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Trauma and injury triage

Read our curated health and wellness articles about pets to help keep your loved ones healthy!
CONDITION DOG Bone Cancer (Osteosarcoma) in Dogs

Osteosarcoma is the formation of a malignant tumor in the bones. It is a highly metastatic cancer with a median survival rate of 2-4 months without treatment and 8-12 months with treatment. This is the most common type of bone cancer in dogs and is most prominent in large breeds and older pets.

· 3 min read
CONDITION DOG Saddle Thrombus (Aortic Thrombosis) in Dogs

A saddle thrombus is when a large blood clot becomes lodged in the aorta, obstructing blood flow to the hind limbs in dogs. The aorta is a large artery which carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body

· 5 min read
CONDITION CAT Elbow Dysplasia in Cats

Elbow dysplasia in cats is a group of abnormalities that affect the elbow joints of the front limbs. In cats, elbow dysplasia is very rare but can lead to lameness and drastically affect quality of life.

· 4 min read
CONDITION CAT Frostbite in Cats

Frostbite is a rare condition in cats that results from loss of blood flow to parts of the body as a result of extreme cold. The body restricts blood flow to the extremities when exposed to severely cold temperature.

· 4 min read
CONDITION HORSE Hypothermia in Horses

Hypothermia happens when the core body temperature drops below normal. Hypothermia is a rare condition in horses, and it is usually caused by environmental accidents such as falling into a frozen body of water.

· 4 min read
CONDITION CAT Dropped Jaw (Trigeminal Neuropathy) in Cats

Trigeminal neuropathy is a disorder of the cranial nerve that controls the jaw muscles. It is extremely rare in cats. The underlying cause is not yet understood.

· 4 min read
CONDITION DOG Dropped Jaw (Trigeminal Neuropathy) in Dogs

Dropped jaw (trigeminal neuropathy) is a disorder of the cranial nerve that controls the movement and sensitivity of the jaw in dogs.  The characteristic symptom is the inability to close the mouth.

· 4 min read
CONDITION DOG Hypothermia in Dogs

Hypothermia is defined as lower than normal body temperature. Normal body temperature of dogs is 101-102°F (38.3-39°C). Body temps of below 98°F (36.7°C) are considered hypothermic.

· 4 min read
CONDITION CAT Masticatory Myositis in Cats

Masticatory myositis is a condition of unknown origin where the muscles needed to chew become inflamed, making it painful to open the mouth or eat food. It is so rare in cats that there is no clear consensus among the veterinary community as to whether it is a feline condition at all.

· 3 min read
CONDITION DOG Cherry Eye (Third Eyelid Gland Prolapse) in Dogs

Dogs have a third eyelid, visible as a pink membrane mostly hidden under the inside corner of the eye. When the bulbous, dark pink gland of the third eyelid slips out of place and becomes visible, this is called a “cherry eye.” 

· 4 min read
CONDITION HORSE Laminitis in Horses

Laminitis refers to inflammation of the lamellae, the support structure that holds the coffin bone in place within the hoof capsule. The lamellae are extremely sensitive, making laminitis a very painful condition.

· 6 min read
CONDITION CAT Cherry Eye (Prolapsed Third Eyelid Gland) in Cats

Cherry eye is a colloquial term used to describe prolapse (popping out) of the gland of the third eyelid in cats, thought to be caused by weakening of the fibers that hold the gland into place.

· 4 min read
CONDITION HORSE Joint Infections in Horses

Joint infections are infections found in the joints of horses which cause pain, inflammation, fever, and lameness. Joint infections are always an emergency and require immediate medical assistance.

· 4 min read
CONDITION CAT Burns in Cats

Burns can be caused by heat (thermal), friction (mechanical), or chemical reactions.

· 4 min read
CONDITION DOG Difficulty Delivering Puppies (Dystocia) in Dogs

Difficulty whelping (delivering puppies) is known as dystocia. Dark green discharge from the vulva is a normal sign of labor,

· 1 min read
CONDITION DOG Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease (CCL or Torn ACL) in Dogs

Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture is the most common cause of hind limb lameness in dogs, and occurs due to traumatic injury or progressive degeneration of the ligament.

· 6 min read
CONDITION DOG Grass Awn Migration (Foxtails) in Dogs

Foxtails and other grass awns, are a common form of seed dispersal for many types of grass. Awns have numerous bristles that allow the seed head to embed in the skin and orifices of animals and their shape makes them difficult to remove

· 6 min read
SYMPTOM CAT Joint Swelling in Cats

Joint swelling in cats is the enlargement of one or more joints.

· 3 min read
SYMPTOM HORSE Swelling of Lower Limb Joints in Horses

Joint swelling is a common symptom in horses and has a variety of causes.

· 2 min read
SYMPTOM DOG Collapse in Dogs

Collapse in dogs is generally defined as when a dog falls and cannot get back up.

· 4 min read
SYMPTOM CAT Joint Pain in Cats

Joint pain in cats is soreness localized to the articulated parts of the limbs.

· 5 min read
CONDITION CAT Gastrointestinal Blockage (GI Foreign Body Obstruction) in Cats

A gastrointestinal (GI) foreign body obstruction is the result of ingesting a foreign object that is not able to pass through the body naturally.

· 7 min read
SYMPTOM CAT Cutaneous Skin Lumps in Cats

Skin lumps occurring within or near the surface of the skin are called cutaneous masses.

· 4 min read
SYMPTOM CAT Head Pressing in Cats

Head pressing in cats is a behavior where the cat presses its head against a wall or other inanimate object for a prolonged period without obvious awareness of its surroundings.

· 3 min read
CONDITION DOG Gastrointestinal blockage (GI Foreign Body Obstruction) in Dogs

Gastrointestinal blockages most commonly occur when a dog swallows a large, indigestible object. As the object moves through the gastrointestinal tract, it encounters progressively smaller tubes. Eventually, it becomes stuck, and blocks the flow of intestinal contents.

· 9 min read
SYMPTOM HORSE Lameness in Horses

Lameness is an abnormal gait caused by a dysfunction of the muscles, joints, or bones. Lameness is extremely common in horses, and is the most common cause of “loss of use” in performance horses

· 5 min read
SYMPTOM DOG Cutaneous Skin Lumps in Dogs

Cutaneous lumps are lumps within a dog’s skin which make a nodule, raised area, or discoloration on the surface of the skin.

· 4 min read
SYMPTOM CAT Difficulty Walking (Ataxia) in Cats

Ataxia means “difficulty walking”. An ataxic cat has difficulty controlling the movements of the head, legs, or torso.

· 3 min read
SYMPTOM CAT Difficulty Breathing (Dyspnea) in Cats

Dyspnea is when a cat has difficulty inhaling or exhaling and isn't getting enough oxygen.

· 4 min read
SYMPTOM CAT Swollen Lymph Nodes (Lymphadenopathy) in Cats

Lymphadenopathy, or enlarged lymph nodes, is swelling of the lymph nodes due to infection, inflammation, or the presence of tumor cells in the nodes.

· 3 min read