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Your Pet's Examinations and Vaccinations, Part I
[Pets] On February 27, 2003 the Texas State Board of Health changed the annual requirement for Rabies vaccination for dogs and cats to once every three years. This means the law has changed, but the recommendations for the health and well being of your pet have not.

Heartworm Disease in Dogs, an Explanation - Diagnosis and Treatment
[Pets:Dogs] Heartworms are a leading cause of lung and heart disease in dogs and dogs are dying of this disease every day. Heartworm disease is caused by the parasite, Dirofilaria immitis. It is transmitted by mosquitoes and has been found in every state in the US.

Oral And Dental Health Are Keys To Your Pets Quality Of Life
[Pets] After a thorough examination, the teeth are scaled using specialized hand instruments and an ultrasonic scaler. All plaque and tartar is removed and every tooth in the mouth is carefully cleaned. The teeth, gums, and the periodontal tissues are then examined by the doctor to be sure they are healthy, with special attention paid to areas below the gum line.

Frequently Asked Questions About Anesthesia And Surgery
[Health-and-Fitness] What anesthetics do you use? What are these? What is induction?

Anesthesia, Surgery and Your Pet
[Pets] Anesthesia and surgery is a more exact science than you might expect. The safety of general anesthesia is dependent upon the anesthetic agent, the equipment used, the methods of patient monitoring, patient status, and the expertise of the people involved. In fact, the safety of general anesthesia is dramatically improved by giving adequate attention to each of these areas.

The Art of Avian Medicine
[Pets:Birds] In this article we discuss the tests that should be considered in a variety of different cases, or what we refer to as a sick bird decision tree. First of all, is there any chance this could be a contagious infectious disease? In order for this to be the case, the bird must have been around other birds in the relatively recent past.

Welcoming A Bird Into Your Family
[Pets:Birds] Just like you and I, the bird's environment and its social interactions with others are keys to normal development. Getting this right is difficult, especially since we are not birds and most of us make lousy bird parents. Keep in mind that most behavior problems occur due to errors or omissions in the bird's social development. What follows are some key steps in the process.

Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD or PsCV)
[Pets:Birds] Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease is caused by a virus (Psittacine Circovirus) and in many ways is the avian equivalent of the human AIDS virus. Birds suffering from this disease can show abnormal feather growth (known as feather dystrophy) and have necrosis of the beak - hence the name. The virus is capable of suppressing the bird's immune system to the point that they become debilitated and susceptible to secondary infections that ultimately kill the bird. This is truly a devastating disease and is highly contagious.

Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD)
[Pets] In recent years, the incidence of Proventricular Dilatation Disease has been increasing at an alarming rate. Originally termed Macaw Wasting Disease, PDD has been identified in many species of psittacine birds, most commonly in African Greys, Cockatoos, Eclectus, and Macaws.

Canine Parvovirus (CPV)
[Pets:Dogs] Parvovirus should be suspected whenever puppies are presented with lethargy, vomiting, &/or loose stools especially if there is blood in the stool (a hemorrhagic enteritis). Puppies 6 to 16 weeks of age are the most susceptible. This is due to the fact that puppies younger than this are usually protected by maternal antibodies they received in the mother's milk (colostrum).