Pet Parents
Streptococcus canis on Feline Skin: A New Frontier in Zoonotic Risk for Pet Owners and Implications for Treatment Strategies for Veterinarians
Unmasking Staphylococcus: How These Common Bacteria Lead to Pneumonia and Bronchitis in Dogs
Don’t Let Salmonella Sink Your Dog’s Health!
Understanding Eye Infections in Turtles: Pathogens, Challenges, and Solutions
Bumblefoot in Birds and Chickens: Understanding the Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Challenges
Bumblefoot, also known as pododermatitis, is a common infection in captive birds and chickens that can be unassuming but fatal if left untreated. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide on how to effectively treat bumblefoot in avian patients. We will delve into: What causes bumblefoot? What are the stages of bumblefoot symptoms? FAQ for pet owners on bumblefoot in birds FAQ for pet owners on bumblefoot in chickens Why can bumblefoot treatment be difficult? Causes of bumblefoot Bumble
Pet-Proofing Your Home for Halloween: A Vet’s Checklist to Pet Safety
As a care provider, here’s what you can do to prepare your clinic for emergency pet care on the Night of Fright.
World Rabies Day 2023: What to Know About Rabies for All Pets
Rabies is a deadly disease that can impact anyone, not just your furry friends! It is a zoonotic infection, meaning that it is transmitted between animals, and animals can pass it on to humans. World Rabies Day is celebrated to bring awareness to this fatal infection and the importance of staying up to date with pet vaccination records to prevent its spread to you and the pets you care for! The World Rabies Day 2023 theme is “All for 1, One Health for all” to share the idea that rabies infects m
Ringworm in Guinea Pigs: Bald Spots, Scratching, and the Road to Relief
Guinea pigs are very social creatures with a host of emotions packed into little bodies. They make wonderful pets for children or adults and will show you their appreciation with a variety of chirps and squeals when they’re excited and happy. Think of them as tiny Siberian Huskies; heightened emotional states and are very vocal about them. When you first brought little Wilbur home, he may have been a bit shy. Then he learned the sound of the refrigerator as the source of all his fresh vegetables
4 Reasons Your Cat is Not Getting Better with Antibiotics
Antibiotics can lose their effectiveness due to antibiotic resistance that develops due to unnecessary antibiotics. Ensuring accurate diagnoses and, more importantly, prescribing antibiotics tailored specifically to your pet are important measures to prevent declining antibiotic effectiveness. Have you ever been concerned when your beloved feline companion isn’t responding to antibiotic treatment as expected? It’s crucial to address this issue for the well-being of our furry friends. Here are 4
Sneezing and Nasal Discharge in Dogs: The Complexity of Canine Rhinitis and Sinusitis
Has your pup been sneezing for a few days, or worse, a few months? You may be surprised to learn just how complicated that one clinical symptom can be. The underlying cause may be simple or serious and it can be frustrating for both pet owners and veterinarians alike during the process of working up Fido for a diagnosis. Next-Gen Sequencing (NGS) technology can assist your veterinarian as they determine the root cause of your pet pal’s symptoms. Rhinitis and Sinusitis: What Does It Look Like? Rh
Diagnosing Feline Fungal Infections
Just like humans, cats can suffer fungal infections! Fungi are parasitic spore-producing organisms that feed on organic matter. While there are roughly 144,000 known species of fungi that exist, cats are susceptible to only select fungal infections. Fungal infections can be passed on to cats through ingestion, inhalation, and absorption through skin, with environmental exposure to soil with pathogenic fungus being the primary mode of transmission for cats. And so without further ado, here are th
Pathogen Spotlight of the Month: Escherichia Coli
If your cat has been struggling to use the litterbox, they might be suffering from a urinary tract infection (UTI)! While UTIs are less common in younger cats, these infections progress to feline lower urinary tract disorders in 40-45% of cats older than 10 years [1]. Feline urine even in a healthy state is not sterile, and is home to a plethora of bacteria; however, when pathogenic bacteria are able to outcompete healthy bacteria, urinary tract infections may manifest. Escherichia coli has long
Periodontitis and Fungi: Uncovering the Clinical Relevance of the Oral Mycobiome
Did you know that even if your dog is healthy, they likely have fungal species present in their oral cavity [1]? While fungi are normal components of the canine oral microbiome, in dysbiotic states fungal infections may be associated with the development of periodontitis, an infection that causes inflammation in the oral tissue surrounding and supporting their teeth. Periodontitis is caused by plaque, bacteria, and your dog’s immunologic response to these pathogens, which results in inflammation
Periodontal Disease in Dogs: Characterizing the Oral Bacteriome
Cheese! Has your dog’s smile been looking inflamed? If so, your furry friend may have an infection and inflammation in the oral tissue surrounding and supporting their teeth. This condition is known as periodontitis and is caused by plaque, bacteria, and your dog’s immunologic response to these pathogens, which results in inflammation of the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone [1]. Although the etiology of periodontitis is complex, advancements in diagnostic technology have allowed for an inc
French Bulldog Skin Problems: Infections & the Nasomaxillary Skin Fold Microbiome
Bulldogs, boxers, and pugs, oh my! These are just a few of the many breeds of brachycephalic dogs, defined as dogs with flattened faces [1]. As cute as their smooshed faces may be, these breeds are particularly prone to skin infections (like intertrigo) due to moisture-retaining skin folds that provide the ideal breeding ground for opportunistic bacteria and fungi [1]. A recent study using Next-Gen DNA Sequencing (NGS) was conducted to assess the skin fold microbiome in healthy French bulldogs a
Interview with Exotic Pet Veterinarian Dr. Shachar Malka
With an estimated 19.4 million American households and 1.4 million Canadian households owning exotic pets, it’s no wonder the demand for exotic pet veterinarians has only been increasing. Unfortunately, many pet owners are unaware of the differences between a general veterinarian and a veterinarian who specializes in birds and exotic pets. It is important for any exotic pet owner to find a veterinarian whose expertise lies in the field of their pet’s field of medicine; from diagnostic and clinic
From Allergies to Infections: Why Does My Dog Have a Runny Nose?
Gesundheit! The medical term for a runny nose is rhinitis, and rhinitis can be classified as either mild or severe, and periodic or chronic [1]. Although it is normal for healthy dogs to have a slightly runny nose, more severe nasal discharge may indicate a serious medical condition. A pet owner can identify mild runny noses by a slight watery discharge and some sneezing, whereas a severe runny nose lasts longer and has a gooier, opaque discharge [1]. Symptoms characteristic of rhinitis include
Biofilm Formation and Antibiotic Resistance: Common Chronic Infections In Pets
The National Institute of Health estimates that approximately 65% to 80% of microbial infectious diseases are associated with bacterial biofilm [1]. Biofilms are defined as structured communities of bacterial cells enclosed in a self-produced polymer matrix that is attached to a surface, allowing for greater protection of bacteria to thrive in potentially hostile environments [2]. Biofilm-associated bacteria complicate both human and veterinary medicine, as these pathogens can cause chronic infe
Cecal Dysbiosis in Rabbits: The Importance of Making Sure Your Rabbit’s Gut Is Healthy
Rabbit pellets may not look very appetizing to most, but your rabbit would beg to differ! This is because rabbits are coprophagic animals, meaning they eat cecotropes, which are nutrient-rich pellets similar to feces that contain the products of cecal fermentation (also known as hindgut fermentation) [1]. Cecal fermentation occurs in the region of the digestive tract called the cecum [1]. Rabbits produce cecotropes throughout the day and consume them directly from their rectum in a process known
Otitis Externa: Understanding the Multifactorial Ear Disease
Huh? What? Who’s a good boy?
Odds are your dog’s hearing problems aren’t because they were listening to music too loud, but they may have an ear infection. Otitis externa (OE) is one of the most common ear diseases in canines and has a multifactorial etiology that is further complicated by secondary bacterial and/or yeast infections [1]. With the possibility of chronic OE causing hearing loss and even deafness, listen up and learn more about OE and its impact on your pup! What is Otitis Externa
Dog Urinary Tract Infections: Advancements in Clinical Diagnostics
The neighborhood fire hydrant, that lamp post with some certain joie de vivre, and that favorite patch of grass have all become experts in your dog’s urine. If your dog seems to be visiting their local bathroom more often than normal, perhaps it’s time you become an expert too! Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are painful and if left untreated can result in dangerous urogenital complications, and so early identification and intervention are beneficial. What Is a UTI? Canine UTIs are fairly common
Essential Oils For Dogs: A Risk Not Worth Taking
Essential Oils Background For those who haven’t yet taken the deep dive into the essential oils fad, here’s a quick breakdown of what they are. Essential oil is the final extract from a plant when it is exposed to either steam distillation, cold-presses, or different organic solvents. The process of extracting essential oil from a plant basically concentrates a lot of the naturally occurring compounds in the plant into an oil that can be readily used for a variety of purposes. Essential oils can