Pet Care Articles - Pet Care White Papers from VeterinarianCare.us

Pet Health Care Articles and Pet Health Care White Papers

• Why Obesity Matters by Debra L. Zoran, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM-SAIM

It’s estimated that about 17 million dogs in the United States are overweight or obese, and those numbers are increasing. Obesity is more than just a problem with your dog’s appearance. Obesity is a medical problem that can have serious health consequences.

• Canine Parvovirus (CPV) by Paul Skellenger, D.V.M.

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).

• Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD) by Paul Skellenger, D.V.M.

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.

• Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD or PsCV) by Paul Skellenger, D.V.M.

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.

• Welcoming a Bird into Your Family by Paul Skellenger, D.V.M.

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.

• The Art of Avian Medicine by Paul Skellenger, D.V.M.

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.