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.
“Just because something claims to be ‘all natural’ does not mean that it is safe.” Fleas are a year-round problem for pets. Flea bites cause mild to severe itching and skin infections in cats and dogs because of allergic reactions to the saliva of the flea. Fleas and their eggs survive and thrive in grasses,...
“Offensive breath is a big clue that your pet may have a problem in its mouth.” Dental disease is the problem most commonly diagnosed by veterinarians today. A recent national study of over 2 million cats and dogs found that 68 percent of cats and 78 percent of dogs had varying degrees of dental problems....
This rise of diabetes is thought to be correlated with a rise in obesity. Nearly 26 million people in the United States are living with diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and an estimated 7 million of these are not aware that they have diabetes. Diabetes is also a common problem—and...
“Surgeons can move many combinations of skin, bone, and muscle from one location to another.” Intricate precision and skill are required to perform microvascular surgery, the practice of connecting tiny, fragile blood vessels to one another. Physicians have used the technique in humans for years, and veterinary surgeon Dr. Heidi Phillips is determined to bring...
Dr. Ballantyne offers advice on how to lower stress for your cat. A lot has been said about why to take your cat for regular veterinary visits, but some owners may also need advice on how to get kitty in the carrier, the car, and the clinic without a battle. Dr. Kelly Ballantyne, a veterinarian...
“The University of Illinois equine primary care service recommends a targeted deworming program.” Lots of things have changed over the past 40 years—polyester leisure suits and disco dancing come to mind. But while you may not keep up with fashion fads, it’s important for horse owners to stay abreast of the latest recommendations for parasite...
About half of all pleasure horses in the United States are overweight. As in people, dogs, and cats, obesity in horses is both common and commonly overlooked. And just as in other species, obesity in horses brings with it serious health complications. About half of all pleasure horses in the United States are overweight, according...
Dr. O’Brien urges owners to feed their pets a quality commercial diet to ensure their pets are getting enough vitamin D. Got vitamin D? Most people know that this compound, a supplement frequently added to milk, plays a role in developing and maintaining healthy bones. But recent findings in humans suggest that vitamin D has...
Three recommendations directly relate to ensuring the health and safety of your newest family member. Are you planning to bring home a bundle of joy during National Adopt-A-Cat Month? Following the explosion in the kitten population that occurs each spring, June is when the American Humane Association and other animal organizations jointly encourage adoption of...
Veterinary forensics can involve an animal being the victim or an animal being the perpetrator. You’ve watched crime scene investigation reality shows on TV, but have you ever thought about CSI for animals? Dr. Adam Stern, a board-certified veterinary pathologist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Urbana, has a special interest in...