June 3, 2015 She named her “Mercy”, a nod towards her future as an elementary school mascot. She was a cute little black and white ball of fluff, guaranteed part Border Collie. Part what else wasn’t mentioned. A bright puppy, Mercy suffered no fools. People wielding needles were not popular with her (picture a … Continue reading Femoral Head Ostectomy and Mercy
Dog
Merced’s Loss
May 5, 2015 In the wake of this weeks’ horror story it has been very difficult to write about a pet disease or the function of a particular body organ. I have been in practice in this town, this community for over thirty years. I have seen incredible acts of kindness towards all manner … Continue reading Merced’s Loss
The Teeth
April 22, 2015 What’s a subject you can sink your teeth into? Dentistry! (oh, go ahead and smile. Ha! Your teeth are showing!). Puppies are born “gumming it” and gradually little nubs of baby teeth come in. Baby teeth are correctly called “deciduous” teeth, which I find hilarious because there are deciduous TREES that … Continue reading The Teeth
Pretzel and the Dislocating Knee
April 7, 2015 “Call me Pretzel”, the note said. I peered over the top of it to look at my patient. She was aptly named, wriggling and dancing on the exam table, tongue flashing as she air kissed in happy anticipation of meeting me. “Well, alright then! Pleased to meet you, Pretzel!” I greeted … Continue reading Pretzel and the Dislocating Knee
Heartworm
March 24, 2015 Moonshadow gently waved his tail from side to side, tongue pink as he greeted us. The older black lab moved with a stately grace across the exam room, a gentle cough escaping from his throat. “There, did you hear that? Why is he coughing like that?”, his owner queried anxiously. I stared … Continue reading Heartworm
Foxtails
March 10, 2015 At home I mark the seasons by watching the ever changing flowers along our roadsides and gracing our gardens. Spring brings the first forsythia flowers of bright yellow sunshine, the pink and white magnolia blossoms. At work I am waiting for the veterinary equivalent of that first harbinger of spring, the … Continue reading Foxtails
Cough, Hack, Gag, Enough!
October 4, 2014 Today we are referencing the coughing dog. Dogs only; cats, which are indeed a world unto themselves, need not apply. Cats want their own column. Besides, there’s lots more coughing dogs out there and plenty to discuss about each of the many possibilities behind a dog’s cough. First, it can be … Continue reading Cough, Hack, Gag, Enough!
Fleas Part Two : Is Zero Tolerance Possible?
September 14, 2014 In my previous column on fleas we discussed the mode of action and the suffering and disease which fleas inflict upon dogs, cats, and occasionally people. I stated that the tapeworm of dogs, Diplydium caninum, did not infect people. Dr. Jerry Menefee of Los Banos called to tell me how much he … Continue reading Fleas Part Two : Is Zero Tolerance Possible?
The Flea and Zero Tolerance : Part One
September 7, 2014 One of the more curious things worth pondering is the realization that “zero” is only as low as your ability to measure something, any given parameter, to zero. How much of a given substance is found in your food, how much radioactive activity persists in the ground, how fast a ball … Continue reading The Flea and Zero Tolerance : Part One
Mange / Demodecosis
August 27, 2014 People love the word “mange”. “He’s just a mangey old alley cat” someone will say. Used as a description for a pet with scruffy fur or unsightly skin, most people don’t realize that mange is a group of very specific skin diseases caused by parasitic mites. There are different sorts of … Continue reading Mange / Demodecosis