I read this a while back on Dear Annie, the column that began to run after Ann Landers passed the baton. It sounds something between superstitious and nuts. But, according to the writer, Hawaiians swear by it. Let us know what…
This week medical research confirmed something you and I already knew: pets are good for kids. Respiratory illness occurs less often and in milder forms in children who share their homes with one or more pets. And that includes Respiratory…
Dewclaws. Even the name is funny. Spellcheck doesn’t even know it. Then, again, spellcheck doesn’t know “spellcheck”, either! Dewclaws are functionless first digits (toes) on the inside of the front legs of most dogs and cats, and on the rear…
“Doctor, Poppet’s nose was warm yesterday. Is that a sign of illness?” Poppett’s mom has asked a common question, but one that doesn’t have a simple answer. Dogs, and to some extent cats, use their noses and foot pads as…
This week it was announced that Chanel, the “world’s oldest dog” celebrated her 21st birthday. In fact, the dog with the greatest recorded age was an Australian cattle dog named Bluey. Bluey was euthanized at 29 years and 5 months…
Today is the four-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Our prayers are with the survivors who lost loved ones, their homes, their belongings and their treasures. And with those whose pets were killed, injured or lost. And those people, dogs and…
A few days ago we reported on Jack, who had run upon some marijuana in a duffle bag in a public park. Jack, we are happy to report, is now doing fine. Jack’s story reminded me of an event that…
Yesterday we observed what a natural fit pets and kids are. All of us pet-loving adults would confirm that our animals are an integral part of our lives, too. And, by “adult” I’m putting no age limits. Take my father, for example.…
Allergy alert! It seems that every other dog and cat who comes in the front door of our hospital is complaining of itchiness. Allergy years tend to run in cycles. Dogs’ immune systems are known to be able to react…
Continuing the topic of minimizing recurrent ear problems in dogs and cats, today we will discuss proper treatment. In order to have treatment success the duration of treatment must be adequate. Do not stop treatment just because the ears look…
