Lee Pickett
Author
Lee Pickett, VMD, practices companion animal medicine in North Carolina. Contact her at AskTheVet.pet. Copyright 2026 Lee Pickett, VMD. Distributed by Creators.com
LATEST
Refurbish Deteriorating Deck Lumber
Even when a deck is constructed properly using pressure-treated lumber and decking, it still requires regular maintenance and care.
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Painful Tooth Resorption Common in Cats
Tooth resorption occurs when odontoclasts, cells that normally dissolve and absorb the roots of baby teeth as the adult teeth erupt, instead attack adult teeth.
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Dog Saliva Is Not Antiseptic
Decades ago, veterinary researchers tested dog saliva and found that it could kill some E. coli and Streptococcus canis bacteria, “but only slightly.”
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Anti-Anxiety Medication Helps Cat Relax at Animal Hospital
Research in cats has shown that this medication is effective at decreasing stress during veterinary appointments.
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Gastropexy Prevents Dog’s Stomach From Twisting
Gastropexy is a standard, low-risk surgical procedure to prevent GDV, or gastric dilatation volvulus, also called bloat or stomach torsion.
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Simple Blood Test Detects Heart Disease in Cats
The most common type of heart disease in cats is cardiomyopathy, which rarely produces clinical signs.
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Tail Docking Causes Communication Challenges and Pain
Tail docking handicaps dogs, robbing them of the ability to use their tails to signal their moods and intentions.
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Cats Especially Sensitive to Black Widow Spider Venom
Fortunately, black widows are not aggressive. They bite only when provoked or when their webs are disturbed.
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Mammary Tumors Common in Unsterilized Female Dogs
Mammary tumors have multiple causes, the most important of which is hormonal.
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Cats Resistant to Tetanus
Fortunately, cats—and, to a lesser degree, dogs—are remarkably resistant to tetanus.
|
Refurbish Deteriorating Deck Lumber
Even when a deck is constructed properly using pressure-treated lumber and decking, it still requires regular maintenance and care.
|
Painful Tooth Resorption Common in Cats
Tooth resorption occurs when odontoclasts, cells that normally dissolve and absorb the roots of baby teeth as the adult teeth erupt, instead attack adult teeth.
|
Dog Saliva Is Not Antiseptic
Decades ago, veterinary researchers tested dog saliva and found that it could kill some E. coli and Streptococcus canis bacteria, “but only slightly.”
|
Anti-Anxiety Medication Helps Cat Relax at Animal Hospital
Research in cats has shown that this medication is effective at decreasing stress during veterinary appointments.
|
Gastropexy Prevents Dog’s Stomach From Twisting
Gastropexy is a standard, low-risk surgical procedure to prevent GDV, or gastric dilatation volvulus, also called bloat or stomach torsion.
|
Simple Blood Test Detects Heart Disease in Cats
The most common type of heart disease in cats is cardiomyopathy, which rarely produces clinical signs.
|
Tail Docking Causes Communication Challenges and Pain
Tail docking handicaps dogs, robbing them of the ability to use their tails to signal their moods and intentions.
|
Cats Especially Sensitive to Black Widow Spider Venom
Fortunately, black widows are not aggressive. They bite only when provoked or when their webs are disturbed.
|
Mammary Tumors Common in Unsterilized Female Dogs
Mammary tumors have multiple causes, the most important of which is hormonal.
|
Cats Resistant to Tetanus
Fortunately, cats—and, to a lesser degree, dogs—are remarkably resistant to tetanus.
|