Even though our cat Briggs has been gone for over a year, his presence is remains in our home. I look at his favorite perch in the window facing the back yard and remember him sunning himself. He left a an impression in the form of scratch marks on that window sill. He also left an impression (several impressions) on our den sofa. The arms of this tweed couch were a perfect scratching post and bear the scars to prove it.
Heartworm Awareness Month for Dogs and Cats
April 26th, 2012
April is National Heartworm Awareness Month, and even though the April is almost over, the threat of heartworms certainly is not. In fact, predictions call for a particularly bad heartworm season in 2012.
Car Travel and Dog Tips to Make Your Road Trips Safe
April 20th, 2012
It’s not unusual for me to see lots of drivers with pets in their cars. After all, I work at a veterinary hospital and we have a parking lot full of dogs arriving in cars to see their veterinarian. But many pets ride along even when they don’t have a doctor’s appointment. Our clients bring their dogs along when they pick up prescriptions or dog food.
A Basketful of Easter Pet Safety Tips
March 29th, 2012
Peter Cottontail isn’t the only furry creature excited about Easter. Our dogs and cats love this holiday that brings warmer weather, greener grass, and interesting treats. Unfortunately, many of these “treats” will involve medical “treatment” if consumed.
Here are a few Easter warnings to help keep your pets safe:
Happy St. Patrick’s Day
March 17th, 2012
Everywhere I look today, I see green. It’s warm now in the South so the grass is green and so are the trees. Today, March 17th, people on the street are wearing green shirts, green hats, and even green face paint. A couple of dogs that visited our animal hospital today had on green collars and one had on a green bandana.
Since we are surrounded by green on St. Patrick’s Day, I thought we ought to give this noble color a little attention. While there are many beautiful green things in this world, there are a few things that should not be green. Here is a list of times where green is not a good color to see:
Smile! It’s National Dental Health Month for Your Pet
February 21st, 2012
Making Your Pet’s Smile Last
Valentine’s Day may be the best known February event, but it isn’t the only distinction held by this winter month. National Pet Dental Health Month also occurs in February. So now is the time to think about your pet’s smile.
Overcoming Bad Breath in Dogs and Cats: a Common Complaint Read the rest of this entry »
Dog Heart Disease Tips
January 31st, 2012
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. All matters of the heart take center stage. Since the subject of hearts and Valentine’s Day are so closely entwined, it made me think about heart disease. That’s a sure way to kill a romantic evening! At any rate, I thought I’d write a little about congestive heart failure in dogs.
Surprising Handbag Health Hazards for Pets
January 9th, 2012
Have you ever been in a long check-out line only to be delayed by the lady who can’t locate her credit card or check book in the bottomless caverns of her handbag? I was stuck in grocery store limbo the other day with my eggs and milk perched on the conveyer belt ready for the cashier when the shopper in front of me literally emptied her purse on the check-out counter. You should have seen what came out of that contraption!
As I surveyed her bag’s contents (casually, of course), it occurred to me that she was transporting several non-pet-friendly products. Even on my day off, I am still in veterinary mode, so I thought you might be interested in how your purse’s contents may affect your pet.
Common Handbag Contents That Can Be Poison for Dogs or Cats Read the rest of this entry »
Keeping the Holidays Happy—Christmas Tips for Dogs and Cats
December 13th, 2011
We love sharing the holidays with friends and family… and that includes our pets. We want them to be part of the festivities and their presence makes special occasion more “special.”
To prevent the fun from turning into frenzy, here are a few pet tips to keep your dog or cat happy and healthy this holiday season. Read the rest of this entry »
Cats in the Car: Tips on Transporting Your Cat to the Veterinary Hospital
December 5th, 2011
Here’s a quiz for you.
Even though there are more cats than dogs in the US, veterinarians see more dogs in their hospitals than cats for which of the following reasons?
A. Cats don’t like the ride to the veterinary clinic
B. Cat owners don’t like the stress of dealing with a stressed-out cat
C. Cats are good at hiding their illnesses, so cat owners may not know that they are sick
D. Cats aren’t comfortable in a “dog” environment
E. All of the above
Correct answer: E
Cats are wonderful, graceful creatures. They are independent, loving (on their own terms), and entertaining. Cat owners love their feline friends and want to take good care of them, but cats sometimes make that a little difficult.