You probably know Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV) better by its common name: bloat. It’s a life-threatening emergency resulting from excess gas in the stomach, which causes it to twist upon itself. Extra-large dogs over 99 pounds have an approximate 20% risk of developing bloat in their lifetimes and the risk increases with age. That […]
Health Tips
1 in 3 Cats Will Develop Kidney Disease (SDMA Testing)
Early Detection is Key The fact is there is a strong possibility that eventually, your cat will need treatment or management of kidney disease: it’s the #1 cause of death in cats over 10 and it’s estimated that more than half of cats over age 15 have reduced kidney function. What’s even scarier is that […]
Nat’l Immunization Month: Your Questions About Vaccinations–Answered!
August is National Immunization Awareness Month, created to remind people how important it is to keep their vaccinations up to date. But that advice isn’t just for humans—it’s vital for pets as well. Vaccinating your pet is a relatively inexpensive but very important way to protect his or her health. In addition to preventing many […]
Only YOU Can Prevent Your Pet’s Fires
July 15th is National Pet Fire Safety Day According to the American Fire Administration, approximately half a million pets are affected by house fires every year—and about 1000 of those fires are started by the pets themselves. It’s important as a pet parent to know how to keep your pets safe from fire danger—and from […]
Help Your Barker Survive the Bite (Rattlesnakes)
As the weather gets warmer, snakes will become more active and there’s a good chance you’ll encounter one basking in the sun. Rattlesnakes aren’t confined to rural areas, however—they can be found in cities, suburban parks, and riverside areas. Rattlesnake venom is extremely dangerous as it causes excessive swelling and death of the tissue surrounding […]
Don’t Let Your Pet Go to Pot
The legalization and prevalence of marijuana has sadly become a hazard for pets: veterinarians across the country are reporting a large spike in the numbers of companion animals they’re treating for cannabis intoxication. In fact, the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center reports a 765% increase in the number of calls related to marijuana exposure. It’s […]
Pet Poison Prevention
National Poison Prevention Week, which was enacted by Congress in 1961, always occurs on the third week in March. This year for 20XX, it falls from March XX to March XXrd. So, what exactly is the purpose of National Poison Prevention Week? This specific week has been set aside to highlight awareness and prevention of […]
Tick Season . . . is Coming
It’s happening—peak tick season is coming up, and while year-round prevention is always important, it is especially crucial around this time of the year to keep your best friend protected from all those nasty ticks. What exactly do ticks do to your pet? First off, ticks are blood-sucking parasites that feed off warm-blooded animals, and […]
Fat Cat? Pooch With A Pooch? Read This!
If your pet has been looking a little too well-fed lately, it’s important to know that overweight pets have a higher risk of developing diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressure and certain forms of cancer. Helping them slim down is easier than you think—here are some tips to get you started: Weight loss is […]
Arthritic Pets and Cold Weather
Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease (DJD), affects the joints of dogs, which makes them stiff and painful to move. Every kind of dog can suffer from DJD and every type of joint can become impacted, even the spine. If you’re not sure if your dog has DJD, signs to look for in your canine include: […]