Adopt-a-Turtle? You see the turtle crossing the road, should you merely help it to safety or give it a new home, giving yourself a turtle as a pet? Continue reading »
May 102012
May 092012
Canine Parvovirus (CPV) is a highly infectious disease that affects unvaccinated or under-vaccinated puppies, usually between 6 weeks and 6 months of age. This nasty infection causes havoc in the intestines in the majority of cases, with vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite and lethargy being the main signs. Death is usually due to severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and malnutrition. The more rare manifestation of CPV infects the heart muscle of very young puppies and usually leads to rapid death. Continue reading »
May 082012
Myth or reality: can horses vomit? Have you heard the legend that horses can’t vomit? If not, it may seem obvious to you that of course, they can. Now that you’re thinking about it, have you ever seen one do so? Continue reading »
May 072012
It is a stereotype that all cats get hairballs. But is it true? We have all seen movies or cartoons that poke fun at cats hairballs. But what are hairballs, really? And why do they happen? Are there ways to prevent them? Have no fear, answers are below! Continue reading »
May 042012
Pets make my life more enjoyable every day. Whether I’m discovering a “surprise” in my shoe, stroking a soft kitty belly, or writing with a cuddly critter on my lap, every moment I spend with them is a delight. They often make me laugh. They rarely make me cry, though, I must admit, some of the heroic pet stories I discovered online for this blog post series certainly did. It appears pets will do anything to save the humans they love –even learn to dial the telephone. Continue reading »
May 032012
The larynx is a little structure made of cartilage that sits in the throat and opens into the trachea, or windpipe. When the animal breathes in, the cartilages that make up the larynx are pulled apart to allow air to flow through. When the animal swallows, the larynx closes up to force food into the esophagus rather than into the airways. Laryngeal Paralysis in dogs is a condition whereby due to dysfunction of the nerve or muscles that control the larynx, the laryngeal cartilages are not pulled apart when the animal breathes. Continue reading »
May 022012
As dogs get older, their fur may gray. They become less mobile, and their senses are less acute. These are changes that naturally occur with age, in dogs as well as humans. However, if you’ve noticed that your senior dog seems to be confused, is acting distant, or has a dramatically altered personality, another issue may be afoot. Whether referred to as dementia or canine cognitive dysfunction, physical and chemical changes in the brain are the cause. The result is a deterioration of your beloved pet’s ability to think, learn and remember. Continue reading »
The problem of money… Money is a nice sight most of the time, just not when it’s in your dog’s stomach. Did you know that coins can be poison for dogs? Continue reading »
Apr 302012
With a few creative ideas, you can encourage a healthy and active feline friend. We all know how it goes. One day your pet is in tip-top shape, then it is slightly chubby (but in a very cute way). But then your pet morphs into a big mass of fluffy fur and four short-looking legs. Weight gain in cats is no jokes and getting that feline back into shape might be a challenge. Continue reading »
