Everybody loves a trip in the car! Roadtripping is fun especially when it’s to get away for the weekend, a vacation, or going to the local dog park. We like taking our pets with us. The fun starts as soon as we leave the driveway and hit the pavement. Unfortunately, many pet owners don’t think about buckling up their pet, even though they don’t think twice about buckling up themselves. Pets our just as vulnerable to travel injuries as their people.… Continue reading →

Aggressive behavior in pets often stems from a variety of underlying sources. From anxiety to a biological response to the environment. Aggression is classified and has been described as the following: lack of socialization; play, fear, or pain; predatory; territorial; and idiopathic meaning a source cannot be identified. Whatever the source aggression in pets can be very dangerous and it is important to consult with a trained animal behaviorist in seeking ways to approach the treatment of aggression. It is… Continue reading →

As much as we all shudder at the thought of parasites infesting our pets it is a common condition. Pets pick them up either in-utero, through eating infested rodents, or through nursing. They can also pick up parasite eggs in the environment by eating grass or through drinking contaminated water. The most common therapy to rid pets of intestinal parasites includes using parasite killing substances such as ivermectin and metronidazole; proper hygiene by cleaning the environment; and controlling fleas.

Urinary problems are one of the most common reasons owners seek veterinary care for their cats. The general term for the disorder is Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). The condition is a frustrating one as cats urinate inappropriately outside of the litterbox. It is also the primary reason why owners give up their pets to shelters. The disorder can cause bloody urine, straining, and increased frequency of urination. It can be very painful for cats too. These disorders can… Continue reading →

IBS is a disorder that involves the large intestines. Pets will have intermittent loose stools for no obvious reason. Unformed loose stools are usually related to inflammation of the large bowel, decreased bowel movements, low quality food and stress related conditions. Conventional veterinarians attempt to control the IBS with diet modification, motility treatment, controlling inflammation and infections and utilizing anti-vomiting medications. High fiber supplements like pumpkin or psyllium are also used in attempting to firm the stool. Holistic medicine attempts to… Continue reading →

Stress and anxiety can affect pets as well as people. Many pets experience anxiety related behaviors such as separation anxiety, noise phobia, anxiety with car rides, and stress associated with new situations or even strangers. The symptoms may lead to undesirable behaviors such as inappropriate vocalization, destructive chewing or eliminating in inappropriate locations. Conventional veterinary medicine attempts to address these behaviors by utilizing anxiety reducing medications such as the sedative acepromazine and anti-depressants such as fluoxetine or amitryptilline. Acepromazine may… Continue reading →