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The thyroid is a small gland of the human and animal endocrine system, located in the throat. Despite its small size, the hormones it secretes play a major role in regulating a number of the bodily functions relating to metabolism, heart health, and so much more. And cats and dogs can suffer from the effects…

Today, as never before, dogs participate in organized social programs that keep them on the go. Doggy Day Care, Dog Parks, Training Classes, Grooming Salons, Boarding Facilities, comprise some of the venues where groups of dogs, from varied backgrounds, gather to interact, and enjoy the pack dynamic. On the surface, socialization is great for them,…

Just as with humans, dental disease can have debilitating consequences for your pets! Bad breath in dogs and cats is not a “given”, and should never be ignored. Generally it’s the first sign of a plaque forming bacteria build-up that when left untreated, can lead to serious gum disease, infection, and tooth decay. With time,…

Both dogs and cats are susceptible to acute and chronic ear infections, and, like humans, the consequences of allowing them to go untreated can be significant.  Identifying the cause and formulating an effective treatment plan can be complicated. Often owners fail to recognize the early warning signs of an ear infection: – Scratching near the…

The most underutilized tool of prevention in Veterinary Medicine, is the routine dental. Despite statistical data confirming that by age 3, 70% of cats and 80% of dogs have some form of dental disease, a substantial number of owners choose not to follow their Veterinarians’ advice, forgoing a comprehensive dental evaluation and cleaning. By ignoring…

As we head towards the first day of winter on December 21st, it’s important to remember that during the month of December, holiday celebrations and the onset of winter weather, create complex challenges for the pets we love. Inside the home, increased use of electrical extension cords, tinsel decorations, and ribbon (especially wired ribbon), are…

Anyone with a pet knows that as much as we may love to travel, they would rather be at home…especially if they happen to be a kitty!  Visiting family at the holidays often inspires us to include our four legged friends.  Safety in travel takes on new significance when pets are involved.  Preparation should include…

Let’s start by defining spay and neuter.  Spaying is a surgical procedure, performed under anesthesia, on female animals.  Both ovaries and uterus are removed rendering the animal unable to reproduce. Neutering is a surgical procedure, performed under anesthesia on male animals.  Both testicles are removed, rendering these males sterile and thereby unable to reproduce. As…

The pets we love become “seniors” sooner than you might think.  Cats and small breed dogs reach geriatric status around their 7th birthday.  For larger breeds, the rule of thumb is 6 years. Advances in Veterinary Medicine and pet nutrition have resulted in an increased population of geriatric pets.  With these growing numbers, a great…

Despite their popularity with pet owners, cats account for a fraction of veterinary well care. By contrast, twice as many of their canine counterparts receive routine annual visits! Reasons for the absence of preventive care range from owners not knowing that annual care is necessary for a cat, to owner fears surrounding the dreaded task…