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Fur-Tunately: Stories of Animal Survival | Episode VI: Every Small Dog Owner’s Greatest Fear

*WARNING: This blog contains graphic images. Please continue at your own discretion.* A larger dog picked up Bentley, an 8-year-old Yorkie, by the neck, and shook him. If your eyes are wide, chest feels tight, and your pulse is racing after reading that, then you may be a small dog owner! Having your beloved pet attacked is truly every small dog parent’s greatest fear. Whether on a walk, at the

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Onions, Garlic, Chives, & Leeks: Allium Poisoning in Pets

If you’re a foodie like me, fall and the holiday season are an absolute joy! But it’s not just about the pumpkin crave or an apple kick – it’s also about those savory favorites like grandma’s classic hotdish, garlic and chive mashed potatoes, stuffing, and more! Some of the most basic, universal ingredients we love to use for these delicious dishes though include onions, garlic, chives, and leeks – which are all members of the Allium species. But when you’re in the kitchen with your allium of choice and see your

Mothball Toxicity in Pets

As the seasons change, many people take on the tedious task of switching out their wardrobes from summer clothes to winter – or vice versa. While this chore may seem harmless, it can be the cause of a very serious pet danger: mothball toxicity. For pet owners who store their clothes with mothballs, it’s important to take extra caution when switching out clothes and packing up items for storage.

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Tremorgenic Mycotoxin Intoxication in Pets

Imagine returning home from work and as you push open the door, you are greeted by trash strewn across the kitchen floor. Your eyes follow the trail and spot the knocked-over trash can. Immediately, you realize Fido, who has been home alone all day, got into the trash. And as you process the scene, questions race through your head: How long ago did this happen? What was in there? Should we go to the vet? When a

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Head Tilts in Rabbits and Rodents

It’s a normal day at home and your rabbit is romping around in the other room. Suddenly, you hear a crash. You run in to find your bun rolling on her side, unable to stand up. You’re able to get her right-side-up, but her head is tilted to one side! Is she having a seizure? Is there something wrong with her brain?!? A head tilt can be scary to see in your pet. At a glance, they suggest that something is wrong inside the animal’s head, and it could

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Urinary Crystals in Pets

Urinary crystals are one type of “bling” that even fashion-conscious pet owners do not want! Urinary crystals and stones are caused by a buildup of natural minerals found in your pet’s urine. There are several types of urinary crystals and stones with the most common being struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate) and calcium oxalate. Occasionally, cysteine conglomerations are seen. All these minerals can form crystals that resemble tiny, microscopic grains of salt or stones that are large enough to be visible to the

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Why Are Veterinarians So Busy Right Now

If you’ve sought veterinary care during the pandemic, you may have been surprised that your veterinarian’s appointment schedule was booked out for 3-4 weeks for anything routine. If you’ve needed emergency veterinary care, the comparison to pre-pandemic life may have been even more dramatic. Normal wait times of 2-3 hours have ballooned to 6-8 hours, and emergency hospitals often have to stop receiving patients. The intention of this blog is to explain the complexity of the issue and ask for

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Back to School Pet Toxins and Hazards

It’s time for a new school year! Whether your student is returning to in-person classes or continuing at-home learning options, remember that many school supplies, as well as common items found in backpacks and lunchboxes, can be toxic or hazardous to our pets. Please carefully review this list of potential pet toxins and dangers to be extra cautious of this school year! 1. Lunchboxes Whether lunches are being packed in the morning or cleaned out at

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Reactivity in Dogs | Part III: Tips and Tricks

If you haven’t read Part I or Part II, please do so before proceeding. Part III, our final part of our Reactivity in Dogs blog series, provides specific tools that I have used to help reduce or manage my dog’s reactivity. Your mileage may vary. Positive Training Many of Polo’s behaviors can be managed by training with kibble. For example, if we’re in the car and he sees someone through the window, he

Reactivity in Dogs | Part II: Resources

If you haven’t read Part 1 of this blog, you can do so here. Owning a reactive dog will suck the life out of you – quickly! With 34 years of experience in veterinary medicine, I thought I was prepared to take on a dog like Polo, but I was wrong. Triggers There are as many types of reactivity as there are dogs in the world. A dog might be triggered by people who