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Gastropexy for Bloat
Bloat – a more technical term is gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) – is a lifethreatening condition that requires immediate medical and surgical intervention. Westgate Pet Clinic offers a minimally invasive surgery called laparoscopic assisted prophylactic gastropexy (LAPG) that is highly effective in preventing GDV. First, some basics: 1) Bloat – or GDV –is caused when the…
What are Giardia?
Giardia are single-celled parasitic organisms that infect many types of animals around the world. Humans can become infected as well, but it is rare for Giardia from dogs and cats to transmit to people, and the same is true for transmission between dogs and kitties. Organisms are passed into the environment in feces and once…
It’s Not the Flu, It’s Roundworm
With heightened concern about swine flu, parents in India have been taking their children with respiratory signs to the pediatrician. An increasing number of Indian children with cold, cough, and fever, have been diagnosed with roundworm infections. Closer to home, there have been prominent cases of human infections with roundworm and hookworm in the United…
Care for Orphaned Bunnies
If you find an “abandoned” bunny nest, the first thing to do is not disturb it. Many people do not know that mother rabbits only attend to their bunnies once a day during the early hours of the morning. If you are observing a nest, and never see the mother, don’t assume that the bunnies…
Anal Gland Disease
Pet owners often express concern that their dog or cat is licking its rear or scooting its rear on the floor. While a small amount of this behavior may be normal day to day grooming, when it becomes more frequent there may be an underlying problem….ANAL SAC DISEASE. All dogs and cats have anal sacs…
GI Stasis in Rabbits and Guinea Pigs
Signs: Decreased appetite and amount and shape of stools. Acting uncomfortably or not moving around or being as active. Grinding teeth, breathing faster. Causes: Overgrown molars making it hard to chew hay. Not enough grass hay fiber in diet. Not enough fresh greens in diet. Hair, carpet fibers, bedding in stomach. Too many carbohydrates ie…
Doggie Breath and Kitty Calculus
Dental care is an important and often overlooked portion of animal health care. As our patients are living longer lives with improved medicine and care, oral health can become especially important in a patient’s later years. Studies in human medicine have linked periodontal disease with cardiac disease, and some studies in veterinary medicine suggest the…
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
“In memory of Kevin Skavnak (a cat) whose spirit, and sweet demeanor will always be remembered.We should all live life as Kevin did, with zest and wonder.” Feline infectious periotonitis (FIP) is a disease that is caused by the feline enteric coronavirus. This virus is very prevalent and 80 – 90% of cats are seropositive…
How to Safely Love Our Dogs with Food
Let’s be honest! We love giving our dogs treats as much as they love eating them, if not more. What a joy to walk through the isle at the pet store and pick out delicious morsels, never tried before: Peanut butter! Duck! Venison! The selection is overwhelming, it’s like picking candy for Halloween. If done…
Get Your Cat to Love the Carrier
It’s time to update little Toby’s annual veterinary exam and vaccines. The appointment is scheduled in 30 minutes, so you have exhumed the dusty carrier from the corner of the basement. Toby, who was moments ago sunning himself on the sofa is suddenly nowhere to be found. You’ve forgotten Toby knows what that carrier is…
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