![[microbiome dog illustration]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/pc-barko-microbiome-260x157.jpg)
‘Think of bacteria as our friends’ Dr. Patrick Barko has spent the past three years studying a rapidly evolving field that he believes will soon be at the forefront in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease for people and pets. “For most of modern medical history, bacteria were treated as enemy invaders that needed...
![[kitten plays with a ball of yarn]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/pc-rubin-foreign-body-260x157.jpg)
A ‘foreign body’ may pose a medical emergency Animals are very curious creatures. But, as the old adage goes, curiosity can be deadly, or at least dangerous. So it is with animals that swallow things not meant to be swallowed: Your dog snarfs down a broken or too-small toy. Your cat goes from licking a...
![[FeLV-opens-doors-disease]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/pc-rubin-felv-260x157.jpg)
Prevent FeLV by keeping cats indoors Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is an agent that spreads easily between cats and has potentially lethal effects, causing a variety of secondary diseases that range from secondary infections to cancer. Dr. Stanley Rubin, a veterinarian who specializes in internal medicine at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in...
![[pancreatitis - miniature schnauzer]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/pc-williams-pancreatitis-260x157.jpg)
Miniature schnauzers are prone to getting pancreatitis With the holiday season upon us, many people want to include their pets in the festivities. As tempting as it may be to give your pet a feast of roasts, gravy, and stuffing, these and other high-fat people foods can be harmful to dogs and cats and could...
![[feline hyperthyroidism - cat]](https://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,...
![[Bear, a dog with hypothyroidism]](https://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...
![[yellow labrador retriever on a rug]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/pc-rubin-leaky-dog-260x157.jpg)
About 90 percent of incontinence patients respond to medications. Have you ever noticed that your dog leaves a wet spot of urine when she gets up from sleeping? On your bed? On your favorite hand-woven rug? If so, it’s very likely that your dog has urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence is a condition where there is...
![[Dr. Stanley Rubin and patient]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/pc-rubin-renal-260x157.jpg)
Pets with kidney disease can live years with appropriate care Kidneys play a vital role in the body by removing harmful wastes from the blood, helping to control blood pressure, and making hormones and enzymes. Not surprisingly, then, a host of serious health problems may arise when the kidneys aren’t functioning properly. “Chronic kidney disease...
![[dog looking at food on dinner table]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/pc-may2015-pancreatitis1-260x157.jpg)
Pancreatitis is especially common in small obese dogs The pleading eyes of your beloved pets can be hard to resist. A few bites of that rich cheesy pizza or a lick of that creamy, rich ice cream couldn’t hurt them, right? The truth is, feeding inappropriate food, especially to dogs, can lead to dire, even...
![[two cute little dogs]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/pc-dec2-14-cushings1-260x157.jpg)
Too much cortisol can have negative impacts. Cortisol is a steroid hormone, or “glucocorticoid,” that is normally released by the body in response to waking up in the morning, exercise, pain, and stress. Although cortisol is necessary for the body to function properly, too much cortisol can have negative impacts on people and pets alike....