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Feline heartworm disease is a relatively rare but complicated disease. Cats are not the target host for heartworms but can become infected from mosquito bites just like dogs. A multitude of problems exist in testing and treatment of heartworms in cats, but none of them are very reliable. To be extremely brief, the only option is prevention. We recommend monthly…

As winter creeps upon us here in the southern U.S. it is important to talk about pets. While some breeds may be adapted for cold weather, many are not. In general, if the temperature will drop below 50 degrees Farenheit the animal should be kept inside. Some long-haired dogs like huskies or malamutes may enjoy the colder weather, but please…

As loving pet owners we are all guilty (myself included) of sharing some sweet morsels with our animal companions.  As innocent as this sounds, it can lead to behavioral as well as health issues.  We fail to give credit to animal intellect as they observe the cellophane or foil wrapper these goodies come in.  They recognize the packaging as well…

Promoting dental care with our clients is one of the most crucial things we can do as veterinarians. Not to overstate the problem, but statistically it has been shown that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats over three years of age have some degree of periodontal disease. Smaller dogs and cats live 15-20% longer if they receive dental care…

Joint health is usually a topic we think about for our older pets. However, issues pertaining to the joints can start young and can affect our furry family members without us noticing it. Our pets need special attention concerning joint health, especially in the colder months of the year. Degenerative Joint Disease, also known as arthritis, can manifest itself as…

Our companion animals often experience various levels of anxiety, fear, and phobias. Perhaps these conflicts are seen more often in the spring and summer months. The simple reason for this is increased boarding, inclement weather, holiday celebrations (balloon festivals, July 4th), etc. Noise aversion can be a difficult problem to address. Ultimately, the approach of behavior modification through a certified…

As we enter into hurricane season, the threat of natural disasters looms heavy over our heads. Emergencies come in many forms; whether it is a temporary absence from your home or a permanent evacuation, pets usually get thought of last when making a family disaster plan. But pets are family too, and omitting them from the plan can put pets,…

Microchips in pets can be valuable tool in locating a lost pet.  A common misconception is that these chips can be used to locate an animal like GPS.  This is not true, although collars are available to do so. The microchip must be manually scanned at either a Veterinary clinic or rescue organization.  With this invention, most owners can be…

As warm weather starts to roll in and flowers are in full bloom, you may notice your allergies starting to flare. People are not the only ones that suffer from allergies, our pets do too. An itchy dog is a common problem for many pet owners today. While the cause of this problem requires testing to truly diagnose and treat,…