Library
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Preanesthetic bloodwork is an important step in the evaluation of pets undergoing anesthesia or surgical procedures. Bloodwork can help diagnose a variety of internal disorders, many of which could negatively affect your pet’s anesthetic and surgical safety. By diagnosing and treating any underlying medical disorders before surgery/anesthesia, your veterinarian can make anesthesia as safe as possible for your pet.
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Although uncommon, cats and dogs are at risk for several diseases during the two months of their pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia occurs if the mothers cannot keep up with the demand for calcium to produce bones and milk. Gestational diabetes can occur due to high concentrations of hormones and result in increased drinking, urination, inappropriate weight loss and lethargy. Mastitis is a bacterial infection of one or more mammary glands that is contracted either through the blood (sepsis) or from the external environment from unsanitary conditions and/or injury from babies’ teeth or nails. Retained placentas can occur and will result in lethargy, pyrexia and abnormal vulvar discharge. Be aware of the signs, symptoms and management for all four conditions.
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Since you and your cat will make many trips to the veterinary hospital over the years, it's best to start preparing your kitty for these visits as soon as possible.
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Winter cold weather poses several risks for our pets. This article outlines some of the key risks and how to avoid them, to keep your pet safe year-round.
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The American Animal Hospital Association and American Veterinary Medical Association have established guidelines to standardize preventive health care for cats, helping them to live longer, healthier lives. This handout provides an overview of the recommendations within these guidelines and why they are so important.
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Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a group of degenerative diseases that affect photoreceptor cells in the eyes. With this disease, the cells deteriorate over time, eventually leading to blindness. There are two main forms of PRA recognized in cats, an early-onset, inherited form called retinal dysplasia, and a late-onset form. PRA is an inherited condition in Abyssinian and Persian cats. When a cat develops PRA, it should be removed from the breeding program, along with its parents and siblings. As PRA progresses, your cat's vision gradually worsens until she becomes completely blind. There is currently no effective treatment for PRA.
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Medical waste includes needles, syringes, body parts, bodily fluids, feces and medications among other things. This handout addresses some of the ways such waste can be safely disposed.
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Tumors of the prostate are relatively uncommon in dogs and extremely rare in cats. Clinical signs include bloody urine, or straining to urinate or defecate. Metastasis to the pelvic bone and/or lumbar spine is likely. Diagnosis and treatment options are discussed. Prognosis is considered poor.
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Prostatic disease in cats is uncommon and, as a result, relatively little is known about these conditions. Enlargement of the prostate is a common sign with most prostatic diseases and may be noted by your veterinarian on a rectal exam. Other diagnostic tests may be required to determine the cause of your cat's condition.
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Enteropathy means any disease of the intestinal system. Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is not a specific disease but a group of diseases that cause the loss of proteins from the bloodstream into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Symptoms include diarrhea, weight loss, and fluid buildup in areas of the body. Treatment and prognosis are determined by the underlying cause.