Pets have several physiologic mechanisms that normally help them to dissipate heat and maintain a normal body temperature. Although dogs and cats don't have many sweat glands in their skin, their primary cooling mechanisms are through panting and dilation of blood vessels in their paws.  Heats...

Tracheal Collapse Contributed by:  VetVine Specialty Consulting Service and Elisabeth Zenger, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Small Animal Internal Medicine) The trachea ("windpipe") is an anatomic structure that connects the larynx to the lungs.  The trachea carries inhaled air into the lungs,...

After a diagnosis of cancer is made, the staging of that patient's cancer is helpful for determining whether it has spread (metastasized) to other organs, or whether it is localized to the area of its origin.  This information provides the veterinarian a comprehensive picture from which a progn...

In this VetVine Pet Health Information segment, Dr. Elisabeth Zenger, a board certified veterinary specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine, comments about hypothyroidism in the dog including the causes, challenges in making an accurate diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in dogs with hypothyroid...

Dr. Gerald Post, a board certified veterinary oncologist, discusses chemoprevention.Is there a prevention for the development of cancer and what role do vitamins play?  

Cushing's Syndrome is a condition caused by the excessive production of cortisol.   Cortisol is a hormone that is normally produced by the adrenal glands (two small organs located near the kidneys). The adrenal glands are under the influence of the pituitary gland which is situated near the br...

Pannus (Chronic Superficial Keratoconjuncitivitis) is an inflammatory condition that can involve the cornea and/or third eyelid (nictitating membrane) of the dog.   Causes of Pannus The exact cause is unknown.  Although it can occur in any breed of dog, this condition is most commonly se...