The American Veterinary Medical Association is urging its members to check in with clients on their pet care plans in the event that they contract the novel coronavirus. Pet owners should make plans for their pet’s basic care (feeding, walking, etc.) in case they get infected. ...
This handsome kitty is Moe! At just 3 years old, Moe began to suffer from bladder and urinary issues, a common problem in male cats. Moe needed surgery to treat his bladder blockage and Moe's family was struggling to make ends meet. Thanks to a FACE grant,...
Sparky is an adorable 6 year old Pitbull Terrier who was diagnosed with a mast cell tumor. His veterinarians said he would have a good prognosis with radiation therapy. Unfortunately, Sparky's mom and dad were struggling to make ends meet due to employment problems caused by...
Pet Partners, a therapy animal non-profit that fosters human health and well-being through the human-animal bond, has created a new program that encourages young readers to practice reading with their pets. We Are All Ears is especially well-suited to this time of social isolation, when many...
Evie and her "mom" have been together for 14 years. Recently, Evie began to have trouble walking and was diagnosed with a herniated disc in her spine that required surgery. Evie's mom was devastated that she did not have sufficient funds to pay for the full...
A new study published in Scientific Reports examines how dog-related activities impact our well-being. The authors studied 58 dog-human activities and found—not surprisingly!—that most of them improved the owners’ sense of life satisfaction and well-being. The researchers acknowledge that most studies of dog owners show that...
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...
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...
This little cutie is Max! He recently escaped out of the house and got injured because he was hit by a car. Max's mom and dad had both worked in the food service industry and were laid off during the COVID-19 crisis. They were struggling...
August 2-8 is International Assistance Dog Week, an annual event created to raise awareness about the important work assistance dogs do to help people with disability related limitations. Assistance dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and breeds and play a variety of roles. Here’s a quick...
Social distancing is an important component of keeping us all safe and healthy during these times. But as a social animal, your dog might be feeling the effects of reduced social contact with other pets and people. The American Veterinary Medical Association has created a list...
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...
A new study published in the journal Parasites & Vectors examines the types and amounts of gastrointestinal parasites found at US dog parks. Is your pup at risk for making some not-so-nice new friends at the dog park? Here’s a rundown of the study. The researchers...
Meet Chiquita…a cute and playful 6 month old Chihuahua! Chiquita recently got herself into a lot of trouble when she accidentally ingested a dangerous number of anti-inflammatory pills. She needed immediate hospitalization and hands-on care to save her life. Unfortunately, Chiquita’s critical veterinary care was more...
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...
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...
Teddy is an adorable Schnauzer-Poodle mix. His dad Christopher adopted him from the El Cajon Animal Shelter when he was a puppy. Recently, Teddy began to experience a swollen, painful mouth. His vets at the Bastet Veterinary Hospital told Christopher that Teddy had severe periodontal disease and required...
“Slower, Shorter, Sadder” is the title of a study of English dog owners who describe how their walks have changed after a diagnosis of osteoarthritis in their dogs. The development of canine osteoarthritis can lead to big changes in dog walking routines. Most of the owners...
Rocky is the beloved dog of a family that has had some financial ups and downs due to medical bills from a cycling hit and run accident, followed by COVID-19 related layoffs. When Rocky developed the serious spinal disorder intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), Rocky's family could...
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...
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...