Otitis externa is very common in canine and feline patients. This malady occurs most often secondary to allergic skin disease (atopic dermatitis, food allergy and flea bite allergy). Parasites within the ear canals would be the next most common disease that causes severe otitis. Erythemato-ceruminous otitis externa (ECOE) is the most common presentation of otitis seen in clinical practice, as described in 3 recent studies. This type of ear disease typically involves marked erythema of the ear,...

The canine hookworm Ancylostoma caninum has been a common parasite in the US for decades, especially in the southernmost states. Clinical illness due to this parasite is most common in young puppies and kittens. Young dogs and cats afflicted with this parasite can develop severe diarrhea and marked anemia; fatalities are not uncommon. More recently, resistance of hookworms to the entire benzimidazole family of drugs (including fenbendazole, febantel, macrocyclic lactones, avermectins and...

Both trichobezoars and phytobezoars are common causes of intestinal obstruction in cats. Trichobezoars (also called hairballs) have been reported to occur most commonly due to excess hair ingestion. Excess grooming of the haircoat has been linked to allergic skin disease, other pruritic dermatological diseases (such as flea infestation), behavioural issues and disorders in intestinal motility. Phytobezoars occur most often due to grass or plant ingestion. In humans with intestinal obstruction...

This video is Part 4 of our 4-part series, Navigating parasite control in a changing world. Get clients on board with season-long tick prevention Part 1 of this series highlighted the gap between veterinary recommendations and client choices for canine tick protection. What can we do as veterinary professionals to close this gap? In this 6-minute video, Jason Coe, DVM, PhD, shares practical tips to help veterinary teams communicate the value of season-long tick prevention using a...

This video is Part 3 of our 4-part series, Navigating parasite control in a changing world. Is climate change extending heartworm season? Tick and tick-borne disease risk is evolving in Canada, but what about heartworm? In this 6-minute video, Andrew Peregrine, BVMS, PhD, DVM, Dipl. EVPC, Dipl. ACVM, shares findings from his recent study investigating the current onset of heartworm transmission across several cities in Ontario. Missed parts 1 and 2? No worries, they’re still available! Part 1...

Well meaning, and occasionally not so well meaning, individuals may become involved in the relocation of pets. More and more relocations are occurring between multiple countries, and these animals often travel from geographical locations that are very far apart. “Rescue dogs” are often moved from one area to another due to poor husbandry at their “home,” while others may be rescued due to potential group euthanasia in areas where the dogs are unwanted. Relocating animals in poor situations at...

Vaccine hesitancy has become a significant issue in human medicine. Starting with false reports of various adverse events post human vaccines (e.g., measles, mumps and rubella [MMR] vaccine leading to autism in children), misinformation soon led to anecdotal suggestions that vaccine hesitancy may be widespread in the US. Canine vaccine hesitancy (CVH) also has anecdotally been considered to be an issue in veterinary medicine. If CVH is real, then we may be at a stage where “antivaccination”...

Introducing CommuniVET™ Express—bite-sized video summaries of the latest scientific studies. Gain practical insights and earn CE credits, all on your schedule. In this second edition, board-certified veterinary nutritionist Dr. Moran Tal-Gavriel presents a 5-minute video summarizing the key takeaways from the article “Nutritional risks and consequences of meat-only diets for dogs and cats”, published in Animal Frontiers (April 2024) by Tazerji et al. Learning objectives: Highlight the...

Hepatic abscesses in dogs are uncommon but are occasionally identified. When hepatic abscesses are detected, septic peritonitis is also commonly present. Hepatic lesions detected sonographically and thought to be abscesses must be differentiated from other pathology (neoplasia, benign hepatic nodules, parasitic cysts, etc.). Histopathology is needed to achieve a definitive diagnosis for all suspicious hepatic nodules. Culture and sensitivity is also indicated, especially in the presence of...