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Pet Health Articles

  • Serum contains many proteins that perform diverse functions, which include providing cellular nutrition, defending against infections, playing a role in inflammation, and acting as hormones or enzymes. Protein electrophoresis is a specialized test that analyzes specific groups of proteins in the blood serum and measures how much of each group of protein is present. The results of the analysis help diagnose specific diseases, such as infection and some types of cancer.

  • Ophthalmic autologous serum is a blood-derived product used to treat corneal ulcers in animals. Ophthalmic autologous serum is part of the blood and is collected directly from the patient. It is in liquid form.

  • The "ancestral diet" for dogs and cats is a broad term for a feeding plan that generally mimics what a wolf or wild cat might consume in the wilderness. In practice, there is great variability in nutrients, ingredients, and safety considerations for food sold or produced as an ancestral diet. This article reviews these considerations, so that pet owners, along with their veterinary care teams, can make informed decisions for their pets.

  • Sildenafil (brand name: Viagra®) is a vasodilator used off label to treat high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs (pulmonary hypertension) in dogs and sometimes cats. It is also used to treat megaesophagus. In cattle, it may be useful in treating uterine conditions such as endometritis.

  • Silver sulfadiazine topical is an antimicrobial used to treat skin infections and burns in cats, dogs, and exotic pets. It is used off label in veterinary medicine. Silver sulfadiazine topical comes in a topical cream.

  • Simethicone is an anti-gas agent used to help treat pain, bloating, and flatulence caused by excessive gas in the gastrointestinal tract of cats, dogs, and other animals. It works as an anti-foaming agent by reducing surface tension on gas bubbles.

  • Hepatic Lipidosis in Cats (Fatty Liver Syndrome in Cats)

    El síndrome del hígado graso felino (SHGF) también se conoce con el nombre de lipidosis hepática felina. Esta enfermedad es única en gatos y es una de las enfermedades hepáticas más comunes en ellos.

  • Sirolimus delayed-release tablets (Felycin®-CA1) are conditionally approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States for the management of ventricular hypertrophy in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) that is subclinical (not yet showing symptoms. Sirolimus is a hazardous drug.

  • A biopsy is one of the more common diagnostic procedures performed in cats. Biopsies provide valuable insight into the type of cells in an abnormal area of skin or a skin growth and whether the growth poses a more serious health threat to your pet. Either the entire mass or a small representative section of skin is removed and submitted to a veterinary pathologist, who will perform a histopathology analysis. The pathologist will attempt to determine the nature of the lesion, identify the type of cells and their relationship to each other, as well as any evidence of malignancy.

  • Slippery elm is given by mouth and is used over the counter to treat cough and stomach upset in dogs and cats. Give as directed by your veterinarian.