Category Archives: Veterinary Medicine

One of my most memorable, long-ago holiday cases was the Labrador Retriever puppy (what else!) who had swallowed an entire string of Christmas tree lights. When he was brought in, gagging, I opened his mouth and could still see the plug, far in the back. I have to admit it was tempting to anesthetize him, […]

Many pet owners hate the idea of removing a pet’s eye, even if it will relieve pain and improve quality of life. What does the kitten think about it, and how will he or she cope? That’s what a reader asked: Q: The kitten I adopted came with a bad eye infection. My veterinarian says […]

I heard from a Facebook follower with a question about a problem we’re seeing more of in dogs lately — gall bladder disease: Q: My senior cocker spaniel has been diagnosed with something called “gallbladder mucocele.” Is it common for dogs to have gallbladder problems? A: It’s unusual for dogs to develop painful gallstones the […]

Have you ever found bruising or little red dots on your dog’s skin? It could be the sign of a serious condition known as thrombocytopenia. Here’s a reader’s question and my answer about the problem: Q: My dog’s stool is black, and I noticed when I was grooming him that his body was covered in […]