Tri City Veterinary Clinic

What is cancer:  Cancer, by definition, is the uncontrolled growth of cells.  Any type of cells in the body can become cancerous.  Once these cells grow out of control, they take over areas previously occupied by normal cells; sometimes these tumor cells break off and travel to other areas of the body.  Wherever these cells lodge they can start new tumors.  This process continues until there is not enough normal tissue remaining to sustain normal bodily functions.  There are a number of factors that influence how fast a cancer may grow or spread: type of cancer cell, location, genetics, as well as any concurrent illness or debilitating condition the patient may have. read more

Canine distemper is caused by a virus that is shed in bodily fluids of infected animals. The virus affects primarily the lungs, intestines, and nervous system. Symptoms of the infection can include coughing, diarrhea, vomiting, inappetance, dehydration, weight loss, seizures, and encephalitis. Secondary infections can present as discharge from the eyes and/or nose, and pneumonia. Puppies, especially those from shelters, are at the highest risk. Currently there are no antiviral medications to treat canine distemper. Treatment is aimed at controlling secondary bacterial infections with antibiotics and supportive care as needed. Vaccination aimed at preventing distemper is the best strategy. Puppies should be isolated from other dogs until they have completed their series of vaccinations at 16 weeks of age. read more

Bloat & Gastric Torsion is a serious condition and your pet should be rushed to the emergency room if this occurs. Certain breeds of dogs
with deep chests and narrow waists, such as hounds,  Bouvier des Flandres, or Doberman Pinschers  are more susceptible to a syndrome of gastric torsion and bloat.

This occurs when the stomach twists on its supporting ligaments and the contents begin to release  gas pressure. A similar disease is seen in cattle and horses as well. Dogs who experience such an attack are very susceptible to another which is usually more severe, and this is one case where immediate veterinary care is needed, normally requiring abdominal surgery to prevent a recurrence. read more