Find answers to common small animal veterinary questions here - fleas, parvo, pancreatitis, HGE, Benadryl, aspirin, and more. Learn about veterinary conditions and diseases of dogs and cats.
Our pets are our family. They share our lives, homes and, when possible, travel with us. Sometimes though, traveling with our pets is not feasible. In those times, we must make arrangements for pet care. Will your pet go to a boarding kennel, a friend's house, or will someone come to your house to take care of your pets? There are many things to consider when seeking the "best" care for your pet …
Most of us have experienced needing to find a new vet at some point. Whether you just moved to a new location, adopted a first pet, or need to find a new vet (or specialist) for your current pets, how did you do it? In the "old days" people would turn to the phone book, now more often it is Google. Did a friend recommend a vet or did an emergency situation propel you to finding the nearest veteri…
Veterinarians know the value of client education. A client knowledgeable about pet health will often recognize signs of illness early on and is well-equipped to follow through with diagnostic and treatment plans. Veterinarians have traditionally reached out to clients in the hospital setting. Now, increasing numbers of veterinarians are reaching out to clients via the Internet. Meet one vet who i…
Pets are often unpredictable. They chew things up, they eat things they shouldn't, and get get in places we wouldn't. What have you done to make your household and pet travel times safer for pets? Did you think ahead or learn the hard way? Please share your experiences (and photos if you have them) of ways to keep dogs, cats and other pets safe and healthy.
Cats are known for wanting to seek out warm and cozy places to curl up in. Unknown to many people, the clothes dryer is one of those places, often ending up in injury or death. I have seen this firsthand, and it is heartbreaking. It is always an unknown mistake by busy people doing laundry. I warn people whenever I can about this very real danger. Despite my best efforts, it happened in my house.
Building your own pet First Aid Kit can be a daunting task. Here are some kit-building tips for those who want to make their own. There are also many pet First Aid Kits available for purchase. Have you built or used a pet First Aid kit? What items did you find most useful? Please share your kit-building tips and tips for learning about and performing First Aid on pets.
A pet first aid kit is the first step in being prepared should an animal emergency happen. Just what to put in the pet first aid kit is a common question. While there are many pre-made kits that may be purchased for pets, building your own kit (or adding to a pre-made one) may be the best way to have a kit customized for your pet's lifestyle and needs.
Meet our forum host Dale, better known as KahluaDanes, who has helped out in the Veterinary Medicine and other About.com forums for years. Dale is a vet tech with years of experience, I appreciate her veterinary and animal behavior and reproduction background. Thank you Dale!
Skunks normally mind their own business, but sometimes they are provoked to spray by an unsuspecting curious pet. What do they spray, why do they spray, and how do you get rid of the odor are common questions answered here. Also, is the spray toxic? Find out what you need to do for post-skunk first aid for your pets to be safe.
Many of us have had the unpleasant realization, usually at night, uh oh, my dog has been skunked! With a direct attack, the odor is often so strong that the amount of skunk oil on the pet may be underestimated. This can lead to bringing the dog or articles of clothing in the house a bit too soon. I have read some accounts of people needed to vacate their home for a few days to deal with the odor.…
Dogs, whether just curious or in "attack" mode, often find out what a skunk is with a spray of that offensive spray up close; in their face. A common question is "how do I get skunk spray out of my dog's eyes?" Is the skunk spray harmful and should you worry beyond the horrible stench? Read this tip for skunk spray first aid.
Your dog barks frantically, or maybe zooms off in another direction. Then you smell it. Skunk! I think that this has happened to each dog I have lived with at some point in their life. Some escape with just a spritz, other dogs come back dripping in skunk juice. Not good. Learn about skunks, why and how they spray, and what to do if you get skunked.
Wild animals sting, bite, and poke our pets. What animals should you be concerned about? This depends on where you live. Here are some tips to keep your pet safe while camping, hiking or out in the backyard.
Curious pets and auto-run paper shredding machines can be a dangerous mix. This type of story appears every so often in the news and is not an urban legend; pets and small children really do get injured by these machines. Usually the damage occurs by a machine set to turn on as soon as paper is inserted, but sometimes children helping parents shred papers are also victims.
Most people have their vet's phone number close at hand, if not memorized. What about other types of animal emergencies? Do you know who to call and what the phone number is? Having emergency phone numbers stored in your phone could make all of the difference if you find an animal injured on a dark road at night.
These are tough economic times for people and pets, and sadly, record numbers of animals are being abandoned and surrendered at shelters. Some people are even having to make difficult decisions regarding euthanasia when faced with pet health problems and high vet bills (also known as "economic euthanasia"). In spite of this depressing news, there are ways to help. Please share what works for you …
Nancy Kay DVM DACVIM, is the author of Speaking For Spot, a book about pet patient advocacy. I reviewed Speaking For Spot and found it to be an excellent resource for both pet lovers and veterinarians. I was pleased that Dr. Kay was available for an interview. Now viewers can get to know her better and learn about the "how and why" of this book.
I had looked at Twitter before, but just didn't "get" it and figured it was not for me. Thank goodness Trisha Torrey, Guide to Patient Empowerment at About.com introduced me to Twitter. While a bit confusing at first, Twitter is a great way to learn new things and meet people with similar veterinary interests.
News of tough economic times is everywhere, every day. People are spending less on themselves and on their pets. What have you sacrificed in terms of pet food or pet care? See how others are coping, and learn some money-saving tips to use at the food store and the veterinary office.
This Frequently Asked Question is from Margaret. "My question is: my dog has these little black things in her fur that like little spots of black pepper. I took one off him today and it is real hard and cracks when I put it between my fingers. He has many of them on his little body. He went to the groomers last month and she didn't say anything about fleas. Is that what I am dealing with and what should I do?"
This tip is a companion piece to the "Ways to Save Money on Pet Care and Vet Bills" article. Many online retailers offer discounts and money-saving coupon on pet supplies and food. Find out how to start saving here.
Pets not only require our time and attention, they require our money, too. Food, vaccinations, and veterinary medical care all add up. In today's tough economy, people are rethinking their personal expenses and cutting the budget where they can. Here are some tips to keep your pet in good health while saving money.
Learn pet care and nutrition tips and watch how to administer medications, groom your pet and assess the optimal weight and body condition.
Quick index to find the information you need on the veterinary medicine site at About.com.
Test your knowledge about veterinary terminology, diseases and parasites.
What do to when your pet scoots!
Veterinary and human information about this much-talked about zoonotic disease.
Can you give a pet aspirin? Read the answer to this common question.
The diet with the interesting name -- the "Bones And Raw Food" or "Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods" (BARF) diet, has people talking. Read about this method of feeding your pet, and what our viewers have to say about it.
Learn what an insect bite/sting allergic reaction looks like in a dog (photos), and a viewer's account of using Benadryl® to counteract an allergic reaction in her dog.
Is Catnip safe? Why do some cats go crazy with Catnip?
Chocolate is toxic to pets. How much is too much?
Do pets need their teeth cleaned? Yes! Learn about pet dental health, and how to keep your pet's teeth healthy.
A discussion of the flea lifecycle, and why it is important to understand for total flea control.
Make the fleas flee! Learn about the variety of flea products that are available today, and why using a combination of products is essential to be flea-free.
Learn about the worm life cycle, how this disease is treated, and why prevention is so important.
I am not a frequent traveler. I am not sure if this is because I prefer staying home or the fact that I have so many pets. I have to be honest; the single biggest stressor for me as a traveler is what to do with my pets! This article was written to be used as a checklist for finding the most suitable caretaker for your pets when you are traveling.
HGE, or Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis, is a potentially life-threatening diarrheal disease with no known cause. Learn about this disease, and why it is important to seek veterinary care early for a successful recovery.
Holiday feeding guidelines to keep your pet healthy.
What makes your pet itch, and what you can do to help soothe and protect your pet's skin.
How to keep your dog "cool" when skin irritations flare up.
A common lump in dogs, occasionally seen in cats. It is always advisable to have every lump checked out by your vet.
What causes Mad Cow disease? What are the symptoms in cattle?
Learn about this common surgery, also known as castration, and why it is important for the health of your pet.
Pet owners commonly ask why they can't get a medication refilled for their pet without an examination. Whether for a recurring infection or a chronic condition that requires medication, your vet will likely want to see your pet on a regular basis prior to dispensing medication. Read this FAQ to learn the reasons why a check-in with the vet is required in most cases.
Fatty foods and other risk factors for this disease. Find out what to watch for.
The team at Farnam Pet Products discuss pests that pose health risk to pets and humans. Parasite illustrations included. First in a 5 part series on pet parasites.
Learn about this potentially deadly disease in dogs, and what you can do to protect your best friend.
Learn how to identify a possible poisoning, and how to keep your pet safe.
Pets are part of the family and should have thorough, conscientious care while we are away. Here's how to choose the best pet care for your pet when you are away.
Health alert information about this fatal viral disease that is transmissible to humans.
Learn about this condition also called sialocele or salivary mucocele.
How to identify a seizure and what medications are available to control seizures.
The feline senior years -- what to expect, when to call the vet.
The canine senior years -- what to expect, when to call the vet.
Is my pet really sick, or should I wait to call the vet?
Arthritis in pets, excess water drinking, and spaying older animals.
Bad breath, dental anesthesia, cat urinary problems.
learn about this common surgery, and why it is important for the health of your pet.
A veterinary question from the Veterinary Medicine Forum. A viewer asks if her dog's postoperative healing is normal.
How to take care of torn and cut-too-close toenails.
What to do when shampoo isn't enough...
Answers to common questions about veterinary care in general.
Diseases that are transmissible between animals and humans.
From career planning to tooth loss, your questions answered here.
