Babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia. The parasites invade red blood cells and can trigger hemolytic anemia and systemic illness. Dogs are diagnosed more often, but cats can also be affected, especially in tick-endemic areas. Because early signs are non-specific, risk awareness and…

Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) is a common and serious condition in both dogs and cats. Diagnosing pancreatitis is challenging because its signs are often vague and can mimic other illnesses. Fortunately, modern blood tests that measure pancreatic lipase levels specifically canine pancreatic lipase (cPL) in dogs and feline pancreatic…

  Introduction Diabetes mellitus (DM) in dogs and cats is a common endocrine disorder characterized by persistent high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) due to insufficient insulin production or action. Affected pets often show increased thirst, urination, and appetite (polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia) along with sugar in the urine. Managing pet diabetes requires…

Kidney disease is a silent threat for many cats and dogs. In humans there are approximately 0.9 to 1.0 million nephrons per kidney, whereas dogs have on average 400 to 600 thousand and cats have approximately 180 to 200 thousand. Because nephrogenesis does not occur after birth, this smaller innate…

Giardia is a microscopic protozoan parasite that causes intestinal infection and diarrhea in its hosts (CDC, 2024). In cats and dogs, this infection is called giardiasis, which occurs when the parasite colonizes and multiplies in the animal’s small intestine. Once inside the hosts’ gut, the parasites attach to the intestinal…