Do you consider yourself familiar with some of the common household items that are toxic to pets? Grapes and raisins (kidney failure), chocolate (vomiting, diarrhea, seizures), and anti-freeze (also causes kidney failure). But there are many more that are not really talked about so I decided to put together a list of toxins you may not be familiar with. Remember, when an animal has ingested a toxin, often the symptoms are not very specific (lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures): which means YOU as the pet owner are the key to figuring out what your cat or dog may have gotten in to. As a veterinarian, I rely on my clients to be honest and think through their day in hopes of figuring out what their pet could have eaten. Knowing which items in your home are a potential risk, is the first step at helping your veterinarian identify toxin exposure. All of these toxins I talked about are dangerous for your pets and most are lethal without treatment, so please share with friends and spread the word!
Read MoreOne of the best things to happen as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic has been the rise in pet adoptions across the country. Beginning in March of 2020 and into 2021, shelters continue to see a demand in adoptions and breeders talk of wait lists a mile long. I have certainly enjoyed watching clients welcome new animals into their homes but I have also realized many of the people adopting animals are completely new to pet ownership. While some have had dogs or cats previously, for many families it has been years since they’ve welcomed a new addition. Since it can be challenging to convey every piece of information during one veterinary visit, I thought I would put together some tips for welcoming a new puppy.
Read More