Common client questions: How often should my pet visit the vet?
29
Jun

Common client questions: How often should my pet visit the vet?

A typical series of the questions I commonly get is, “Doc, how often does my pet need to go for a checkup?” This question is often then followed up by a pet owner stating their pet is mostly indoors or around the house and is not exposed to many other pets or diseases, and eats and acts totally normal. The answer to such questions will vary depending upon the individual […]

What you need to know about Powassan virus and your pet
8
Jun

What you need to know about Powassan virus and your pet

The arrival of warmer weather is a welcome relief for most people, but there is a downside for pet parents: spring and summer also bring an increased risk of flea and tick-borne diseases in our dogs and cats. In certain areas of the U.S. such as the Great Lakes and Northeast, cases of Lyme disease are escalating at alarming rates in both humans and animals. Over the past 10 years a […]

Ask the Vet: The veterinarian’s secrets to keeping senior pets healthy
30
May

Ask the Vet: The veterinarian’s secrets to keeping senior pets healthy

Over the years animal guardians have relied on periodic reminder cards from the veterinarian to keep their pet up-to-date on vaccinations. It’s no secret many veterinarians relied on the “hook” of these reminder cards to also perform checkups on pets during their visit for shots. However, there continues to be increasing awareness of vaccinations remaining effective longer than initially anticipated, as well as the potentially harmful effects of over-vaccinating companion […]

How to recognize and prevent heatstroke in dogs
3
May

How to recognize and prevent heatstroke in dogs

It’s no surprise that it’s getting warmer. And unfortunately, each summer many pets die needlessly from exposure to heat. Heatstroke is a medical emergency that needs veterinary attention as quickly as possible. Signs of heat stroke include: Excessive panting Bright red gums and ear tips Seizuring and collapse (in extreme circumstances) Unfortunately, dogs and cats don’t sweat like people do. They typically pant, in order to dispel heat, making them much […]

[Ask the Vet] Reducing your pet’s anxiety when traveling
1
May

[Ask the Vet] Reducing your pet’s anxiety when traveling

Whether you’re planning a road trip with your family or headed to the vet’s office, there is nothing more disturbing to an animal guardian than dealing with a nervous pet when traveling. What I often recommend to clients is to take pets on short car trips for 10-15 minutes at a time so their pets can get used to trips away from home. Most pets with travel anxiety usually manifest […]

10 questions your veterinarian wants you to ask during a visit
10
Apr

10 questions your veterinarian wants you to ask during a visit

With our own medical care it’s often suggested to ask more questions when at the doctor’s office. Did you know the same advice applies to your pet’s veterinarian? By asking more questions during your pet’s next vet visit, you’re not only helping to maximize your pet’s health care, but you’re also ensuring you get the most out of each visit. To help tackle this topic, we asked holistic veterinarian Dr. […]

Long term use of Prednisone in pets
21
Feb

Long term use of Prednisone in pets

One of the more commonly prescribed drugs in veterinary medicine is the drug Prednisone. The most common use of this medication is as an anti-inflammatory agent used in a wide variety of  chronic diseases, including: Inflammatory bowel disease Skin/ear allergies Respiratory disease Asthma Neurologic disorders Prednisone has also been used as an immune suppressive agent in immune mediated disorders of the body, as well as part of many chemotherapy protocols. How […]