Educational Articles

Home » Pet Health » Educational Articles » Educational Articles

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Cats

  Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a syndrome affecting the stomach and/or intestines that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or weight loss. It is considered a chronic condition that may have a good prognosis, though a diagnosis is not always easy. Treatment may involve a diet change, medications, or both and will need to be closely followed to prevent relapses.

  Login Required

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Dogs

  Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a syndrome affecting the stomach and/or intestines that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. It is considered a chronic condition that may have a good prognosis, though the diagnosis is not always easy. Treatment may involve a diet change, medications, or both and will need to be closely followed to prevent relapses.

  Login Required

• Inguinal Hernias

  A hernia occurs when a body part or internal organ protrudes through the wall of muscle or tissue meant to contain it. In the case of an inguinal hernia, these internal organs or structures have managed to make their way through the inguinal ring (an opening in the abdominal wall near the pelvis) to protrude into the groin area. The condition itself can be broadly classified as either acquired or congenital. In general, it is best to surgically repair an inguinal hernia at the time of diagnosis, as delaying can result in a more complicated and difficult procedure.

  Login Required

• Inner Ear Infection (Otitis Interna) in Cats

  Otitis interna is a serious condition that can cause significant signs in your cat, including drooling from the side of the mouth, difficulty eating, inability to blink, and drooping eyelids, lips, and nostrils on the affected side. Treatment may involve long-term medications if the underlying cause can be identified, such as bacterial or fungal infection. Less commonly, surgery may be needed. Many cats will respond to treatment and recover well.

  Login Required

• Inner Ear Infection (Otitis Interna) in Dogs

  Otitis interna is a serious condition that can cause significant signs in your dog, including reluctance to eat, head tilt, alteration in balance, and reduced hearing on the affected side. Treatment could involve long-term medication if the specific cause can be identified, such as bacterial or fungal infection. Less commonly, surgery may be needed. Many dogs will respond to treatment and recover well.

  Login Required

• Insect Bite Reaction in Dogs

  Bee stings and bites from spiders, fleas, and ticks are the most common causes of insect bite reactions in pets. Insect bites can cause mild to severe allergic reactions in many dogs. Fortunately, most reactions are minor and have an excellent prognosis for recovery. Treatment typically involves antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs.

  Login Required

• Instructions for Ear Cleaning and Administering Ear Medication in Cats

  This handout discusses the anatomy of the cat’s ear canal, how to safely clean your cat’s ears to prevent ear infections, and how to apply topical ear medications if needed.

  Login Required

• Interdigital Cysts in Dogs

  Interdigital cysts are a painful condition of swellings between the toes. They are commonly allergic in origin; however, many cases can be multifactorial. Diagnostic testing and treatments are recommended. Prognosis is generally good if the underlying disease can be well managed.

  Login Required

• Intussusception in Dogs

  An intussusception is a condition where part of the intestine slides into another part of the gastrointestinal tract. It causes signs similar to intestinal obstruction, including poor appetite and vomiting. Some cases can be life-threatening. Although some non-surgical techniques may correct the problem, most cases require surgery and intensive care for a good outcome.

  Login Required

• Joint Subluxations in Cats

  A joint luxation is a dislocation or complete separation between the bones that normally move back and forth to form a joint. Subluxation refers to a partial separation of the joint. The most commonly subluxated joint in cats is the hip, although any joint can be affected. Your veterinarian may suspect a joint subluxation based on a history of trauma and physical examination findings such as pain and limping. A radiograph is necessary to definitively diagnose a joint subluxation. In many cases, the joint can be reduced or replaced to its original orientation by a procedure called a closed reduction, with a good prognosis if treated immediately. Surgery correction, however, may be needed.

  Login Required