Today is National Mutt Day and I am dedicating this post to my sweet boy, Mack. I adopted him from the shelter after he had been found on the side of the road as a puppy with a broken leg. He loved to swim and retrieve like a Labrador, he protected my children like a guard dog, and let them ‘doctor’ him and use him as their pillow - he was their best snuggle buddy.. Mixed breed dogs are fabulous additions to the family and here are 5 reasons to encourage you to adopt one:
Read MoreThe 4th of July is easily one of my favorite holidays. I love swimming with my kids in the pool or riding the waves with them at the beach, snacking on fresh fruit and juicy cheeseburgers, and spending time with family and friends. I haven’t stayed awake to watch the fireworks in years, but they are also one of my favorite parts of the 4th. My dog, however, does not share the same enjoyment. I have always had at least one dog who was terrified of fireworks (and thunderstorms too) and that always caused me a bit of anxiety when I knew the 4th of July week was coming up. Over the years I found ways to lessen his fears, so I wanted to share those with you as well other tips to keep your fur baby safe on the 4th.
Read MoreLet me just say, cats are awesome family members! I have people ask me all the time if they should get a hamster, a guinea pig, or maybe a rabbit because their child really wants a pet but they don’t have the time to train a puppy. Enter: the family cat. There are many reasons to consider adding a feline to the family and since June is adopt a shelter cat month, I thought I would talk about what wonderful pets cats are and how to go about adding one to your family.
Read MoreIf you follow me on social media, you know we have welcomed 2 new family members: Banks, a yellow lab puppy & Hemingway, a black lab puppy. We love them and are so excited, but within days of bringing them home they were both hospitalized with parvovirus. In talking to my friends and family I realized people do not really know much about this potentially deadly illness! So, I thought it was a good topic to discuss through my website and hopefully spread knowledge!
Read MoreLove. Loyalty. Companionship. Protection. Entertainment. Inspiration. Our pets give to us every day, unconditionally, mostly without prompts or bribes (I said mostly!). I would not be the veterinarian I am today without the influence of my childhood dog, Belle. I would not be the mom (fur and human) I am without first mothering my cat Samson, who was my very first pet as an adult. My patients fill me up – even when they are sick, their strength encourages me and inspires me to be a better doctor. I am not sure it is really possible to thank these creatures for all they give to us, but I am attempting it!
Read MoreLyme disease is the most reported vector-borne disease in the United States. Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks and affects both humans as well as animals causing illness, and even death, if not caught and treated on time. With common symptoms like lameness (limping), decreased appetite and lethargy, Lyme disease can be difficult to tell apart from other ailments that could affect our dogs. The month of May is dedicated to Lyme Disease Awareness so I have put together some facts on this common and potentially deadly disease.
Read MorePet food is a frequent topic of conversation among pet owners and veterinarians. What should I feed my dog? Dry kibble? Canned food? What about a raw diet? Or homemade diet? We all want to make the best decision for our animals and give them the best nutrients possible, but if you have read anything about pet food recently, you know that isn’t so easy to do.
Read MoreSpring has sprung in many states across the USA and I don’t know about you but both of my dogs have been out and about – laying in sunbeams, helping us in the garden, and even venturing to the beach! As these warm days sneak up on us, we all need to remember the warmer weather exposes our pets to ectoparasites like fleas and ticks. And this year, there is a new tick to be concerned about, the Asian Longhorned tick, whose behavior makes using year round prevention more important than ever.
Read MoreWith the start of the new year comes promises of improved health and better choices. We hope to begin with a clean slate and pursue our own personal goals. But what about our pets? If they could set a New Year’s Resolution what would it be?
Read MoreAs we near the end of the year, family begins to gather for fellowship and celebration. Home cooked meals and spirits flowing in the company of loved ones give us all holiday cheer this time of year. However, many veterinarians will tell you this can be one of the busiest times of the year for them – especially veterinarians who work in the emergency room. As we gather together with loved ones, many times our pets are present yet not always watched closely. As a result they can get very sick or injured. Here are 3 tips to keep your pets safe this holiday season.
Read MoreRabies. A disease mentioned constantly by your veterinarian and seen occasionally in the news and media, but what do you really know about it? It has been my experience that not everyone truly understands rabies virus and the disease it causes. So, in honor of World Rabies Day (also, my son’s birthday…how fitting!) I am attempting to spread education and awareness on this deadly virus.
Read MoreSeptember is my favorite month where I live. The tourists have gone, we have cool mornings and evenings, but still experience warm days. The beach is beautiful (and empty!) in September, yet the water still warm enough to swim. September is also the heart of hurricane season on the east coast, and as we stock away water, canned food, and other essentials for impending storms, we do not want to forget about our 4-legged family members. Here are 7 tips to help prepare you and your pet for a natural disaster.
Read MoreMarch is a tricky month, isn’t it? In many parts of the United States people are experiencing the last snow storms Winter has to offer while others are beginning to see glimpses of Spring. As far as our pets are concerned, this is the time of year their exposure to ectoparasites (ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes) begins to really become a threat. Many pet parents choose to discontinue their monthly flea and tick prevention during the winter months as they do not feel the exposure really exists, while others continue to treat their animals every month. I want to discuss the importance of preventing ectoparasites in our animals – specifically ticks – because they pose a threat not only to the health of our pets, but also to us!
Read MoreIf I could be a veterinarian for Santa’s reindeer, I think my life would be complete. Spending afternoons with the jolly ole fellow, sipping egg nog, and discussing how to best care for the sleigh-pulling team who bring joy to so many. Bucket list: complete!
Read MoreAnimal adoption is near and very dear to my heart. All of my animals have entered my life through some form of adoption whether it be an actual organization like the Humane Society or an owner surrender. An extraordinary number of animals are shuffled through rescue groups, animal shelters, the Humane Society & the SPCA. And unfortunately, I don’t see this changing any time soon. As the veterinary community works tirelessly to educate the public, it seems there are still animals without homes. So, what can you do to help? Aside from the obvious: Adopt! There are many ways you can lend a hand to your local shelter.
Read MoreNovember is Diabetes Awareness Month in human health and in veterinary health! Diabetes is a common disease for both humans and animals; however, many cases of diabetes in animals are preventable.
Read MoreMy cat, Samson, turned 11 years old last month. I cannot believe he is a senior. Did you know senior cats age roughly 2 years for every 6 months that we age? Samson was my first pet as an adult woman, and he has been with me through countless moves, meeting my husband, and now 2 human babies! He is the best cat and I hope I can keep him around for another 11 years (wishful thinking?!). I know there are many of you who enjoy your feline fur babies so I thought I would write a post giving a few tips on how to take care of these wonderful creatures.
Read MoreAnyone else feel like the summers keep getting hotter each year? I love the warm weather and actually prefer the summer days. And so do all of my animals! My dogs love to swim and my cat roams the house chasing the warmest sunbeam he can find. But the heat can be dangerous to us and to our animal companions. Here are 5 tips to keep your fur baby safe for the rest of the summer!
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