Pet Columns

close-up of tick "questing" for a host

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Prevent Tick Bites for Pets and People
July 18, 2024

They crawl on your shoes as you hike. They burrow in your scalp. They crawl around in the hair of your dog and nestle in the skin of your cat. “They” are ticks! Every veterinary…
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dairy cows outdoors by birds

Why All the Fuss about Avian Influenza?

July 08, 2024

You’re coughing and you feel miserable. Is it “the flu”? Maybe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that, most years, around 30 million people in the United States will become ill with influenza,…
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Cicada on a rock

Cicadas: Pet Treat or Pet Threat?

May 02, 2024

Periodical cicadas have an unusual but ancient life cycle. They spend most of their life underground, emerging every 13 or 17 years (depending on which brood of periodical cicada they are) for a rush of…
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A young bird receives care at the Wildlife Medical Clinic

When Does a Wildlife Baby Need Human Help?

April 11, 2024

This time of year, people begin to notice baby birds hopping on the lawn, while their pets begin to find hidden bunny nests. It’s orphan season, when wildlife have offspring and some of these offspring…
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a mare licks her newborn foal

Failure of Passive Transfer in Foals

March 12, 2024

Springtime means foaling season! Unfortunately, some new foals run into trouble and need veterinary support. Failure of passive transfer is one of the most common reasons that bring foals to the University of Illinois Veterinary…
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photo illustration of boxer and heart

Dilated Cardiomyopathy: The Big Heart Disease

March 04, 2024

This one’s for all the gentle giants, dashing Danes, and persnickety pinschers. Owners frequently tell others about their dog’s “big heart.” But what if that is not a reference to the dog’s lovable personality? Dr….
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Arnie from Chicago at an 8-week puppy visit

How to Prepare for Your New Puppy

February 01, 2024

Adding a new four-legged member to your family? Dr. Alyssa Baratta-Martin, a primary care veterinarian at the University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine South Clinic in Urbana, explains what owners will likely encounter when bringing their…
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