The pancreas is a powerhouse of activity. It sits right along the intestine, just behind its attachment to the stomach, so it is mainly found in the upper right abdomen. The bile duct, which comes from the liver, runs right through the pancreas. One of the main functions of the pancreas is to produce digestive [...]
Last week we looked at normal stomachs. Most of us have had stomach abnormalities, and these are common with pets also. Vomiting can be caused by stomach issues, but can also come from a host of other sources. Most pets with stomach issues will not eat. Physical exam and a good medical history are important [...]
Are you hungry? That ™s your stomach talking! The stomach lies just behind the liver inside the abdomen (belly), just where your pet ™s ribcage ends. It receives food and fluid from the mouth and esophagus and serves as a temporary storage area. The stomach produces acid that helps to start the digestive process. There [...]
A lot can go wrong in the chest/lungs. Signs of respiratory disease include cough, increased respiratory rate, increased effort to inhale or exhale, wheezing or rattling sounds, pale or blue mucous membranes, lethargy or just a very worried look on the face. The main diagnostic tools veterinarians use to determine what is wrong are a [...]
We have been taking a tour of the animal body this year, and have already looked at the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and heart. The next system to explore is the lungs or respiratory system. For relaxed animals, breathing begins at the nose - in fact it can be a sign of serious trouble if [...]
The most common problems in the mouth are dental issues. In fact, the most common disease seen by veterinarians is dental disease. Plaque, tartar and calculus build-up is generally severe enough to require teeth cleaning by the time most pets are 2-3 years old. Failure to keep the teeth clean can lead to painful gum [...]
We have reviewed eyes, ears, noses, and hearts. Now it is time to look at the mouth and throat. Saliva is produced by glands near the back of the jaw and under the tongue and is excreted into the mouth near the premolar teeth and upper incisors. Saliva is necessary for proper digestion and normal [...]
Last week we learned about normal noses. A lot can go wrong here. The outer part of the nose is susceptible to sun induced cancer, particularly in cats that have pink noses and white skin. We can also see skin diseases similar to lupus in this area. One of the more common problems we see [...]
Last week we saw how the heart is supposed to work. Heart disease is quite different among species. People most commonly have atherosclerosis or plaque in the arteries leading to heart attacks. This is extremely rare in dogs and cats - we just don ™t worry about cholesterol too much! Dogs most frequently develop [...]
I told you at the first of the year that we were going to review body systems in the order that I do a physical exam. In honor of Valentine ™s Day, we ™ll be looking at the heart early. The heart is truly a big pump. It has four chambers with one-way valves between [...]