Pet Columns

a veterinary student performs a neuter surgery on a pet at the University of Illinois. Photo by Fred Zwicky

Recent

Factors Affecting Whether, How, and When to Neuter Your Pet
March 24, 2025

“Spay” and “neuter” are words frequently heard by owners of a new puppy, kitten, dog, or cat visiting the veterinary clinic. While spaying or neutering may be a requirement when adopting from a shelter and…
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Species

[horse cough]

My Horse Has a Cough. Now What?

May 20, 2018

Many Conditions Make a Horse Cough As a horse owner, you would not hesitate to seek veterinary care if your horse shows signs of lameness, colic, choke, or other immediate dangers. But what do you…
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[Kristen Keller and Leo]

Keep Teflon, Avocado, Lead, and Zinc Away From Pet Birds

May 07, 2018

These items are toxic to birds Bird owners, beware ! Three common household toxins—TeflonTM, avocado, and heavy metals—present deadly dangers to your feathered friends, according to Dr. Krista Keller, a veterinary specialist in zoological medicine….
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[horse teeth]

Horses Need to See the Dentist Too

April 21, 2018

A horse’s teeth should be examined every 6 months Just like cats and dogs, horses need oral examinations from veterinarians. The health of a horse’s mouth greatly impacts its well-being, behavior, and performance. Dr. Dennis…
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[radiograph of a dog with a bullet in its shoulder]

Veterinary Forensics: When Crimes Involve Animals

April 16, 2018

Veterinary forensics is a growing field A forensic pathologist is a physician who specializes in determining the time, manner, and cause of death. Dr. Adam Stern, a board-certified pathologist at the University of Illinois Veterinary…
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[Reddington with Jane Do]

Hope for Heartworm-Positive Dogs

March 19, 2018

shelters often euthanize heartworm-positive dogs Reddington probably didn’t realize it, but he was in a bad spot. Not only was the dog living in an animal shelter, he had also tested positive for heartworm disease….
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