Pets, just like their human caretakers, face a great variety of health problems as they age. The physical sorts, while awful in their own right, seem easier for us to grasp. There is a sad kind of sense to it. The aches and pains, blindness and deafness, organ dysfunction—we recognize these as the unavoidable price […]
I got an email this week imploring me to watch a recent segment on “20/20” titled “Is Your Veterinarian Being Honest With You?” If there’s one thing I’ve learned from Stephen Colbert, it’s that headlines consisting of ominous leading questions are always trustworthy, so I was eager to see this fearless foray into the dark underbelly […]
The holidays are coming, as evidenced by the lights, wreaths, and snowflakes that started overwhelming storefronts since about seven seconds after you removed your Halloween costume. And for veterinarians, that means it’s almost time to see dozens of new furballs. Puppies and kittens are common gifts, and ’tis the season for giving. In most cases, […]
It must be weird to live in a world where literally every single thing might be food, but I’m pretty sure that’s the one that many animals inhabit. There seems to be no limit to what our pets are willing to swallow, nor does there seem to be much capacity to learn from past mistakes. […]
She was a middle-aged miniature poodle with spectacular dental disease. Most teeth were no longer visible, having been sealed away for years inside thick tombs of dental tartar. The bleeding gums had retreated to expose the roots of several teeth, many of which were swiveling loose in their sockets. I know, I know. They should […]
“He’s friendly!” she shouted as her dog came hurtling toward mine at ludicrous speed on the Rivanna Trail. Retrievers aren’t known for their mean streaks, so it’s not to say I doubted her, but I firmed up my grip on the leash just in case. As it turns out, the encounter was resolved amicably with […]
It’s a common conversation with new puppy owners. Here they are, giddy with excitement over their new addition, but I can see the fear in their eyes. “How long should I wait to take her out? Six months? Ten? I don’t want her catching anything.” I wouldn’t want to suggest that there are no dangers […]
Fleas are completely awful. I try to reserve some respect for nature, and I suppose fleas must have their place, but they aren’t the sort of thing that inclines a person to wax poetic about the circle of life. They are ugly, itchy, and can multiply from one to thousands in a few weeks. They […]
This was his first visit after being adopted from the SPCA over the weekend. He was a bit pudgy at 40 pounds—a middle-aged Beagle mix with a lazy demeanor and drooping ears. He was adorable, but with his squat legs and lumbering gait, I could never describe him as dynamic. I glanced at his chart, […]
With an overdue spring finally coming into its own, it’s time for many of us to start spending some time in the garden. Whether you’re planting vegetables for the table or decorative plants to brighten up the yard, you can be pretty sure that your pets are going to be keen on inspecting the greenery. […]