As mentioned above, joint inflammation can be secondary to an infectious process. Bacteria that gain entrance into the body’s bloodstream can circulate to one or more joints of the body, setting up house keeping within the joint fluid. Bacterial endocarditis caused by periodontal disease can …
Like all living things, cats can suffer from bacterial and fungal infections. Felines groom themselves constantly, exponentially increasing their exposure risk to pathogens. Catching infections early and following veterinarian-recommended treatment helps support full recovery. Preventative care also reduces recurring infection frequency. This article explores common …
Veterinarians are often confronted by frustrated pet owners claiming that their pet is going deaf! Now, whether this is a valid claim or rather an actual ploy conceived by a defiant subject will not be known until a thorough ear examination is performed. A pet’s …
Roundworms, known as ascarids or “spool worms,” are thick-bodied, whitish-to-cream-colored worms that can inhabit the small intestine of dogs and cats. This is one of the most common intestinal parasites affecting dogs and cats and young puppies and kittens. In fact, research has demonstrated that …
While pancreatitis means inflammation involving the pancreas, hepatitis involves inflammation of the liver. Contrary to popular belief, not all cases of hepatitis are infectious and contagious in nature. There can be numerous noninfectious causes of liver inflammation as well. Some of these include diabetes mellitus, …
Considering what they have to go through each day, the stomach and intestines make up a remarkable organ system. In the performance of their daily nutritional functions, they must be on constant guard to protect themselves from autodigestion by digestive acids and enzymes produced and …
Prompt treatment of bacterial skin disease is a smart idea to prevent unnecessary complications. For all types, both superficial and deep, there are certain principles that should be followed when treating such diseases. If there is an underlying cause for the infection, it must be …
An opacity involving the lens of the eye that prevents light from reaching the retina is termed a cataract. Cataracts can be inherited (juvenile cataracts) or might develop secondary to eye trauma, infections, or metabolic disease, such as diabetes mellitus. As lens opacity increases, the …
Glaucoma is a condition characterized by an increase in fluid pressure from the aqueous humor within the eye(s). In the normal eye, pressure and aqueous levels are maintained at a constant plateau by the continual drainage of excess aqueous humor out of the eye through …
Nasopharyngeal polyps are benign, pendulous masses that are associated with chronic ear infections in cats. These polyps normally arise within the throat region and extend into the latter part of the nasal cavity. They may grow to significant sizes and actually interfere with the normal …