Last weekend, I was asked why dogs and cats eat grass and other plant material? Since this is a common question, I decided to address this issue on the blog. After observing animal behavior for years, I believe there are two basic reasons for eating grass. First, there is a small group of dogs and cats …
Category Archives: Ask The Vet
Bee Season Is Here: Puppy With Swollen Face
Bee season is here! Poor little Ginger was fine when her owners left to run errands. When they returned, her face was swollen and she could barely open her eyes. They raced her into the clinic for care. Thanks to their quick action, Ginger made a complete recovery. Although we don’t know exactly what Ginger reacted to, …
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Information For Animal Shelters
Recently, I learned about a wonderful website devoted to animal shelters called www.animalsheltering.org. The site contains a wealth of information including how to design and set-up an animal shelter, care for the animals, solicit donations, encourage volunteers and apply for grants. There is even a section on dealing with the problem of feral cats. Most information is available in Spanish as …
A Wobbly Meerkat Named Bobbles
On a recent visit to the Honolulu Zoo I noticed a wobbly meerkat trying to dig a hole. “Bobbles” was born with a medical problem. Based upon observing him for a time I believe it is probably cerebellar hypoplasia. This condition effects coordination and balance. He is easy to spot as he teeters his way around the enclosure. According to his …
Puppy Vaginitis
Puppy vaginitis is a frustrating medical problem that is first noticed around 8 to 12 weeks of age. Signs include licking of the vulva, frequent urination and a thick vaginal discharge that coats the hair around the vulva. The frequent urination makes these girls difficult to housebreak. To diagnosis this condition, I perform a thorough vaginal exam looking for …
Abused Dogs
Working with abused animals is a difficult but rewarding experience. Since more abusers seem to be male, traumatized pets are often more comfortable around women than men. This is especially true with dogs who operate under the “pack” method of thinking. Women are perceived as less threatening because of their softer voices and nurturing personalities. I hear lots of stories about abused dogs …
Plastic Bags Are Hazardous To Pets
It is common sense I suppose, but seeing one of my little rascals in this bag prompted me to write this reminder. Plastic bags are hazardous to pets just as they are for children. The risk of suffocation is obvious. Suffocation can happen so quickly. In addition, animals are fond of swallowing any number of items. I …
Pet Teeth Cleaning Without Anesthesia: Is It Effective?
Since February is Pet Dental Month, I thought it would be a good time to address the question of pet dental cleaning without anesthesia. Why do veterinarians insist on anesthetizing the pet for this procedure when there are lay people who will do it without and charge much less? Let me answer this question by …
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Switching Cats From Dry To Canned Food
In order to reduce the amount of carbohydrates and fat consumed by cats, I recommend feeding a combination of canned and dry food. But what if your cat won’t eat canned food? There are some cats who are hooked on dry and will not even try the canned food. Here are my suggestions for converting a finicky …
Increasing Water Consumption In Cats
There are many medical conditions in which I recommend more water consumption as a part of the treatment protocol. Unfortunately, that is easier said than done with cats. How do you encourage a cat to drink more? Here are my suggestions: 1) Feed canned food instead of dry. Once the cat is eating the canned food …