by Kim Labak
Brain surgeons aren't just for humans! Our pets can suffer a wide array of neurological disorders--from epilepsy to brain tumors--that are treatable with the expertise of a veterinary neurologist.
The nervous system, comprising the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, is a very complex and sensitive system. General practice veterinarians do not routinely perform neurological examinations and treatments, so they typically refer such cases to a board-certified specialist who has an additional 3 years of residency training in veterinary neurology and neurosurgery.
Specialists also have more intense experience in their specific field, since they see specialized cases on a regular basis. Veterinary neurologist and neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Podell, an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana, sees over 30 neurological cases a week at Midwest Veterinary Referral in Northbrook, Ill., whereas a general veterinary practice may only see one or two neurological cases a month.He explains, "If pet owners choose to invest both financially and emotionally to address a serious neurological problem, they're going to want a veterinarian who does it all the time.
"According to Dr. Podell, conducting a neurological examination requires subtle observation and interpretation of an animal's movements, reflexes, behaviors, and responses. Since many neurological problems do not always produce obvious physical signs or lesions, pinpointing the location of the problem is in itself a complex skill.
In addition to performing neurological examinations, neurologists also know how to employ advanced diagnostic techniques using CT (computed tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), spinal fluid collection, and electric nerve impulse tests to diagnose conditions.
"Pet owners often assume that not much can be done for neurological problems, especially in the brain," Dr. Podell observes. "But nowadays our knowledge and equipment are quite advanced. We can identify problems, and we have more options to treat them."Animals suffer many of the same brain, spinal cord, nerve, and muscle problems that humans face, including seizures, concussions, spinal cord injuries resulting from slipped discs or spinal fractures, and tumors. Many of these neurological disorders are highly treatable. Sometimes a simple drug regimen can make a huge difference. Even some tumors, like those of the meninges (the outer covering of the brain and spinal cord) can often be removed through surgery, and patients can recover and live well for many years.
While some neurological conditions may be relatively simple to diagnose and treat, needing little more than cage rest or a change in medication, severe problems can require a substantial investment of time, energy, and emotion. For those who are able and willing to make the investment, it's comforting to know they have options to help their pet.
Neurologists work closely with other veterinary specialists; they may work with orthopedists and other surgeons to repair vertebral fractures and develop a post-surgical rehabilitation plan, ophthalmologists and dentists to address problems of the eyes and face, and cardiologists and other internists to address systemic illness related to neurological problems.
For more information about the veterinary neurology specialty, or to locate a board-certified veterinary neurologist near you, visit the Web site of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine at www.acvim.org and click on "Pet Owners and Public."For an archive of Pet Columns from Veterinary Extension/Office of Public Engagement at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, please visit http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/petcolumns/.
Source: Dr. Michael Podell
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Specialist Ophthalmologists for Dogs
By Kim Marie Labak
Note: As people have become more health-conscious, and bonds between humans and their pets have deepened, the demand for veterinary specialties such as dermatology, behavior, pathology, and surgery has risen.
The following is part of a series exploring these specialties and the University of Illinois veterinarians who practice and teach them.--ed.
Although you've probably never seen a horse or dog wearing glasses, animals do have their own ophthalmologists. Not to be confused with optometrists, who test and fit people for glasses and contacts, ophthalmologists are doctors with medical or veterinary degrees who specialize in diseases and disorders of the eyes.
Keeping eyes healthy is important for all species, since untreated eye problems can lead to vision loss and health problems that affect the rest of the body. Dr. Ralph Hamor, veterinary ophthalmologist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, explains that eye problems can also indicate systemic diseases such as diabetes.
Basic ophthalmology is taught in veterinary school, so most general practitioners treat minor eye problems such as conjunctivitis, or pink eye, and perform surgeries to treat superficial conditions such as rolled-in eyelids. However, for problems that are serious or require special diagnostics, treatments, or surgeries, veterinarians typically refer patients to ophthalmic specialists, who have three additional years of residency training on the eye.
According to Dr. Hamor, veterinary ophthalmologists frequently see some conditions that are similar to those seen in human patients, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and ingrown eyelashes. Unlike humans, who only have two eyelids, many species have a third eyelid, and this eyelid can turn inside out, resulting in a condition called cherry eye. Veterinary ophthalmologists can correct this problem with surgery.
Common problems in horses include corneal disease and chronic inflammation, which are sometimes caused by bacterial or fungal infections. These conditions may require aggressive medical and surgical therapy.
Veterinary ophthalmologists work with a wide range of species, from companion animals and horses to wildlife species. Ophthalmologists must be well versed in superficial and intraocular surgery to treat glaucoma, cataracts, corneal ulcers, and eyelid diseases.Ophthalmologists don't work solely with the eyes. Eye health is connected to other disease, and the eyes give clues as to what is happening in rest of the body. Ophthalmologists work with internists, cardiologists, neurologists, and oncologists. For example, an ophthalmologist may work closely with a cardiologist on cases involving hypertension, which can predispose dogs and cats to retinal hemorrhage and detachment.
Like most veterinary specialties, veterinary ophthalmology is a growing field. Although many general practitioners have experience with the eyes and keep themselves educated on advances in ophthalmology, they may still refer serious cases to specialists who have specialized training, experience, materials, and equipment.Currently, there are over 250 veterinary ophthalmologists board certified by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology, and about 35 veterinary ophthalmology residency programs in the world. The University of Illinois veterinary ophthalmology program has trained 13 board-certified specialists.
For more information on the veterinary ophthalmology specialty, or to locate an ophthalmologist in your area, visit the Web site of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology at www.acvo.org.An archive of pet columns is on the Web at http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/petcolumns/ Source: Dr. Ralph Hamor
Note: As people have become more health-conscious, and bonds between humans and their pets have deepened, the demand for veterinary specialties such as dermatology, behavior, pathology, and surgery has risen.
The following is part of a series exploring these specialties and the University of Illinois veterinarians who practice and teach them.--ed.
Although you've probably never seen a horse or dog wearing glasses, animals do have their own ophthalmologists. Not to be confused with optometrists, who test and fit people for glasses and contacts, ophthalmologists are doctors with medical or veterinary degrees who specialize in diseases and disorders of the eyes.
Keeping eyes healthy is important for all species, since untreated eye problems can lead to vision loss and health problems that affect the rest of the body. Dr. Ralph Hamor, veterinary ophthalmologist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, explains that eye problems can also indicate systemic diseases such as diabetes.
Basic ophthalmology is taught in veterinary school, so most general practitioners treat minor eye problems such as conjunctivitis, or pink eye, and perform surgeries to treat superficial conditions such as rolled-in eyelids. However, for problems that are serious or require special diagnostics, treatments, or surgeries, veterinarians typically refer patients to ophthalmic specialists, who have three additional years of residency training on the eye.
According to Dr. Hamor, veterinary ophthalmologists frequently see some conditions that are similar to those seen in human patients, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and ingrown eyelashes. Unlike humans, who only have two eyelids, many species have a third eyelid, and this eyelid can turn inside out, resulting in a condition called cherry eye. Veterinary ophthalmologists can correct this problem with surgery.
Common problems in horses include corneal disease and chronic inflammation, which are sometimes caused by bacterial or fungal infections. These conditions may require aggressive medical and surgical therapy.
Veterinary ophthalmologists work with a wide range of species, from companion animals and horses to wildlife species. Ophthalmologists must be well versed in superficial and intraocular surgery to treat glaucoma, cataracts, corneal ulcers, and eyelid diseases.Ophthalmologists don't work solely with the eyes. Eye health is connected to other disease, and the eyes give clues as to what is happening in rest of the body. Ophthalmologists work with internists, cardiologists, neurologists, and oncologists. For example, an ophthalmologist may work closely with a cardiologist on cases involving hypertension, which can predispose dogs and cats to retinal hemorrhage and detachment.
Like most veterinary specialties, veterinary ophthalmology is a growing field. Although many general practitioners have experience with the eyes and keep themselves educated on advances in ophthalmology, they may still refer serious cases to specialists who have specialized training, experience, materials, and equipment.Currently, there are over 250 veterinary ophthalmologists board certified by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology, and about 35 veterinary ophthalmology residency programs in the world. The University of Illinois veterinary ophthalmology program has trained 13 board-certified specialists.
For more information on the veterinary ophthalmology specialty, or to locate an ophthalmologist in your area, visit the Web site of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology at www.acvo.org.An archive of pet columns is on the Web at http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/petcolumns/ Source: Dr. Ralph Hamor
Natural Heartworm Treatment and Natural Heartworm Prevention Options
Does your vet tell you about natural heartworm prevention, or only about the chemicals that most vets recommend?
Canine heartworm is a deadly condition which must be avoided by some type of prevention regime, and natural heartworm prevention works just as well as its chemical counterpart. What you need to know about preventing heartworm in your dog naturally …
Although it may seem like a harmless mosquito, the result can be much more devastating than one may assume. Heartworm can cause serious, and life-threatening, problems for dogs making it essential that you give them an ongoing herbal heartworm treatment of some sort.
Mosquitoes are parasites, making it essential to get an anti-parasitic herbal heartworm treatment. A few anti-parasitic herbs will not only fight off mosquitoes, but also the common fleas and ticks. The goal of herbal heartworm treatment is to kill the larvae off before they develop into adults. As soon as the larvae turn into adults, they fill the heart and block the flow of blood to the lungs. By giving the dog a pill, as recommended by many veterinarians, the ongoing small dosage can have toxic side-effects.
You can find more information on natural heartworm prevention, at the Heartworm Treatment and Heartworm Prevention website you can find articles, treatment methods and other information on how to treat heartworm naturally with herbs.
http://www.healthyhappydogs.com/heartworm
Canine heartworm is a deadly condition which must be avoided by some type of prevention regime, and natural heartworm prevention works just as well as its chemical counterpart. What you need to know about preventing heartworm in your dog naturally …
Although it may seem like a harmless mosquito, the result can be much more devastating than one may assume. Heartworm can cause serious, and life-threatening, problems for dogs making it essential that you give them an ongoing herbal heartworm treatment of some sort.
Mosquitoes are parasites, making it essential to get an anti-parasitic herbal heartworm treatment. A few anti-parasitic herbs will not only fight off mosquitoes, but also the common fleas and ticks. The goal of herbal heartworm treatment is to kill the larvae off before they develop into adults. As soon as the larvae turn into adults, they fill the heart and block the flow of blood to the lungs. By giving the dog a pill, as recommended by many veterinarians, the ongoing small dosage can have toxic side-effects.
You can find more information on natural heartworm prevention, at the Heartworm Treatment and Heartworm Prevention website you can find articles, treatment methods and other information on how to treat heartworm naturally with herbs.
http://www.healthyhappydogs.com/heartworm
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