Taking your cat to the vet can be one of the most daunting tasks of cat ownership. Whether your cat hides under the middle of the bed or turns into the Tasmanian Devil, it can become a very frustrating experience for both you and the cat. Then frustration becomes frenzy as the appointment time approaches, and it seems impossible to put your cat in the carrier and arrive safely
read moreMost people are aware that veterinarians recommend vaccinations for their pets. Given the debate surrounding human vaccines, some pet owners may be asking: why vaccinate? Here are five reasons that vaccines are important for your furry companion. 1. Disease prevention – Vaccines are proven to reduce the rate of infection and severity of illness for common diseases. They are an essential part of keeping your pet healthy. Some vaccines,
read moreAs an emergency critical care veterinary specialist, I see a lot of dogs and cats coming into the animal ER. Some are true emergencies, and could have died without coming in, and others are more stable but the pet owner wasn’t able to get into their veterinarian. First off, it’s important to have some things at home to deal with emergencies, like a pet first aid kit. So, when
read moreTaking your dog for a walk on a nice sunny day in mid-summer can be a lot of fun and great exercise for your pet. But a nice walk or outdoor event can lead to injury and a possible trip to the emergency room if you are unaware of the dangers lying just under your pup’s paws. On a typical warm summer day asphalt temperatures can get hot enough
read moreIn grade school, we’re all taught to take preventative measures to ensure an adequate amount of fire safety in our homes. We’re all well aware of the classic “stop, drop, and roll” routine but what about our pets? Fire safety is essential for pets as well! After all, 40,000 pets are killed in house fires every year. While it may not be the very first thing we think about
read moreSummertime is the best time of year! We tend to be more active during the summer months and try to soak in as much time outside as we can here in Minnesota. This also typically means having our pets enjoy more time outside as well. However, even in the Bold North, we can reach high temperatures and humidity levels. While this can be uncomfortable for us humans, imagine how
read moreIt’s that time of year where the UV index is high, which means we’re at risk for sunburn and other UV damaging effects. Perhaps you slather on sunscreen, use protective clothing, find a lovely patch of shade, or completely avoid the sun during peak hours to protect yourself from the sun. But what about your dog or cat? Do they need protection from the sun? The short answer is that most
read moreBy now, many of you have likely heard about the risk of heart disease in dogs eating “BEG” diets – boutique diets from small companies, diets with exotic ingredients, and/or grain-free diets. In July 2018, the FDA announced that they were launching an investigation into the link between these nontraditional canine diets and dilated cardiomyopathy. They published an update on Thursday, June 27, 2019, which can be found here:
read more“I could never put Spike through chemotherapy.” “I don’t want Bella to suffer.” “I’m more focused on his quality of life.” We often hear statements like these from worried pet owners whose dogs or cats have recently been diagnosed with cancer. There are many different types of cancer, and treatment recommendations can include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination. Chemotherapy is not indicated for all cancer types, but if
read moreWith summer and the warmer weather here, it is important that your dog does not get overheated. Brachycephalic (smooshed face) breeds and breeds with thick hair coats can be at an especially high risk of overheating in the hot months. This may make you wonder “What can I give my pup to cool down?” There are many fun treats that you can make at home for your dog to
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