Sugar has become taboo in many kitchens, leading to the rise of non-sugar sweeteners as popular alternatives. One of the most common is xylitol, a low-calorie sugar substitute often marketed as healthier than cane sugar. While safe for people, xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs—and ingestion can be deadly. This…
The smell is undeniable. Your nose wrinkles in disgust. Your eyes water. The putrid stench even leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Imagine actually getting some of that foul fluid on you? Unbearable, right?! Many of our fur babies encounter a docile skunk in the wild, but don’t recognize…
Heartburn is an uncomfortable feeling caused by stomach acid splashing into the esophagus. Also called acid reflux, people often take various over-the-counter medications to alleviate discomfort associated with heartburn. Severe and/or chronic acid reflux is called gastroesophageal reflux disease, and may be associated with more serious conditions. Like humans, dogs…
We all know people can develop asthma. We also all know an asthma attack can be life-threatening without appropriate medical intervention. What you may not know is our capricious cat friends can also develop this airway disease. This week I share some insight into this important feline malady with a…
None of us like getting something in our eyes. Now imagine having an eyelash that permanently rubs against them. OUCH! This problem is called distichiasis, and it can cause serious eye damage. In this week’s blog, I share some eye-opening information about distichiasis – happy reading! Distichiasis – What is it?…
Eyes are beautiful! The many potential colors of the iris simply make them truly stunning to admire. However, there is one color no one wants to see associated with the eyes – red! In this week’s post, I share some information about red eyes in dogs and cats. Happy ready!…
As the weather turns warmer in the United States, many of us will be enjoying backyard bonfires and campfire sing-alongs with friends and family. Yet those beautiful and comforting flames are just one potential source for burning not only you, but also your fur babies. Burns, are thankfully relatively uncommon,…
An old English proverb states “the eyes are the window of the soul.” I’m quite certain there isn’t anything more soulful than the eyes of a beloved dog or cat. Yet sometimes those beautiful orbs of sight are injured or become diseased. A common eye disorder is glaucoma, and this week I…
Infective endocarditis. I’m willing to bet many of you have never heard of it. Many pet parents know about heart murmurs and even some heart muscle diseases like dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). A lesser known potential cardiac problem is endocarditis or inflammation of part of the heart wall. In this week’s blog I…
Most of us enjoy the extra flavor certain herbs and spices add to our meals. Many pet parents believe their fur babies will similarly appreciate the added flavor on the palate. Unfortunately, spices like garlic and onions belong to a group called alliums, and they are toxic to both dogs…