What Is Cushing’s Disease In Dogs?

Cushing's, also known as hyperadrenocorticism, is a disease that occurs most commonly in dogs when their adrenal glands produce too much cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that is released under stressful events. Cortisol is needed for normal bodily function, but when too much cortisol is produced, it can have harmful consequences.

If you were to meet Howie with his cute bow tie and his wagging tail, you would never know that one fateful day last spring his mother thought he was on death’s doorstep. When Howie arrived at my clinic he was painful to the touch, had a high fever, had no appetite, and was very lethargic. He had no desire to walk around and we could barely touch him without him yelping in pain. After carefully examining him, my top two differentials were a back issue or Lyme disease.

Anyone who has been blessed with a pet that has made it into the golden years of life knows that as time progresses, things can become more difficult for our beloved furry friends. One thing that some dog owners may see with their dog is a disease called degenerative myelopathy.

Ahh do you smell that sweet scent in the air? The First Day of Spring is almost here! With the warmer weather and seasonal blooms, there are many wonderful things that come with the season. However, there are also a variety of Spring toxins that can pose a risk for your precious canine. Here are the top Spring toxins, from plants to food to cleaning products, your dog needs to avoid.

Dogs and cats can get diabetes just like humans. The most common type of diabetes in dogs and cats is diabetes mellitus, which is similar to Type II diabetes in humans. Although diabetes can happen to any pet, overweight and obese cats and dogs are most at risk along with certain dog breeds.
 

Keeping your dog up-to-date on vaccinations protects them from several devastating illnesses, including rabies, parvovirus, distemper, bordetella, and more. Unfortunately, no vaccine will protect your canine companion from every disease they may encounter throughout their life. And while modern vaccines are highly effective, there is always a minuscule risk of vaccine failure. This means that, despite your best efforts, there's no way to ensure that your furry friend will never get sick.

While November is known by many as American Diabetes Month®, bringing awareness to the risk factors and management of diabetes in humans, it’s also Pet Diabetes Month. One in every 230 cats and one in every 300 dogs are affected by diabetes, making awareness of the signs and symptoms of this illness in dogs and cats critical for every pet owner to know.

Seizures can be a terrifying event for everyone involved and, unfortunately, are often are a symptom of something much more serious. As veterinarians, we understand that owners may often feel a sense of helplessness when their beloved pet starts to seize. From getting your dog through a seizure and the next steps at your veterinarian’s office, here's everything you need to know.