Many pet parents take prescription medications for various health reasons. Despite their best efforts, many of our pets get into the bottles of pills, and often ingest the potentially harmful drugs. One common medication that can be readily toxic and potentially lethal to dogs and cats is a drug called baclofen. This week I share … [Read more…]
Who can forget one of the joyous wonders of puberty? Which one, you ask? Acne of course! Our furry feline friends aren’t immune to developing this annoying skin condition. Yet many pet parents don’t recognize this problem in their cats. So, this week’s post highlights this skin disorder, and I hope you find the information … [Read more…]
Chronic diarrhea is a common problem for our furry companions. So too are constipation and diabetes mellitus for dogs & cats. All of these medical problems may benefit from increased dietary fiber. Many veterinarians recommend supplementing meals with canned pumpkin as a means of increasing fiber in the diet. Is this effective? Read this post … [Read more…]
Most dog owners have heard of many of the common gastrointestinal problems that afflict dogs. Parvovirus in dogs. Intestinal parasites (aka “worms), foreign objects causing an obstruction, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and even gastric dilatation-volvulus (aka: “bloat”). Yet, there is one about which few parents know. Which one you ask? The problem is called an … [Read more…]
You may have recently read a news story about a Wisconsin man who lost both of his legs and arms to an infection caused by the bacterium, Capnocytophaga canimorsus. This story caught the attention of news media because of the rarity of the infection and the severity of injuries. As this bacterium is commonly found … [Read more…]
The airway is a complicated system that can be affected by many different problems, including pneumonia and asthma. A common problem in younger cats is nasopharyngeal polyps. This week I share information about this disease that can dramatically and negatively affect quality of life. Happy reading! Nasopharyngeal Polyps – What Are They? To understand the … [Read more…]
Who doesn’t love a relaxing vacation? Fun adventures. Sun & sand. Boat drinks. Making memories with friends and family. But, often times our furry family members have to stay behind while we’re galivanting on holiday. This week I share some important tips for pet parents as they prepare for vacation without their pets. Happy reading! … [Read more…]
Last week I reviewed some common emergency situations for which you should bring your cat to the emergency room. Of course, we can’t forget about our canine companions! So, this week I focus on specific scenarios that necessitate emergency care for your pooch. Happy reading! Pooch Plight #1 – Non-Productive Vomiting Dogs vomit for myriad … [Read more…]
Here’s a sobering fact. At some point in your cat’s life, they will experience a life-threatening emergency – what I like to call CATastrophes. You don’t know when it will happen, but it will happen. And it will probably happen in the middle of the night. When your family veterinarian isn’t available. So, you’ll need … [Read more…]
Recently, some of my closest friends – truly non-blood family – welcomed a new bundle of joy into their lives. To say she’s precious and perfect is an understatement. She’s all that and so much more, and I can’t wait to spoil her rotten as is the right of any “uncle” on the planet. Her … [Read more…]