Granby Drummer (https://granbydrummer.com/category/life/animal-talk/)
Most people who have pets know that chocolate is toxic to dogs. It is the most well-known toxin as well as a very common one. Chocolate is also toxic to cats, though we do not see our feline friends ingesting chocolate as often as our pups. But why is chocolate toxic?
Rodenticides are one of the most common toxin exposures we see in veterinary medicine. Last month I covered anticoagulant rodenticides, which are the easiest to treat. Now we will touch base on the other two classes of rodenticides—cholecalciferol and bromethalin. These two types of rodenticides are not easy to treat like the anticoagulants. These are newer generation poisons that can cause serious harm to pets if not treated quickly.
Having started my career as an emergency veterinarian, I still have a soft spot for toxin cases. There are a few household toxins that I saw many times at the ER and still see at Salmon Brook Vet. Over the next few issues, I will highlight some of the most common toxins we see, what they do and how we treat them.
Rabies vaccinations in dogs and cats are extremely important for their safety and the safety of the public.
Summertime in New England brings loads of green plants and beautiful blossoms. We wait all year for those plants to come alive again, but not all of them are pet friendly. Summer brings an influx of toxicities to veterinary hospitals. This article will describe some common plants that are toxic to pets and what symptoms you may see if your pet has been exposed.
Feline asthma is very similar to asthma in humans. It is described as a chronic, progressive inflammatory respiratory condition that causes narrowing of the airways leading to coughing and wheezing. According to a study by Cornell University, about 1–5 percent of felines have feline asthma. This translates to approximately 800,000 cats in the U.S.
Ferrets are becoming a more popular pet in the US. They are related to weasels and exude a musky scent like their wild counterparts.
Small mammals, including rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, hamsters and other rodents, can make a wonderful addition to the family. Approximately 8.1 percent of households in 2024 owned some type of small mammal. Much like reptiles, we don’t always see them at the vet for routine visits, but it is still important for them to have veterinary care.
Over the next few months, I will be covering topics related to exotic pet ownership. These articles will include information and data on ownership of reptiles/amphibians, small mammals and birds. Exotics can be fun and rewarding to keep as pets but typically have very specific needs depending on the species.
In the 2024 election, Colorado had a ballot question about adding a new position within veterinary medicine (Proposition 129). This would create a veterinary professional associate (VPA) and outline the proposed curriculum for the degree.