Blog

Kennel Cough: Prevention is key

With the warm weather and lots of vacations, and thus kennel stays, we have seen a number of cases of kennel cough. Kennel cough, also known as infectious tracheobronchitis, is a respiratory infection that can be very contagious among dogs. Exposure often occurs at boarding facilities, grooming salons, training classes, dog shows and dog parks. [...]
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Curious About Cats

Q:  How do cats manage to usually land on their feet when they fall? A: Balance and orientation in space are controlled by the vestibular system with some help from visual clues. The vestibular system which is located in the inner ear is composed of several fluid-filled compartments arranged at right angles to each [...]
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The Lowdown on Pet Vaccines

As a pet owner, you know that your puppy or kitten needs a series of vaccines – just like children do – to protect them from nasty illnesses. But do you know how vaccines work? And, are booster shots really necessary? The Body’s Defense Mechanism When the immune system is exposed to an infectious agent like bacteria [...]
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Kansas City Humane Society Thanks BluePearl

The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City sent said a special thank you to BluePearl in their most recent newsletter. Click the thumbnails below to read the article.
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Trachea Collapse

What is a Trachea Collapse? Tracheal collapse occurs most often in middle-aged to older dogs. The diagnosis is  suggested by a honking cough precipitated by activity, excitement, or water drinking.  Nonproductive coughing may occur without a stimulus. Tracheal collapse results when the windpipe (tracheal) cartilages soften. The trachea  should resemble a relatively firm garden hose. Viewed [...]
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Happy Ending For Troubled Baby Bird

By Marc Elie, DVM, DACVIM Staff internist Blue Pearl Michigan I have worn many hats as a veterinarian.  Among my professional endeavors I spent three enchanted years as a wildlife veterinarian.  It was during this time in south Florida that I learned about the unique requirements of countless species. These wondrous experiences not only made me realize that [...]
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The Glue That Put Family Back Together

The Glue That Put Family Back Together by Lea Custer BluePearl Veterinary Partners Atlanta, Georgia June 1, 2012 – My husband and I were both busy with high pressure jobs struggling to raise two teenage sons. During a heart-breaking period of problems, our son had a near-death accident on his motorcycle.  During his long and painful recovery at home, our [...]
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A Flock of Feathered Friends

By Linda Johnson Transcriber, Radiology Service BluePearl Veterinary Partners – Florida Have you ever had the idea to release birds as part of a ceremony?  Someone at the cemetery my husband works did.  On the evening following a daytime service, they purchased 10 parakeets, brought them to the cemetery in a 1′ x 1′ x 9″ cage, and [...]
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From Trash to Treasure

By Susan Apel Client Care Coordinator BluePearl Veterinary Partners – Tampa Years ago I worked as an Animal Control Officer on Long Island in New York. One afternoon I received a call from my dispatcher about a puppy in a dumpster. How could a puppy possibly get into a dumpster? When I arrived on the scene and walked [...]
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A Different Kind of Service Dog

By Brenda Fulcher ICU Technician BluePearl Veterinary Partners – Tampa Kayla was a mixed breed puppy about three months old when I first saw her. She had a broken right hock and had been brought to our Florida hospital for a surgical consultation. But her owners never came back for her. I immediately fell in love with her black [...]
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