Dogs

Vet student Hannah Vander Ploeg and Dr. Alyssa Baratta-Martin examine a black female dog. Photo by Fred Zwicky.

Most pet owners think of spaying their female pets to avoid unwanted litters and behaviors. But there’s another, much more urgent reason to spay your dog or cat: to protect her from a potentially life-threatening…
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[Trooper the dog was born with a palatal defect]

Cleft Palate Afflicts Pets Too

July 26, 2017

Normal Life Possible for Dogs with Palatal Defect “Every 3 minutes, a child is born with a cleft lip or cleft palate” begins the heartrending appeal for donations to ensure that these children have access…
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[patient with pacemaker is very active]

Pacemakers Solve Canine Heart Problems

July 18, 2017

‘They are more common than you think’ The heart is essential to the body, regardless of the species. Luckily, when dogs have heart problems, veterinary cardiologists, like Dr. Ryan Fries at the University of Illinois…
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[small animal emergency care]

Behind-the-Scenes in the ER

July 15, 2017

If you have concerns, bring your pet to the ER vet You’re worried, you’re weary, and maybe you’re waiting for what seems like hours. Fortunately, you and your pet are in good hands when you…
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[Golden Wednesdays at Illinois veterinary rehab]

Old Dogs (and Cats), New Tricks

July 09, 2017

Tips for Keeping Geriatric Pets Healthy Thanks to advancing medicine, pets live longer than ever before. However, with these added years of valuable life come more age-related health problems. In her role as a rehabilitation…
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[ticks, fleas, heartworms are major pet parasites]

Prevent the Big Three Pet Parasites

July 03, 2017

Ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes. Nobody wants these bugs on their pets or in their house. But the reasons for keeping these bugs away go beyond just avoiding pests. “Ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes are dangerous because…
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[barking dog looking out window]

Decoding Your Dog’s Excessive Barking

June 05, 2017

Barking May Be Exacerbated by Boredom If you’re using a quick fix to stifle your dog’s excessive barking, you’re probably barking up the wrong tree. An expert from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary…
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[FEMA workers rescue a dog from a flooded neighborhood]

Be Prepared: Include Pets in Disaster Planning

May 22, 2017

Emergency responders help all household members “You may not be able to prevent a disaster from occurring, but you can reduce its impact with a little planning,” advises Dr. Loukia Agapis, a veterinarian at the…
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