Archives: Pets

Don’t Ignore ADR

In veterinary medicine, with patients that cannot articulate how they may be feeling, we do not always get a clear and concise history from the owner, as the owner is often uncertain where the specific problem may be coming from.  It is one thing if there are definitive observations that the owner of the sick pet conveys to us – limping, coughing, sneezing, vomiting,...

5 Household Items That Must be Kept Out of Reach of Cats

As a follow up to my article on household items that are dangerous for dogs, this article will deal with household items that pose a threat to our feline friends. 1.) Yarns or other “linear” objects. Most cats cannot resist delighting in the tangling and untangling of string, yarn, ribbon, Christmas tree tinsel, fishing line, or any other such linear items they can get...

10 Household Items That Must be Kept Out of Reach of Dogs

Dogs tend to throw caution to the wind, engage in all too often risky curiosity, and chew and eat less than savory items.  While these tendencies are part of their goofy nature that makes them so endearing to us, they can deal them a harsh blow to their health or even kill them.  For many of these things I called less than savory items that can be so dangerous if ingested by...

Veterinary Therapy Laser – High Tech Holistic Care

Alternative medicine does not necessarily have to fall into the popular notions of being “all natural,” ancient treatment practice, or completely devoid of modern technology.  MLS therapy laser, also known as low level laser or cold laser, is an alternative modality used for treatment of chronic inflammation, pain, and as an aid in tissue regeneration in cases of damaged...

Veterinary Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine

  This past Friday, my staff and I had a little office happy hour after work. We were all still in our scrubs hanging out at a popular local Irish pub, when suddenly we hear, “Hey, that guy saved my dog’s life.” The man was pointing at me as I instantly recognized as the owner of a Shih Tzu who brought his dog to me in desperation to help his dog. The...

Everything You Need to Know About Joint Chews in Dogs and Cats

There are more joint chew supplements on the market for dogs and cats then we can count, but the big question remains, do they actually work?  The short answer is, maybe, but the real answer like most things I write about, is a bit more complex.  Okay, more than a bit. 🙂 First, let’s discuss the major ingredients that go into high quality joint chews for pets,...

Back Leg Limping in Dogs – Think Knee First

I generally examine at least one limping dog per day, two thirds of which are limping on one of their back legs…what we term rear limb lameness.  I find it curious that dog owners seem in most cases, all but convinced that the source of the problem is coming from the hip.  I am not sure why this is, perhaps all the press that genetically deformed hips (a condition known as...

Are Vaccine Titers Accurate Measures of Dog and Cat Immunity Against Disease? Can We Use Them To Determine What Vaccines a Dog or Cat Needs?

In a society becoming increasingly naturally minded, it should come as no surprise that this trend also applies to people’s pets.  I have blogged quite a bit about alternative medicine techniques that carry no side effect but offer proven benefits to dogs and cats, and the popularity of these techniques and how mainstream they have become in my practice, as a...

The Monsters Within

I got a text from my neighbor this morning, asking me if I could get her into the clinic later today, as she suspected her kitten has worms.  My neighbor has a wonderful family, doting husband, 4 great children, 2 of which are toddlers.  She also is a responsible and loving pet owner to a one year old cat. I texted her neighbor back, letting her to that she should call the...

What’s in a Name? (Tips for Naming Pets)

While I think it is kind of fun to know the most common names (listed below) that people are naming their dogs and cats these days, illustrating these names was not my primary motivation for writing this article.  When it comes to naming dogs and cats, there are more effective and less effective methods to choose names for them, in terms of name recognition and response to...