Download & Print The warm water compress is: Cheap (free) Easy Effective Compressing is a great way to administer supportive care at home. We use it to decrease swelling and promote relief from discomfort. All you need is a bowl, warm water and a cloth towel. Add warm water (not hot water) to [...]
Download & Print BACKGROUND Ticks carry a variety of diseases that affect pets as well as people (but are not contagious directly between pet and person). If the tick population is high in your area, it is important to treat your pet every month (or at the interval appropriate for the product you use) with [...]
Download & Print OVARIOHYSTERECTOMY (SPAY): ROUTINE, CONSIDERATIONS & PLANNING Ovariohysterectomy (OHE), or spay, is a commonly performed surgical procedure that will permanently prevent pregnancy. Female dogs adopted from animal shelters undergo spay surgery to aid in population control by preventing future pregnancies. There are several reasons that you should consider [...]
Download & Print BACKGROUND Puppies are a fun new addition to any home, but they can also bring a level of frustration to any family. Puppies love to explore, chew, and play. This is part of their charm, but some things need to be kept off limits for their benefit. Therefore, as a puppy's [...]
Download & Print ABOUT THE DIAGNOSIS Otitis externa is inflammation of the outer ear canal. It occurs very commonly in dogs (especially “floppy-eared” breeds like cocker spaniels and Cavalier King Charles spaniels) and rarely in cats, except when cats have ear mites. In dogs and cats, the outer ear canal [...]
Download & Print BACKGROUND There are several aspects of immediate postoperative recovery that can make the difference between a quick, easy return to health or delays, complications, and an unhappy pet and family. In addition to caring for the surgical incision, there are many things you can do to promote a more rapid recovery for [...]
Download & Print BACKGROUND Many types of bandages are used in veterinary medicine to protect wounds as they heal. A simple bandage may be used as a barrier to protect moist tissues from infection or trauma. A wet-to-dry bandage helps draw contaminants such as sand, dirt, or debris out of damaged tissues. A Robert [...]
Download & Print ABOUT THE DIAGNOSIS Hypothyroidism is a disorder caused by an underproduction of hormones that are made in the thyroid gland. Just like in human beings, the thyroid gland in dogs and cats is located under the skin on the front part of the throat just below the [...]
Download & Print BACKGROUND Recovery from muscular, bony, or joint injury or surgery in animals often includes a gradual return to movement, just as it does in people. Doing very gentle, full range flexion and extension of the limbs several times daily is a form of physical rehabilitation that can keep the muscles limber and [...]
Download & Print BACKGROUND Injuries may occur while a pet is outside playing, hiking with owners, involved in an altercation with another animal, or in many other situations. Serious injuries may bleed and require first-aid treatment until your pet can be transported to a veterinarian. It can be a valuable asset to have a first-aid [...]