The incessant jingle of your pet’s collar snaps you awake at 3 a.m. As soon as you drift back to sleep, your pet begins again, scratching in earnest.  Shake, scratch, jingle, shake.  You finally remove their collar, or kick them out of the bedroom, to get some peace and quiet, and some sleep. If this [...]

Your pet’s diabetes diagnosis can feel like a life sentence for everyone involved. You likely imagine your pet needing endless needle sticks, veterinary appointments, and dietary restrictions, while you constantly measure, record, and manage every detail.  Many pet owners are confused and overwhelmed by the ins and outs of diabetes. While your family veterinarian is [...]

The best things in life aren’t always sweet—that saying rings true for pets when you consider chocolate, which may be sweet, but is highly toxic to pets, and continues to rank among the top 10 most common pet toxins every year. In 2020, the ASPCA Pet Poison Control Center received an alarming 76 pet chocolate-ingestion [...]

The holidays can be more hairy-scary than holly-jolly for our pets, thanks to toxic foods, dangerous decor, and crazy company. Fortunately, creating a safe and enjoyable experience that includes your pet is easy. All it takes is a little planning, using these tips from Pet Emergency Clinic and Referral Center.  #1: Plan pet-friendly activities Popular [...]

Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), commonly known as doggy dementia, can affect both cats and dogs. Although not considered a normal aging change, this condition typically appears in older pets, and increases in severity and occurrence with advanced age. CDS can be troubling to watch, as your pet becomes confused and anxious, but methods are available [...]

As Thanksgiving approaches, you prepare to gather with friends and family—both two- and four-legged ones—and indulge in all the bounty the season has to offer. Unfortunately, pets cannot handle a holiday binge as well as people, and often develop food-related illnesses brought on by overindulgence. Other holiday hazards also abound, so keep a close eye [...]

As your pet ages, they’ll likely develop arthritis, but young cats and dogs can also suffer from this degenerative joint condition. Although this progressive disease has no cure, identifying the problem, and beginning appropriate management measures early, can help keep your furry pal active, healthy, and happy.  What is arthritis in pets? Arthritis, which is [...]

November is National Adopt a Senior Pet Month, which highlights the many benefits that a senior pet can bring to your family. Many senior cats and dogs are overlooked in animal shelters, because people often choose to adopt younger pets. If you are planning to adopt a pet, keep an open mind. Senior pets often [...]

A common complaint of cat owners is that their feline friends are prone to scratching inappropriate items, such as a brand-new leather sofa, a set of curtains, or even a leg. To eliminate this behavior, cat owners may turn to declawing. However, this practice is controversial and has been outlawed in many countries, and a [...]

When your dog suddenly comes down with a respiratory illness and is coughing, sneezing, and generally feeling lousy, they may have the flu. That’s right, our canine companions can develop their own version of the flu and show many of the same signs as humans. Your pooch’s flu case can occur any time of year [...]