Rex walked into our office one day with his good buddy Koa, a 2-year-old rambunctious chocolate Labrador retriever. I’ve known Koa since he was a puppy, and offered him the usual hypoallergenic treat that he’s come to expect with each visit. Our hospital chooses to divvy out these healthy snacks to avoid allergic reactions in [...]
Working in the veterinary profession can be quite hazardous to your health. Patients occasionally try to bite you, and a variety of zoonotic diseases (transmitted from pets to people) enter the hospital every day. Still, though, there are some situations that scream of danger. The following story is true and until today makes me cringe. [...]
Vampire bats and Tasmanian devils represent creatures of the animal kingdom with misleading names. Misnomers, if you will. Vampire bats evoke visions of transforming denizens of the dark, but they’re just cute furry mammals that like blood. Tasmanian devils are not evil, but rather carnivorous marsupials, distant relatives of the kangaroo. Though at times entertaining [...]
Many cultures have medicinal remedies that have been passed down from generation to generation. Some have proven valid even in today’s scientific world, while others have failed and slowly faded into cultural folklore. As a veterinarian, I rarely encounter these ethnic cure-alls, since applying these principles to pets can be tricky. One day, however, I [...]
If you enjoy surfing the Internet, then I urge you to use your favorite search engine to look up designer dog breeds. The various websites dedicated to the subject will be sure to amaze you. The creative names you find like Labradoodle (Labrador mixed with poodle) and Brottweiler (Brussels Griffon and Rottweiler) sound like items [...]
There are many hazards associated with being a veterinarian. The most obvious is the possibility of being bit by a painful or angry patient. Also topping the list is stepping in a steamy pile of poop or being peed on without an extra set of clothes on hand. The most dangerous hazard, however, can be [...]
The Wild Side column is dedicated to sharing real life stories about owners and their pets. For the most part these stories are lighthearted and fun, with a smattering of helpful information tucked within. Once in a while, however, a story comes along that has a somber overtone. This story is about Fumiko and her [...]
Dancing is an expressive form of communication. Interpreting the fine nuances can be quite challenging. Many times something is lost in translation, as was the case with Mr. Abe and his cockatiel Peewee. It was a quiet summer’s day and I decided to take a look at my afternoon schedule, a luxury that I’m not [...]
My wife and I got our first cat Pebbles 14 years ago and enjoyed her so much that we decided to get Pebbles a companion. Enter Rocky. Though cute and cuddly at a whopping 2 pounds, Rocky almost immediately revealed his rascal nature. Even Pebbles knew he was trouble and tried in vain to keep [...]
We live in a gluttonous society, and the mentality of eating beyond our capacity and biological needs has somehow transferred to our pets. Every day I counsel clients on the proper way to feed their cuddly family member. I admit that I do not hold all the answers. Who does? But my recommendation comes from [...]
