Our Blogs

Case Study: Xylitol Ingestion

June 24, 2021

Meet Maka, an 8-year-old MN 34 kg Chocolate Labrador Retriever. Maka was seen at VERC June 16, 2021 by our emergency DVM, Dr. Maxine Koyanagi, for having eaten a large amount of Xylitol (an artificial sweetener used in sugar free foods).

Minimally invasive surgery and the GP: Getting started

June 21, 2021

Veterinary surgeon Chris Thomson answers some common questions regarding learning curves, feasibility, how to get started, and basic equipment needs for a veterinarian in general practice, to make the leap into the world of minimally invasive surgery.

Two Tetanus Cases in 24 hours

May 25, 2021

Within a 24 hour period in April 2021, two dogs presented to Capital District Veterinary Referral Hospital showing signs of tetanus. Being such a rare condition, these cases are a good review of the disease and treatment.

Case Study: Canine T-cell Leukemia

May 19, 2021

A 10-year-old female spayed boxer mix presented to The Oncology Service for evaluation of lymphocytosis and peripheral lymphadenopathy following acute, significant vomiting, diarrhea and inappetence treated by the referring veterinarian.

Feline Squamous Cell Carcinoma

April 13, 2021

A 13-year-old female spayed black domestic long hair presented to The Oncology Service for evaluation after an acute history of blood tinged hyper-salivation and decreased grooming. Her primary veterinarian had noted a granulomatous mass attached to the lingual frenulum and recommended euthanasia.

Canine Anaphylaxis: Diagnosis and Treatment of Hemoabdomen

April 2, 2021

Over the past decade, ultrasound has been slowly integrated into the veterinary industry. As a result, ultrasonography has allowed veterinarians to detect other soft tissue changes and free fluid that would otherwise be missed.

Port City Critical Care Spotlight: Hi-Flow Oxygen Therapy

March 30, 2021

Oxygen therapy in veterinary medicine has remained unchanged for decades. Traditional methods of oxygen supplementation, such as flow-by, nasal prongs/cannulas, and oxygen hoods/cages, have been the mainstay for patients suffering from respiratory distress. Though these methods can deliver oxygen concentrations ranging from 20-80%, they suffer from a variety of shortcomings that can lead to treatment

The Veterinary Forensic Process

February 23, 2021

In veterinary medicine, cases of animal neglect, cruelty, or abandonment can be an unfortunate part of our careers. However, it is inevitable that these cases will cross our paths. Forensic investigation of animal cruelty cases involves collecting evidence for law enforcement. These cases are part medical and part legal. The veterinary medical forensic investigation is

Human Chemotherapeutic Agent, Fluorouracil (5-FU) is Deadly to Pets

October 5, 2020

If you or someone you know is taking this medication to treat your own condition, please be aware that it is extremely toxic, even in very small amounts, to our family pets. Please keep your medication and the application site out of reach of pets at all times.

Consideration of a Veterinarian-based Outpatient Protocol for Treatment of Canine Parvoviral Enteritis

September 28, 2020

The gold standard of Parvovirus treatment involves continuous, round-the-clock supportive care in an ICU setting. For those patients who are deemed a good candidate for Outpatient (OP) care, and those clients who are dedicated to the task of returning their pets to the clinic twice daily for several days for veterinarian-based OP care, an OP protocol can be a viable alternative to hospitalization.

Nasogastric Tube Placement

March 5, 2020

Nasogastric tube placement may be one of the more underutilized tools in treating our hospitalized veterinary patients.

Gastric Stasis: When to Refer and When to Send Them Home

March 2, 2020

Gastric stasis is one of the most common medical problems seen with small herbivores. Like many other common medical issues, it’s not a single issue, but a set of clinical signs that can have a variety of underlying problems. Think of stasis in the same way as thinking of colic in a horse or like