Senior Screens for Older Cat and Dog Companions
Just like people, advances in medicine mean our canine and feline companions are living longer than ever before. As they age, different issues may arise. Being one step ahead of you pet’s illness can help catch things early, slow down disease progression and ensure your companion animal lives a comfortable and happy life. Common age-related […]
Chronic Pain Caused by Osteoarthritis in Companion Animals
Just like people, cats and dogs as they age experience changes to their joints. Over time cartilage wears down and can no longer pad the bones associated with the joint and arthritis (bony changes) occur. Ligaments that hold bones in place to prevent abnormal and excessive motion fray and tear, too, abnormal bone rubbing also […]
Two New Options for Chronic Pain in Cats (yes Cats!) and Dogs – Enter Solensia and Librela
As our feline and canine pets live longer, we are seeing the conditions that arise from a long, happy life with its wears and tears on the body, much as we do with people. One common complication is osteoarthritis – or commonly referred to as just arthritis. As pressure is repeatedly placed on joints, the […]
New Year’s Fears for Cats and Dogs
New Years can be fun for people – get togethers, spirits, food and fireworks! Great for us, yes. For our cat and dog companions, often less so. Many dogs and cats get anxious around loud groups of people. If your pet is slightly shy, it’s important they have a place to go and escape the […]
New Respiratory Infection In Dogs
Many pet owners have heard of a new respiratory infection that has recently been found in a few states this year. The new infection is still of unknown etiology. It has been reported in Colorado and the Pacific Northwest, specifically Oregon and Washington State. The infection seems to start out with a dry hacking cough and […]
Dental Disease and Routine Cleaning in Cats and Dogs
The mouth isn’t the cleanest place to be in any individual. Over time, food and other materials eaten by our companion animals get stuck in between the teeth and leave a buildup on the surface of the teeth that builds up into bacteria-laden plaque. As time goes on, plaque move under the gums (gingiva) and […]
Cats and the Kidneys as They Age
Cats more so than dogs are prone to kidney failure as they age. Often issues are noted after 10 years of age but in some cases are seen earlier – usually no younger than eight years unless there is a genetic pre-disposition. Signs of kidney failure start as very mild. Pet owners may see increased […]
Helping Fearful Patients Receive the Best Veterinary Visits
Not all dogs and cats are the same. Some patients are comfortable and happy inside and outside their home and on visits to new places including the veterinarian. Other pets are fearful. This article will focus on veterinary visits for the fearful pet and how to ensure the visits become less stressful each time. Dogs […]
Allergies in Cats and Dogs
Just like people, cats and dogs can get allergies, too. They can be broken down into environmental allergies, food allergies and allergies to flea bites, which is especially common in an area like Houston. Unlike people, companion animals tend to manifest allergies in their skin – basically they start to itch. Sometimes they get runny […]
Canine Parvovirus and Feline Panleukopenia Virus
The virus known as Parvovirus often seen in young, unvaccinated puppies originated from a cat virus that causes the feline infection Panleukopenia. While the two viruses are variations of the same virus and can be infectious to either species and share some overlap, they do present slightly differently in cats versus dogs. In general, parvoviruses […]