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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[immunotherapy for itchy dog]

Allergy Shots May Bring Relief to Itchy Dogs

November 27, 2017

Immunotherapy may be an effective treatment option Is something itching at your dog? If an allergy is to blame, it probably falls into one of three categories, according to Dr. Scott Miller, who recently completed…
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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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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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[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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[Sonny, a French bulldog, in the University of Illinois veterinary hospital]

New Hope for Pets with Brachycephalic Syndrome

August 26, 2017

Illinois first in U.S. to offer procedure Brachycephalic syndrome: it’s a medical term for a variety of anatomical problems that sometimes obstruct the airways in pugs, bulldogs, and other pets (even cats!) with flat faces….
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[pyometra dog photo]

Infection in Dog’s Uterus Is Serious Business

August 15, 2017

Pyometra is a veterinary emergency When a middle-aged, intact female dog comes into the clinic with complaints from her owner that she has been depressed and lethargic, one of the first concerns that likely pops…
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[Bianca Martins with cataract patient]

Cataract Surgery Restores Dogs’ Vision

August 07, 2017

Surgery significantly improves quality of life “Both people and dogs get cataracts. Cataracts are an increased opacity, or cloudiness, of the lens of the eye, causing impaired vision,” says Dr. Bianca Martins, a veterinary ophthalmologist…
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