Pet Columns

cows stand in a flooded pen next to a barn

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Include Farm Animals in Disaster Preparedness Plan
June 19, 2025

When tornado sirens become frequent and sudden storms appear out of thin air, it becomes apparent there is a need for a disaster preparedness plan for farmers and large animal owners alike. What happens when…
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[cat yawning and showing teeth]

When the Tooth Breaks, Your Pet Is in Pain

November 13, 2017

Fractured teeth always merit a trip to the veterinarian Teeth are amazingly strong! Nevertheless, when you consider that teeth are essential tools for your cat or dog, used not only for eating but for playing…
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[Rex the police dog goes home from the hospital]

Police Dog’s Twisted Spleen a Serious Problem

November 06, 2017

Splenic Torsion Requires Surgery For about a week in early September, Rex, a canine officer with the Decatur Police Department, had been lethargic and not himself. His handler took Rex several times to see the…
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[nine-banded armadillo]

Get to Know the Amazing Armadillo

October 30, 2017

But Experts Say, Don’t Get Too Close It’s official. With confirmed sightings last August, nine-banded armadillos are now part of the wildlife scene in east central Illinois. Dr. Julia Whittington, director of the Wildlife Medical…
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dog in a taco costume

Remember FEAR Tips to Keep Pets Safe This Halloween

October 16, 2017

When Halloween comes, adults and kids alike enjoy the chance to dress up and eat more candy than usual. But the American Animal Hospital Association recommends being mindful of pets’ FEAR—food, environment, attire, and recovery—to keep pets safe…
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[Kora the greyhound running]

The Case of the Greyhound That Ran Too Much

October 07, 2017

Kora Is Recovering from Exertional Rhabdomyolysis It happened on a gorgeous but cool—only 75 degrees F—Saturday afternoon in mid August. Kora, a young retired racing greyhound, was playing and romping around at a three-acre dog park…
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[snake with bite wound]

Your Pet Snake’s Diet: Dead or Alive?

September 30, 2017

Feeding live prey has risks In the wild snakes can’t just order carry-in; they have to hunt for their next meal. So it’s not surprising that owners of pet snakes may believe their pets need…
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[a horse gets up from rolling in a field]

Colic Comes in Many Forms

September 23, 2017

With quick attention, a colicky horse often recovers In horses, colic is an ambiguous, potentially dangerous, diagnosis. Dr. Annette McCoy, an equine surgeon at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, says, “Colic…
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[Dr. Krista Keller poses with a pet rabbit]

Brush Up on Dental Problems in Pet Rabbits

September 16, 2017

Rabbits’ teeth grow throughout their lifetime A diet of grass and hay is a real grind for your pet bunny’s teeth. That’s why rabbit teeth have evolved to grow continually, to accommodate the wear and…
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[the shelter medicine mobile surgical unit at the University of Illinois]

Sorting the Science on Spay and Neuter Surgeries

September 11, 2017

It’s almost always best to spay and neuter pets By far the most common surgeries performed on dogs in the United States are spay and neuter procedures—collectively called gonadectomies—that remove the reproductive organs to prevent…
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[cat statue in pet cemetery]

Take Time to Grieve Your Pet

September 04, 2017

National Pet Memorial Day Is September 10 “The death of a pet is one of the few types of loss that may not be appreciated by others as a true cause for grief,” says Gail…
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