Archives: Pets

Is Your Pet Too Old For Anesthesia?

Almost one in three times I recommend a dental cleaning on a senior age pet 8 years or older, this is the first question I am posed.  Owners will still occasionally ask the question about age-related anesthetic safety for other procedures that require anesthesia, such as soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries, but most commonly, pet owner fear of anesthesia is most associated...

Are Pets Telepathic?

Most pet owners/lovers have had the experience of pets seeming to react to our feelings, even when we do not necessarily verbalize or act out on them. When we are grieving, stressed, or experiencing anxiety, pets – especially dogs and cats – seem to sometimes change their behavior toward us, perhaps acting extra affectionately, or rather than attack us with joy...

How We Manage Dogs And Cats Through The Grey Area Of Life

I not only see pet owners contend with this period of canine and feline life, but have contended with it time and again as a pet owner myself. By the “grey area of life,” I am referring to the time when a dog or cat has reached a very advanced age, the body is breaking down, the pet is a shell of his/her former self; yet they eat, potty outside, enjoy being pet, and there...

Important Lessons From Mona The Pitbull

My Christian faith has taught me that we are to model our own lives around the example of our Savior, Jesus of Nazareth.  Love your neighbor and even your enemies as you love yourself.  In the face of violence or evil, turn the other cheek.  Do unto others as you would wish them to do unto you.  In a nutshell, we should be exhibiting unconditional kindness at all times...

WARNING: Don’t Let A Groomer Do “Dental” On Your Dog

I am increasingly noticing the following signs go up over groomer storefronts, “Painless Gentle Dental,” “Anesthesia Free Gentle Dental,” and other variations. When I see it, I photograph the signs and report them to the Florida State Veterinary Board. Essentially, these groomers are trying to sell dental services although none has a medical license or training to...

This Is What Real Animal Rescue Looks Like

Many of us have seen the Human Society of the United States (HSUS) heart-wrenching commercial showing homeless and caged shelter animals, with the sad Sarah McGlachlan song playing in the background. Anyone who cares about the welfare of animals cannot helped but be moved by that commercial, to the extent that I have to quickly change the channel when it comes on, as it makes...

Is “Dangerous Dog Breed” Banning Fair?

I have blogged about dangerous dog breed banning before, having made the case that it is unfair and misguided.  I have not really changed my mind on that point, but a very recent experience has led to me being more sympathetic to those that beat the dangerous dog breed ban drum.  While I am more sympathetic, it does not mean that I agree with them, but due to my personal...

Has The Cost Of Veterinary Care Skyrocketed?

I hear from many pet owners that the costs of veterinary care for their pets seem to have disproportionately and dramatically risen in recent years, in comparison to other costs of living. The question is, are they correct? Like most things I choose to blog, podcast, or videocast about, the answer is not that simple. There are examples where costs of veterinary care have...

Let’s Talk About Raw Feeding Again – Part 3: Raw Feeding Contraindications, Conclusions

Thus far in this series of posts on raw feeding, I have established that while raw feeding does carry some level of risk to pets, it is not as dangerous a risk that some veterinarians would have you believe.  Also, when done safely and with the correct nutrient balance being applied, some pets can not only thrive being fed raw diet, but some exhibit better overall...

Let’s Talk About Raw Feeding Again – Part 2: The Right Way To Feed

The biggest obstacle to overcome in the raw feeding of dogs and cats comes from both sides of the debate.  On one hand there are many veterinarians that are so dead set against it, that they draw a line in the sand and strongly speak out against it, rather than lend their unique knowledge of canine and feline physiology to help pet owners committed to raw feeding.  This...