Have you ever taken your pet in for a surgery…even a seemingly minor one…and your veterinarian requested “pre-anesthetic bloodwork” first? Some pet owners are leery of this and the extra cost that typically accompanies it; but before you decline it, you should know how important it is.

Many people outside the veterinary world are not aware that fluid therapy is actually one of the most common therapies provided in small animal medicine. Patients can be given fluids by several different methods and for many different reasons.

GDV (Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus, aka "Bloat") can be fatal in dogs. It occurs quickly and it is important for owners to be aware of signs and symptoms related to this condition.

Ringworm is a fungal infection that can affect both cats and dogs, as well as other small animals. So that’s the bad news. Now are you ready for the worst part? Ringworm is not only contagious between pets, but it also highly contagious to humans too!

Are you aware that your pet can have heart problems just like you? Know the symptoms of congestive heart failure so you can get your companion the help they need before it’s too late.

We’ve all had that annoying and painful hacking cough before…but have you ever heard your dog do it? No, your dog did not catch your cold…but he may have caught his own type of “cold”! If you’re a dog owner, you have probably heard of kennel cough before, especially if you ever take your dog to a grooming or boarding facility. If your dog is hacking or making constant noises that sound like they are choking, they may have a case of kennel cough, or as it is also known, canine infectious tracheobronchitis.

So you know that funny little thing you’ve seen your dog doing where he’s scooting his butt across the grass...or heaven forbid, your white carpet in the living room? This is actually an indication that his anal glands are full or impacted.

We all know that a visit to the veterinary clinic can be expensive. It’s completely understandable to want to try to save money wherever and however you can. Unfortunately, when it comes to your pet and their medications, that is not a good idea.

Giardia is a parasite that can live in the intestines of mammals, birds, and amphibians. Not all dogs show signs of this parasite, but when they do, it is unpleasant. The most common symptom is diarrhea.

Mast cell tumors are the most common type of skin tumor found in dogs and the second most common in cats. They are most often noticed in middle aged patients, but can occur in any age. They are the most prevalent in Boxers and Boston terriers; these two breeds actually make up 50% of all dog cases. They are still found in many other breeds as well, though.

When it comes to choosing a diet for your pet, we know how easy it is to become overwhelmed! The choices seem almost endless! How are you supposed to choose one that’s right for YOUR pet? Let us give you a few tips that we think will help.

Pancreatitis is defined as “inflammation of the pancreas”. Most likely, you have heard of this condition in humans, but maybe you didn’t know that this can also occur in dogs (and cats!). The pancreas is integral for the digestion of foods, producing enzymes that digest foods, and producing insulin. It is a busy little organ!

Lyme disease is one of the most common tick-transmitted diseases in the world but only causes symptoms in a small percentage of the dogs that are affected. Bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi are transmitted through the bite of the Ixodes tick (deer tick).

Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis (HGE) has, in recent years, been renamed Acute Hemorrhagic Diarrhea Syndrome (AHDS), but you will hear veterinary personnel use either term. The term hemorrhagic gastroenteritis basically means inflammation of the stomach and intestine with bleeding. HGE is a life-threatening condition that occurs when large amounts of fluid or blood seep into the gut.

Clotting, or coagulation, takes place when blood transforms from a liquid to a thickened gel-like state. Once in this state, the gelled blood is called a clot. It is through the clotting process that a wound begins to heal. If a dog continues to bleed uncontrollably through a wound, this may be a sign of a clotting disorder. The failure of blood to clot can also result in internal hemorrhaging.

Otitis is the inflammation of the external ear canal and the middle ear. Otitis externa refers to inflammation that occurs in the external ear canal and otitis media is an inflammation of the middle ear.

For most of us, the thought of ectoparasites, such as fleas, ticks, and mites, makes our skin crawl!  And for good reason…they are creepy little buggers!  Some of them are not only a nuisance, but also a danger to the health and well-being of our pets.  Knowing what they look like, how our pets acquire them, and how to prevent/kill them is important.

Adding a new kitten to your home will be a fun and exciting experience!  They are so much fun!  However, they also require lot of attention and the preparation of your home for their arrival.  Here are a few tips to prepare yourself and your home for this new addition

Cushing’s disease, also known as hyperadrenocorticism, happens when a dog’s body makes too much of a hormone called cortisol.  Cortisol helps a dog respond to stress, control weight, fight infections, and keep the blood sugar levels normal.

We have insurance for pretty much all of our worldly possessions, as well as our own lives and health, so why wouldn’t we have it for our pets as well?