Archives: Pets

Talking About Pet Food These Days Is Starting To Feel Like Discussing Religion Or Politics

We have all heard that is is not a good idea to talks socially about religion or politics.  Both are very personal to people and can easily escalate into uncomfortable conversations to say the least.  What’s more, one rarely has real substantive discussions about religion or politics because more often than not, people’s opinions on these topics are based more...

How Did A Spay Become A Commodity Service???

The Webster’s definition of a commodity is: “A reasonably interchangeable good or material, bought and sold freely as an article of commerce….”  This definition indicates that commodities are shopped items open for trade at the best market driven price.  While in the strictest financial terms this refers to agricultural goods and natural resources,...

Special Considerations for Anesthesia in Cats

Cats are not little dogs.  They have unique physiological differences that warrant unique approaches to feline medicine and anesthesia is no exception.  While many of the principles of anesthesia are the same in cats, there are some special health and safety considerations to take into account. I once attended a lecture where the board certified anesthesiologist speaker...

Best Practices For Safe Anesthesia Administration In Dogs

I once attended a lecture where the board certified anesthesiologist speaker defined anesthesia as “the controlled release of potentially lethal compounds.”  I absolutely loved this definition and use it frequently with my medical team so that they are always acutely aware of the importance of optimal anesthesia vigilance and subsequent positive outcomes.  Does...

Most Common Household Toxins For Cats

Cats are curious little souls, often readily sniffing around unusual or random places in or around the home. While we celebrate feline curiosity and the funny and silly (and relatively harmless) predicaments it often leads to, this trait may predispose your cat to some not so obvious dangers in the home. The good news is that armed with the right information, you can easily...

Why All Cats 8 Years Of Age Or Older Should Have Blood Pressure Checked On Routine Well Visits

I have been consistent in my messaging for years that the yearly well visit is so much more than simply updating vaccines.  The yearly visit performed correctly also involves parasite screening and a through physical examination to facilitate early disease detection to promote quality of life and longevity.  In cats 8 years of age or older, routine blood pressure...

What Is The Right Age To Spay/Neuter A Dog

There has been a lot of debate on the topic of what the correct age is to have a dog spayed or neutered.  The source of the debate comes as the result of several studies designed to determine the risks of spay/neuter at earlier ages versus later ages or not at all.  Each study has its own set of embedded flaws.  The study done by the University of California Davis, for...

Recharging The Veterinarian Batteries

I just returned from the Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas that offered 4 consecutive full days of veterinary continuing education.  Continuing education is the ongoing course work that veterinarians must complete yearly in order to keep their professional veterinary state licenses current.  Every state has their own requirements regarding the number of hours...

The 3 Most Important Criteria For Choosing A Pet Food

There is more choice in pet food brands, flavors and ingredients that any other time in history.  A person walking into a large retail pet store is literally bombarded with so much choice of pet foods that it can be overwhelming.  Making things more complicated, pet owners are bombarded with more information and misinformation than ever before in the age of the internet and...

Take Dentistry Seriously In Pets – Don’t Make Them Suffer Silently

Far too often, pet owners scoff at the idea that their pet’s teeth are are an important area of health, quality of life, and longevity.  I examine the teeth and regularly report the different stages of periodontal disease in the exam room and recommend a professional dental cleaning (and possibly oral surgery for advanced stages of dental disease).  At worst, owners...