Archives: Uncategorized

Have Mercy, Fireworks Enthusiasts

July 4th has come and gone, but like every other year, the fireworks continue to persist and will do so for weeks to come. While this may prove to be a nuisance for residents of suburban neighborhoods, the regular sounds of fireworks drive many dogs and cats to shear panic, in some cases, even to the point that it is a detriment to their health. This reality is clearly...

Incredible But True II

This is a little segment I like write periodically about recent experiences that seem hard to believe. Whether funny, inspirational, despicable, stupid, or miraculous, as incredible as these short stories may seem, they are oh so true. . . Insensitive Client A normally amicable and friendly client came in with his bulldog. My wife, who was about mid way through her pregnancy...

Unsung Heroes

Throughout the ongoing Middle East wars our country remains engaged in, whether citizens are supporters of the military campaigns or not, the overwhelming majority of us feel gratitude, admiration, respect, and support for our troops on the front lines of these conflicts. Along these same lines, let us not forget that in addition to these brave people of our military, there...

The Miracle Of Life

As a veterinarian, I deliver puppies and kittens on a regular basis, seeing on a level more primitive than ours, the miracle of new life. It never fails to touch a place in my heart when I see the little neonates experiencing the world for the first time, and I observe mommy’s maternal instinct immediately kick in as she cleans, nurses, and protects her babies with her...

Finally, The Magic “Shot” Has Arrived

Some pets can be difficult and uncooperative for owners attempting to administer oral medications. On occasion, “difficult and uncooperative” is far too kind a description for the way some pets act when approached with oral medication, a problem especially prevalent with cats and small dogs. Owners of pets like this, when faced with the reality of having to...

Poor Economy Affecting Animal Health Sector

“I can’t afford it,” is quickly becoming an all too familiar statement made by hospital clients when treatments or procedures are recommended to help their ailing pets these days. The problem is not that I am overpriced for my demographic – in fact, my hospital is known to be one of the more reasonably priced animal hospitals in the area. What’s...

High Suicide Rate Among Veterinarians

Krista Schultz highlighted a little known and surprising fact in her article in the May 2008 issue of DVM News Magazine, that veterinarians have a four times greater suicide rate proportionally than the general population, and two times greater than that of any other health profession. According to the article, the basis for this information came from studies conducted in the...

Amazon, You Have Some Explaining To Do

When it was first brought to my attention by a colleague that Amazon was selling how-to dog fighting books, I thought there was no way that it could be true. However, after checking for myself that Amazon was indeed selling how-to dog fighting books, I was both shocked and appalled to learn the truth. Yes, it is true that for those interested in engaging in the despicable and...

Thoughts On PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)

Naturally, working in the industry that I do, I am often confronted by people wondering how I feel about PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) , a national animal rights organization. This question comes up increasingly more frequently as the organization draws more people to its cause, gains media attention, and attracts many celebrity members that increase its...

Mandatory Spays And Neuters?

The latest web poll for the month of April on Web-DVM dealt with whether it should be mandatory by law to have canines and felines spay and neutered, with the right to breed obtainable by application for a license. The voting was just as I expected with 61% not in favor, versus 39% in favor (total of 122 participants since April 9, 2008). The reason I was not surprised that...