Baseline of 2017 Veterinary Costs for Services

December 10, 2017

It’s sometimes the fear of the unknown that keeps us from doing some things. Taking our pets to the vet is no exception. It can be expensive, I know.

Dogs in cars in summer: bad idea!

How long does it take for a car to get HOT?

July 12, 2016

Yep, it’s that time of the year in the northern hemisphere: summer. And without fail, there are people who somehow feel that their dog will be just fine in the car with the window cracked because they won’t be gone long. Well… that just ain’t so! Tests have shown that cracking windows open does not decrease […]

Is my dog dehydrated?

Is My Dog Dehydrated?

July 27, 2015

Signs of Dehydration in Dogs Dehydration occurs when the total body water is less than normal. Usually it involves loss of both water and electrolytes, which are minerals such as sodium, chloride and potassium. Dehydration is caused by either a lack of food or water intake or an increase in water loss through illness or […]

Fast Eddie

12 Homeopathic Remedies For Your Dog

October 13, 2014

Homeopathic remedies number in the thousands and are made from anything and everything. But you only need to learn some of the rules of homeopathy and have about a dozen remedies to be off and running. You may want to go out and purchase these commonly used remedies to have on hand in case the […]

Top 10 Reasons Dogs and Cats go to the Vet

Top 10 Reasons Dogs & Cats to Visit the Veterinarian

October 12, 2014

Dogs Skin Allergies Ear Infection Non-cancerous Skin Mass Skin Infection Arthritis Upset Stomach/Vomiting Upset/Diarrhea Periodontitis/Dental Disease Bladder or Urinary Tract Disease Soft Tissue Trauma (Bruise or Contusion) Cats Bladder or Urinary Tract Disease Periodontitis/Dental Disease Chronic Kidney Disease Excessive Thyroid Hormone Upset Stomach/Vomiting Diabetes Intestinal Upset/Diarrhea Lymphoma Upper Respiratory Infection Skin Allergies Resource: Vet Practice […]

Canine diarrhea

Treating Your Dog’s Diarrhea

October 4, 2014

Most of the time, diarrhea is caused by a dietary indiscretion or stressful circumstances, and is self-limiting. Diarrhea is not a disease; rather, it is a symptom of a dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).

Feline constipation remedies

Feline Constipation Remedies

September 20, 2014

Untreated cat constipation can lead to a chronic problem called megacolon, where the colon abnormally dilates and becomes too enlarged. As a result, the colon loses its ability to contract, which can cause obstipation – a complete blockage. To avoid health complications in your pet, consider the following home remedies for cat constipation: 1. Pumpkin […]

Treating canine constipation

Simple Canine Constipation Remedies

September 19, 2014

Having recently been through this, I researched remedies for canine constipation and here’s what I found (in no particular order). Select ONE remedy to try. The combination of remedies can cause things to go the other way and create severe diarrhea which could result in dehydration. If the problem continues for more than a few days, if there’s blood […]

It wasn’t canine cancer after all!

February 3, 2013

A few months ago, Bosco stopped eating and started losing weight. This behavior continued and he began to lose weight to the point that I decided to force feed him: Gerber’s #2 baby food.

Eating horse manure can be dangerous to your dog

February 25, 2012

Have you ever stopped to consider that the ivermectin you use to treat your horses for parasites could be dangerous to dogs that eat horse manure? We know how dogs love horse manure. So in hindsight, it makes sense that ivermectin in horse manure could pose a danger… and here is one such story.

EPA: More pets injured by flea and tick products

March 26, 2010

Products intended to treat cats and dogs for fleas and ticks kill hundreds of pets each year and injure tens of thousands, the Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday as it outlined plans to make the products safer. The EPA said it will develop stricter testing and evaluation requirements for flea and tick treatments that are applied to a pet’s skin. The agency also will begin reviewing labels to determine which ones need to say more clearly how to use the products.

Image by LUM3N from Pixabay

Ivermectin Poisoning from Parasite Prevention Drugs in Dogs

December 28, 2009

This toxic reaction occurs especially in dogs that are genetically hypersensitive to ivermectin, an anti-parasite medication most commonly used for heartworm prevention, or to treat ear and hair mites, which can lead to mange. Ivermectin prevents or kills parasites by causing neurological damage to the parasite, resulting in paralysis and death for the parasite. But dogs genetically sensitive to the medication have an anomaly that allows the ivermectin to pass the dog’s blood-brain barrier and into its central nervous system, which can be lethal for the animal.

Dogs, cats and swine flu’s promiscuity

December 1, 2009

Swine flu started in pigs (although we don’t exactly when or where), adapted to and passed to humans who returned the favor and passed it back to pig herds. Then we heard that turkeys in Chile had contracted the virus, followed by ferrets and a house cat.

Managing Your Pet’s Chronic Renal Disease

July 28, 2009

Chronic kidney (renal) disease commonly affects older animals, but it also occurs in younger animals with congenital abnormalities. The kidneys are two important organs that filter the blood and remove waste products from the body as urine, maintain the body’s water and electrolyte balance, regulate blood pressure, and produce a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production. When the kidneys fail, these substances build up and cause your pet to feel ill.

New Hope for Dogs Diagnosed with Cancer

July 16, 2009

Good news for dogs and their owners: this month, Pfizer Animal Health Inc. announced that the FDA has for the first time ever approved a cancer drug for canines.

Meningitis in Dogs Treatable with Early Detection of Meningitis Symptoms

July 16, 2009

Veterinary neurologist commends efforts to increase awareness of meningitis symptoms and meningitis treatment by New Jersey legislature. Pet owners also should be aware that knowing the symptoms of meningitis and getting early meningitis treatment can mean a full recovery for many dogs.

Internet Radio Show About “Special Needs” Pets has Launched

June 28, 2009

The nation’s first Internet radio show about disabled and chronically ill dogs and cats was launched today by Scout’s House™, California’s leading physical rehabilitation therapy and boarding facility for special needs animals. Featuring interviews with a wide range of guests, including veterinarians, medical researchers, and attorneys specializing in animal law, “Special Pets, Special Needs” will help pet owners understand the myriad of medical and functional issues their pets face and give them the information they need to help these important family members live more comfortable and more functional lives.

Home Remedy for Parvo

June 21, 2009

Canine Parvovirus (“parvo”) attacks rapidly reproducing cells — such as those that line the gastrointestinal tract, bone marrow, lymph nodes and heart. Highly contagious, parvo is transmitted from dog to dog via contaminated droplets and feces.

What Canine Stools Tell You About Diarrhea

June 10, 2009

Diarrhea is the passage of loose, unformed stools generally occurring in more frequent bowel movements. It is the most common sign of an intestinal disease.

FDA Approves First Cancer Drug for Dogs

June 10, 2009

The FDA approves veterinary medicine’s first cancer fighting drug and it’s for the ubiquitous mast cell tumor. Seen primarily in dogs, this common skin tumor has plagued us veterinarians for eons, it seems. Not only can it be a killer, it’s sometimes hard to identify when it masks itself, chameleon-like, as a wart or tiny bump on the skin.

Australian Irradiation of Pet Food Caused Cat Deaths

June 9, 2009

A SERIES of mysterious cat deaths was caused by the government-mandated practice of irradiating imported pet food. The Agriculture Minister, Tony Burke, has ordered the controversial sterilisation process, which has been in place for more than a decade, to cease immediately.

Home Remedy for Dog Ear Infections

June 8, 2009

Home Remedy for Dog Ear Infections

Sick Cat Symptoms – How to Tell If Your Cat is Sick

June 6, 2009

e love our cats and always want to make sure they are feeling well and healthy, that’s why one of the main questions among cat owners is “how to tell if your cat is sick?”

Home Remedies for Dog’s Urinary Tract Infection

June 6, 2009

Urinary tract infection in dogs can be a recurring phenomenon and it might tire you to constantly take your dog to the vet. Consequently, you may wonder if a dog’s urinary tract infection can be treated with a homemade formula.

Pet Lemon Law Ignores the Pet

June 3, 2009

Consumers would have 20 days to return a dog or cat that is sick at the time of the sale. The bill also gives consumers 6 months to recognize that a dog or cat has a congenital defect that adversely affects or will adversely affect the health of such dog or cat and return that animal under the same “pet lemon law.”

Warning Signs of Cancer in Cats and Dogs

June 3, 2009

It’s tragic that cancer in pets is increasing. According to the Pet Cancer Foundation, 60% of dogs over age six will be diagnosed with some form of cancer, and almost half the deaths of pets older than 10 years can be attributed to cancer.

Yeast Infection in your Dog’s Ears

May 28, 2009

A dog can be plagued with any type of infection on any area of the body, but usually yeast infection affects a dog’s ears more than any other part of the body. Dogs that have floppy ears don’t get enough air circulation and dogs that do not get enough sunlight are susceptible to dog ear yeast infection.

Canine Parvovirus Infection in Dogs

Canine Parvovirus Infection in Dogs

May 20, 2009

The canine parvovirus (CPV) infection is a highly contagious viral illness that affects dogs. The virus manifests itself in two different forms. The more common form is the intestinal form, which is characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and lack of appetite (anorexia). The less common form is the cardiac form, which attacks the heart muscles of very young puppies, often leading to death.

Antibiotics for dogs

December 18, 2008

The goal with antibiotics is to hammer down the infection and not give it a chance to develop resistance before it is wiped out. This means that keeping the dog on the antibiotics long enough is critical. If a dogs starts to look better after a few days, do NOT take it off the drugs!