Ask the Vet - Pet Watch

Dear Dr. Eisenberg, Each spring my dog gets a severe rash on one of his front paws. He licks it and irritates it to the point that he has difficulty walking. Itching for an answer Dear Itching for an...

Dear Dr. Eisenberg: My dog has skin allergies and now has been seizuring every few days. My veterinarian is not sure if there is any relationship between the two problems, but I think there might be...

Dear Dr. Eisenberg, I have two cats and 1 dog in my home. Recently, I met someone who told me that she doesn't believe in taking her cats to the veterinarian for yearly check-ups and vaccinations....

Cannabis sativa is a species of plant that contains over 113 compounds, including THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and cannabidiol or (CBD). THC is the compound that is responsible for the “high” feeling...

What is Cushing’s Disease? Cushing’s disease otherwise known as hyperadrenocorticism is characterized by several common clinical symptoms. These signs include increased urination and thirst,...

Dear Dr. Eisenberg: I have a 14-year-old Chihuahua mix that has been recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. I was given many choices by my veterinarian about treatment options and more tests...

Do dogs get esophagitis; sometimes known as: “GERDS” (gastro-esophageal-reflux disorder)? Esophagitis is more common than most veterinarians and pet owners might think. Most cases of esophageal...

My dog awoke with a droopy upper lip, what could it be? Dogs get a relatively common condition that is quite similar to Bell’s palsy in humans, called facial nerve paralysis. The facial nerve is an...

Late August through November is the most prevalent time of the year for fleas in our area. Fleas are shiny and dark brown, quite small, and wingless. Fleas can be tough customers and induce intense...

Is there a link between grain free diets and heart disease in dogs? With-in the veterinary community there is a growing concern: that particularly boutique grain free diets may be causing a specific form...

Ask the Vet With Dr. Main Having just traveled to Africa, I thought it would be interesting to look outside Dupage County and learn about health issues in dogs in Africa. A story I heard while I was...

It is not uncommon for a veterinarian to discover a heart murmur in an otherwise healthy 8 year or older canine patient. The news of the murmur for the pet owner often comes as a surprise, and leads to...

Although heartworm infection is predominantly present in the southeastern United States, relocation of animals after natural disasters and through rescue efforts in recent years has driven a major...

Dear Dr. Eisenberg, Recently my grandmother went to a nursing care facility because of health problems, and I've taken her cat into my home. Witnessing my grandmother's tearful parting with her...

Dear Dr. Main, My dog has seemed itchy lately and is licking his feet a lot. What should I do? Itching for an Answer Dear Itching for an Answer: There are a number of conditions that can lead to...

Lyme is a tick borne disease caused by infection with the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacteria has a spiral shape or cork-screw shape, and is known as a spirochete. The disease is primarily...

What happens when my dog develops a mass? Cancer is a major cause of disease in veterinary patients, and surgical removal of tumors is one of the most common procedures performed by veterinarians. In human...

Minimally invasive surgery accomplishes the goals of traditional surgery by the use of sophisticated equipment designed to work through very small ports. The advantage is greater comfort for the...

The growth of pet health insurance businesses and large hospital groups has led to the availability of larger data sets about cat diseases. Through scientific advancements this data can be analyzed...

Should I be worried if my pet's eye has redness?  Redness of the eye can have many causes, and is not always a cause for alarm especially if the redness is transient. For example transient redness...

Dear Dr. Eisenberg: I recently visited West Suburban Humane Society and fell in love with several older pets. I seem to be drawn to their sad eyes staring at me. What is your opinion about a new pet...

Dr. Eisenberg, I recently adopted a dog that has had all his vaccinations except the rabies vaccine. I was told he would need this vaccine and that it had to be given by my vet. What is rabies? Does my...

Late summer and early fall can be a difficult time of the year for many pets especially canines. Both humans and dogs suffer from allergies this time of year, known as seasonal allergies. (Atopy) ...

In life, cats are independent and tend not follow anyone’s rules. The same is true with skin disease in cats; it does not follow the rules. In our dog patients, different types of skin disease fall...

The decision to spay or neuter companion animals has been a subject of much debate for decades. When looking at population control alone, the answer seems simple. Humane society organizations...

Should pets have their teeth cleaned without anesthesia? Most pets at some time in their life will develop plaque deposition on their teeth and associated gingivitis. Many pets will further develop...

Dear Dr. Eisenberg: Our family recently inherited my mother's six-year-old poodle that has never been spayed. She is just finishing up being "in heat" and I started calling area clinics to get an...

My cat has a thyroid problem what can be done?  Hyperthyroidism is a common problem in older cats. Hyperthyroidism is defined as an excess production of thyroid hormone from the thyroid gland. This is...

When we hear the word “cancer”, we all have someone who we think of. It is very difficult to find someone who has not been affected by this disease in anyway, as we can all think of special people...

Urinary incontinence is a common problem in dogs and can be frustrating for owners and for veterinarians trying to treat the condition. Urinary incontinence is defined as the loss of voluntary...

The growth of pet health insurance businesses and large hospital groups has led to the availability of larger data sets about cat diseases. Through scientific advancements this data can be analyzed...

Often pet owners inquire as to whether their pets see in black and white or color. Cone photoreceptors are responsible for color vision in all species. The richness of color and the number of shades are...

The name parainfluenza may sound familiar because it is part of your dog’s regular distemper and parvo vaccine. This virus is also part of what is called (canine infectious respiratory disease...

Many dogs, especially small breed dogs, as they age will develop degenerative changes to their mitral valve. The mitral valve is composed of three leaflets which open and close to control the blood...

What does the phrase “white feet do not treat” mean? Certain breeds, including dogs with white feet are at risk for being unable to process a number of drugs. Why does this happen? The answer is...

There are multiple causes of bloody urine that include; trauma, infections, bladder stones, cancer of the bladder or kidney, and in cats stress. Bladder stones and infections of the bladder are by...