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Your dog can get parasites from many different sources, including contact with infected dogs or from a contaminated environment.

Marijuana contains a psychoactive substance called tetrahydrocannabinol or THC.  This is the substance that gives humans a “high.” It is also the substance that makes marijuana toxic to pets. Pets can be poisoned by marijuana in different ways: they can eat commercial or homemade edibles, such as baked goods or candies; or directly ingest marijuana or marijuana-related products (e.g.: oils, inhalers); or they can inhale it through second-hand smoke. Dogs and cats are far more sensitive to THC than humans and can have dramatic reactions to even a small amount.

A luxating patella is a common orthopedic condition in which the kneecap moves out of its normal position. It can affect one or both knees, and frequently occurs due to abnormalities of the bones or ligaments above and below the knee that affect how the knee is aligned in the joint. Occasionally, a luxating patella can occur due to trauma to the knee. The kneecap may shift, or luxate, towards the inner thigh (medial) or towards the outer thigh (lateral). Cats and small breed dogs typically experience a medial luxation whereas larger breed dogs typically experience a lateral luxation.

The goal of rehabilitation in animals is to manage and treat injuries or conditions that limit mobility, cause pain, or negatively impact an animal’s quality of life. Known as physical therapy in human medicine, rehabilitation provides the following benefits: pain relief, improved circulation, strengthened muscles, healthy weight loss, and faster healing after an injury. Veterinarians certified in rehabilitation develop customized treatment plans depending on the animal and condition. A treatment plan may include a variety of different therapies designed to improve mobility, increase strength, or decrease pain. Patients who are postoperative, arthritic, geriatric, obese, or have a neurological condition may all benefit from rehabilitation.

Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood for the body’s vital organs to function properly. Heart failure is not a specific disease – instead, it is the result of underlying heart conditions that may be present due to an abnormality of the heart’s structure, ability to contract, or electrical activity. Congestive heart failure, or CHF, occurs when fluid begins to build up within the lungs (pulmonary edema), in the chest cavity (pleural effusion), and/or in the abdomen (ascites) as a result of heart disease. This congestion causes major organs to function abnormally and/or swell with fluid. Degenerative valve disease in dogs and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats commonly lead to CHF.