Posts

One of the most serious medical conditions seen in dogs is GDV, gastric dilatation and volvulus, also known as bloat. The stomach is positioned forward in the abdomen and in most dogs is covered by the ribs. It normally processes food delivered from the esophagus through digestion and then moves the digested food into the…

Pain management in companion animals has changed greatly over the last 10 years. Pain in our pets is now thought to be similar to the pain that people feel instead of a previously perceived tolerance to pain. Managing pain in our pets is important for a variety of reasons. Pain not only impacts an animal\’s…

Leptospirosis is a corkscrew shaped bacteria that can be infectious to your dog. It carries extra significance because if your dog becomes infected, it could give it to you. How can my dog become infected? Wild animals, or infected domestic animals, are the source of Leptospirosis and maintain its existence in nature. There are two…

Laparoscopy has been common in human medicine and surgery for years, allowing for less invasive surgical and diagnostic procedures with a quicker and less painful recovery. Westgate Pet Clinic recently began performing laparoscopic ovariectomies, a less invasive alternative to the traditional ovariohysterectomy, or spay. With the traditional ovariohysterectomy, a single incision is made along the…

What is inflammatory bowel disease? Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a gastrointestinal (GI) disorder represented by an abnormal change to the lining of the GI tract. This change results from the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the GI tract lining, interfering with the ability to absorb water and nutrients and causing inflammation, thus disrupting normal…

Elimination disorders are the most common behavioral problem seen in cats. Without the correct diagnosis, urination and/or defecation may continue for the life of the cat and many cats, in this situation, are euthanized each year. The first step in finding the cause of inappropriate elimination is to determine whether the act is behavioral or…

One of the most common medical problems I see in small animals is diarrhea. It is much more common in dogs than in cats so most of this article will address diarrhea in dogs. It can occur at any age of dog at any time of the year and can range in severity from “I…

Disorders of the eyes are some of the most common concerns we see at Westgate Pet Clinic. Many are simple problems that require simple therapies to remedy. Others can be very serious, requiring aggressive, prompt treatment to prevent permanent damage. Occasionally disorders of the eyes are a sign of a systemic disease that requires treatment…