As the summer heat and humidity wind down our cats and dogs begin one of their favorite activities……..they scratch. Or they bite at themselves or rub their back on the rug, furniture and whatever else they can find to scratch that itch. Is it fleas…or allergies? Actually it could be both. As summer segues into… Continue reading
Sooner or later all of us with pets will have to clean up an unfortunate mess. According to pet health insurance company statistics, digestive problems such as vomiting and diarrhea are two of the most common reasons that pet owners present cats and dogs to the veterinarian. While an occasional episode is not usually life… Continue reading
Daily in our veterinary practice clients bring in cats as well as dogs stating that their pet has an infected ear. Often the most common symptom is scratching at the ear or shaking the head. Family members will often comment that there is an odor or discharge around the pet’s head. Frequently the family suspects… Continue reading
This is a common response of many pet owners upon first hearing this suggestion. As the relationship between oral health and systemic disease becomes clearer we as the caretaker of our pets have this added responsibility. In the realm of steps we can take to prolong and improve our pets’ lives, tooth brushing is one… Continue reading
A few days ago we received a call from a client with a 6 month old mixed breed hound. While vacationing on Cape Cod this weekend the pup began to limp on a rear leg after running through the sand. No cry was heard, no catastrophic event noted. But there was no question that for… Continue reading
Spring is upon us in a big way in New England. The record warmth early, the deluges later and now the seasonal temperatures have brought on a bumper crop of ticks, fleas and mosquitoes. The scratching and irritation your dog and cat exhibit is but a minor inconvenience (maybe not for them) compared to the… Continue reading
In the past 5 to 10 years the growth of veterinary dental practices has been rapid. Tooth brushing for dogs and cats has long been emphasized as part of routine care as has the need for dental prophylaxis or professional cleaning. But often we receive calls from pet owners who have recently visited their veterinarians … Continue reading
Frequently, veterinary disease conditions that do not seem to respond to initial treatment are often dealt with by adding additional medications. Although in certain illnesses such as cardiac disease this may be an accepted and appropriate response, in other situations additional chemicals may serve only to cloud the short and/or long term prognosis. Consider, for… Continue reading
Recently I was the victim of a serious automobile accident. The first responding paramedics were exemplary as well as the team that air lifted me to a prominent Boston medical facility. The trauma team was extraordinary and the orthopedic service very capable. However in reflecting on my recent hospitalization it missed the mark. In spite… Continue reading
The primary objective of medicine is always to find a cure for what is afflicting the patient. In many instances, however this may not be possible or even practical. For these unique cases there are multiple options available to the pet owner. The various paths of treatment include supportive, palliative or hospice care. Supportive care is the… Continue reading
