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Pet Care & Health Blog
Here at Middlesex Veterinary Center, we encourage pet owners to educate themselves on proper pet care and pet health problems by asking questions and finding answers from reliable, trusted sources of information. We are providing our clients access to LifeLearn Client Education library, a unique pet health education library, that strengthens the veterinary team’s role as animal health educators, and provides pet parents with easy-to-understand information.
Hypothyroidism in Dogs
By Middlesex Veterinary Center | April 16, 2025
What Is The Thyroid Gland, And What Does It Do? The thyroid gland is one of the most important glands in the body. It is located in the neck near the trachea and is composed of two lobes, one on each side of the trachea. This gland is controlled by the body’s master gland, the pituitary gland, located at the
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Leptospirosis in Dogs
By Middlesex Veterinary Center | April 16, 2025
What Is Leptospirosis? Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease of dogs and humans that can affect the blood, liver, or kidneys. It is caused by spiral shaped bacteria called spirochaetes. How do dogs acquire the infection? The bacteria are carried mainly by rats and other rodents, but many different wildlife as well as infected dogs can also act as a source
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Lick Granuloma in Dogs
By Middlesex Veterinary Center | April 16, 2025
What Is A Lick Granuloma? A lick granuloma is an open sore on the skin caused by and perpetuated by constant licking. It is generally located on one of the legs, especially near the carpus (wrist) joint. Typically, the hair will be licked off and the area will be either raw and weeping or thickened and scar-like. Lick granulomas usually
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Luxating Patella in Dogs
By Middlesex Veterinary Center | April 16, 2025
What Is A Luxating Patella? The patella, or knee cap, should be located in the center of the knee joint. The term “luxating” means out of place or dislocated. Therefore, a luxating patella is a knee cap that moves out of its normal location. What causes this to occur? The muscles of the thigh attach directly or indirectly to the
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Lyme Disease in Dogs
By Middlesex Veterinary Center | April 16, 2025
What Is Lyme Disease? Lyme Disease (not Lyme’s Disease) is caused by a spirochete called Borrelia. A spirochete is a type of bacterium. It is transmitted to dogs through the bite of a tick. Once in the blood stream, it is carried to many parts of the body. It is especially likely to localize in joints. It was first thought
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Pyometra in Dogs
By Middlesex Veterinary Center | April 16, 2025
What Is Pyometra? In its simplest terms, pyometra is an infection in the uterus. However, most cases of pyometra are much more difficult to manage than a routine infection. Infection in the lining of the uterus is established as a result of hormonal changes. Following estrus (“heat”), progesterone levels remain elevated for 8-10 weeks and thicken the lining of the
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Rabies in Dogs
By Middlesex Veterinary Center | April 16, 2025
What Is Rabies? Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that attacks the brain. It can affect any warm-blooded animal, including dogs and humans. Although in a few rare cases people have survived rabies after significant intensive care, the disease is almost always fatal. In addition, most states require that animals suspected of having rabies are euthanized due to
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Roundworms in Dogs
By Middlesex Veterinary Center | April 16, 2025
What Are Roundworms? As their name implies, these are worms which have round bodies. On average, they are about 3-5 inches (7-12 cm) long. They live in the dog’s intestines and consume partially digested food. Unlike hookworms, they do not attach to the intestinal wall; rather, they literally swim in their food. Roundworms, sometimes called ascarids, pass moderate numbers of
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Tapeworms in Dogs
By Middlesex Veterinary Center | April 16, 2025
What Are Tapeworms? The most common tapeworm of dogs (and cats) is called Dipylidium caninum. This parasite attaches to the small intestinal wall by hook-like mouthparts. Adult tapeworms may reach 8 inches (20 cm) in length. The adult worm is actually made up of many small segments about 1/8 inch (3 mm) long. As the tail end of the worm
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Tartar on Dogs Teeth & Prevention
By Middlesex Veterinary Center | April 16, 2025
How Does Tartar Form, And What Does It Do? Plaque is a gummy substance that forms on the teeth within a few hours after a meal. Within 24 hours, plaque hardens into tartar. Tartar is harmful in two ways. First, it serves as a place where bacteria can reside and multiply in the mouth. There is substantial scientific evidence that
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