Articles

Your decision is a personal one, but it need not be a solitary one. Your veterinarian and your family and friends can assist and support you. How Do I Make The Decision? Your relationship with your pet is special, and you are responsible for its care and welfare. Eventually, many owners are faced with making life or death decisions for

Pets are living longer thanks to advances in veterinary care, diagnostics, and earlier intervention. But the key to enjoying our “senior” pets lies not only in extending their life span, but in helping them enjoy their later years to the fullest. Like people, dogs and cats are prone to debilitating ailments as they age. Kidney failure, heart disease, arthritis, dental

Protect Your Pets from Heatstroke This Summer Hot, humid summer days could mean trouble for your pets if they become overheated. High temperatures and humidity levels increase your pet’s risk of developing heatstroke, a potentially deadly condition. What Is Heatstroke? Heatstroke occurs when your pet’s body temperature rises dangerously high. A temperature of 102.2 degrees or higher may mean that

More than 15 million dogs in North America suffer some form of degenerative joint disease, better known as arthritis. Unfortunately, many dog owners are unaware of the pain their pet is experiencing, chalking up the slow movement to the effects of “old age.” Some dogs may receive daily doses of pain relievers and oral joint care supplements. Still others might

It’s doubtful that anyone would picture their family veterinarian swinging a light saber on the bridge of some galactic cruiser, but he or she may just have a similar technology available to help keep your pets comfortable during surgery. For more than 30 years, human doctors have used various types of surgical lasers to help people heal faster and with

Massage Offers Important Benefits for Pets Have you given your pet a massage recently? The hands-on therapy isn’t just for humans but also provides a few benefits for our furry friends. Massage Relieves Aches and Pains Dogs and cats can’t complain about tight muscles, but that doesn’t mean that their muscles aren’t sore after a vigorous session of catch-the-frisbee or

Finding a Dog Breed That Matches Your Personality Will you soon be adding a new dog to your family? Selecting a breed that meshes well with your lifestyle and personality will help you make the best choice. Things to Think About Before Selecting a Dog Whether you’ve had dogs before or are considering getting a dog for the first time,

5 Health Problems That Affect Small Dogs Small dogs usually live longer than larger dogs, but their increased lifespan doesn’t necessarily guarantee good health. In fact, these five conditions and diseases are more likely to occur in smaller dogs. Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome Breathing problems can be an issue in small dogs with short noses and muzzles, such as Shih Tzus,

A summer haircut may help you feel more comfortable during hot, humid summer weather, but it won’t have the same effect on your pet. In fact, cutting or shaving your pet’s fur can actually compromise your furry friend’s ability to remain cool. Your Pet’s Coat Provides Built-In Climate Control Although wearing a fur coat in the summer might increase your

Home and Veterinary Care for Pet Skunks If you’re an adventurous pet owner, you may love exotic animals such as skunks. You’ll be happy to learn that skunks can indeed make excellent domestic pets, but only if they receive the proper care to enjoy a happy, healthy life. Your veterinary team can help guide you along this learning curve while