My Dog Constantly Drags his Butt. His Anal Glands have been Expressed by Vet. What Else is Going On?
My first question would be whether the veterinarian finds any fluid in the anal glands and what it looks like. Liquid from the anal glands should be brown, thin and see through. If it's anything other than that, there is infection. If the liquid is more like paste...
Can I Share Medications I was Prescribed for One Dog for Another Dog?
Yes and no. It depends on several things which is why it's good to call the veterinarian's office first and at least touch base. Most medications are dosed by weight, so first, you have to make sure you are giving the right dose. It's not always as simple as doubling...
Public Service Announcement: TICKS More Aggressive This Season
I can’t tell you the number of calls my clinic is receiving about ticks and how they seem even heavier and more aggressive this year. The more concerning part of this pet-related concern is that ticks don’t just pose a threat to your dog’s health, but to your own and...
I’ve Read that Dogs are Great at Managing & Masking Pain. What are Signs that my Pooch may be in Pain?
You are absolutely right - some dogs really do know how to hide pain! Here are some signs: slow to get up, starting to get a bit grumpy if touched a certain way, a tinge of blue or purple color on the tongue, an incomplete shake. The first two...
My Cat Bit Me, Is There Something I Need to Worry About?
First thing to check is whether he's ever been vaccinated for rabies. Even if it was only one time in his life, you should be safe from rabies as a reason for a bite. If he broke the skin and drew blood, there's a good chance you can get an infection. Cat bites are...
My Cat Occasionally Vomits… Mainly Watery Vomit. What’s Going On?
My first question would be if your cat vomits watery fluid shortly after she drinks water? If that is the case then she is drinking too fast and the water is not even going into her stomach before she regurgitates it back up. Sometimes this happens because the water...
What Can I Do to Cure my Dog’s Hot Spots?
Hot spots are a symptom of allergies. Commonly, the allergies are either to fleas, food, or hayfever. If you control the fleas and feed good food then you can reduce the symptoms of hayfever. Certainly you can treat the symptoms of the hot spot but if you don't get to...
My Dog Keeps Shaking his Head & Scratching his Ear. What’s Going On?
I find two major causes of head-shaking and scratching: food allergy or need of a chiropractic adjustment. This bold statement is based on assuming there are no fleas, and no ear mites. Assuming there are no critters, and if the ears are clean and smooth on inspection...
How Can I Help my Dog Become Less Shy?
If your dog is older than three months old and is shy you may have a hard time getting him to completely come out of his shell. A large part of that shyness is related to socialization. Socialization for puppies is between six and 12 weeks old, if during that time...
What Can I Do to Freshen my Pet’s Breath?
First, we have to figure out why your dog or cat has bad breath. Is it from tartar buildup on the teeth? If that is the case then the cure is usually a professional dental cleaning. If your pet has had his or her teeth cleaned recently and still has bad breath then...