Pet Columns

Moose the pet rabbit in his own room

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Healthy Habits for Pet Rabbits
May 31, 2025

Think rabbits make a good starter pet because they are inexpensive, low-maintenance, and stoic? Toni Kim, a veterinary student at the University of Illinois and a House Rabbit Society educator, wants to dispel common misconceptions…
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Species

Cancer in Cats: More Research Needed

July 20, 2020

Cancer Treatment Has Come a Long Way Animals and humans have a lot in common. Not only do they share the same living environments, but they also share many similar segments of genes. This makes…
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[Hannah Bailey after the procedure]

Minimally Invasive Procedure Fixes Puppy’s Problem

July 01, 2020

Treatment for Persistent Right Aortic Arch Hannah Bailey was sick. The six-month-old mixed-breed puppy couldn’t keep food down. She had lost weight. Her local veterinarian diagnosed an enlarged esophagus and suggested that her new owners…
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[Dr. Gene Pavlovsky, right, teaches how to do a physical exam of a dog]

Fat Cats and Heavy Hounds

June 14, 2020

The Problem of Overweight Pets By most estimates, well over half of all cats and dogs in the United States are overweight. Dr. Gene Pavlovsky, a small animal veterinarian at the University of Illinois Veterinary…
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[radiographing foal's leg]

Hospital Delivers Care for Special-Needs Foals

April 29, 2020

Foals and Mares Sometimes Need Help While people are sheltering in place and implementing social distancing, life goes on for some creatures. In the equine medicine and surgery service at the University of Illinois Veterinary…
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[Dr. Krista Keller with Leo]

Parrots Are Forever

April 22, 2020

Research the Commitments of Ownership Parrots are gorgeous, highly intelligent, socially complex, loud, long-lived birds. Anyone who is contemplating adding a parrot to the family should thoroughly research the needs of these fascinating and demanding…
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[Dr. Danielle Strahl-Heldreth with a horse and students]

Field Anesthesia for Horse Surgeries

April 01, 2020

Field Anesthesia Requires Thought, Preparation Anesthesia is important for controlling pain and ensuring the safety of patient and caregivers during a surgical procedure. But for some animal patients, anesthesia use isn’t confined to the operating…
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[cat]

Rabies Vaccination Required for All Cats in Illinois

January 26, 2020

Vaccinated Pets Protect Public Health Dr. Ashley Mitek, assistant teaching professor at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and small animal Extension veterinarian, compiled the following FAQs about the new cat rabies law,…
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[Dr. Caroline Tonozzi examines a dog in the ICU]

Marijuana and Pets Should Not Mix

January 10, 2020

Pet Poisoning Cases Get Higher In the first week that recreational use of the drug became legal in Illinois, the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital saw two cases of likely marijuana intoxication in pets….
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[veterinarians examine dog's eye]

Don’t Overlook Dry Eye in Dogs

December 23, 2019

Most common eye problem in dogs Tears have an important role in keeping the eye healthy. They cover the cornea and wash away debris and infectious agents. They even have germ-fighting properties! When the eye’s…
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