By Dr. Laura Hady The spleen’s vital functions of storing blood, filtering pathogens, removing old blood cells and storing platelets often go unnoticed. In humans, the fist-sized spleen is on the left side of the abdomen. In dogs and cats, the spleen is flatter, has a...
By Dr. Laura Hady About 10 years ago, a client told me that she found an option online that helped lower the cost of her dog’s unaffordable $400-per-month seizure medication, which was at the time only available at human pharmacies. She and I both were relieved that...
By Dr. Laura Hady I think we take for granted the three critical functions of our pet’s respiratory system unless there is a problem with breathing or coughing. Air comes through the nose and mouth, is directed to the trachea (windpipe), goes to each lung via tubes...
By Dr. Laura Hady I once read an article about the things human doctors want patients to know. Topics addressed included health habits, stress relievers and questions to ask at exams. It even stated that doctors know when we are lying to them. Considering pets, here...
By Dr. Laura Hady The sense of touch in pets starts with the sensory nerves in their skin, the tissue under the skin, their paws, nose and whiskers, which detect changes in airflow. All allow pets to feel textures, temperature, pain and pressure with the message then...
By Dr. Laura Hady Pets can hear about four times better than humans because they hear a much wider range of frequencies than we do. They use their hearing to help them hunt, stay safe and communicate emotions. So, healthy hearing plays a vital role in daily life....
By Dr. Laura Hady We often don’t think about the complexity of vision in our pets until we see them bump into objects, have decreased maneuvering in dim light, or when we see redness, cloudiness or discharge in their eyes. Vision begins when light enters the eye...
By Dr. Laura Hady Similar to humans, pets have an immune system that helps prevent and fight infectious diseases. Pets have both innate immunity and acquired immunity. The first line of attack on invaders is innate immunity, which is present at birth. Acquired...
By Dr. Laura Hady We all get busier during the holidays, whether it’s going to events or hosting celebrations in our homes. To top it off, we may not be able to provide outdoor exercise as much for our pets. Unwanted behaviors such as barking, destroying areas of the...
By Dr. Laura Hady As the weather begins to cool, we may notice our dogs limping more or having greater difficulty getting up or down in the mornings and evenings. While I have covered several musculoskeletal issues in the back legs, this column focuses on problems in...
