Veterinarians have traditionally advised clients to have their cats spayed and neutered at 6 months, but because cats can begin reproducing before then, the American Association of Feline Practitioners has updated its position statement on pediatric sterilization in cats to recommend spay/neuter by 5 months...
This sweet little kitten is Cheesy! Cheesy had only been with his adoptive family for 2 weeks when he jumped into the air and had a bad landing, injuring his back leg. Cheesy needed veterinary care and weeks of splinting and bandaging, but his family...
Did you know that more than half of US cats are not taken to the veterinarian for an annual veterinary exam? Yearly checkups are an important part of keeping your cat happy and healthy. Royal Canin, Chewy, PetSmart, and Banfield have become partners to raise awareness...
Wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters can be traumatic events for people…and their animals. As you think about how you will react if a disaster hits your area, don’t forget to include your pets in any emergency preparedness planning. The American Veterinary Medical Association has created...
The American Veterinary Medical Association has been studying the growing trend of cannabis use for pet health, including the potential benefits and risks. They recently posted a statement about their perspective on this fast-evolving issue. Here’s a quick summary of what you should know before using...
Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors with your pets, but it’s never a good time for your dog or cat to get stung by a bee or other stinging insect. Veterinary emergency and critical care doctor Christine Rutter from Texas A&M University provides...
Don’t let that serious face fool you! With a nickname like “Grumpy Sunshine” you can bet this 8 year old kitty has a sweet and playful personality. Recently, Chops began showing signs of a urinary tract problem. His family took him to San Diego’s Veterinary Specialty...
Community cats--unowned stray and/or feral cats that live outdoors--are common in all types of neighborhoods. Many kindhearted people who live in these communities provide food and shelter for the homeless cats in their area. The hot summer months can be as hard on these kitties as...
Does your cat go crazy for catnip? Approximately 70-80% of cats are affected by catnip to some degree. What is it about this plant that provokes such a strong reaction in cats? Here’s a quick look at the science of catnip. Catnip, also called catmint, is...
The American Pet Products Association has published a new report called Covid-19 Pulse Study: Pet Ownership During the Pandemic. This study examines the ways the pandemic has influenced how we care for our pets. See the APPA’s website to find out how to obtain a copy...
Join us on Monday, June 29th from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. PDT for a free live webinar on pet cancer awareness and screening. Dr. David Proulx, a veterinary oncologist from VCA California Veterinary Specialists will discuss incidence of cancer in pets and the importance of early...
Melody’s family began to notice that something was wrong with their cat. She started hiding and showing signs of stomach pain. They took her to the vet and X-rays showed that she had ingested a foreign object…string. Melody needed emergency surgery to save her life, but...
Human health and safety precautions during the coronavirus pandemic have significantly impacted how veterinarians care for our animal companions. Besides implementing social distancing practices at veterinary clinics, vets are also turning to telemedicine. A recent article in JAVMA News reports that vets who were once exploring...
The fetch Foundation is an Arizona-based non-profit that seeks to save the lives of family pets in fires and other emergency situations. They report that half a million pets are impacted by fire each year in the United States. 40,000 family pets die from smoke...
Has spending more time at home with your pet led to an increase in cute and funny cat videos on your phone? Now you can share your videos with the world and contribute to a great cause, by submitting them to the Quarantine Cat Film...
The ASPCA Pet Poison Helpline has seen an increase in calls from concerned pet owners since the COVID-19 crisis began. The issue? Many of us have questions about the safe use of cleaning and disinfecting products (such as bleach) around our pets. To help pet owners,...
Just like dogs, cats can also develop degenerative joint diseases like arthritis as they age. Studies suggest that 45% of all cats and 90% of cats over 10 years of age have some arthritis. Arthritis and other painful conditions in cats can go untreated because cats...
A tiny stray kitten was taken in by the family of Pax, a sweet senior Labrador Retriever. Pax quickly became the kitten’s (now named Polly) protector and best friend. The pair formed a strong bond with each other. Pax shows endless patience with Polly’s rambunctious...
The knowledge about how pets are affected by the novel coronavirus is evolving every day. Recent news stories about a handful of dogs, cats, and big cats at a zoo testing positive for COVID-19 may have pet owners wondering about their own animals. Since humans seem...
With so much of our focus on the Coronavirus crisis, it can be easy to forget that we also must stay vigilant about natural disasters like wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes. For pet owners, this means having an emergency preparedness plan that includes our dogs,...
This sweet kitty is Lucy, pictured with her best friend Mikey! Lucy recently fell ill, she was lethargic and unable to hold down food. The veterinary team at VCA California Veterinary Specialists in Murrieta, CA found that Lucy swallowed a foreign object and had to...