Thanksgiving is just around the corner and whether that conjures warm memories of family gathered around a wonderful feast or a nightmare of in-laws that have inundated your house, it is important to remember that pets will be around for the holidays as well.
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Osteosarcoma and lymphoma: two words you hope to never hear coming from your veterinarian. Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and lymphoma (a disorder of white blood cells) are the most common types of cancer in dogs. But thanks to the efforts of two veterinary oncologists at the ... more >>
Elbow dysplasia is the leading cause of lameness of the forelimb in large or giant breed dogs. The disease is thought to be inherited and affects both front limbs in the majority of animals. Dogs with this disease begin walking with a slight limp that eventually ... more >>
Dr. Kathleen Ham, a surgery resident at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, is conducting a surgical study on dogs with hyperparathyroidism. Her research has drawn conclusions from advances in human medicine to develop solutions for our ... more >>
Kimo Huffman keeps himself in shape with regular exercise, running five miles most days. The regular exercise is great for his body mass index, the health of his heart and his general attitude about life. In fact, if he misses a regular run he tends to be a little ... more >>
Getting a shot at the doctor's office isn't much fun, and it isn't easy to watch your furry family member get one either--especially when it might be in its derri?re. But in a world where even parents of young children are refusing to vaccinate their kids because they ... more >>
If you're a dog owner fortunate enough to live near a dog park, you know they are fun places for your dog to play with other dogs. Summer is a great time to visit a dog park for fresh air, healthy exercise, and socialization for both dogs and people.
Dr. Sheila ... more >>
Behaviors or conditions that promote aerophagia, or swallowing of air, such as exercising a dog immediately after eating or drinking a large amount of food or water may increase its risk for a life threatening condition known as gastric dilatation and volvulus or GDV, ... more >>
Zeus Barger and Belle Carpenter were two dogs who shared a common problem. Like many dogs, they were deathly afraid of thunderstorms. Fortunately, Zeus, Belle, and their owners have found ways to manage their thunder phobia.
Dogs can sense subtle changes in ... more >>
Chew treats made of compressed vegetable protein and fiber have become increasingly popular due to their benefits for pet dental health and enjoyment. Some of the most popular of these products are Greenies?, which have been approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council ... more >>
News has quickly spread across the country concerning last month's announcement by federal health experts declaring the United States is now rid of one strain of the deadly rabies virus, dog-specific rabies.
This strain is responsible for dog-to-dog transmission ... more >>
According to Dr. Timothy Fan, veterinary oncologist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, large dogs (over 75 pounds) have a higher tendency to develop osteosarcoma, a type of cancer that originates in bone cells.
Large and giant ... more >>
facing veterinary issues such as genetics, fertility, and nutrition, dog breeders call upon the expertise of veterinary obstetricians--known as theriogenologists, the fertility specialists of the animal world.
Breeders can consult theriogenologists through all ... more >>
Many conditions and injuries can impair a dog's ability to use its hind limbs, such as traumatic injury, intervertebral vertebral disc disease, degenerative joint diseases, neurological disease, and muscle disorders.
When a dog is unable to regain use of its ... more >>
Recent media attention to canine influenza has alarmed dog owners. As with any emerging disease, new information is learned about canine influenza each day. The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine has assembled these quick facts to address the concerns ... more >>
As dogs age, they may experience loss of mental sharpness, a condition known as geriatric cognitive dysfunction, similar to geriatric dementia in humans. According to Dr. Thomas Graves, an internist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, ... more >>
Just like people, dogs can suffer seasonal skin allergies to environmental allergens such as pollen, dust mites, and insect bites. According to Dr. Karen Campbell, chief of specialty medicine at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, there are ... more >>
The "herniated disc" is a common back injury in people who take a fall or strain their backs. Likewise, dogs can suffer from herniated vertebral discs that can lead to severe pain or paralysis. Dr. Dianne Dunning, veterinary surgeon formerly at the University of ... more >>
You've got a great female pedigree dog with papers, and you figure you can make some extra cash if she has puppies. You think that to breed her, all you have to do is mate her with a stud, and a few months later she'll go into the closet and have puppies.
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If you're a dog owner fortunate enough to live near a dog park, you know they are fun places for your dog to play with other dogs. Summer is a great time to visit a dog park for fresh air, healthy exercise, and socialization for both dogs and people.
Dr. Sheila ... more >>
Like people, pets can suffer a "dry eye" syndrome when the glands of the eyes don't produce enough tears. Dogs and cats have two glands for each eye that supply different components of tears, which are necessary to keep the eye lubricated and healthy.
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Sterilization helps combat the pet overpopulation problem and also curbs unwanted behaviors in dogs not selected for breeding. In the past the only way to stop a dog from fathering litter after litter of unwanted puppies was surgical castration. Now a new option exists: ... more >>
Ever wonder what your dog does when you're not at home? Perhaps he is taking a nap on your bed (and drooling on your pillow), chewing on your favorite pair of shoes, or terrorizing the cat. But people whose dogs suffer from separation anxiety are lucky if their house is ... more >>
After you bring home that cute puppy you couldn't help but love, a trip to the local pet store is your next stop. Cruising down the aisle, you fill the cart with food bowls, toys, and, of course, a collar! Choosing the correct collar is extremely important for both you ... more >>
Hypothyroidism is a disease suffered by both humans and dogs. In dogs, the disease is seen most commonly in middle-aged females. Some dog breeds, such as Cocker spaniels, Golden and Labrador retrievers, Dachshunds, and Doberman pinschers, are predisposed to ... more >>
