The Benefits of a Balanced Microbiome
The term “gut microbiome” is often used to refer to all the organisms—including bacteria, viruses, and fungi—that live in an animal’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract. For people and pets, these organisms have a large impact on the health of both the GI tract and the entire body. Dr. Audrey Cook, an associate professor at the Texas […]
Detecting the Subtle Signs of Pain
The first step in caring for a sick or injured animal is being able to recognize the signs of pain that indicate something is wrong. Acute pain tends to be easier to identify, but chronic pain can have a variety of less-noticeable symptoms. To help pet owners recognize these symptoms, Dr. Daniel Eckman, a veterinarian […]
Watch Out For Canine Eye Conditions
Vision may not be a dog’s strongest sense, but it still plays an important role in daily life. A dog’s eye health can deteriorate because of aging or disease, so dog owners should be aware of the various eye issues that can occur. Dr. Lucien Vallone, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College […]
The Joys and Challenges of Adopting an Animal
Adopting a pet from a shelter is a great way to find a new best friend. But it’s also a great way to make a huge difference for an animal, and potentially even save its life. Sadly, many of the animals that end up in shelters come from bad situations. Adopting a mistreated animal can […]
A Safe and Happy Holiday for Your Pet
With New Year’s Eve around the corner, it is important to remember that many pets, especially dogs, are frightened by loud and sudden noises such as fireworks or thunder. This fear can range from mild anxiety to full panic, which can lead to dangerous situations. There are many reasons why fireworks and thunderstorms can cause […]
Managing Canine Diabetes
Diabetes, or diabetes mellitus, is not the most common disease found in pets, but it can be a serious health concern if not treated. Caring for a pet with diabetes may seem daunting, but many pet owners find that it is not as difficult as it seems. In honor of National Pet Diabetes Month in […]
September is National Service Dog Month
From providing companionship to keeping an eye-out for medical emergencies, emotional support and service dogs assist their handlers in a variety of ways. While both roles are vital for the well-being of their owners, their job descriptions are not the same—an emotional support animal is a companion animal that can benefit its owner by providing […]
Fatty tumors are nothing to fear
Finding a mysterious growth under your dog’s skin can be a frightening experience; however, owners can find comfort in knowing that these mystery bumps are not as uncommon as they may think. As dogs age, they can develop benign growths beneath the skin—the most common of these being lipomas, or fatty tumors. According to Dr. […]
Brucella canis is a disease of dogs and humans
Brucella canis, a strain of brucellosis that can be carried by dogs, is one of the leading causes of canine infertility. The highly contagious, and often underrecognized, bacterium can lead to abortions, stillborn puppies, testicular abnormalities, and failure to conceive, but can also cause back pain and inflammation of the spinal column in dogs. Dr. Angela […]
Mammary tumors in dogs
Many of us know someone affected by cancer. Unfortunately, cancer in the mammary glands (similar to breast cancer in humans) can also occur in both male and female dogs. In fact, mammary tumors are the most common type of tumor seen in intact (not spayed) female dogs. Dr. Brandan Wustefeld-Janssens, assistant professor of surgical oncology […]
