek, who recently completed a three-year residency in anesthesiology and pain management...
![[dog sucking its flank]](http://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/pc-ocd-ballantyne-260x157.jpg)
Compulsive disorders impact pet’s, owners’ quality of life Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a well-known diagnosis in human medicine, but did you know that animals can also develop a form of this disorder? This doesn’t mean there are dogs out there that count their steps or triple-check the light switches. In fact, the first thing to understand,...
![[Bear, a dog with hypothyroidism]](http://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/pc-bear-hypothyroidism-260x157.jpg)
Hypothyroidism can be managed, but not cured In April 2016, a three-year-old dog named Bear was brought to the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital with abusive injuries. In addition to the obvious injuries Bear bore—an open wound on his back leg, skin ulcers, and a jawbone fractured by a bullet—the dog was diagnosed with...
![[puppy outdoors]](http://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/pc-zika-mitek-260x157.jpg)
Recent coverage of the Zika virus and its health impact on people and fetuses has raised questions among pet owners. The Zika virus was first identified in Africa more than 60 years ago. It is spread to people primarily by mosquito bites, and usually causes no or only mild symptoms in people. However, infection with...
![[olive in the underwater treadmill]](http://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/pc-shapeup-feature-260x157.jpg)
Shape Up, Pup! focuses on portion control, exercise In the United States, more than two-thirds of adults are considered to be overweight or obese, according to the National Institutes of Health. Unfortunately, our pets are not far behind: last year the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention released data showing that 58 percent of cats and...
![[closeup photo of a horse's eye]](http://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/pc-eye-ulcer-martins-260x157.jpg)
Eye drop-based treatment may replace surgery Eyes are amazing structures. They have adapted in different ways to suit individual species. For example, because horses are a prey species, their eyes are on the sides of their head, which enables them to achieve a visual field of 350 degrees—almost all the way around them. On the...