Webinars (old)
Urolithiasis: Diagnosing Urinary Tract Obstructions in Ferrets
In addition to their mischievous (but playful) nature and affinity for PVC pipes and socks, ferrets are identifiable by unique physiology that predisposes them to a variety of renal diseases pet owners need to be on the lookout for. If your ferret seems to be straining to urinate, it is worthwhile to take your furry friend to a ferret veterinarian since your ferret may have a condition called urolithiasis. Urolithiasis is painful and if left untreated can result in dangerous urogenital complicat
Stomatitis: Diagnosing Mouth Infections in Reptiles
As one of the most common diseases in reptiles, stomatitis affects the oral cavity, tongue, palate, and/or esophagus. More commonly known as mouth rot, stomatitis is associated with inflammation of the mouth consisting of gingivitis, glossitis, palatitis, and cheilitis [1]. While the initial exposure to opportunistic bacteria may be caused by physical trauma within the mouth, environmental factors such as misguided caretaking and nutritional care create the framework for infectious agents to thr
Avian Chlamydiosis: How to Detect Bacterial Infections in Your Pet Bird
Your pet bird may be singing a different tune if they contract Avian Chlamydiosis. Avian Chlamydiosis is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Chlamydiophila psittaci, with the highest rates of infection being found in psittacine birds such as parrots, parakeets, macaws, and cockatiels [1]. Considering an estimated 16%-81% of parrots are infected with C. psittaci, it is important for any bird owner to be aware of signs of this difficult-to-diagnose disease [2]. Avian Chlamydiosis is painful
Three Bacterial Infections Your Chameleon May Hide From You
Chameleons are masters of disguise, especially when it comes to their well-being. Evolutionarily, chameleons have become adept at hiding possible sicknesses from predators, making it difficult for pet owners to identify warning signs of various maladies. Consequently, understanding possible sources of infections and how they manifest is critical for chameleon owners. It is important to note that while this article is going to focus on bacterial infections, there are several other diseases (rangi
Feline Urinary Tract Infections: From Subclinical to Severe
Has your cat been struggling in the litter box? Or maybe you’ve noticed that despite being potty trained for years, your cat has recently started to lose control. These behaviors may seem more puzzling than concerning but could be indicative of a painful and dangerous urinary tract infection. What is a Urinary Tract Infection? You might not realize it, but there are actually a lot of bacteria that inhabit the urinary system and are considered part of a normal or healthy urinary bacterial communi
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
Disrupting Bacterial Communication to Stop Infections
In so many aspects of life, communication is key. We, humans, communicate with each other primarily through language. Bacteria are ubiquitous around us and communicate with each other as well but through a special process called ‘quorum sensing’ [1]. ‘Quorum sensing’ is a truly fascinating process in the bacterial kingdom that scientists and physicians are just beginning to understand. Very recently, two American scientists, Drs. Michael Silverman and Bonnie Bassler, won the 2021 Paul Ehrlich an
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
