Articles
Articles, questions and guides on pet care.
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) in Dogs and Cats
The pancreas is an organ that has many functions, including producing enzymes to help digest food from what is called the ‘exocrine’ portion of the pancreas (there is also an ‘endocrine’ portion).…
Snail Bait Poisoning in Pets
You are familiar with the saying “April showers bring May flowers”, right? While all the spring moisture helps our gardens and lawns grow and bloom after the winter weather, it also brings out the…
Protecting Your Cat from Feline Distemper
Feline distemper is caused by a virus called panleukopenia, which is actually a parvovirus. Panleukopenia variants are present around the world and can also infect lions, tigers, lynx, minks, and…
Histiocytomas in Dogs
There are many different types of skin masses on dogs. It can be scary when you find one; however, some are benign or non-cancerous. Histiocytomas are a type of benign skin mass or “tumor,” meaning…
Vestibular Disease in Dogs
Vestibular disease is a general term for anything abnormal affecting the vestibular portion of the central nervous system. This includes the inner ear, middle ear, and part of the brain. The…
Flea Prevention and Control for Dogs
Is your dog scratching more than usual? Are you seeing live fleas on your dog? Are you seeing black spots or flecks in your dog’s hair coat? Your dog likely has fleas. Continue reading to learn how…
How to Protect Your Cat from Fleas
Fleas are the most common external parasite seen on cats. If your cat is scratching more than normal, has hair loss around his lower back/tail area, or has tiny black dots that look like pepper in…
Collapsing Trachea in Dogs
Collapsing trachea is a common cause of coughing in small and toy breed dogs, especially in the Yorkshire Terrier, Toy Poodle, Chihuahua, Pomeranian and Shih Tzu breeds. Dogs are typically middle…
Antifreeze (Ethylene Glycol) Toxicity in Pets
Antifreeze or Ethylene Glycol (EG) used in car engines is highly toxic to dogs and cats. Ingestion is considered a medical emergency. Unfortunately, animals like the taste of antifreeze and will…
Laryngeal Paralysis in Dogs
Laryngeal paralysis is a medical condition affecting dogs, where the muscles in the larynx are no longer able to move the arytenoid cartilages open and closed. The larynx is part of the upper…
Blue-Green Algae Poisoning in Dogs
During algal blooms in lakes, seas, and watercourses, a poison can form in the water. If a dog bathes in or drinks the water, it can suffer from algae poisoning, which is a life-threatening…
Marijuana Toxicity in Pets
THC toxicity is becoming more common in pets as marijuana is being medically and recreationally legalized. Marijuana is now available in various forms other than the natural plant flower and leaves,…
Dog Park Safety Tips
Dog parks are popular places to take your pup for fun, sun, and socialization. Off-leash parks are also a great place to exercise your dog and burn off some of that unspent energy. If you have a…
Lipomas in Dogs
Simple lipomas are very common, benign tumors of dogs. They are made of fat cells and are typically soft, mobile, and are not painful. Middle age to older dogs tend to develop lipomas more…
Horner’s Syndrome in Dogs and Cats: What to Look for in Your Pet
Horner’s Syndrome is not a disease itself, but a combination of clinical symptoms that can have multiple potential causes. While this can affect dogs and cats of any age, from juveniles to senior…
Microchip FAQ: Everything you need to know about microchipping your pet
For more than 30 years veterinarians have been suggesting putting a microchip in your pet. But what actually are these microchips? Are they safe? And what is the purpose of doing something that…
Vaccine Reactions in Dogs and Cats
Vaccine reactions can range from mild to severe in both dogs and cats. The immune system can have a variety of responses to vaccines, and some allergic reactions will develop within an hour and…
Rodenticide Poisoning in Pets
Rodenticides, also known as rat bait or mouse poison, are products people often use to control and kill rodents such as mice and rats. These products are also poisonous to dogs and cats.…