As a veterinarian, I definitely believe in the value of spaying and neutering pets; for the population control efforts, health benefits (reduction/elimination of certain cancers), and for the behavior aspects ... Read More

So your pet has a hot spot - here are some quick tips for relieving the itch and inflammation to give your pet some relief. These tips are NOT meant ... Read More

Many people, especially dog owners, have heard the term "hot spot", but what is it? Also known as "pyotraumatic dermatitis", these common pet skin lesions are usually caused (and made ... Read More

Tracking in vet school means deciding what path you would like to follow; small animal, large animal, research, etc., and taking classes that pertain to your chosen track. As it ... Read More

Soft tissue swelling in an animal's paw may mean a few things: insect bite or sting, infection and abscession, or blunt tissue damage. First question to ask: is the paw ... Read More

ZWIGS asks: "My friend has a lab that was perfectly healthy until see got pregnant and delivered four pups. Since then, she has been having a problem with fluid ... Read More

Many people ask why their pet eats grass. The reasons can vary from they like the taste to possibly an empty or upset stomach. If your pet exhibits an odd ... Read More

Mad Cow Disease, or Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) is a neurologic disease of cattle, caused by something called a prion, an infective protein particle. When humans eat meat from a ... Read More

This article introduces another Vet School Diary Writer, Christine, who is headed to Australia to commence her veterinary medicine studies. The Vet School Diaries are a collection of posts from ... Read More

NAUSICAA asks: "How do you deal with performing procedures that you think are ethically wrong? I'm talking about things like tail docking puppies, declawing cats, debarking dogs, convenience euthanasia, etc. ... Read More

Yes, fleas are frustrating, and yes, fleas can certainly cause intense itching in sensitive pets, but before grabbing the flea shampoo, consider other possible causes of your pet's itching and ... Read More

It is that time of year again for many -- the dreaded flea and tick season. This quiz is based on several previous articles on this site, which are linked ... Read More

GILESB asks: "Does anyone know about wildlife medicine? As a potential vet student, it's the area of veterinary science that appears most attractive to me (much more so than clinical ... Read More

In some cases, due to habit or stress, cats can cause hair loss from overgrooming. Possible stressors should be discussed with your veterinarian. Hair loss can be occur in many ... Read More

ANWASH asks: "I'm a Marine that just got off of active duty, and I'm about to start college in the fall. I love the Corps, but I also want ... Read More

A new article in the Day In The Life library, submitted by viewer Sarah Coy. Learn what life is like in a 3-doctor hospital with a surgical focus. This Day ... Read More

This viewer article is a companion piece to the "Money Hungry Vets" article last week. This article focuses on unwanted drop-off pets and the continuing problem of pet overpopulation.

Pet owners often want a quick fix -- something to put on the pet and kill all of the fleas. Understanding the flea life cycle will help achieve better success ... Read More

Nothing can take the place of a thorough, "real life" veterinary examination. In this article, learn why a seeing your vet is essential when trying to figure out what ... Read More

SJDEWEY asks: "I've been accepted at an out of state school that has offered me a great financial package. The deal they've given me would make tuition about half of ... Read More

The old adage seems to be: if you can't afford a pet (or pets) don't have them! However, as most pet lovers know, it isn't always that simple. Here are ... Read More

Several viewers have voiced related concerns about the costs of veterinary care and what constitutes "proper" pet care and guardianship. The costs associated with pet ownership is a common topic ... Read More