General Information

  • Grains & Grain-Free Diets – Good Idea or Waste of Money?

    Inevitably during a traditionally hectic day of patient consultations, at least one pet parent tells me s/he feeds her/his pet a grain-free diet. Yet when I ask why such a diet was selected, I’m rarely met with a response based on sound scientific evidence. Rather the reply is usually something…

  • Chemotherapy for Dogs & Cats – Better Than You Think!

    The word chemotherapy often elicits negative images in the minds of most people – hair loss, vomiting, and pain. Therapies meant to attack cancers can have the unfortunate effect of making patients sick. While this is often the case for humans receiving chemotherapy, the same is not true for our…

  • Pre-Anesthetic Testing – Is It Really Necessary?

    Inevitably at some point in a pet’s life, anesthesia and surgery will be necessary. For example, spaying (called an ovariohysterectomy) and neutering (called and orchiectomy) are very common surgical procedures recommended for non-breeding dogs and cats. Both surgeries are performed while a patient is under anesthesia. Prior to anesthesia veterinarians…

  • Etiquette in the Hospital – Don’t Be That Guy/Gal!

    Recently while organizing a lecture in an airport, a fellow traveler surmised my profession by sneaking a glimpse at the Microsoft Powerpoint™ slides on which I was working. She was clearly intrigued, and began asking a lot of questions about my job and veterinary medicine in general. One question struck…

  • Dr. Google & Veterinary Medicine – Partners or Foes?

    Inevitably at some point during my daily consultations I will have at least one pet parent say to me, “I was reading on the Internet” or “I found some information through Google.” I won’t lie. Early in my career this use to frustrate me to no end. What could possibly motivate…

  • Preventive Care for Dogs and Cats

    This week’s post may surprise many of you given I typically strive to highlight how pet parents partnering with both a family veterinarian and a board-certified veterinary specialist is invaluable for your pet’s healthcare. I feel comfortable saying veterinarians wish our patients never got sick. Alas that is a utopian…

  • High Blood Fat Levels in Dogs & Cats

    Elevated blood fats/lipids (called hyperlipidemia) are a major cause of health issues in humans. These lipids, most commonly cholesterol and triglycerides, can negatively affect heart and cardiovascular health, often times contributing to death. Both dogs and cats can have high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but dogs are more often affected.…

  • Empirical Therapy – Can’t You Just Treat It Doc?

    I have the privilege of evaluating patients and conversing with their families every day I’m in the hospital. Although I rarely meet healthy patients, I find tremendous satisfaction sitting on the floor with them in my consultation room, examining (and cuddling) them and chatting with their parents. As my patients are invariably…

  • When Pet Parents Pop The Question

    Pet parents pop the question to me multiple times per day. Unfortunately each time I can never answer them the way the want me to do so. Invariably I feel guilty when I give them my answer, but I know my response is the only fair one to give. Of…