Since it seems like winter is going to pass us by this year, the warmer weather is getting people outside and active a little earlier. To ensure your four-legged sidekick is ready, here are a few easy medical tips to provide your pet with a lifetime of good health.

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Most Americans remember to brush their teeth regularly. Their pets’ pearly whites, however, don’t always get the same kind of attention. February is National Pet Dental Health Month, so why not schedule a check up for both of you?

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Pets can sometimes be reservoirs of diseases that infect humans. Most viruses and organisms that cause illness are species specific, or specially adapted to the host they infect. When a disease is able to make the leap from our pet to us, it is referred to as zoonotic.

The most important historical zoonotic disease is the Plague that ravaged Europe in the 1300’s killing tens of millions of people. Primarily a disease of rats and wild rodents, the Plague is transmitted from animal to animal by the bites of infected fleas, with humans as the accidental host when the rat dies and the fleas look for a warmer host.

Today, the number of potential zoonotic diseases is impressive. Let’s look at some of the more common dog and cat diseases that may pose a threat to humans.

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Medical procedures that were once limited to humans have become available for our four-legged friends as well. Advances in animal neurology, dentistry, imaging, surgery and rehabilitation have given veterinarians the opportunity to provide our pets with the same kind of medical services that are available to humans. Veterinarians are able to provide the highest level of care and treatment that is humanly possible using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computerized Tomography (CT), ultrasound, laser surgery, stem cell therapy, endoscopy (a technique for viewing internal organs with a fiber optic scope) and echocardiography (specialized form of ultrasound to view the heart).

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While people battle stuffy noses and watery eyes at the peak of this allergy season, we are not the only one’s suffering from the sniffles and sneezes. Our pets are also experiencing the irritation of allergies, too.

The respiratory system is the primary target of allergies for humans, but for our pets, the skin is the major target, so severe itching and scratching, which may lead to raw and irritated areas on the skin, are the main symptoms to look for. The most common pet allergy is the fleabite allergy, however, fleas may not be the only reason behind your pet’s discomfort.

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November is American Diabetes Month. Also, November is the time to come together as a family around the Thanksgiving table and celebrate. Unfortunately, celebrating usually comes with an over indulgence in turkey, stuffing and the like followed with naps and watching football while lounging in the living room.

Just like in humans, this disease is devastating to our pets when left undiagnosed and untreated. Diabetes Mellitus is a fairly common illness found in dogs and cats. The disease is caused by excessive amount of sugar in a pet's blood in combination with a deficiency in insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas

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From floral arrangements to fall feast, the dangers posed to pets around Thanksgiving are as bountiful as the bread stuffing. Even though it is a time for giving thanks for family, friends and four-legged companions, there are a few things every pet owners needs to be aware of, look out for and avoid – no matter how much the pets purr or paw.

In general, pets’ stomachs are not accustomed to handle the heavy seasoning we use to cook and prepare our foods. Raw or undercooked turkey may contain salmonella bacteria and fat trimmings or very fatty foods can trigger pancreatitis in dogs and cats. Even if it is just a scrap from the table, it may be enough to cause an upset stomach in our pets, resulting in vomiting or diarrhea.

Some of the foods commonly found on the Thanksgiving menu are toxic to pets and may result in pet owners giving thanks to a veterinarian rather than for passing the cranberries.

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Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine and pet care, pets are living longer, healthier lives than ever before. For owners, this means they often end up dealing with the issues of old age more than they used to.  Because November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month, I thought it would be good to go over how to help your four-legged loved one live healthy and happy in their golden years.

When exactly your pet becomes senior depends on his size, breed and individual factors like activity level. Your veterinarian is the best person to tell you when you should consider your pet senior. Keep these tips in mind when caring for a senior pet.

Continue Reading "Creating Golden Years for Senior Pets" »

Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine and pet care, pets are living longer, healthier lives than ever before. For owners, this means they often end up dealing with the issues of old age more than they used to.  Because November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month, I thought it would be good to go over how to help your four-legged loved one live healthy and happy in their golden years.

When exactly your pet becomes senior depends on his size, breed and individual factors like activity level. Your veterinarian is the best person to tell you when you should consider your pet senior. Keep these tips in mind when caring for a senior pet.

Continue Reading "Creating Golden Years for Senior Pets" »

While everyone is sporting pink ribbons this month in honor of breast cancer awareness, many people don't realize that pets can also suffer from the disease. Mammary gland tumors are common in dogs and cats, especially those that aren't spayed or were spayed late in age. Mammary cancer effects dogs and cats in different ways:

Breast Cancer Awareness for Pets

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