There are 190 dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and hundreds more designer and exotic breeds all with unique health concerns. Before purchasing a new dog, ask your veterinarian which predisposing medical conditions you should be aware of.

The most popular AKC breed is the Labrador Retriever, a large breed dog known for, you guessed it, retrieving. Whether it’s retrieving game or playing frisbee, this breed has an abundance of energy, is loyal, and great with children. Labs are predisposed to a multitude of health ailments including hip and elbow dysplasia, eye conditions, and exercise induced collapse (EIC). Fortunately there are surgical treatments to treat hip and elbow dysplasia, ophthamologist evaluations can diagnose ocular disease, and specific genetic tests are available to determine predispositions for EIC.

Bulldogs, french bulldogs, and other brachycephalic (smoosh-faced) dog breeds are predisposed to overheating, especially in warm climates. This group of dogs have a short soft palate and a small nose making it difficult for them to pant efficiently and thus release heat from their body. While these dogs are generally well mannered and adorable this breed does better in moderate climates. There are surgical options available to open up the airway and nostrils to improve brachycephalic dogs ability to breath.

The dachshund, short legged and long bodied, was originally bred to flush burrowing animals out of underground holes. With bold and lively personalities and weighing in around 20 pounds, some would say they suffer from the Napoleon complex. Their small stature predisposes them to back problems, specifically disc herniations, that can occur at a young age. This condition can lead to paralysis of the hind limbs, front limbs or both. If this occurs, an experienced surgeon is usually able to remove a disc impinging on a nerve, however even the most best surgeons can’t repair every injury. New techniques are being developed to remove a portion of each disc thus preventing disc herniation in dachshunds.

Another common and affectionate breed is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Historically a lap dog, these dogs originated from England in the 18th century. While they are crowd pleasers they are predisposed a multitude of serious medical conditions including heart disease and ear infections. A genetic mutation in Cavaliers can lead to mitral valve heart disease and heart failure at a young age. Visiting your family veterinarian on a regular basis to auscultate your dog's heart will go a long way in diagnosing heart disease. If there is suspicion of heart disease following up with a veterinary cardiologist to perform an echocardiogram will further characterize any heart abnormalities. Regular ear cleanings will help to prevent waxy build up and thus ear infections. You should also trim the hair from the inside of their ears and make sure to dry them completely after swimming or a bath.

As you can see each breed described as well as others have very specific predisposing health conditions. Prior to adding a dog to your family, it’s always best to speak with your veterinarian about your lifestyle and your goals of owning a dog.

Dr. Pete Lands is the Director of Emergency and Critical Care at Saint Francis Veterinary Center. In his time off he enjoys traveling, jogging, and gardening. He can be followed on instagram @petevet, his website petespetfacts.com, and emailed at petespetfacts@gmail.com.

Has your veterinarian ever recommended an abdominal ultrasound? Why does your pet need one? And why is it so expensive?

Abdominal ultrasounds are used to aid in the diagnoses of diseases located in the abdomen. The pets abdomen is shaved, gel is applied and a probe is used to obtain image; very similar to a pregnancy scan. The procedure is non-invasive and takes between 20-40 minutes. But why is it needed?

X-rays are great at showing the size, shape and location of organs whereas an ultrasound shows, more specifically, the architecture of the abdominal contents. This imaging modality lets you look within the kidneys, liver, small intestines and other organs to find very small nuances often missed with an x-ray.

When is ultrasound used? There are times when x-rays alone will not give your veterinarian enough information to make a medical decision. For cats with chronic vomiting or dogs who have severe abdominal pain it's best to re-evaluate with an ultrasound. It's also used to help determine the origin of abdominal masses and to continue looking for a cause of elevations in kidney and liver enzymes. There are many other uses, but in general, ultrasound is another instrument in your veterinarians tool belt that helps with obtaining a diagnosis.

Why is it so expensive? The price tag for an ultrasound ($400-600 per full scan) can make some owners shy away from this diagnostic, but the value is unmatched. Entry level units can cost 40-50 thousand dollars whereas high end units will cost more than 100 thousand dollars. On top of the cost of the machine there is the cost of the staff that is needed to help with the scan (doctor and technicians) and likely medications used for sedation.

But the ultrasound didn't find exactly what was wrong with my pet? This can happen! Remember, medicine is not always black and white. An ultrasound can be suggestive of certain diseases in the abdomen but additional diagnostics may be needed. A CT scan, a surgical exploratory, and an endoscopy (camera into the stomach) are commonly needed after an ultrasound to clarify it's findings.

Remeber to always ask questions and follow up with your veterinarians recommendations. Just as in human medicine, it's never wrong to seek a second opinion when you pets case becomes complicated!

Do you own a male cat? Has your male cat ever urinated inappropriately in your home? Has he ever strained in the litter box and produced only a small amount of urine? Has he ever urinated blood? If the answer to any of these questions is yes continue reading. If the answer is no, well, continue reading anyway because this stuff is cool.

Male cats who urinate inappropriately around the home or litter box may have a disease process called Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease or FLUTD for short. This is an umbrella term for a number of processes that can cause our male cats to urinate blood, urinate small amounts pee, urinate around the litter box, and many others. The most common cause of these clinical signs is Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC), put another way, we do not know the cause. Other known causes include mucous plugs, blood clots, and urinary bladder stones. Interestingly, less than two percent of male cats with these clinical signs will have a urinary tract infection.

If your male cat is exhibiting any of these signs you should see your family veterinarian as soon as possible. Cats who go untreated may develop a urinary obstruction leaving them unable to urinate. Over time their urinary bladder will continue to fill like a balloon until the urine backs up into their kidneys. This may be life threatening and requires immediate medical intervention.

For those male cats who are still able to urinate and have a diagnosis of FIC it is speculated that stress may play a large role in the disease process. While our indoor cats may not appear anxious, worried, or unhappy keep in mind we have taken them out of their natural habitat. Behavior and environmental modifications are often described as destressors.

As you can see, male cats have a unique disease and the veterinary community is still working on an all encompassing treatment. If your male cat is exhibiting these behaviors be sure to discuss them with your family veterinarian.

It’s that time of year. The deep freeze has set in and the temperatures are in the single digits. The streets are full of slush and every surface has been heavily salted. Freezing temperatures cause icicles to form on the tree branches and patches of ice to form on sidewalks. Follow these five tips to keep your pup safe and cozy during walks:

1. Stay Warm - Dog clothes are not only for Halloween and to look cute, they are also meant to keep pets warm. Sweaters and hoodies come in handy when the temperature drops below freezing. One of my favorite products is Shed Defender, a lightweight spandex onesie that’s easy to put on and great for late fall and early winter weather.

2. Be Quick - Try shorter walks with purpose. Once your pooch has done the deed, bring them back indoors. Spend extra time playing indoors where it’s warm.

3. Protect Feet - Rock salt littered over every surface can blister and hurt your dog’s feet, so try protecting them with boots. Most styles and products will suffice so long as they completely cover the paws and paw pads and are not too tight around the ankle. Another option is to cover their feet with wax, balm, or coconut oil prior to a walk. These tend to wear off quickly but are an alternative for those pups who don’t take well to shoes.

4. Clean Paws- You should also wipe off and dry your pup’s paws after each walk to clean off salt and de-icing chemicals. This will reduce the amount of time their paws are in contact with these irritating elements. Prevention, though, is always best.

5. Don’t Fall - Be wary of ice. Dogs generally have a better sense of balance due to being on four paws, but they can slip and fall. If this happens take a close look at their mouth, chin, and chest - these are the most common places injuries occur due to a fall.

Always be safe and careful during the winter months. If your dog is up for it and is a breed raised for cold climates and winter weather conditions, let them play in the snow for a short while. There’s nothing more fun than fetch in some fresh powder. Don’t forget to dry them off and warm them up afterwards; maybe an extra treat too.

Do you travel often? Do you work long hours? Is your lifestyle active or do you prefer binging on Netflix? These, and many others, are all questions you should consider prior to bringing an animal into your life.

If you are someone who spends long amounts of time away from home or who travels often, a cat may be a great addition to your family. Cats can be unattended for long hours or even days; be sure to provide adequate water and purchase an automatic feeder. They do not need to be walked and most spend up to 16 hours a day sleeping (it’s tough being a cat!)

If you are still intent on bringing a dog into your family, consider your daily lifestyle. If you are always on the go or have a large yard, consider a dog with high exercise needs. Huskies, German Shepherds, and Weimaraners would fall into this breed category. For those of you who prefer lounging, a low energy dog such as a basset hound or a pug will be a better fit.

Shelter animals contain mostly mixed breeds and each dog will have characteristics of their specific lineage. Additionally, when adopting a dog, it may take time for their true personality to show while they become accustomed to a new environment.

Consider the size of the dog relative to your home. Does your building complex have a weight limit or breed restrictions? Do you have time to potty train a puppy?

As you can see, there are many factors to consider when adding a pet to your home. Good luck and feel free to ask any questions.