Acne is a condition that occurs when the hair follicles get infected. This infection will cause a raised pimple or pustule that breaks to form a small scab. There are two common presentations I see in pets. Cats are prone to chin acne and puppies can get mild skin infections in the tender skin of the groin.
What is this lump on my pet’s ear?
The ear flap or pinna is made up of a piece of cartilage covered by skin. Sometimes you will get bleeding between the layers that pushes the skin off the cartilage, and causes a lump. We call this pocket of blood a hematoma, and because it is on the ear, it is classified as an aural hematoma.
Cat abscesses
Cats are a territorial species. Confrontation with other cats usually results in a shouting match, but it can escalate to full contact fighting when the cats are outside. Bite wounds are particularly nasty, since the bacteria in the mouth and on the teeth get through the skin and into the underlying tissue. The skin wound heals over and seals the … Read More
Ultrasound tests for your pet
Ultrasound imaging is very familiar to us as human patients. For pets, it was always available on a referral basis. Now we can offer this service at our clinic. We have an experienced animal ultrasound technician who will come to our clinic to do the procedure. The digital images are sent to a board certified veterinary radiologist or cardiologist who … Read More
Saying good-bye to Marty
Marty was my oldest cat, and this week, we had to put her to sleep. It is terribly sad and will leave a huge hole in our family, but as I counsel my clients, I’d like to focus on what a special cat she was.
Spring is finally here!
It is time to get outdoors and enjoy some warmer temperatures. Most dogs had limited exercise over the cold winter, so be sure to ease them into physical activity. Check out this link for more detailed information on fitness and conditioning.
Basic eye care
Dogs and cats come in all different shapes and sizes, and so do their eyes. Normal eyes have a snug fitting, black rimmed eyelid that covers up the white part (conjunctiva) of the eye. Dogs and cats also have a third eyelid that can give extra protection. It looks like a pink membrane that sits in the inside corner of … Read More
The Howling Cat
I’m fortunate to have had our oldest cat for over 17 years. She is a Siamese named Marty. She is vocal at the best of times, but over the past year, she has developed nightly bouts of howling. As a veterinarian, I recognize this complaint from owners of geriatric cats, and as an owner, I can see how distressing it … Read More
In praise of paper records
I’ll fully admit I am a dinosaur when it comes to my medical records. Computerized and digital everything is the trend, but I just can’t take the plunge with going paperless. I am cognizant about the ecological impact of using paper, but the benefits to my psyche have to take precedence.
Bum Scooting Boogie
For those in the know, scooting behavior is when a pet drags their bottom on the floor. The way they do this is often comical, but it can be a sign that something is wrong with the hind end, or more specifically, the perineal region.