.: Pet Health Care

If you’ve ever stopped to really watch a horse run and jump, you soon realize that their actions are a beautiful symphony of movement. Every muscle and joint in a horse’s body work together to create … Read More

Kennel cough is a common and highly contagious infection you may run across as a pet owner. If you find your dog suddenly develops an a-typical cough that sounds like she is choking or even “honking” … Read More

Arthritis can be seen as the most common disease that affects middle aged, older or even younger dogs and cats. Arthritis leads to changes that can cause chronic pains and reduce your pet’s quality of life. … Read More

Obesity is an epidemic but not strictly a human one. Over half the dogs and cats owned as pets are considered overweight or obese. That equates to over eighty-eight million fat house pets! Unfortunately, this crisis … Read More

One of the most serious problems betta owners face is an uncertainty about whether their betta is healthy or experiencing symptoms of disease. Does this sound familiar? If you think your favorite houseplant isn’t growing correctly … Read More

Every summer, articles appear in the news about dogs and other animals who die after being left unattended in a hot car. The images of helpless dogs collapsing from heat stroke stick in our minds and … Read More

As a pet writer, one of the most common questions I receive concerns euthanasia or the decision to “put down a pet.” As a pet owner, the decision of if and when to euthanize can be … Read More

Megaesophagus is a condition affecting the esophagus — the “tube” that leads from your mouth to your stomach (and your windpipe branches off.) It’s a condition that can be inherited, meaning it’s present at birth, or … Read More

After a bout of vomiting, it can take several days before the pet returns to his or her normal feeding schedule. In fact, inappropriate feeding can result in prolonged upset stomach. There are two keys to … Read More

Vomiting is a very common ailment in dogs and cats alike. Today, we’ll discuss why vomiting is dangerous and when to take him or her to the veterinary clinic for treatment. There are a number of … Read More

Monitoring a pet’s incision after surgery is an important part of post-operative care. Infections, suture problems, and other issues can result in a life-threatening situation for the pet, so it’s vital that owners closely monitor the … Read More

Many communities offer low-cost or no-cost spay-neuter clinics available to stray and feral cat caretakers. In fact, yesterday, we had one of our ferals spayed at one of these clinics, which is run by the city’s … Read More

Many eye injuries are fairly minor. A minor poke in the eye with a blunt object can result in tearing and redness. Corneal abrasions — a scratch on the eye’s surface, or cornea — often fall … Read More

Pets of all species and sizes are prone to eye injuries and some owners may not know when it’s appropriate to bring your pet to the vet clinic or the emergency room at the nearest animal … Read More

February 28, 2012 has been designated as World Spay Day. This global event, which is supported by the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International, focuses on the importance of spaying and neutering … Read More

There is a new option for pets who have sustained a recent injury or undergone surgery! Traditionally, these dogs and cats are forced to wear a large, clunky e-collar, also known as an Elizabethan collar or … Read More

Styptic powder is a handy tool for pet owners, but many don’t know how to use it! Here, we’ll explore the many uses for styptic powder and how to actually use it when your pet has … Read More

When you accidentally clip a dog’s nail too short, it’s important to keep the foot clean and free of debris in order to promote healing and avoid infection. The treatment will depend on how short you’ve … Read More

Dogs can get extremely frightened by nail clippers. In fact, many pets get very dramatic during the nail trimming process, with lots of yelping, whining and sometimes, screaming! The vocalizations can be the result of pain, … Read More

It can be a bit tricky to give medications to your cat, but there are a few tricks that you can try to make the process easier for owner and kitty! Cat Medications in Pill Form … Read More

Many pets — from dogs, to cats and even rats — are prone to developing sebaceous cysts. These cysts are filled with a white toothpaste-like paste known as sebum. Sebum is a natural oil that’s produced … Read More

Hairless rats, also known as Sphinx rats, are very unique in appearance. They are virtually hairless (virtually, as most have varying degrees of hair on their nose, tail and so forth,) with extremely soft, sensitive skin. … Read More

Rats are very cat-like in that they’re meticulous self-groomers. Rats are extremely clean animals, but every once in a while, a bath is in order! Bathing will remove some of the oily, yellow build-up that accumulates … Read More

Hind limb paralysis is fairly commonplace in elderly rats, particularly males. There are a few areas where your aged pet will require some special care. The Rat’s Cage and Bedding It’s important to keep a paralyzed … Read More

When your cat, dog or another pet is choking, it’s vital that you know how to administer first aid. In the event of an emergency, you will have a matter of seconds to clear the pet’s … Read More

Today’s article is inspired by an unfortunate event that occurred this morning: I nearly lost one of my dogs to a choking incident. Problems arose while I was feeding my disabled dog Kota. She requires hand-feeding … Read More

Birds are fragile creatures and bird owners and bird feeders alike must be well-versed in the symptoms of a sick bird. This particular article will focus on both pet birds and wild birds who may be … Read More

Medications can be deadly if they’re not administered properly and flea and tick preventatives are no exception! Your pet may get extremely sick or even die if you don’t apply flea drops in an appropriate manner. … Read More

There are a few benefits of hiring a pet sitter over sending your pet to a kennel or cattery, though it’s important to consider your cat’s or dog’s personality and temperament when making the decision of … Read More

Many pets are allergic to over-the-counter flea drops, so it’s important to know the signs of an allergic reaction or intolerance to flea and tick medications. It can take anywhere from a 24 hours to 72 … Read More

Puppyhood is an important time for your dog, as it’s a time when your pet is open to new experiences. For a puppy, nearly everything is a first! Therefore, it’s easier to teach a puppy to … Read More

Tapeworms are an intestinal parasite that can affect cats, dogs and other pets. These parasites can cause serious discomfort for your pet, in addition to robbing the animal’s body of nutrients. The most common species of … Read More

Bacterial ear infections are a relatively common ailment in dogs, especially dogs with long, floppy ears. The floppy ears create an ideal environment for bacteria growth, since the ear canal is covered by the ear flap. … Read More