OUR VETS ANSWER YOUR PET CARE QUESTIONS

It’s hard not to be sympathetic when your dog is constipated. If you spend a lot of time walking or cleaning up after your dog, it won’t take you long to notice that there is a problem. What Are the Signs of Constipation in Dogs? Naturally, the most straightforward sign of constipation is producing little… Read More

While dryness may not seem like a dire problem, the state of a cat’s skin can tell you a lot about their overall health. The skin is the body’s largest organ and is the easiest to observe. What appears there can hint at what is simmering under the surface. Flakes are the most obvious way… Read More

Most cat owners have observed their pets sneezing from time to time. Just like with people, an occasional sneeze is natural and not a cause for concern. It’s only when the sneezing becomes excessive or is combined with additional symptoms that you need to look into the problem further. Why Do Cats Sneeze? Cats reflexively… Read More

You’re not weird if you look at your cat’s poop. You’re a responsible kitty guardian. What would you do if one day, when you’re cleaning the litter box, you notice some of the stool has slimy, red clumps of blood on it. Don’t panic! Let’s talk about what to do if your cat has blood… Read More

With approximately 20% of adults in the Western world being sleep deprived (Stranges, et. al, 2012), melatonin supplements have grown in popularity. Some folks find it helps them get a good night’s sleep without harsh side effects. Pet owners have experimented with it to treat their pets, too. But is melatonin safe for dogs? What… Read More

My dad used to have a sweet brown Chihuahua named Taco. That little guy would start sneezing like mad anytime he thought he was going for a ride in the car! It was his way of communicating that car rides were a very special event for him. As cute as happy dog sneezes are, it… Read More

Seeing your dog in pain can be almost unbearable, especially when the suffering stems from a chronic condition that can only be managed and not cured. When working to alleviate your dog’s discomfort, keep in mind that medication is not the only remedy. Supplements and complementary therapies are also available. The first step in any… Read More

Head shaking and ear scratching — it’s noticeable when your cat’s ears are bothering him. The cause can be harder to determine, however. Ear mites are a relatively common type of ear problem in cats, but thankfully, they’re also quite easy to treat. If you think your cat might be suffering from this particular pest,… Read More

“I swear this just started a few hours ago. He was fine yesterday! What happened?” The nice lady was clearly worried about her beautiful Golden Retriever, Boomer. He sat in front of me, panting and trying to rub a sore on the side of his neck about the size of a small dinner plate. The… Read More

Arthritis is a common, progressive, and painful disease in cats, but there is some good news on the feline arthritis front. Treatments are now available that can relieve pain and maybe even slow the progression of arthritis, especially when a number of them are used simultaneously. Arthritic cats, with proper care, can still enjoy a… Read More

While we all want to spoil our dogs with a little bit of human food at times, many foods that are perfectly safe for people may be harmful, and even deadly for dogs. Here are 10 foods to avoid giving your dog, even when he is begging relentlessly for a taste. 1) Chocolate The toxic… Read More

The word “bloat” is not appealing even under the best circumstances. When it’s applied to a medical condition in dogs, it takes on a deadly meaning. Before I answer the question, “What are symptoms and treatment for bloat in dogs?” let’s discuss what is meant by the term bloat. Definition of Bloat or GDV in… Read More

Ear infections are common in dogs, and certain breeds are particularly prone. Sometimes, we pet owners miss the early signs and do not realize there is infection until the ears are really angry, painful and itchy. Fortunately, there are steps we can take to minimize veterinary bills and decrease the frequency of this painful condition…. Read More

If you have never experienced the itching, hair loss and skin and ear infections associated with mites in dogs, consider yourself fortunate. Dogs can be infested with several different species of mites, all of which cause unpleasant symptoms that range from itching and discomfort, to severe skin infection secondary to the damage caused by these… Read More

Heartworm disease is a condition affecting the lungs and heart of infected dogs, and is common in certain areas of the United States. It has been reported in all of the contiguous 48 states, although high incidence of the disease in the U.S. occurs in the Southeast, the Mississippi River Valley, and the Mississippi Delta… Read More

It’s 2:00 am and you are outside with your sick pup, again, for the third time since bedtime, when you notice bright red blood in his stool. As if being awakened repeatedly to the sound of vomiting and diarrhea was not difficult enough, you now feel a little panicked about this recent development. Worried, you… Read More

Obesity in the developed world is increasing at an alarming rate, and our pets are not excluded. We enjoy loving our dogs through the gift of food, especially when they are so grateful to receive. It is instantly gratifying to see the joy in canine eyes while sharing a few morsels from our plates. But,… Read More

The obesity epidemic in cats has mirrored the epidemic in the human population in industrialized countries. Cats that were once hunters for vermin and insect control are now living the good life inside of our homes. While there are many benefits to having cats in our homes – improved lifestyle and longevity, safety, companionship and… Read More

When you were a child, you likely received a series of vaccinations designed to protect you from diseases such as polio, measles and mumps. These diseases are rare today due to widespread vaccination. Similarly, many diseases that were once common in puppies are now prevented by vaccines. Parvovirus and canine distemper virus were initially highly… Read More

Arthritis is very common in dogs. Joint injuries, like cruciate ligament rupture, or developmental disorders, for example hip dysplasia, increase the risk that a dog will have early or severe arthritis, but sometimes arthritis just develops with age. Whatever leads to a dog’s arthritis, owners now have access to many safe and effective options for… Read More

When most people see their dog straining to defecate, they assume he’s constipated. The truth is that often the dog is straining because he has diarrhea, not constipation. In fact, most dogs will strain a lot when they have diarrhea due to intestinal cramping. How Do You Know If Your Dog Is Constipated? You may… Read More

My mom used to have a greyhound named Earl whom we called “Earl-o-Meter 2000.” He would hide under furniture and tremble from head to toe. It happened regularly and was a bit concerning at first. Have you ever wondered, “What does it mean when my dog gets the shakes?” We figured out that Earl was… Read More

Cancer is the leading killer of older dogs. The good(ish) news: While not every type of cancer can be detected by looking at and feeling your dog, many can. It’s important for pet parents to be able to recognize the common signs of a cancerous tumor, so you can get your dog treatment early in… Read More

As the old brown dog stood on my examination table, her fur seemed to have taken on a life of its own. In fact, her fur did have a life of its own: thousands and thousands of fleas. She had lived most of her life fastened to a chain in the yard, unable to move… Read More

Each spring my clients ask, “how do I safely remove a tick from my dog?” Great question. Ticks are a reality of life for most dogs at one time or another but unfortunately, these cringe-inducing little parasites can pass very serious diseases to dogs and humans. In this article, you’ll learn how to detect and… Read More

The term “ringworm” is misleading. People typically get a circular lesion that looks a bit like a worm has burrowed under their skin, but in truth, ringworm is caused by infection with any of a number of fungal organisms that collectively go by the name “dermatophytes.” What is Ringworm? Dermatophytes are fungi that can be… Read More

Of all our pets, cats are the most likely to come down with ringworm… and possibly pass the condition on to us. Therefore, it’s vital for all cat owners to have a working understanding of the disease and how it is treated. What is Ringworm? Ringworm is a contagious skin disease that develops after infection… Read More

If you own a hamster, you may already know that there are veterinarians who specialize in taking care of the tiniest furry family members. But, what you may not know is that most companion animal veterinarians have knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of illness for these special pets, and are willing to help if… Read More