Bark, Bake & Beyond

Is your pet at a healthy weight? This is a HUGE issue in Veterinary medicine.  How do we keep your pet at their recommended weight?  What happens down the road if they are too heavy? Keeping your pet at a healthy weight begins the day you bring him/her home. While some pets can be trusted to eat just the right amount if food is available 24 hours a day, the vast majority of pets will overeat and become overweight. Think about it. We humans eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. We have a set schedule every day. Sure, maybe we snack a tiny bit in between each meal. However, if there was a smorgasbord of food available to us on the table during the day and we grabbed just a few bites every time we passed by or were tempted every time we saw it, what would happen to our weight? More than likely our weight would increase. But, if we stick to our schedule of a few larger meals per day at set times, with ample time in between for exercise or digestion, our weight tends to be much be...

Hi Everyone! It’s Friday! And, that’s right, it’s time for a cool clinical case I saw. **Some forewarning…..not only does this case have an x-ray image in it, but also contains pictures during surgery. Some might find these images difficult to look at, and possibly not appropriate for young children to view.** Alright! Let’s dive in! This case involves a young lab with a voracious appetite. Wait, don’t all labs have a voracious appetite? Possibly true, but this one had an appetite for the wrong thing. Why don’t we call him “Cooper” to protect his privacy :) Cooper came in to see me one morning after having not eaten for a couple days. For any young lab, this is an instant red flag. He was also vomiting fluid, and was very “dumpy.” His dad reported that he was just laying around and not his usual playful self. Time to start with a good physical exam. I had this image to the left posted in my exam room so that owners knew everything I was checking with each physical examination ...

As your dog PULLS you down the sidewalk, aren't you a little jealous of the calm dog walking beside your neighbor?  There’s going to be a theme to this post…………...every dog needs training. Every dog. Everywhere. Every time. Okay! You just brought home a new puppy or adult dog. What’s the first thing you do? Get them fully vaccinated ( see my post on the core vaccines your puppy/dog needs ). What’s the next thing you do? Go to training classes. Yep, there is an “s” at the end of the word classes. Don’t just take your dog to one class and think that you are done. Nope, this is a lifelong endeavor. The best way to train your dog is to take him/her to group classes. Not only do they learn how to respond to you in a situation full of distractions, but they also get socialized with other pets and humans at the same time. Puppy classes should be started around 4 months of age when the vaccine schedule has been completed - don’t forget that Bordetella vaccine! Adult dog...

Congratulations! You have just brought home the most beautiful and perfect puppy in the whole world! We all think that, right? No different than our baby when we come home from the hospital. We have the perfect one! You’ve looked forward to bringing this puppy home for so long; now you get to hug it, kiss it, and snuggle with it! Yes! But, there is real work to be done and that starts now, too. One of the biggest concerns most new puppy owners have is about POTTY TRAINING. Ooof. Some puppies are easy, some are a nightmare (but still perfect!). Let’s dive right in! This new puppy of yours has been exposed to so many new things in the six to eight weeks of its life before it comes home with you. New foods, new smells, new things to explore, etc. But, most likely he/she has a daily routine at the humane society or breeder's house. That all changes in your new environment. But, one thing stays the same……everything needs to potty. Start a new routine immediately! Routine...

Maybe you are like me......you can't resist those tiny meows, the reaching paws, and the pleading looks as you walk past the kittens at your local animal shelter.  The struggle is real! All kidding aside, go save a life today!  That kitten or adult cat will forever be grateful. Here are some interesting facts about shelter cats: Kittens are almost always adopted before adult cats - but after the first year, how can  you tell the difference?  Adopt an adult cat or senior cat today! Calico cats are always female and usually the first chosen because they are "pretty." However, they can have a bit more "attitude" than other cats. Orange cats are ALMOST always male.  There are a couple females out there. Black cats are always adopted last, and are usually the first to be euthanized in an overcrowded shelter.  Go adopt a black cat today! Ok, so, you ARE like me and couldn't resist.  You brought the furry little bundle of joy home, and can't wait to have him ...

You've just brought your new puppy home! Hooray! One of the first things on many new pet owners' minds is vaccinations. Maybe your breeder or the animal shelter has started your new pets' vaccination series, or maybe that responsibility has been given to you in the first week of bringing them home. Either way, what an important topic, and you have come to the right place to get the information you need to get your pet off to a healthy start in life! When puppies are born, they have a very fragile immune system. They will receive lots of antibodies to fight disease from their mom, but those will run out by around 4 months of age. There are a few vaccines that you should take into consideration for your new family member. Some of these vaccines are considered Core - important for all pets no matter where in the country they live - others are considered Recommended - important for certain areas of the country or certain lifestyles. Please call your Veterinarian to schedule...