A recent heartbreaking story on the Newsweek website serves as an important reminder that hair color intended for humans should never be used on our pets. A Maltese mix named Violet was taken in by the Pinellas County (FL) Animal Services Department. Poor Violet was dyed...
Thinking about switching your pet to a raw meat based diet (RMBD)? A new study of commercial RMBDs available in pet stores and supermarkets found a significant number of harmful bacteria and parasites in these pet foods. The results, published this month in the journal Veterinary...
With the growing popularity of brachycephalic (short-nosed) dog breeds like French Bulldogs and Pugs, veterinarians are increasingly concerned about the health and well-being of these dogs. Many short-muzzled dogs suffer from a condition called BOAS (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome). Symptoms include respiratory noise, narrowed nostrils, gastrointestinal...
Why should New Year’s resolutions be all about us humans? Pet owners can set goals to improve their pets’ health, happiness, and well-being in 2018, too! Here are just a few of the best, and easiest, New Year’s resolutions for your dogs, cats, and other companion...
Many FACE financial grants for critical veterinary assistance are awarded to owners of dogs with a serious spinal condition called intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). IVDD is a major cause of pain and paralysis in certain dog breeds, especially those with short legs like the Dachshund,...
Has your pet been diagnosed with cancer? One in four dogs and one in five cats will develop cancer in their lifetimes. Experts say that the number of pet cancer cases is rising, as advances in veterinary medicine are increasing the lifespans of our companion...
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has great food and drug safety tips for humans, but did you know they also have a whole section on pets? It’s important to store your pet’s medications in a secure place to avoid the hazards of an accidental...
Scientists have known that children who grow up around cats, dogs, and other animals tend to have stronger immune systems than children who have little exposure to pets and farm animals. But a recent Danish study of 400 toddlers has found that early childhood exposure...
Obesity is a very common health problem in pets. Is your dog or cat overweight…and if so, has your veterinarian had a serious discussion with you about the health risks associated with obesity in pets? A recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary...
If you are living with a seriously (or terminally) ill dog, cat, or other companion animal, then you know how stressful that can be. A recent study published in the Veterinary Record has found that your pet’s health problems have a very real impact on...
Thinking about bringing your fur kids along when you visit family and friends over the holidays? If your holiday travel will involve an airline flight, it’s never too early to start planning for a smooth trip for both yourself and your pet. What do you...
The correlation between pet ownership and our mental and physical well-being has been well-documented. Sharing our lives with dogs, cats, and other companion animals makes us happy, and has health benefits like lowering stress and blood pressure. But owning a dog and taking your best...
Check out these great summer-themed first aid tips from the website PetMD. Your pets can face all sorts of warm weather hazards like hot pavements on soft paws, an unexpected dip in the pool, insect bites and stings, and heatstroke. Help keep your dogs, cats,...
We are often asked about the kinds of pet health emergencies that are seen by our veterinary partners and referred to FACE, so that we may help qualified pet owners pay for life-saving veterinary treatments for their companion animals. There are many common pet injuries...
Behavioral problems can be very common in dogs, cats, and other companion animals. When pet owners look up behavioral issues, such as cats going outside of the litter box, or obsessive grooming in dogs, many websites will tell you to see your veterinarian to rule...
A recent article posted on the Slate website asks an intriguing question: Do dogs get autism? Is it possible that dogs and other animals could have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) just like people? Scientists say that an analysis of certain canine behaviors could point to...
Cats are famous for being picky eaters, but the reason behind this may not be the brand of cat food you bought. Many cats also like to fish pieces of food out of their bowls and eat them off the floor…but that doesn’t necessarily mean...
One of the more perplexing feline health issues seen by veterinarians is the growing epidemic of hyperthyroidism (overproduction of thyroid hormone) seen in cats in the past few decades…a condition rarely seen by vets as recently as the early 1970s. A new article in the...
Did you get a new pet and need to find a veterinarian? Or maybe you moved to a new town and have to look for a new vet. There are lots of reasons why we might be in the market for a new veterinary practice to take...
Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine has a great program called the Indoor Pet Initiative, which was created to enhance the health and welfare of our companion animals so that our pets can enjoy optimal well-being and thrive in a safe indoor environment. As a...
A recent report in The New York Times highlights a dangerous and increasingly common health threat to our pets (especially dogs) – eating recreational or medical marijuana…and chocolate desserts that contain marijuana. Most pet owners know that they should keep chocolate, a known toxin, away...