Dr. Alan Main and Dr. Ken Eisenberg are practicing veterinarians in Westmont and Downers Grove , respectively. The letters linked below are from past Pet Watch columns from our quarterlyStray Thoughts newsletter, which is sent to all WSHS members.
If you have a question that you would like to see in Pet Watch, please write to:
Dr. Main
West Suburban Humane Society
1901 W. Ogden Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515.
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Allergies
Dear Dr. Eisenberg, Each spring my dog gets a severe rash on one of his front paws. He licks it and irritates it to the point that he has difficulty walking. Itching for an answer Dear Itching for an...
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Alternative Therapies
Dear Dr. Eisenberg: My dog has skin allergies and now has been seizuring every few days. My veterinarian is not sure if there is any relationship between the two problems, but I think there might be...
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Annual Exams
Dear Dr. Eisenberg, I have two cats and 1 dog in my home. Recently, I met someone who told me that she doesn't believe in taking her cats to the veterinarian for yearly check-ups and vaccinations....
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Dealing with Death
Dear Dr. Eisenberg: I have a 14-year-old Chihuahua mix that has been recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. I was given many choices by my veterinarian about treatment options and more tests...
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Facial Nerve Paralysis
My dog awoke with a droopy upper lip, what could it be? Dogs get a relatively common condition that is quite similar to Bell’s palsy in humans, called facial nerve paralysis. The facial nerve is an...
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Flea Dermatitis
Late August through November is the most prevalent time of the year for fleas in our area. Fleas are shiny and dark brown, quite small, and wingless. Fleas can be tough customers and induce intense...
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Health Issues in Dogs in Africa
Ask the Vet With Dr. Main Having just traveled to Africa, I thought it would be interesting to look outside Dupage County and learn about health issues in dogs in Africa. A story I heard while I was...
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Heart Murmurs
It is not uncommon for a veterinarian to discover a heart murmur in an otherwise healthy 8 year or older canine patient. The news of the murmur for the pet owner often comes as a surprise, and leads to...
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Human-Animal Bond
Dear Dr. Eisenberg, Recently my grandmother went to a nursing care facility because of health problems, and I've taken her cat into my home. Witnessing my grandmother's tearful parting with her...
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Itching
Dear Dr. Main, My dog has seemed itchy lately and is licking his feet a lot. What should I do? Itching for an Answer Dear Itching for an Answer: There are a number of conditions that can lead to...
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Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is caused by a bacterial like organism called a spirochete. This organism is carried in a particular species of tick called Ixodes, also known as the “deer tick”. Humans and dogs become...
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Mass Development In Dogs
What happens when my dog develops a mass? Cancer is a major cause of disease in veterinary patients, and surgical removal of tumors is one of the most common procedures performed by veterinarians. In human...
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Minimally Invasive Surgery
Minimally invasive surgery accomplishes the goals of traditional surgery by the use of sophisticated equipment designed to work through very small ports. The advantage is greater comfort for the...
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Most Common Inherited Diseases In Cats
The growth of pet health insurance businesses and large hospital groups has led to the availability of larger data sets about cat diseases. Through scientific advancements this data can be analyzed...
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Older Pets
Dear Dr. Eisenberg: I recently visited West Suburban Humane Society and fell in love with several older pets. I seem to be drawn to their sad eyes staring at me. What is your opinion about a new pet...
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Rabies
Dr. Eisenberg, I recently adopted a dog that has had all his vaccinations except the rabies vaccine. I was told he would need this vaccine and that it had to be given by my vet. What is rabies? Does my...
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Seasonal Allergies
Late summer and early fall can be a difficult time of the year for many pets especially canines. Both humans and dogs suffer from allergies this time of year, known as seasonal allergies. (Atopy) ...
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Skin Disease in Cats
In life, cats are independent and tend not follow anyone’s rules. The same is true with skin disease in cats; it does not follow the rules. In our dog patients, different types of skin disease fall...
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The Cost of Spaying
Dear Dr. Eisenberg: Our family recently inherited my mother's six-year-old poodle that has never been spayed. She is just finishing up being "in heat" and I started calling area clinics to get an...
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Thyroid Problems In Cats
My cat has a thyroid problem what can be done? Hyperthyroidism is a common problem in older cats. Hyperthyroidism is defined as an excess production of thyroid hormone from the thyroid gland. This is...
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Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is a common problem in dogs and can be frustrating for owners and for veterinarians trying to treat the condition. Urinary incontinence is defined as the loss of voluntary...
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What are the most common inherited diseases in cats?
The growth of pet health insurance businesses and large hospital groups has led to the availability of larger data sets about cat diseases. Through scientific advancements this data can be analyzed...
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White Feet Do Not Treat
What does the phrase “white feet do not treat” mean? Certain breeds, including dogs with white feet are at risk for being unable to process a number of drugs. Why does this happen? The answer is...