Pet Columns

an old dog rests on a dog bed

Recent

When Aging Isn’t the Answer: Cushing’s Disease in Dogs

January 30, 2026

It’s easy to chalk up small changes in our dogs to aging. Maybe they’re drinking more water, asking to go outside more often, or losing a little hair. But in some cases, these subtle shifts…
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[Illinois veterinary students practice a physical examination]

Let’s Get Physical: Annual Examinations Promote Pets’ Wellness

March 26, 2018

The physical examination helps prevent disease From molecular and genetic testing to advanced imaging using magnetic resonance or computed tomography, veterinarians have many tools available to diagnose their patients. Even with these technological aids, the…
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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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Animal Rehabilitation Plans Tailored to the Patient

March 12, 2018

Plans’ Success Depends on Implementation at Home Physical rehabilitation for animals is the process of evaluating and managing patients with painful or functionally limiting conditions caused by illness or injury. Carrie Chandler-Harrison is a certified…
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[jababy gets four root canals]

Big Cats, Little Cats Need a Dentist

February 17, 2018

Teeth Similar in Structure, Different in Care Dr. Katherine Kling is a veterinarian who typically sees dogs and cats through the dentistry service at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana. Recently Dr….
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[microbiome dog illustration]

The Beneficial Side of Pets’ Bacterial Microbiome

February 11, 2018

‘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…
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[kitten plays with a ball of yarn]

Help! My Pet Swallowed a —!

February 04, 2018

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…
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[Blanding's turtle]

Our Summer Spent Saving Turtles

January 28, 2018

Turtles play a role in environmental health Last summer, two rising second-year veterinary students traded blue lab coats and lecture halls in Urbana for chest-high waders and wetlands in Lake County in northeast Illinois. Working…
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[cat eating from a bowl]

What to Look for on a Pet Food Label

January 22, 2018

Regulations control wording on a pet food label The seemingly endless brightly colored cans, bags, and boxes in the pet food aisles can be quite overwhelming for pet owners. Dr. Kelly Swanson, an animal sciences…
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[Dr. Kimbery Selting with Spike]

Chemotherapy for Pets Focuses on Quality of Life

January 15, 2018

Pet’s cancer may be managed vs. cured The word “chemotherapy” conjures up images of nauseous, balding, and debilitated patients. While supportive therapies are available to soften these side effects in human cancer patients, it’s true…
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Top Five Pet Health Columns from 2017

January 02, 2018

Enjoy the Most-Read Columns from 2017 What topics did pet owners find most fascinating last year? We checked our website analytics, and discovered that fungal disease, behavioral issues, and cutting-edge treatments offered only at our…
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