Veterinarian, Speaker & Author
Last month, I toured the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum in Tucson. During the free-flight raptor show, I took these pictures of a beautiful hawk. Name this Arizona Hawk and the large cactus behind it. Diagnosis: Gray Hawk This is a female Gray Hawk, a tropical hawk that is between 14 and 18 inches in length …
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Dogs may inherit a variety of dental problems from missing teeth to malformed jaws. Examine the pictures below and then name this common dental problem. Diagnosis: Mandibular Prognathic Bite (Undershot Jaw) Notice how the lower jaw (mandible) protrudes past the upper jaw (maxilla)? This condition is commonly referred to as an underbite. It is further classified …
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Last month I visited the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum, an organization designed to “inspire people to live in harmony with the natural world by fostering love, appreciation and understanding of the Sonoran Desert.” My friends raved about this place that combines a zoo, botanical garden and natural history museum all in one gorgeous setting. The animals …
Diagnosing hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone) is much easier than hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone). A blood sample is collected and analyzed for the total amount of T4. In general the normal range of T4 for a cat is 0.5 to 4.7 micrograms/deciliter, although this might vary slightly depending upon the lab. A T4 greater than 4.7 is indicative of hyperthyroidism. Cats …
Today’s Arizona Republic has an article by Eugene Scott with wonderful news for animal lovers who oppose puppy mills. Macerich is a developer and the parent company of Westcor. They own many shopping malls in the Phoenix metro area. Macerich malls will not renew the leases of pet stores who sell live animals. Instead, they are going …
Unfortunately, pet food can be contaminated with a variety of pathogens including salmonella and E. coli. Dry and canned food, treats and supplements formulated for animals may all be contaminated just like food produced for human consumption. Feeding raw diets to dogs, cats and ferrets are especially dangerous because freezing and/or refrigeration does not kill bacteria or parasites. As reported …
Typically I try to keep the blog upbeat. But I have to share my opinion about Matson Navigation and their treatment of pigs sent to Hawai’i. At the same time, it is important to commend their competitor Horizon Lines. I also invite your help in signing a petition and passing this along to others who …
Attention all feral cat guardians! Friday November 11, 2011 is Free Feral Friday. The Altered Tails Barnhard Clinic is waiving the normal $25.00 sterilization fee and will spay or neuter feral cats for free. Each cat will also be vaccinated for Rabies. A donation is requested but not mandatory. Bring the ferals in humane cat traps, no kennel …
This week, November 6th-12th, 2011 is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week. Given all the animals who need homes and the wonderful people who undertake this emotionally hard work, I am delighted to pause and honor the shelters. I also have an idea – wouldn’t it be grand if from now until year-end we could collectively raise …
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I was honored when asked to speak about the human-animal bond to the volunteers and staff of Foothills Animal Rescue. The event is their volunteer appreciation day on November 13th. This is a wonderful rescue organization in my neighborhood in Scottsdale. They have a great heart for animals. Here is more information about Foothills Animal Rescue: …