Vomiting and nausea remain among the most common complaints in small-animal practice. Selecting the correct antiemetic requires understanding how each drug targets the emetic pathway. This summary highlights mechanisms, indications, cautions, and practical selection points for two of the most widely used options: maropitant and ondansetron. Ondansetron blocks 5-HT₃ receptors both centrally (chemoreceptor trigger zone […]
Mathis is a customer services supervisor at the University of Illinois Large Animal Clinic. Tell us about your background. I was born in New Jersey and moved to Champaign in 1974. After graduating from high school, I lived in St. Louis for a year, then came back to this area to start a family. I […]
Our pharmacologic toolbox for managing congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs continues to evolve. One newer medication that practitioners may encounter is sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto). In human medicine, Entresto has become an important therapy in heart failure management and is now beginning to gain attention in veterinary cardiology as well. Sacubitril/valsartan combines two active components: Valsartan […]
The New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax), which was confirmed in a Texas calf on June 3, 2026, is a serious pest that affects livestock, pets, wildlife, and, less commonly, people and birds, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The American Veterinary Medical Association has published a recap for veterinary professionals describing actions to address […]
Appropriate nutrition in veterinary patients is a cornerstone of preventative medicine. This is especially true in companion birds, yet diet-related disease remains one of the most common problems encountered by avian veterinarians. Many pet birds are still maintained on seed-based diets that are nutritionally incomplete and inappropriate. This predisposes pet birds to chronic medical conditions, […]
Rolson is a customer services supervisor at the University of Illinois Small Animal Clinic. Tell us about your background. I grew up in a small town just outside of Champaign-Urbana, where I still live today. Throughout high school and my time at Parkland College, I planned to pursue a career in art education, as art […]
Many pet owners think over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements are safe, but using them incorrectly can seriously harm pets. The ASPCA reports that these products, including human pain relievers, cough and cold medicines, topical creams, and vitamin or mineral supplements, are the top cause of toxic exposures in pets, making up about 16.5% of all […]