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Dr. Sharon

Butzke

Veterinarian Author (DVM)

Experience

14+ years of professional veterinary experience

Location

Graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College, Canada

About

Dr. Sharon was raised in Guelph, Ontario, and has loved animals for as long as she can remember. When she obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree in 2009, she fulfilled her childhood dream. Now, Sharon lives in British Columbia, with her husband, daughter, and Parker, their loveable Great Dane. When she’s not working, you can find her clogging, taking photos, hiking, and camping with her family.  

Education

Dr. Sharon earned her DVM in 2009 from the Ontario Veterinary College in Ontario, Canada.  

Experience

Dr. Sharon loves to share her knowledge and empower pet parents to take the best possible care of their fur babies. She’s been able to do this through her clinical work and now online with her writing. Dr. Sharon has practiced in a variety of small animal clinics since she graduated, focusing mostly on cats and dogs.

You might be interested in some of the top posts by our veterinary team:

Archive

Cat Bladder Cancer: When to Euthanize (Vet Explained Signs & Advice)

Having to make the decision to euthanize a beloved companion is one of the hardest parts of being a pet parent. Even if your cat has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, knowing exactly when to say goodbye is tricky....

vet checking bengal cat

Hepatitis in Cats: Vet Explained Signs, Causes, & Care

You may not have heard of hepatitis in cats (more accurately referred to as cholangitis/cholangiohepatitis), but it is one of the leading causes of liver disease in our feline friends.1 This article will explain the different types of inflammatory liver...

burma cat held by a veterinarian

Why Do Cat Scratches Itch? Our Vet Explains 4 Common Reasons

It is not uncommon for cat owners to get scratched from time to time, whether by accident during play or as a result of an irritated swat. Most of us know how important it is to clean the area right...

Aggresive cat scratching a man

Can Cats Have ADHD? Our Vet Explains Feline Behavior

If you have a cat, you know that they can go from zero to 100 in no time. This may make you wonder if your cat could have ADHD. The short answer is that there is currently no clinical evidence...

nebelung cat playing on the floor

How Common Is Cat Scratch Disease? Facts & Prevention Tips (Vet Answer)

Cat scratch disease is caused by a bacteria called Bartonella henselae and is, fortunately, rare in the United States. A retrospective study performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) looked at years of health insurance data (for...

scratch on a man's hand made by a cat

Anisocoria in Cats: Causes & Care Guide (Vet Answer)

Cats are known for their beautiful eyes. They even have special pupils that change shape! When fully open (dilated), their pupils are round, but when constricted, they have a vertical ellipse shape. Pupils change size to regulate how much light...

Example of Horner's syndrome in a cat

Lymph Node Enlargement (Lymphadenopathy) in Cats – Causes and Care Guide (Vet Answer)

Lymph nodes are found throughout your cat’s body, and are an important part of their immune system. Peripheral lymph nodes are located on the outside of the body, which means your veterinarian is able to check them during your cat’s...

Hands checking cat with lymph nodes

Can a Cat Get Parvo & Can They Get It From a Dog? Our Vet Explains

Cats have their own type of parvovirus, called feline panleukopenia virus (FPV). But they do not get it from dogs. While cats have been shown to carry and shed certain variants of the dog parvovirus (canine parvovirus type-2), aside from...

devon rex cat examined by vet

Diabetes in Cats: Causes, Signs & Care (Vet Answer)

Diabetes mellitus, often simply referred to as diabetes, is a medical condition that results in consistently high levels of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. This can be due to either insufficient amounts of insulin or resistance to insulin, but in...

vet checking a cat with stroke

How to Give a Cat a Pill: 5 Easy Steps (Vet Answer)

If you have just returned home from a veterinary visit with oral medication for your cat, you may wonder, “How on earth am I going to get this pill into them?” Administering medication to our feline friends can be tricky,...

vet-giving-pill-to-kitten

8 Interesting Facts About Ticks and Cats (Vet Answer)

If the idea of finding a tick makes you shudder, you are certainly not alone! Hopefully, if you live in an area where ticks are commonly found, you thoroughly check yourself after spending time outdoors. You have probably heard that...

close up cat scratching ear

How Contagious Is Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)? Our Vet Explains

Dreaded by veterinarians and cat parents alike, feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a serious disease. There are some promising new treatments on the horizon, but in many cases, FIP is sadly still fatal. If your cat has been diagnosed with...

vet checking a cat at home

Do Cats Need Heartworm Protection Year-Round? (Vet Answer)

You may be aware of the importance of heartworm prevention for dogs, but did you know that cats also need to be protected from this potentially deadly parasite? Heartworms affect cats differently than dogs but can still cause severe disease....

a siamese cat getting examined by a vet at the clinic