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Hypothyroidism in dogs
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January 4, 2013
The thyroid gland is a paired gland found on either side of the trachea (windpipe).The thyroid gland produces two types of hormones. Hypothyroidism is...
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Aquariums for Christmas
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December 28, 2012
It’s Christmas time again and lots of us are thinking of dusting out and setting up that aquarium tank that was in an obscure corner of the house si...
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Whipworm infections in dogs
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December 14, 2012
What are whipworms? Whipworms are intestinal parasites that are about 1/4 inch long. They live in the cecum and colon (large intestine) of dogs where ...
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How to give your dog a pill
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November 30, 2012
If your dog is not on dietary restrictions, and your veterinarian says that the medication can be given with food, the easiest way to give a pill is t...
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Puppy time
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November 16, 2012
Normal delivery, or parturition, is generally divided into three distinct stages. The first stage actually occurs before any labour has begun. In this...
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Aural hematomas
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November 9, 2012
An aural hematoma is a collection of blood within the cartilage plate of the ear, due to broken blood vessels. These hematomas occur as a result of he...
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Dog fights
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November 2, 2012
In the last few days, I have had a barrage of dogs coming into the clinic with dog bite wounds, varying from a few bites to massive life threatening w...
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Pets could be our best friends, but …
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October 26, 2012
Pets are wonderful to have around. They add value to out lives, but lots of them could hurt us quite badly, especially us veterinarians. Even their ow...
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Strokes in dogs
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October 12, 2012
Do dogs have strokes? “Strokes” or cerebral vascular accidents (CVA) are rare in dogs. A stroke is defined as a sudden interruption in blood suppl...
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Strange things I have seen in my career
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October 5, 2012
One of the most repulsive things I have seen in my practice of veterinary medicine occurred just a few months ago. Late one evening, I came out on an ...
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The VSPCA one year old and going strong
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September 28, 2012
The Vincentian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for me will always be synonymous with Kiersten Anderson. It looks like it was only yes...
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Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
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September 21, 2012
Imagine a disease that is infectious, yet not contagious, has 100 per cent mortality, virtually no diagnostic test to confirm it, and no effective tre...
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A fond farewell to Auntie Shirley
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September 14, 2012
I MET Shirley Squire just over 21 years ago, immediately after vet school and in a strange country, with very few acquaintances – my wife, who is th...
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Ehrlichiosis (Tick fever) in dogs
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September 7, 2012
Canine Ehrlichiosis, commonly known as “tick fever,” is caused by a germ (rickettsia) called ehrlichia canis. Ehrlichia is named in honour of Dr E...
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Removal of the Eye (Enucleation)
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August 31, 2012
Why Might this Procedure be Necessary? In almost all cases, the eye is removed because it has reached a point where it has no chance of being capable ...
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Cats with broken tails
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August 24, 2012
First, an Anatomy Lesson Tails are wonderful, expressive body parts used by cats for communication purposes, as well as for balance. The tail consists...
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Some facts about cats
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August 3, 2012
Myth: Cats always land on their feet. Fact: While cats instinctively fall feet first and may survive falls from high places, they also may receive bro...
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Some facts about dogs
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July 27, 2012
1. Ancient Egyptians revered their dogs. At the death of a pet dog, the owners shaved off their eyebrows, smeared mud in their hair, and mourned aloud...
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How smart are our dogs and cats?
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July 20, 2012
1. Do dogs eat grass when they are feeling sick in order to induce vomiting? Dogs cannot analyze things like we do, though some people propose that do...
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What are Neoplasia, Tumours and Cancer?
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July 13, 2012
Neoplasia is the uncontrolled, abnormal growth of cells or tissues in the body, and the abnormal growth itself is called a neoplasm or tumour. It can ...
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A night to remember
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July 6, 2012
It was raining cats and dogs about 10:00 p.m. one cold and rainy evening about 15 years ago when the phone rang. A desperate voice at the other end wa...
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Hot Spots in Dogs
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June 29, 2012
What are “hot spots “? Acute moist dermatitis or “hot spots” are a common skin disorder in dogs. “Hot spots” can appear suddenly and becom...
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False pregnancy in Dogs
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June 22, 2012
False pregnancy, phantom pregnancy or pseudo-pregnancy are all terms that refer to a display of maternal (mothering) behaviour combined with the physi...
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Bloat/Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus in Dogs
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June 15, 2012
Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV) is a life threatening disorder most commonly seen in large, deep-chested dogs. In its early stage, the stomach f...
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Avoiding Dog Bites
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June 8, 2012
How can I avoid being bitten by a dog? o Never approach a strange dog, especially one who’s tied up or confined behind a fence or in a car. o Don’...
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My Clients …
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June 1, 2012
I have written on numerous occasions on ailments and different conditions that I have seen in my patients over the years. This week, however, I though...
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Poisoning of Dogs – A horrendous act
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May 25, 2012
As I write this article, I am on an aeroplane travelling from Fort Lauderdale to Las Vegas to attend an Animal Care Expo. In the last few months in St...
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Bladder Stones in Dogs
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May 18, 2012
What are bladder stones? Bladder stones (uroliths or cystic calculi) are rock-like formations of minerals that develop in the urinary bladder. There m...
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What is yeast dermatitis?
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May 11, 2012
Yeast dermatitis or Malassezia dermatitis is caused by the fungus Malassezia pachydermatis. It is an extremely common cause of skin disease in dogs. W...
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Transmissible Venereal Tumors
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May 4, 2012
 What is a transmissible venereal tumor? This is a common tumor, only found in dogs. It is transmitted by direct physical contact. It occurs in both ...
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Mammary (breast) Tumors in Dogs
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April 27, 2012
What is a mammary tumor? This is any tumor originating from the mammary gland tissues. In the dog, most tumors of this type are cured by complete surg...
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Tips for handling injured pets
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April 20, 2012
Never assume that even the gentlest pet will not bite or scratch if injured. Pain and fear can make animals unpredictable or even dangerous.{{more}} D...
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Strange things I have seen in my career
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April 13, 2012
One of the most repulsive things I have seen in my practice of veterinary medicine occurred just a few weeks ago. Late one evening, I came out on an e...
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“Ringworm” and what causes it?
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April 5, 2012
“Ringworm” is the common name given to a fungal infection of the superficial layers of the skin, hair and nails. Ringworm infections can occur in ...
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Whaling in Bequia
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March 30, 2012
Bequia is my favorite Grenadine Island. I have been visiting this island virtually every week for twenty years to conduct my Friday clinics. In my exp...
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Estrus Cycles in Dogs
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March 23, 2012
When does a female dog have her first estrus cycle? Dogs will have their first estrus cycle when they reach puberty. Estrus is the stage of the reprod...
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Cherry Eye in Dogs
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March 9, 2012
What is "cherry eye”? "Cherry eye” is a common term for prolapse of the third eyelid gland. Many mammals, including dogs, have an "extra” or thi...
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Cataract in dogs
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March 2, 2012
What is a cataract? Inside the eye is a lens that focuses light on the back of the eye or the retina. Vision occurs at the retina. The structure of th...
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Anal Sac Disease in Dogs
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February 24, 2012
What are the anal sacs? Commonly called ‘anal glands’, the anal sacs are two small pouches located on either side of the anus at approximately the...
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Sequel of Rover in chains: Rex, final chapter
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February 10, 2012
After the violent and untimely death of his parents and siblings, poor little Rex was left alone in the bushes to fend for himself. He was hungry and ...