Veterinarian, Speaker & Author
Congratulations to the Gilbert Town Council for their work on behalf of suffering animals. Sadly, animals are still considered property under Arizona law. Therefore, police officers are not supposed to help an abandoned or suffering animal without permission from the owner. It has been reported that concerned residents reported animals abandoned in foreclosed homes, yet the police were unable …
Continue reading “Abandoned Pets – City of Gilbert Gets It Right”
Last weekend, my husband and I drove North to Prescott, Arizona for an art fair. As we left a rest stop, a large sign reminded us to buckle our own seat belts and place small children in restraint seats. It occurred to me that the sign did not mention pets. During my twenty-one years as a …
Continue reading “Help Them Arrive Alive – Buckle Your Pets”
This stunning lizard is a Bearded Dragon named Geek. Notice the yellow coloration around his eyes and mouth. Is this color normal or is it a sign of yellow fungal disease? Look closely before scrolling down for the answer. DIAGNOSIS: NORMAL COLORATION – Geek does not have the disease. Geek is an Inland Bearded Dragon, Pogona vitticeps. Other names include …
Continue reading “Bearded Dragons – Is This Color A Sign Of Yellow Fungal Disease?”
Older cats are susceptible to a variety of diseases including chronic renal failure, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and hyperthyroidism. Often the first sign of trouble is a change in the cat’s behavior. Cats with arthritis may stop jumping or using their litter box. As their hearing or vision diminish, some become fearful and avoid interaction. Others become …
Many people like to have both cats and dogs in their house. Introducing cats and dogs requires great care and patience. Please take every precaution to insure the safety of the cat (and dog too). PHASE 1: Establish a safe dog-free zone for the cat that contains food, water and a litter box. The cat must …
This handsome fellow is Bronson, a Bullmastiff. The breed was created by crossing mastiffs and bulldogs. They are a solid, stocky breed with a fun personality. Because of their size and guarding ability, it is important to socialize them at an early age. Females weight between 100 and 120 pounds. The males are even larger. The …
As dogs age, some develop behavior problems. I hear lots of stories about dogs who whine and pace at night. Owner’s also complain about their dog ‘losing’ their house breaking. These may be signs of a geriatric disease called Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS). I think of it as senility in dogs. Common signs of CDS are: 1) Anxiety- including …
Desensitization and counter-conditioning are the keys to introducing cats. The first phase involves desensitizing the individual cats to each other. Once that is accomplished, the cats are then counter-conditioned to view each other in a positive manner. The entire process of introduction may take weeks to months. As with all things related to animals, patience is required. Cats move …