"The Inner Life of Cats: The Science and Secrets of Our Mysterious Feline Companions" by Thomas McNamee

Quick Book Review: “The Inner Life of Cats: The Science and Secrets of Our Mysterious Feline Companions” by Thomas McNamee

As a cat veterinarian, I’ve spent most of my adult life trying to diagnose and treat the many physical ailments, and address the myriad physical issues, that afflict cats. As for their mental state, that’s always been a challenge and a mystery, and I was hoping this book would give me a little more wisdom in this area.  It turned…

Read more

Cognitive Decline in Cats – Feline Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS)

Written By Dr. Arnold Plotnick; Originally published on Catster. Cats are living longer than ever.  When I began my veterinary career, a 20-year-old cat was a rarity.  Now, I see at least a dozen every year.  It’s wonderful that we get to spend additional years with our beloved companions, but increased longevity is a double-edged sword.  A longer lifespan also…

Read more

Mittens Yawning

Feline Asthma

Written By Dr. Arnold Plotnick; Originally published on Catster. Persistent coughing and labored breathing in humans have taken on heightened significance in the past year, as they are commonly reported symptoms of covid-19 infection.  Not all coughing and wheezing in humans is of viral origin, however.  Asthma in humans is a disease of the lower airways that can cause coughing,…

Read more

world rabies day 2021

Rabies Surveillance in the United States

Readers of my blog know that I have a personal and professional interest in rabies.  As a practicing veterinarian, I’ve vaccinated thousands of cats and dogs against this deadly disease, and in my retirement, I’ve volunteered with the amazing organization Mission Rabies, joining teams of international veterinarians, technicians, and laypersons to help vaccinate dogs in vulnerable communities in Africa and…

Read more

Cat Yawning Showing Teeth

Feline Dental Emergencies

Written By Dr. Arnold Plotnick; Originally published on Catster. Dental disorders are amongst the most common medical issues seen in cats.  If unaddressed, dental problems can lead to a variety of consequences including bad breath, loose teeth, oral pain, and difficulty eating.   Sometimes it can be challenging to tell if a cat is experiencing oral discomfort because cats by nature…

Read more

"Animal Madness: How Anxious Dogs, Compulsive Parrots, and Elephants in Recovery Help Us Understand Ourselves" by Laurel Braitman

Quick Book Review: “Animal Madness: How Anxious Dogs, Compulsive Parrots, and Elephants in Recovery Help Us Understand Ourselves” by Laurel Braitman

An excellent book about animal behavior.  This isn’t simple stuff like cats not using their litterbox or dogs jumping up on counters.  The book addresses true mental disturbances in a variety of animals, and it’s pretty fascinating.  The author sucks you into the book with the tale of her rescue dog, a Bernese Mountain Dog that had such severe separation…

Read more

Mission Rabies Tanzania – Day 12, The Last Day. Pt15

Well, it’s upon us: the last day of the project.  Hard to believe how quickly this project has flown by.  Despite all of the Covid-related logistical nightmares that Mission Rabies has had to put up with, the project has been a remarkable success, with the vaccine numbers about to exceed last year’s numbers.  In fact, Mission Rabies is sending the…

Read more

Mission Rabies Tanzania – Day 11, This Vaccination Drive is Coming to a End. Pt14

Great day today.  We were roaming again, in an area called Singisi.  It’s a pretty area, with lots of lush green foliage.  Many interesting pathways and homes.  Courtnie had to get her pre-flight Covid test this morning, along with several other volunteers who are flying to the UK on Thursday, so I was by myself in the morning.  I had…

Read more

Mission Rabies Tanzania – Day 10, More Vaccinations for Dogs and Cats. Pt13

Our assignment today was to roam in two areas.  In the morning, we were covering a new area, and we saw a reasonable amount of dogs and a surprisingly high number of cats.  When we set up a static point clinic, the vast majority of the pets are dogs, because they can walk their dogs over relatively easily.  People here…

Read more

Mission Rabies Tanzania – Day 9, The Second Week Continues. Pt12

Well, it’s confirmed.  Our KLM flight is definitely a no-go.  Initially, KLM sent me an email saying that our flight was a Covid-Tested corridor flight and is therefore exempt from the new Netherlands regulations.  Now I’ve received an email that said that the first email was sent in error.  Our flight is NOT a Covid-Tested corridor flight.  It was just…

Read more

Mission Rabies Tanzania – Day 8, The Second Half of the Vaccination Drive Begins! Pt11

Today could only be described as exhilarating.   We started this first day of our second week with what we thought would be a quick trip to the medical clinic to get my second post-exposure rabies vaccine (I got scratched by a kitten last week).  Well, today is Saturday, and the doctor doesn’t arrive until 9:00.  We couldn’t wait that…

Read more

Mission Rabies Tanzania – Tarangire and Ngorongoro Safari Weekend! Pt10

Last night I packed my bags for the big safari.  A towel, some soap and shampoo, contact lens stuff, insect spray, sunscreen, a change of clothes, and my Fujifilm camera (plus extra battery).  Headed off to breakfast with my similarly excited colleagues, and then we went out to the parking lot to the safari vehicles, which were already waiting.  Nine…

Read more

Pin It on Pinterest