Feline asthma, the most commonly diagnosed respiratory disorder in cats, is very similar to asthma in humans. In both cats and people, an asthma attack happens when an allergic reaction causes spasms in the airway, leading to inflammation and swelling that restricts air flow and makes it extremely hard to breathe. Cats of all ages […]
Upper Respiratory Infections In Cats: Nothing To Sneeze At
Last month I had the incredible good fortune to meet, fall in love with, and ultimately adopt a sweet, tiny, smart-as-a-whip calico kitten who now goes by the name of Piper (more about her in a future post). Rescued from a kill shelter by a local rescue group, Piper came into my life with impeccable […]
Special Needs Of Brachycephalic Dogs
Brachycephalic dogs, otherwise known as dogs with “smushed” faces, are quickly becoming some of the most popular breeds in the world. They include, to name a few, the Pug, Bulldog, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Shih tzu, Pekingese, Lhasa Apso, Brussels Griffon, and Japanese Chin. Over the last decade in the United States alone, the number of […]
Reverse Sneezing In Dogs
Nothing seems to throw new dog parents into a state of panic quite like their dog’s first episode of reverse sneezing. This common respiratory event sounds so dramatic and alarming while it’s happening that many people believe their dog to be choking, suffocating, even having a seizure. The truth is, reverse sneezing (also known as […]
Kennel Cough In Dogs
Kennel cough is an extremely common and highly contagious respiratory infection in dogs. It’s found worldwide, and will infect a large percentage of dogs at least once in their lifetime. In fact, many dogs become infected with kennel cough more than once. Similar to the human chest cold, “infectious canine tracheobronchitis” (the fancy name for […]