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.
![[Dr. Danielle Strahl-Heldreth with a horse and students]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/pc-strahl-heldreth-equineanesth-260x157.jpg)
Field Anesthesia Requires Thought, Preparation Anesthesia is important for controlling pain and ensuring the safety of patient and caregivers during a surgical procedure. But for some animal patients, anesthesia use isn’t confined to the operating room. Dr. Danielle Strahl-Heldreth, a veterinary anesthesiologist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, has experience in...
![[cat]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/pc-cat-rabies-260x157.jpg)
Vaccinated Pets Protect Public Health Dr. Ashley Mitek, assistant teaching professor at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and small animal Extension veterinarian, compiled the following FAQs about the new cat rabies law, with help from veterinary oncologist Dr. Alycen Lundberg and public health veterinarian Dr. Will Sander. When does the new cat...
![[Dr. Caroline Tonozzi examines a dog in the ICU]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/pc-tonozzi-marijuana-260x157.jpg)
Pet Poisoning Cases Get Higher In the first week that recreational use of the drug became legal in Illinois, the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital saw two cases of likely marijuana intoxication in pets. Dr. Caroline Tonozzi, a specialist in veterinary emergency and critical care who heads the small animal ER at the hospital,...
![[veterinarians examine dog's eye]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/pc-martins-dryeye-260x157.jpg)
Most common eye problem in dogs Tears have an important role in keeping the eye healthy. They cover the cornea and wash away debris and infectious agents. They even have germ-fighting properties! When the eye’s tear film—the thin but complex layer of fluid coating the eye—does not contain enough tears, dogs (and people) are subject...
![[pet tarantula]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/pc-keller-tarantula-260x157.jpg)
Tarantulas May Live 10 to 30 Years Not all “furry friends” have fur. Some people choose tarantulas as their family companion. Dr. Krista Keller, a board-certified specialist in zoological medicine at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, says big spiders need attention and love, just like a dog or cat does. “The...
![[dog in a car]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/pc-travel-regs-260x157.jpg)
Pet travel is regulated “Most people consider pets as family members and often bring their pets with them when traveling,” says Dr. Adriana Roman-Muniz, a veterinary medical officer for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services. Recently Dr. Roman-Muniz spoke with students at the University of Illinois...
![[deuces walking 2 days after surgery]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/pc-deuces-feature-260x157.jpg)
Two Days After Surgery Deuces Was Walking Dr. Danielle Marturello, a clinical assistant professor of orthopedic surgery, brought an innovative option for fracture repair with her when she recently joined the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine faculty. Meet Deuces Deuces, a two-year-old male pit bull, came to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana...
![[Dr. Arnon Gal with a cat]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/pc-gal-utis-260x157.jpg)
Don’t ignore urinary problems in cats Urinary tract disorders are relatively common in cats, according to Dr. Arnon Gal, a veterinarian who specializes in small animal internal medicine at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana. But unlike urinary tract infections in people, in cats these problems are not usually caused by bacteria....
![[cow milking at Vet Med Open House]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/pc-open-house-2019-260x157.jpg)
Sunday, October 6, from 10 am to 4 pm Each year the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine opens its doors to the public for an in-depth experience in the world of veterinary medicine. This free event, put on by roughly 400 veterinary students, is perfect for all ages. This year, the date is...
![[Dr. Mallory Kanwal and a canine dental patient]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/pc-kanwal-dental-260x157.jpg)
Pet Dental Care Improves Quality of Life When an animal visits the veterinarian for a dental cleaning, the procedure is often referred to as a “dental.” Dr. Mallory Kanwal, a second-year resident in the dentistry and oral surgery service at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, prefers to use the term “COHAT.”...