Key Highlights Choosing sustainable pet foods and toys can help reduce your carbon footprint Practicing responsible pet waste management is essential in decreasing your environmental impact Making your own pet food and treats can be a sustainable and cost-effective option Supporting eco-friendly pet companies can contribute to a greener future Using biodegradable poop bags and reducing pet food waste are simple ways to minimize your carbon footprint Adopting instead of buying from breed can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions   Introduction Pets bring joy, companionship, and love to ou ..read more

Key Highlights Regarding the New CDC Dog Import Permit The CDC has implemented new rules that go into effect August 1, 2024. Dogs must be 6 months old and have an ISO-approved microchip (confirm with your veterinarian it is ISO-approved) before the Rabies vaccination is given. Owners or organizations importing foreign-vaccinated dogs must apply for a CDC Dog Import Permit and travel into one of 18 CDC-approved airports. Start the CDC application process well in advance, as it may take 8 weeks to process the application. It is important for pet owners to be aware of the new regulations and ens ..read more

Key Highlights Protecting your pets from fleas and ticks is important for their health and yours. Reports on the internet abound regarding reactions to flea and tick repellents, creating concern for pet owners. There are safe and effective nontoxic flea repellent methods for control that you can try, but you must also weigh the disease risks in your area. Regular vacuuming, diatomaceous earth, borax, flea combs, natural flea collars, essential oil blends, nematodes, and cedar chips are some effective nontoxic flea repellent methods. Understanding the flea life cycle is essential for effective ..read more

Key Highlights True food allergies are not common. However, food intolerances are very common. Homemade allergy dog foods offer numerous benefits, including a favorable omega-3/6 ratio which equates to a less inflammatory diet. Preparing a homemade diet allows for the avoidance of additives and preservatives found in many commercial dog foods A diet trial involves feeding a diet for a period of 6 weeks to 3 months to measure response to a novel protein diet   Introduction If your dog suffers from allergies, you understand the challenge of finding suitable dog food that doesn't trigger ..read more

  As a veterinarian, there is nothing worse than seeing an animal suffer from a disease that could have been prevented, especially when the treatment or symptoms of the disease are so much worse than the preventive. As an integrative veterinarian who prefers holistic treatments whenever possible, I have to say we need to know when we need the safest Western alternatives. We'll discuss the myths and alternatives in this blog post.   Key Highlights Cats can get heartworm disease, and it is more common than previously thought. Cats are not naturally resistant to heartworms, although th ..read more

This Earth Month, join us in exploring ten practical, impactful ways you can reduce your pet's carbon footprint while engaging in eco-friendly practices that support the well-being of the planet. These steps are not only easy to implement but can also enhance your pets' health and happiness. It's time to take the lead in sustainable pet parenthood! 1. Make Homemade Pet Food Creating nutritious meals for your pets allows you to use fresh, locally sourced ingredients.  Homemade pet food lessens the carbon footprint attributed to the manufacturing, packaging, and shipping of mass-produced ..read more

Key Highlights This blog post provides an update on Librela, an injection in veterinary medicine used to alleviate pain associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. Studies have shown that Librela can significantly improve pain scores and quality of life in dogs with osteoarthritis pain. The most common side effects of Librela include mild injection site reactions, but more serious side effects such as renal and urinary tract disorders and neurological disorders have also been reported mostly in dogs with other chronic diseases. Many of the dogs with adverse side effects had concurrent issues such ..read more

  Avian Flu News: Key Highlights Avian Influenza has been reported in shelter cats in the past year. Dogs seem less susceptible, and there have been some reports of them contracting it from eating a bird that died of it. Avian influenza, also known as flu, is a highly contagious disease that primarily affects birds but can also infect many other species, including pets, humans, and many other mammals. Avian influenza is spreading rapidly in livestock and wildlife. Thus, it is becoming a global concern. Avian influenza can be transmitted from infected birds to humans through direct contac ..read more

Key Highlights Pets may exhibit unusual behaviors during a solar eclipse due to the disruption of their internal clocks. It is unlikely that pets will stare at the sun. However, it is recommended to keep pets indoors during the eclipse to avoid potential human activity.   Introduction On Monday, April 8, 2024, a rare and awe-inspiring event will occur - a total solar eclipse. This phenomenon, where the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, casting a shadow on the Earth's surface, is a sight that many people are excited to witness. However, it is not only humans who may be affected ..read more

  Key Highlights What is Cicadapalooza? A trillion of these curious insects will emerge from the ground sometime in April! The brood should make their appearance in the Southeast and Midwest. Pets are sure to be very curious when this happens and may ingest some. It will be noisy and expected to last 6 weeks. It may make some pets and horses especially very nervous. They are otherwise harmless and do not bite or sting. If your pet eats a few, it may cause gut irritation, but gorging could cause intestinal blockage. Cicadas are good! They aerate the soil and, when they die, can be raked u ..read more