As we enter 2012, many individuals cling to the hope that this will be the year that they will hold true to an often-practiced tradition: the New Year’s resolution. Most resolutions revolve around physical fitness, whether it’s to lose weight or gain muscle. Admittedly, I have failed countless times in my own attempts at acquiring [...]
One of the perks of being a veterinarian is that people always share interesting stories about their pets. Even strangers I’ve just met enter into 10-minute monologues as I smile and enjoy their wacky tales. One story in particular reminded me of why the term “man’s best friend” came to be. Allow me to share [...]
The spirit of Thanksgiving comes from the desire to share with your neighbors and give thanks for a bountiful harvest. For most, it is a time of opulence and camaraderie. But for one animal in particular, it is a time of rendering as we gobble that which gobbles. But do all cultures enjoy turkey as [...]
Domestication has significantly changed our household pets. Friendly, obedient, cute behaviors came at the cost of basic survival instincts. In fact, if released into the “wild” many pets may not survive the everyday rigors of finding food and avoiding predators. This transformation occurred over many generations and has left our adorable companions at a disadvantage [...]
Halloween produces a compelling dichotomy. On the one hand you have sweets, treats and parties. On the other hand you have hair-raising tales and supernatural encounters. Personally, I embrace the sweets and stay clear of the spooky confronta- tions. Sometimes however, duty calls and I find myself spiraling toward a har- rowing rendezvous. Take my [...]
How do you know when your pet is sick? A rabbit with no energy, a bird with feathers that are fluffed and a dog with a dry nose may qualify and be a concern for their owners. One clinical sign, however, tops the list and pertains to all species: poor appetite. When an animal that [...]
The concept of aging gracefully is beyond my comprehension. The cold, hard fact is that getting old is a very difficult journey. It starts with physical changes, then evolves into a mental challenge as you slowly realize that things aren’t getting better and you continue to go downhill. Wow, that’s pretty depressing. But do our [...]
Raisin the rabbit hopped into our office one day with a history of a poor appetite. How poor? Well, Raisin’s daily intake slowly dwindled for more than one week, and by the time he came in for an exam, he had not eaten one blade of hay for days. The Kim family was very worried. [...]
Investigating a mysterious death is a very delicate procedure. For people, the postmortem procedure involving the examination of a body is called an autopsy, but for animals the term is necropsy. Veterinarians are often asked to perform necropsies, and the results usually reveal death by natural causes. But, on occasion, the stench of foul play [...]
As I walked in to greet a new patient named Cashmere and her owner Jessica, the first thing I noticed was a large Zip-loc bag resting on the exam table. This was not a good sign. Usually smaller patients that have died are often placed in a plastic bag when brought in. As I reached [...]
