Are Low Dose Steroids Safe?
One method of treating an out of balance immune system is to give low-dose steroids. Steroids at the lowest dose to maintain clinical signs is the definition of low dose. Sometimes, this means every other day. Sometimes this means fraction of a tablet. But is this...
Why Am I Supposed to Mix Foods When I Switch Pet Foods?
Let me ask you this in exchange: Do you eat the same thing every meal? Do you get diarrhea when you eat different meals? Normally no, right? Essentially it comes down to health the intestinal tract. If your pet has a healthy intestinal tract, then there’s no problem...
Do You Know Your Local Rabies Laws?
It is generally accepted in most states that young puppies and kittens need to be vaccinated by four months of age against the rabies virus. One year later, these animals can receive a booster good for three years. In the eyes of the law, animals who have been...
What Options Do I Have in Heartworm “Prevention?”
Heartworm medications are regulated by the FDA. Legally, your pet’s only protection is with one of the standard veterinary products. These days, those are either monthly chewable or topical products. The problem is that only pharmaceuticals can legally be...
Are the Combination Chewable Heartworm/Flea/Tick Medications Safe for My Dog?
In the last couple of years, pharmaceutical companies have developed and manufactured new chewable combination pills – heartworm prevention that also protects against fleas. Some newer products even kill ticks. But at what expense to our pets and our...
Ten Questions to Ask When Shopping for a New Veterinarian
First question: Will the new veterinarian will accept services provided by your old veterinarian? For example, will they accept the vaccines that your veterinarian provided or insist on starting things all over? Over vaccination is a tremendous problem and leads to...
My Dog Had All of Her Teeth Pulled at Her Last Dental, Now Her Tongue Hangs Out. Why is That?
Your poor baby must have had some rotten teeth! The good news is now that the rotten teeth are out, she probably feels much better. The infection that was associated with those teeth most likely sent bacteria through her blood stream which would have made her feel...
A Super Quick, Inexpensive Measure of Pet Health – Urine pH
Last week, we talked briefly about acid-base balance. Today’s topic ties in directly with that – urine pH. Normal urine pH should be between 6.5 and 7.0. A pH measure of 7.0 is neutral – neither acid nor alkaline. One of the things your veterinarian evaluates when...
Special Ingredient Saturday – Cheese
Cheese provides protein and a quality source of calcium. Cheese also provides iron, zinc and potassium.
Why Does My Dog Eat Dirt?
There are many theories as to why dogs eat dirt. These theories include missing minerals in their diet, treating intestinal parasites, and perhaps having an upset stomach. A new theory would be to consider the pH of the soil where your dog is eating and how that...