If Cats and Dogs Could Vote

cat voting

  Following Tuesday’s election, it’s reasonable to think: if dogs and cats would vote, what party would they choose? It’s too simple to say dogs would do one thing and cats another. My initial reaction, is to say cats are anarchists and would vote for whomever might put the country into chaos. That said, however, […]

Influenza Strains in Dogs

Just like people, dogs can be affected by different strains of influenza, a highly contagious respiratory infection. There are two strains of canine influenza known to affect dogs internationally. H3N8 broke out around 2004 in Florida and continues to cause sporadic disease; H3N2, a milder strain first seen in Chicago in 2015, is closely related […]

Myeloma-Related Disorders in Cats

sad cat

What are Myeloma-related Disorders? Myeloma is a type of cancer that affects plasma cells. Plasma cells are specialized lymphocytes, i.e. they are part of the white blood cell group and are key components of the immune system. In the healthy individual, plasma cells are responsible for making antibodies and help protect against disease. Plasma cells […]

The Perils of Potpourri and Pets

Potpourri bowl

It’s lovely to make your home smell nice by adding those scents around the house. Many scents can irritate a cat, dog or other companion animal’s respiratory tract. Potpourri can do more than that. Potpourri usually comes in liquid form or dry. The dry form, though, has some of the liquid on it as this […]

Electrocution: First Aid

electrocuted dog

In order to avoid injury to yourself, it is imperative that you do not touch the pet until the electrical source has been turned off or moved. Electricity can flow through your pet and affect you as well. Electrocution can cause severe tissue damage (like a thermal or heat burn can) and can also lead […]

Flea Control for Allergic Dogs and Cats

For some pets, fleas are just an annoyance. However, for pets with allergies, fleas are a serious problem. In addition to causing severe itching, fleas can also cause other problems such as skin infections and hairloss. Although flea allergy dermatitis is the most common skin disease of dogs and cats, it can be difficult for […]

Linear Foreign Bodies in Dogs and Cats

linear foreign body

Pets eat non-food things they shouldn’t such as toys, socks, rocks and more. One of the worst types of foreign bodies that a pet can have is a string – left untreated, the consequences are grave. Animals like to play with things and play often involves chewing. Chewing leads to accidental swallowing and from there […]

How to Handle Abandoned Wildlife in Houston

When well intentioned folk find wildlife that is young or injured, most want to help. The question is, what’s the best thing to do? The answer depends on species, age and if injured. Baby wildlife, especially birds trying to fly may be found on the ground. If the baby animal looks unharmed and is calling […]

Halloween is a Scary Night for Pets

Halloween may be a barrel of laughs for people who love to dress up in costumes and party, but most pets aren’t quite as fond of the holiday as people are. The doorbell rings far too often and is usually accompanied by loud children; there’s enough candy to make a pack of wolves sick; fearful pets can […]

Ear Mites in Dogs and Cats

dog mites

Most people have heard of ear mites and know they are a common ear parasite of dogs and cats. Unfortunately, this common knowledge frequently leads to the assumption that a pet’s inflamed ear is due to an ear mite infection, when in fact a much more common bacterial or yeast infection is afoot. This can lead to […]