Articles

Does your dog have stinky breath? Do your cat’s teeth look brown? In fact, periodontal disease is the most common disease that pets develop. It is estimated that 80 to 85% of dogs and cats have some degree of infection. It is not just a cosmetic problem, chronic infection shortens their life because of effects on other organs, especially the

Is Your Pet Protected from Heartworm Disease? Heartworm, a life-threatening parasitic infection, sickens dogs, cats, and ferrets in all 50 states. Like many diseases, heartworm is much easier to prevent than treat. National Heartworm Awareness Month, held every April, offers a timely reminder of the devastating health effects of heartworm disease. How Do Pets Get the Disease? Heartworm disease is

Rats have made numerous appearances on the screen and the page as you’ve watched theater movies with your children, read popular children’s books or relaxed while checking out family films with your home’s technology system. Movies have made the rodents popular in the world of children. Popular children’s books and stories have increased interest about the rodents. Their new popularity

In 2007, several million bags of pet food were recalled in the United States due to contamination. Though some of the recalls were done by the manufacturers voluntarily to “be safe,” some of the recalled food was found to have contaminated vegetable proteins. Several pets unfortunately died, and even more were hospitalized. After millions of horrified pet owners were told

If your pet is suffering from pain or another illness but not responding to traditional veterinary care, veterinary acupuncture may be an effective treatment option. Veterinary acupuncture is very similar to the type of acupuncture used to treat humans. Long, thin needles are inserted at specific pressure points along an animal’s body to alleviate pain and stimulate the central nervous

Leptospirosis is a bacterial, worldwide disease that can also affect humans. Dogs are usually exposed by contact with the urine of affected animals, often wildlife, or by drinking contaminated water. There is a vaccine that can protect dogs from four strains of Lepto. Antifreeze toxicity is another common cause of renal damage. Dogs like the sweet taste, and ingesting even

Addison’s disease is an endocrine disorder where the adrenal glands, near the kidneys, fail to produce enough hormones. This disease is relatively uncommon (approximately one case per 3000 dogs) but it is more common in dogs than humans. It is very rare in cats. The common symptoms of Addison’s are lethargy, occasional vomiting or diarrhea, weakness, low body temperature, low

Does your favorite feline leave you hairballs as gifts? If so, you’re not alone. Although we love cats for being meticulous groomers, it’s safe to say we don’t like finding hairy presents around the house. Let’s explore what causes hairballs and how to prevent them. What Causes a Hairball? Hairballs are clusters of fur, or hair, that your cat unintentionally

Bad Breath May Mean Your Pet Has a Dental Problem Overwhelmed by your pet’s bad breath? If you flinch every time your pet nuzzles against your face, it may be time to make an appointment with the veterinarian. Stinky breath can be a sign of a tooth or gum problem that requires prompt dental care. Why Your Pet’s Breath Smells

Signs Your Dog May Have Bloat Every minute counts when your dog develops bloat. The condition affects dogs of any age and causes death just a few hours after symptoms start. Recognizing bloat symptoms and rushing your pet to the veterinarian can help your furry friend survive a bout of bloat. How Does Bloat Happen? Bloat occurs when excess air