Did you know that your canine companion can get the flu? In fact, there’s an outbreak going on now. Fido’s version, canine influenza virus (CIV)–also often called the dog flu—is an influenza A virus. There are several strains, but the two that are most common in the US are H3N8 and H3N2. These strains are both extremely contagious, and are the culprits behind the current outbreak. A local vet offers some information on this below. … Read More
So you’ve got a dog. And now you’re wondering how to keep your dog cool in the summer. If you’re anything like us, you want your pet to be as comfortable and happy as possible. And who doesn’t want their pet to be happy? There are a lot of things that can affect your dog’s comfort level in the summertime. The temperature, humidity, and wind all have a big impact on how hot (or cold) … Read More
October is National Animal Safety And Protection Month! Of course, this topic is important all year long. Pets don’t always know what is and isn’t safe for them, and they can easily get into trouble. You’ll need to take a few steps to keep your four-legged friend happy, healthy, and, of course, safe. A local vet offers some advice on pet safety in this article. Dogs Fido is both curious and playful, and he has … Read More
Have you ever considered feeding your dog or cat a grape or its dried counterpart, the raisin? It’s not a good idea. It turns out that grapes and raisins can actually prove toxic to our animal friends. These humble fruits can cause poisoning and even death in the most extreme cases. Read on as your local veterinarian tells you more about grape and raisin poisoning in pets. Why are grapes and raisins poisonous? You might … Read More
Just like you, your dog sneezes sometimes. Most often, it’s simply because small particles of dust, dirt, grass, or other materials make their way into the nasal passages—your dog uses their nose to explore the world, after all. But what happens if your dog sneezes frequently, or won’t stop sneezing? Here are some of the most common reasons that dogs sneeze: Play Sneezing Did you know that most dogs sneeze when they’re playing? Whether your … Read More
Just the word “rabies” tends to conjure up some frightening images in the mind’s eye. And because rabies is a zoonotic disease, meaning that it can be transmitted from animals to humans, it’s particularly dangerous. Luckily, rabies has been all but eliminated in the United States and many other parts of the world thanks to modern vaccination and wild animal control measures. Still, you’ll want to take the proper precautions to make sure your pet … Read More
If you own a cat, you’ll notice that she licks herself frequently. Cats spend a lot of time grooming themselves by licking, so this behavior in and of itself isn’t abnormal. But it’s possible for a cat to lick herself too much—this is known in the veterinary world as overgrooming. Read on to find out more from your local veterinarian. What Counts as Overgrooming? Since cats spend somewhere between 25 and 50 percent of their … Read More
As you know, your dog is susceptible to various diseases and infections. Have you ever wondered whether or not you could potentially catch any of those illnesses from your pooch? It’s a scary thought. And it’s true—it is possible for dogs to transmit certain illnesses to humans. The diseases in question are known as zoonotic diseases. Read on as your local veterinarian tells you more about zoonotic diseases and how to make sure both your … Read More
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month! Lyme disease is a serious disease that can afflict both people and pets. As you may know, the disease is spread through ticks, which are unfortunately spreading throughout North America. Left untreated, Lyme disease can cause some very serious—and potentially life-threatening—issues, such as kidney failure and heart trouble. A veterinarian offers some prevention tips below. Landscaping Ticks love to lurk in long grasses, leaf litter, and piles of debris, … Read More
Did you know that our feline friends can get their own version of colds or flus? In many cases, cats just feel a bit stuffy and tired for a few days, and then recover on their own. However, kitty colds can develop into upper respiratory infections, or URIs. These can be extremely dangerous! Senior cats and kittens are especially at risk, because of their weaker immune systems. A vet discusses cat colds below. Warning Signs … Read More