Ear (aural) Hematoma

2024-08-13T10:39:54-07:00April 13th, 2020|Current News|

On occasion we are presented with a dog or a cat that has a swollen ear flap (pinna). The swelling is due to blood vessels that have ruptured inside the ear flap, between the inside and outside layer of cartilage. This causes the ear to fill up with bloody fluid, and after a period of time the blood in the ear clots and there is a firm swelling. If left untreated the ear will be painful and will eventually scar down, similar in appearance to a cauliflower ear in a prized fighter that has spent a lifetime in the boxing

Dog Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS)

2024-08-13T10:36:22-07:00April 12th, 2020|Current News|

Growing old is a natural process and a fact of life, for all of us, including our four-legged dog and cat family members. This is especially prevalent in dogs and cats since they age faster than us humanoids. Family members will probably be the first to notice the subtle changes of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome or CDS. It may be more than just "getting old." There is a  Prescription Diet food made by Hills that is used to treat this problem. You will learn more about it later in this page. Dogs with CDS may show signs of confusion, forgetfulness,

Cat Carnaissal Tooth Abscess

2025-08-01T11:39:24-07:00April 12th, 2020|Current News|

This is almost exclusively a dog disease, and would be rare to see this problem in a cat. The upper 4th premolar (carnassial tooth) of the dog has two deep roots that must be properly removed, or the abscess will remain, and the tooth will continue to drain under the eye. The tooth and its root are large in comparison to the other teeth, and must be removed in segments. This problem can occur in any animal with deep roots, dog or cat, canine or feline, or carnivore, but it is most prevalent in the dog. We follow the

Cushing’s Disease in Dogs: Cause, Signs & Treatment Options

2025-04-09T21:07:33-07:00April 12th, 2020|Dogs|

Cushing's Disease (also known as hyperadrenocorticism- (Cushing's is easier to pronounce, so stick with that word) results when the adrenal glands secrete an excess amount of cortisone. It is named Cushing's because that is the name of the doctor that discovered this disease. It is the most common endocrinopathy (hormone disease) encountered in older canines. This disease is the exact opposite of another endocrine problem in canines called Addison's disease (hypoadrenocorticism). This is a complex hormonal disease that does not lend itself to a simple explanation or an easy diagnosis. Some pets have the symptoms, yet the tests for Cushing's

Spleen Hematoma

2024-08-06T07:34:24-07:00April 12th, 2020|Cats, Dogs|

This page confirms the importance of routine yearly exams, and close owner observation, on our pets. Large breed dogs can be stoic, and have significant problems brewing without showing any outward signs. When serious symptoms like weight loss and lack of appetite finally show up, the disease process is usually well entrenched, and there is little we can do. This can happen with an enlarged spleen in dogs. We want to see these pets for an exam at the Long Beach Animal Hospital before it gets to that stage. Pets are masters at hiding illness, so it can be difficult to

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