What is your opinion of the AVMA “ruling” suggesting raw pet food is unsafe?
I wonder why we as individuals aren’t allowed to be responsible for our actions. Now, groups and businesses should have some method of accountability. For example, since we are talking pet food, there needs to be the right level of nutrients for health (of course, you...
My dog was potty trained, but now started having accidents — right in front of us. What’s happening?
First question: does your dog do it in her sleep or is it normal squat and pee? If it’s in her sleep, it’s associated with female dogs being spayed – these dogs can be helped with weight control, exercise and chiropractic. For some dogs/owners, medication is also an...
My cat has all but stopped using the litter box, and has accidents at night. What can I do to re-train him?
We should ask a few questions to get to the underlying problem here. First, it is advisable to rule-out a bladder infection. A urine sample and visit to your veterinarian will help do that. Another biological cause of missing the box is difficulty pooping. Really,...
What’s the big deal about “RAW” anyway?
Opponents of feeding raw food come in a few different types: the disgusted, the cost and time “conscious,”and the “evidence-based medicine” group. Those who are disgusted are often vegetarian and just can’t stand the raw meat idea. I do have a few clients who will...
What are the top illnesses most quickly reversed by proper nutrition?
Bladder infection Ear infections Skin infections Anal glands Shedding Feline diabetes Constipation/diarrhea Allergies (with a caveat – some are this easy, some are quite difficult, and some are in the middle) Dental disease (after a professional dental cleaning so you...
Should I give my dog heart worm preventative all year round?
This depends on where you live. In order for the heartworm microfilariae (baby worms) to survive in the mosquito, temperatures have to be over 67F for 2 weeks. This could be most of the year in the south. In the north, not as much of the year. Heartworm disease is...
My veterinarian requires blood work to be redone before each surgery. What are my risks if I refuse it?
Just as we do in human hospitals, requiring pre-surgical bloodwork is an attempt to find subclinical problems before they cause problems during surgery. In pets, a pre-anesthetic blood screen usually looks at blood glucose, and a few tests to evaluate liver and kidney...
I have a mixed breed dog (a mutt!). How long should I expect her to live?
My dog has cherry eye. Do you recommend we operate to remove it.
Cherry eye is prolapse of the third eyelid. Dogs have an extra eyelid compared to humans – it helps protect their eye and keep it moist. The third eyelid also makes 60-70% of the tears in the eye. People don’t like the look of cherry eye – and they worry that their...
What’s the most common preventable health problem you see in pets in your clinic?
Lyme and pancreatitis. Because my clinics are located in a rural setting, ticks (and lyme) are a problem for us. Some of my clients live in what I un-affectionately call, tick central. Even though they use monthly tick prevention, it has become less effective....