Usually, I devote the month of June to writing about cats in honor of Adopt a Cat Month. But the infectious disease news is so important right now, I am delaying my annual series of feline blog posts until June 8th. Monkeypox Outside of Africa Last week, the World Health Organization reported a monkeypox outbreak
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In August, the New York Times warned of a “twindemic”: a seasonal influenza superimposed over the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Doctors, local governments and the Centers for Disease Control all urged Americans to get a flu shot to prevent a twindemic. Then, around Christmas, the Times published another article indicating the twindemic had not materialized as
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As cities and states relax stay at home orders, playgrounds and public spaces are once again open for enjoyment. In New York City, dogs are rejoicing because the dog parks, closed since April 6th, opened on July 7th. Keeping your dog safe in the dog park has always been important, but amid the COVID-19 pandemic,
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Macbeth, my extra cute Westie puppy patient, came in last week with a persistent cough. I noted a runny nose, but no fever or loss of appetite. When I examined him, he easily coughed if I palpated his windpipe. He had previously been vaccinated against canine influenza, Bordetella and distemper-parvovirus ahead of a stay at
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Vaccinations have been long associated with needles, but needleless vaccinations are gaining in popularity since they may be less painful and cannot spread disease if an unscrupulous medical professional reuses needles and syringes. Needleless vaccination increases safety for the medical professional administering a vaccine since there is no risk of a needlestick injury. Intranasal Vaccines
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