This is a story of Neily. It was a cool fall morning and my wife and I were out for a run. On our way home we saw this little yorkie on the street. Being a veterinarian has many strange attachments, one being you know most of the dogs in the neighborhood. This was the case for me and I said to my wife did someone move into the neighborhood with a yorkie. She told me no one new had moved in. Thus my veterinarian brain said this dog must be...
Please click on "read more" then the URL link and follow it to a fun story that I have enjoyed reading to my children over the years during the holiday season. Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXE5bYpL-_Q...
Holiday parties can turn even the best-behaved dog to the dark side — at least temporarily. Liz "P", a dog trainer, discovered this truth one year at her annual Christmas party. Her dog, Riker, an Australian Shepherd and a certified therapy dog, had a reputation for being well-behaved. During the party, Liz "P" says, Riker and Liz "P"'s other dogs typically remained in a separate room, to keep them from getting under guests' feet — and to prevent them from being given too many goodies. “One year, though, a guest asked to see Riker, so I let...
What are nasopharyngeal polyps? A polyp is a benign mass, meaning that it is not malignant or "cancerous" and does not often metastasize (spread to other tissues). Nasopharyngeal polyps develop in the middle ear, which is the compartment just behind the eardrum. As the polyps enlarge, they grow down the Eustachian tube, the tube that connects the middle ear to back of the throat. As the polyps continue to expand, they may partially block the cavity at the back of the mouth. What are the symptoms of nasopharyngeal polyps? "...
What kind of food should my pet be eating? There are many foods on the market that are designed to promote weight loss. Prescription diets are formulated to provide all the essential nutrients while limiting calories. Some over the counter diets may not actually promote weight loss with the recommended feeding amount and may actually be deficient in nutrients if the amount being fed is decreased, so pay particular attention when buying a weight loss diet at your local pet food store. Dogs tend to do better on a high fiber...
How can I get my pet to exercise more? Walking is a great low-impact way to get some exercise. Even if it is just a loop around the block once or twice a day, it will benefit the pets and their human companions alike. As the weight comes off, you should see that they can go a little farther and farther on their walks. If they like to chase a ball, play tug-o-war with a toy or chase a flashlight, we can encourage these activities. There are a variety of puzzle...
Why is my pet overweight? There are multiple reasons why a pet may be overweight. The genetics and breed of a dog or cat may predispose it to becoming overweight. Slow metabolism and certain medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism (low thyroid) in dogs cause pets to gain weight. If pets are very food-motivated, they may want to snack constantly. If there are children in the house, it can be difficult to keep extra food from being given to the pet. The major cause of obesity that we see in general practice is...
Obesity of pets in the United States is a huge problem, no pun intended. It’s difficult to find exact numbers, but some estimate that up to 35% of our dogs and cats are obese. The World Health Organization also estimates that 35% of adult humans in the U.S. are also obese. These numbers are staggering and the health implications of pet and human obesity are alarming. Why should I be concerned about my pet’s weight? We know that fat isn’t just extra weight on the joints and padding around the organs. Fat...
AAFCO Label Every pet food label must contain a statement and validation of nutritional adequacy. AAFCO regulations allow two basic methods for pet food manufacturers to substantiate claims. The formulation method requires the manufacturer to formulate the food to meet the AAFCO nutrient profiles for dogs and cats. This method is less time consuming and less expensive because feeding trials with pets are not required. This method requires only a calculation of the nutrient levels. An example of an AAFCO statement using the formulation method would be: “Brand Cat Food is formulated...
