Archives: Pets

Let’s Talk About Raw Feeding Again – Part 1: Common Sense

This is such a polarizing topic and it really not need be.  Like in most other areas in life where there is a lot of ongoing debate – like politics, for example – it is extreme positions on either side that are driven more by their own passionate stances on the subject, than by really examining the facts that cause all the trouble. On one side, you have the raw feeding...

Exercise Is Good, But Not Key In Canine Obesity Management

I had a patient come in 2 weeks ago, an 11-year-old female Labrador Retriever, having great difficulty ambulating into the exam room.  She had generally very taut, choppy, small steps as she walked; what we term a hypermetric gait.  One examination and several x-rays later, I determined that she has advanced spinal arthritis and degenerative joint disease of the shoulders,...

Goodbye to a Beautiful Soul

While most of my posts are about knowledge and experiences I intend my readers to learn from, this one is for me. On December 29, 2013, I had to say goodbye to a dear friend, one of the gentlest souls I have ever known. I write about her today, because it was too difficult to write about her until now. Lulu first came into my life (at the time her name was not Lulu; she had...

Dr. Roger’s Holistic Veterinary Care

  As many of my readers, listeners, and viewers are aware, I practice a brand of veterinary medicine called integrative medicine. Integrative medicine refers to direct treatment of disease in traditional western fashion, but with a strong emphasis on nutritional and holistic support of the body to reduce dependence on medications that often come with unwanted side...

New Dangers from External Parasites on Pets

External parasites refers to parasites that colonize and invade the skin and hair coat – including fleas, ticks, mites and lice. While these types of parasites are known to cause direct disease to the skin and hair coat that must not be minimized (itchiness and infections of the skin can be both tormenting for the pet and dangerous), an even greater danger lies in these...

Unsubstantiated Mass Hysteria Targets Trifexis

I don’t know what it is about the psyche of certain people. They yearn to choose conspiracy over the obvious, somehow garner security from their own distrust of everyone and live their lives looking for the next professional expert to expose as incompetent, unscrupulous and in league against them. In the face of difficult circumstances, these same people often feel the need...

“Designer Breeds” Are Growing Out Of Control

It started in the early 2000s with the Puggle (Pug and Beagle mix) and the Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever and Standard Poodle), and gradually took off from there. Prospective puppy buyers saw the trend and fell victim to it, often agreeing to pay thousands of dollars for what the AKC considers little more than a mutt – a mixed breed dog that has no more value than one you...

Top 2014 Resolutions for your Pet’s Health

Take dental health seriously Dental and gum disease not only causes direct pain, but it also is linked directly to immune compromise, kidney disease, heart disease, liver disease, respiratory disease, gastrointestinal disease, and oral cancer.  The sad part is that the consequences of dental and gum disease are very preventable.   Many pet owners choose to dismiss the...

2013-2014: Pet Peeves And Positive Signs

The end of each year is a reflective time for many us. It’s a time to look back on the things we did well and the things we did poorly; and to use the lessons of our triumphs and failures to set goals that will optimize our success in the New Year. I take this concept to a higher degree than most, necessitating of course, that I blog and podcast about it this time every...

Craigslist is a Bad Place to Buy Pets

Like most people, I have used Craigslist to land great deals on household items sold at often-inexpensive prices.  As a road cyclist, I also used the site to sell my old road bike when it came time to upgrade to a newer one.  To be sure, Craigslist serves a useful purpose in many ways, even helping people to find employment.  But when it comes to looking to buy a new pet,...