Articles

For years, pet owners have disagreed about whether purebred or mixed breed dogs are healthier. Until recently, there was no scientific data to back up their opinions, but UC Davis researchers recently helped answer the question with a landmark health study. The Arguments Pet owners who thought that mixed breed dogs were healthier argued that inbreeding in purebred dogs increased

Does your pet regard your lawn as the perfect place to snack? Eating grass may not seem very appetizing to you, but your pet doesn’t share your disdain. In fact, both dogs and cats enjoy eating a little grass from time to time. We’ll explore why pets eat grass and explain what you should do if you notice that your

Has it been awhile since you’ve seen your pet? Although your cat, dog or rabbit could just be enjoying a little nap in a quiet corner of the house, lengthy disappearances may occasionally be a sign of an illness. Familiarizing yourself with some of the more subtle symptoms your pet displays when he or she is sick can help you

Why Your Pet Needs Heartworm Protection One bite from a mosquito could put your pet’s health in jeopardy if it’s not protected against heartworm. Heartworms invade your pet’s heart, lungs and blood vessels and can kill your pet or cause serious, lifelong health issues. Fortunately, medication available from your veterinarian can help your pet avoid heartworm. How Heartworm Affects Pets

Cleaning up vomit is a fact of life if you’re lucky enough to have a dog in your life. Although all dogs vomit from time to time, it’s important to distinguish between simple upset stomachs and more serious conditions that can cause vomiting. The Difference Between Regurgitation and Vomiting Some people use “regurgitation” and “vomiting” interchangeably, but the words don’t

World Rabies Day Is the Perfect Time to Vaccinate Your Pet Is your pet’s rabies vaccination current? The vaccine offers a simple, effective way to protect your pet from the deadly disease. Although the number of rabies cases in the U.S. has declined, thanks to the introduction of the vaccine, the disease hasn’t been completely eradicated and still remains a

Many dogs have thick eye discharge. Sometimes it is just in the morning; sometimes it has to do with a dog’s breed. Some breeds of dogs have eyes that sit differently in their skull, causing more discharge. And, sometimes, the goopy eye is a sign of a severe, chronic and painful condition called keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). KCS is commonly called

How a Veterinarian Can Help You Survive a Zombie Apocalypse It’s impossible to fight zombies alone. In fact, your survival during a zombie apocalypse may depend on the people hiding in the abandoned house with you. A veterinarian may not seem like an obvious choice for your zombie survival dream team, but vets possess many of the skills you’ll need

Straining to urinate, frequent urination, blood in the urine, and accidents in the house are common symptoms that pet owners report to their veterinarian. Many times the signs come on suddenly, as people find urine spots on the floor, often near the door where the dog goes outside. Cat owners may notice that the urine balls in the litter box

What Causes Worms in Dogs and How Can You Prevent It? Worms can make your dog miserable and even lead to death in some cases. Fortunately, your veterinarian offers treatments that will help you keep your dog worm-free. In addition to scheduling regular visits with the veterinarian, you may want to take a few steps to reduce your pet’s risk