Idiopathic Issues

Bailey, a 4 year old male neutered Domestic Shorthair, is presented for inappropriate urination. Bailey lives with three other cats. They share two litter boxes, which are scooped daily and cleaned weekly.

This has always worked well, but Bailey’s owner recently began noticing small puddles of urine on the rug in the upstairs guest bathroom. After a week of careful observation, the owner has determined that Bailey is the culprit.

An 8 yo FS DSH presents to your hospital for vomiting. After you and the vet tech obtain a history, you piece together the following story: The client left town for 10 days. This was the first time the cat had been left alone since the owner adopted her as a rescue two years ago.

While the client was out of town, the cat hid under the bed and barely ate (according to the pet sitter). The client returned home three days ago and she also has not seen the cat eat. Two days ago, the cat began vomiting bile and acting increasingly depressed.

Feather plucking is a common and frustrating complaint in avian patients. This condition is challenging because it can have many potential causes, ranging from medical conditions to behavioral concerns. A thorough medical workup is essential, to rule out underlying medical conditions. If the cause is determined to be behavioral, extensive environmental modifications may be required, along with adjunct medications.

As you have surely realized by now, many animals do not want to be at the veterinary clinic! Unfortunately, this anxiety can have serious effects. Not only are terrified pets miserable, but they’re also more likely to injure you, your staff, or even themselves.

Additionally, pets that are stressed are difficult to examine thoroughly, meaning that their anxiety can adversely impact the quality of care that they receive. Making veterinary visits less stressful benefits everyone - you, your team, your patients, and your clients. 

While small animal nutrition is relatively straightforward (“just feed a high-quality balanced diet and everything will be fine!”), equine nutrition is more complex. Nutritional quality of grass and hay can vary significantly; because forage constitutes the majority of a horse’s diet, it can be challenging to ensure that horses are receiving adequate nutrition.