Archives: Pets

Many dogs fear pets to the head from strangers

Although some dogs tolerate head pets from people they do not know, most instinctively feel uncomfortable when a hand reaches down from above their head. If you scroll through social media, you’ll easily see examples of distressed dogs suffering through pets on the head. To verify how your dog feels, pay attention to your his body language when an unfamiliar person attempts...

Beware of hidden holiday dangers to your pets

You’re in full swing of the holiday season and while we want you to enjoy it you and you family might not realize the hazards that are around for your pets. In fact, the ASPCA Pet Poison Helpline gets more calls about potential poisonings at this time of the year than any other. So, what should you be on the lookout for? Food Onions and garlic: Whether they’re fresh,...

Try to give your dog the [right] time of day

Some animals are nocturnal by nature, that is, they are most active at night, such as opossums and raccoons.  Other animal like humans, are diurnal by nature, that is, they are most active during the day.  Like the wolf ancestors that they descended from, dogs are neither nocturnal nor diurnal, but crepuscular. Crepuscular animals are most active in twilight, which is the...

Why parasite screening in pets is more important now than ever!

It has always been astounding to me the number of pet owners who decline stool parasite screening as a regular component of the well visit. Statistically I have found that 48 percent of pet owners decline yearly parasite screening despite my assertions that these parasites can be monsters within that not only chip away at the health of the actual patient but could put the...

FDA Expands Diets Linked To Deadly Heart Disease In Dogs

In 2019 the FDA looked into specifically grain free dog diets that were observed to be linked to the deadly heart disease, Dilated Cardiomyopathy, aka, DCM. DCM previously had been a very genetically linked disease unique to only a few mostly giant breeds of dogs, namely Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, and occasionally German Shepherds. Cardiologists in the Baltimore area...

The COVID-19 Pet Paradigm Shift

In the past year of the pandemic, I have witnessed a remarkable shift in the increased number of people who own pets, in addition to family’s and individuals’ view of the importance of pets in their lives. During a time when human contact was so limited for so many, it was often pets that provided the companionship and physical contact that is so...

Everything You Need To Know About Leptospirosis In Dogs

Leptospirosis is a potentially fatal disease caused by the Leptospira bacteria.  Leptospira is a cork screw shaped bacteria that effectively self-propels itself in fresh, standing water, such as puddles, ponds, and lakes.  The disease is transmitted when dogs and other mammals come into contact with fresh, standing water that is contaminated with the...

Pet Owners – Say No To Coconut Oil!

In the past few years there has been a trend with no basis in science and veterinary medicine to feed coconut oil to pets. Thankfully, most cats will not eat it, but it still does not stop some feline owners from smearing it on their skin and fur and even in their ears. Dogs, on the other hand, will often readily eat just about anything, so they receive coconut oil from...

Think Twice Before You Treat A Veterinarian Poorly

I love my job as a doctor of veterinary medicine, mostly because I have a unique ability to focus on the wonderful experiences my career brings me and I am able (usually) to chalk up the negative experiences as inevitable because, well, nothing in this world is perfect. When one observes a recent retention study of the veterinary profession administered by Merck Animal...

Hug – And/Or Rescue -A Dog On National Dog Day!

National Dog Day is celebrated August 26th annually and was founded in 2004 by Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert and Animal Advocate, Colleen Paige. The date of August 26th of significance to Colleen, as it is the date that Colleen’s family adopted her first dog “Sheltie” when she was 10 years old. National Dog Day honors man’s eternal,...