Articles, questions and guides on pet care.
Melanomas are tumors of pigment-producing cells known as melanocytes. These abnormal growths can be benign or malignant. Although melanomas are quite rare in cats, they can still be a cause for…
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a tumor that affects the cells of the skin. The skin is composed of several layers of cells. The squamous layer is located in the epidermis, which is the outermost…
Pulmonary hypertension, a common health condition seen in humans, is also frequently reported in dogs and cats. It’s important to recognize changes in your pet’s heart and lung health so a diagnosis…
Skin rashes, also called hives or urticaria, are localized patches of red, swollen, usually itchy skin. The symptoms usually appear within a few minutes or hours of exposure to a specific trigger.…
Dogs share many similarities with us humans. Though there are noticeable and significant differences between how our bodies and a dog’s system work, most bodily processes are pretty much the same…
The abdominal cavity contains many of the major organs of the body, such as the spleen, liver, kidneys, and intestines. When there’s bleeding in the abdomen of dogs, it should be considered a major…
Signs of upper respiratory tract problems like nasal discharge and sneezing are relatively common in cats. Oftentimes, signs like these are harmless and resolve on their own with no need for…
Have you noticed your dog licking their paws frequently? Scratching behind their ears? Chewing at the area above or below their tail? Licking under their back legs? Perhaps you’ve seen areas of red…
Dogs, like people, can develop allergies to a variety of things from pollen and other airborne substances to specific ingredients in their food. Allergen is the general term for the specific…
Dermatological conditions are the most commonly reported problem in veterinary clinics and hospitals worldwide. They comprise around 20% to as high as 70% of all cases seen in an average veterinary…
Pulmonic stenosis is a congenital heart defect that is commonly diagnosed in dogs but is rare in cats. The condition is characterized by the narrowing of the pulmonary valve in the heart which…
A resting respiratory rate indicates the number of times a dog takes a complete breath (inhale and exhale) within a 1-minute period while at rest or sleeping. The resting respiratory rate (RRR) can…
Arrhythmias are fairly common in dogs, but they’re not always a cause for concern. Many dogs with arrhythmias live normal lives without any problems. However, since an arrhythmia may be a red flag…
While many dogs and cats with fleas may only experience some itching or no symptoms at all, heavy infestations in kittens or puppies can be fatal. Several fleas on a very young kitten or puppy can…
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common and clinically important type of arrhythmia in veterinary medicine. It is rarely a medical emergency in itself. But since it’s an important complicating…
Tachycardia is a medical term for rapid heart rate. When tachycardia originates from the ventricles of the heart, it is known as ventricular tachycardia (VT or V-Tach). It is a serious form of…
Pacemakers are a life-saving intervention. These electronic devices can also help improve the quality of life in dogs diagnosed with certain heart problems. An artificial pacemaker is implanted to…
Cardiomyopathy is a common heart disease in dogs. It includes any disorder that affects the muscles of the heart which can eventually lead to the heart losing its ability to pump blood efficiently.…
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