Sorted by date Results 1 - 12 of 12
Small animal spays and neuters are the most frequently performed surgeries in most standard veterinary practices. While these procedures have been done routinely for several years there are some theories that have been challenged in the veterinary world. There are also some pet parents who question whether they should have their pet altered. There was a general rule to spay (remove the ovaries and uterus in a female) or neuter (a general term to alter either a female or male but is mostly used...
If you have senior pets with arthritis or pets with chronic medical conditions, your veterinarian may have suggested one or more different ways to mediate discomfort. A combination of medications, treatments and therapies used together to moderate pain is called "multi-modal pain control" and is very common in today's veterinary practices. In general, most painful conditions are treated initially with oral medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like Carprofen or Previcox,...
Most of us don't like to think about our dogs and cats having parasites living inside their bodies but knowing some basic facts is important because intestinal parasites - ones that live inside an animal's gastrointestinal (GI) tract- can cause some serious health problems. The most common small animal intestinal parasites in North America are roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms. While these worms live inside our pet's GI tract, they consume nutrients that were destined for our dog or cat....
Summer is here and many of us have animal companions who are more excited to get outside than we are! While there is nothing better than taking your dog for a hike or riding your horse in our beautiful mountains there are precautions to take and things to be aware of before venturing out in the sun. When enjoying time outside it is important to remember that dogs can quickly develop heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Dogs are more sensitive to high temperatures than humans largely because of their...
After recently adopting a stray Siamese kitty and having one irreversibly damaged eye of hers removed by a colleague, I have since shared several photos and stories of her ridiculous antics on social media. It has surprised me to read how many people have commented that they "know nothing about cats." Well... here goes! It is estimated that Felis catus domesticated themselves in the Middle East around 10,000 years ago. While humans had a hand in domesticating most species (wild chickens for...
With the return of spring soon upon us, we will be spending more time outdoors with our animal companions. This is an excellent time to discuss Heartworms! Heartworms are actual worms that are a significant cause of infection and disease throughout our entire country. As dogs move around and with our lifestyles pushing further into wildlife territories we will continue to see Heartworm infections increase. Dogs, including coyotes, wolves and foxes, are the natural host for Heartworms...
Have you ever taken a moment to peek into your pet's mouth? Your veterinarian probably does when you bring them in for a Wellness Exam but pet parents should make this a regular part of caring for their pets, too. Chewing food is the principal function of a pet's teeth but they also aid in food gathering, playing and training young ones. They can also be formidable weapons in some species (if you have ever trained a ferret you are likely nodding your head!) Taking care of an animal's dentition...
Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine and increased nutritional knowledge, many animals are living longer lives. This means there are more and more senior pets out there who tend to have specific needs. In general, most veterinarians consider a dog or cat who is older than seven years to be a senior pet. Most pet parents will notice things like more grey hair or a slower pace as their animal companions age but there can also be subtle changes that people don't always realize are a symptom...
Many veterinary clinics are implementing routine Wellness Exams. These are examinations of pets who appear healthy. These physical exams also include questions about your pet's lifestyle with a focus on maintaining an ideal well-being for your pet. How often your pet should have a Wellness Exam depends upon their age and breed. In general, puppies and kittens should have monthly Wellness Exams, adults can be seen annually, and seniors should have semi-annual Wellness Exams. It is commonly...
Want a career working with animals but not sure you're up for eight years and hundreds of thousands of dollars for veterinary school? You're in luck! There are a wide variety of intriguing and fun ways you can carve out a rewarding career with animals. This is merely a short synopsis of some of the more common options out there. The first person most people meet when calling or entering a veterinary practice is the Customer Service Representative. Successful CSRs must be calm, friendly and...
T.S. Eliot wrote in The Ad-dressing of Cats that "A cat is not a dog." While most of us agree, there are more than just the obvious reasons why cats are unique creatures in their own right. Within lithe, compact bodies full of powerful muscles, cats are incredibly resourceful and famously self-reliant. Their ability to live as solitary creatures underscores just how well they can hide illness or disease. Often times it looks like a cat has suddenly developed a limp when, in actuality, a fight...
All of us are looking forward to spending more time outside in the sunshine with our animal companions. Fluffy and Spot aren't the only creatures who thrive in warmer temperatures, as this time of year is Paradise for Parasites! A parasite is described as something "that lives upon or within another living organism at whose expense it obtains some advantage." Internal and external parasites can cause great discomfort to their hosts and they can also transmit diseases to animals and humans....
