We all know we have a short attention span for news, so here is an update and reminder regarding two important ongoing issues for your pets. 1. Heart disease from dog food. My original August 2018 article, “Could your dog’s food be causing heart disease?” can be found on The Advocate, as well as my
Have you noticed that it’s hard to get an appointment at the vet lately? Maybe you’ve even had an emergency for your pet and couldn’t find a local vet to see you. Have you wondered what exactly has been going on for the past few years? A Perfect Storm A perfect storm of events has
I used to feel that the second most common problem in dogs and cats was dental disease, right after obesity. After performing thousands of examinations, I believe that dental disease is tied with obesity as the most frequent health concern in dogs and cats. Pets have teeth too! And you need to be concerned about
Let’s look at more of my most recent emergency calls. Again, I am not finding fault with anyone. Even the worst circumstances provide an opportunity to learn, and I am all about prevention! Part 1 is here. 5. Fishhook Embedded in Lip Dogs that go anywhere where there are fishhooks will get into trouble –
My 10 Most Recent Emergency Calls (Part 1 of 2) Pet emergencies are extremely stressful for everyone involved. Finding a pet in distress leads to shock and anxiety. Frequently, pet guardians will experience guilt and possibly anger with the realization that the emergency could have been avoided. The unfortunate fact is that the vast majority
Did that grab your attention? I am not selling a magic vitamin supplement or special food. However, my “secret” is not really a secret – I wrote about it in the very first article published for this column. Here is how to extend the life of your pets and keep them happy and healthy as
Kidney Disease in Cats – A Common Problem Studies have reported that 30% of geriatric cats have long-term kidney failure. However, I strongly believe that number is too low and that the condition is often under-diagnosed. I believe that if cats lives long enough, well in excess of 90% will show some degree of loss
Once a month or so, our practice gets a call from someone who wants me to euthanize a pet that I have never seen before. While the individual circumstances vary, the situation is always an emotional one, both for the pet’s guardians and for my staff and I. Why is this different from other euthanasias?
On a typical morning, Jane wakes up and starts her daily routine by feeding her dog Fluffy. This morning Fluffy doesn’t come downstairs for his food. After some time calling him, a frustrated Jane finds her dog lying awake but in a stupor in his bed. Now in a panic, while talking to Fluffy,
Recently, multiple cases of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs are being reported by veterinarians at UC Davis and other locations. DCM is a type of heart disease where the heart becomes enlarged and weakened, resulting in a reduction of ability to pump blood efficiently. Some of these cases seem to be related to nutrition. Dog