Educational Articles
-
Predictability and trust are important foundations for training your dog. Learning what your dog finds rewarding and strategically providing rewards at the right time will promote the desired behavior to happen more and more often. Punishment techniques using physical force and conflict can result in increased aggression and should be avoided.
-
There are five primary reasons for vaccination failure. Vaccine inactivation is one reason and is most commonly caused by warming during shipping and handling. In addition, vaccines are not always 100% effective. Cats may also be unhealthy or too young, leading to vaccine failure. Interference by maternal antibodies can lead to the vaccine being blocked. Lastly, cats receiving overwhelming exposure to a virus may have a failure in the effectiveness of the vaccine.
-
There are six primary reasons for vaccination failure. Vaccine inactivation is one reason and is most commonly caused by warming during shipping and handling. In addition, vaccines are not always 100% effective. Dogs may also be unhealthy or too young, leading to vaccine failure. Interference by maternal antibodies can lead to the vaccine being blocked.
-
Vaccines are necessary to reduce infectious disease-caused illnesses in cats. They work by stimulating the body's immune system to recognize and fight a particular microorganism such as a virus, bacteria, or other infectious organisms. Depending on the disease, the vaccine will help the body prevent infection or lessen the severity of the infection and promote rapid recovery. The American Association of Feline Practitioners has established vaccination guidelines for cats, some of which depend on a cat's lifestyle and where it lives.
-
Veterinarians routinely recommend certain vaccines for all dogs (called core vaccines), whereas others are recommended more selectively, according to the dog's environment and lifestyle. Vaccines work by stimulating the body's immune system to recognize and fight a particular microorganism such as a virus, bacteria, or other infectious organisms. Depending on the disease, the vaccine will help the body prevent infection or lessen the severity of infection and promote rapid recovery. Vaccination will protect the vast majority of dogs, but under some circumstances, vaccine breakdowns may occur.
-
Vaginitis refers to inflammation of the vagina and can be a result of several possible underlying causes. Prognosis is generally good, especially if the underlying cause is identified and treated early. The most common clinical signs of vaginitis include increased frequency of urination, licking of the vaginal area, vaginal discharges, and scooting or rubbing of the vaginal area. Diagnostic testing to determine the cause of a dog's condition is helpful in identifying the appropriate antibiotic treatment.
-
The Vizsla is a Hungarian pointer, utilized by the Magyar nomadic tribe along with their falcons, to hunt birds and track game. They need a lot of vigorous activity, but as long as they get it, they are gentle enough to lie quietly by Grandpa's feet as he snoozes.
-
Vulvoplasty, also known as episioplasty, is a surgical procedure that your veterinarian may recommend to correct a conformational issue known as a recessed vulva. Your veterinarian will remove a crescent-shaped piece of tissue from above the vulva, allowing the skin to be pulled upwards into a more normal conformation. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia. Your pet will be intubated with an endotracheal tube. After surgery, you will need to give pain medications and antibiotics as directed and keep your dog confined/restricted for approximately two weeks. Skin sutures, if used, can typically be removed 10-14 days after surgery.
-
Walking is an excellent way for dogs to burn more calories while working toward weight loss. A short leash and head halter or harness are recommended to keep the walk going at a consistent pace. Gradually work up to several 30-minute walks per day.
-
Warfarin is given by mouth and is used off label to treat abnormal clotting in dogs and occasionally horses. Give as directed. The most common side effect is abnormal bleeding, and this should be reported to your veterinarian. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it, pets with bleeding diseases, active bleeding, aneurysm, acute kidney disease, brain bleeds, blood cell diseases, uncontrolled high blood pressure, liver disease, certain types of carcinoma, pets about to undergo certain surgical procedures, or pets that are pregnant. If a negative reaction occurs, please call the veterinary office.