Tag: Heartworm disease

Matters of the Heart

Just like us, our dogs and cats can develop heart disease. What may surprise you is that they don’t experience heart attacks (myocardial infarctions), the most common human heart health issue. This is likely because dogs and cats… Read More

Revised Recommendations for Annual Heartworm Testing

Testing dogs annually for heartworm disease is not a new recommendation. What is new is the type of testing being recommended. Until recently, performing a simple blood test to screen for the presence of heartworm antigen was the… Read More

Prudent Parasite Prevention

Did you read about recent worries pertaining to a popular flea/heartworm/intestinal parasite prevention product called Trifexis? Some folks in the Atlanta area felt certain that this product caused the deaths of their dogs. Although autopsy examinations did not… Read More

The Financial Wisdom of Disease Prevention

We’re all familiar with the Ben Franklin adage, “An ounce of prevention is with a pound of cure.” But how does this actually translate into dollars and cents when it comes to the health of our pets? Veterinary… Read More

Were You Smarter Than a Vet Student?

Thanks to all who participated in last week’s game show called, “Are You Smarter Than a Vet Student.”  I have received 107 responses and at least a handful of you had all correct answers (only two people scored… Read More

Are You Smarter Than a Vet Student: Take Two

Back by popular demand is, “Are You Smarter Than a Vet Student” a test of your veterinary medical savvy. I welcome your participation.  Please provide me with your responses  at   dr.kay@speakingforspot.com as I  will be choosing three… Read More

A Bumper Crop of Parasites

Heartworms and hookworms and fleas, oh my!! Get ready- the forecast is that this year’s combination of unseasonably warm winter temperatures and plenty of springtime precipitation is going to produce a deluge of parasite problems for our pets… Read More

Three Essential Steps for Maintaining Your Dog’s Health

As mentioned in my last blog post, the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association recently teamed up to create Guidelines for Canine and Feline Preventive Healthcare. These guidelines have been distributed to veterinarians throughout… Read More

Trends in Veterinary Medicine

Just as human docs are seeing more patients with diabetes, so too are veterinarians.  A first-of-its-kind study conducted by Banfield Pet Hospital (a corporation with more than 770 veterinary hospitals) documents rises in the incidence of diabetes, dental… Read More

Potential Dog Park Diseases

Many people enjoy taking their dogs to the dog park, and I’m commonly asked if, from a canine contagious disease point of view, the dog park is a safe place for dogs to be.  Here is the advice… Read More