In the News

Thyroid disease is one of the most common metabolic diseases affecting dogs and cats. Thankfully, thyroid issues are very treat- able and sometimes curable. The types of thyroid disease that develops in dogs and cats are very different, and it is important to know what are the clinical signs (symptoms) to look for. Hyper- thyroidism, or the overproduction of the thyroid hormone, is a condition that affects a great number of middle-aged and older cats. Hypothyroidism, or the lack of appropriate thyroid hor- mone, is a common issue in middle-aged to older dogs. 

As the weather warms up, our pets have more opportunities to be outside and be active. We want them to enjoy some exercise, but we also need to be prepared to deal with problems that all this activity can cause our arthritic pets. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the medical term referring to a form of chronic joint inflammation caused by deterioration of joint cartilage, resulting in inflammation and pain. In contrast to humans, osteoarthritis in pets most commonly occurs secondarily due to developmental disease (cranial cruciate ligament tears, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia). The joints most commonly affected are the hip, knees and elbows. Contributing factors to OA include breed/genetics, age, bodyweight, exercise and diet.