Fall is almost here and kids are headed back to school. Some kids have started school already. Some of us (ahem) have been out of school for quite some time now....Read Full Post […]

These plants are common throughout the US in varying concentrations, with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii. While the woods are a common place to find poison ivy, oak and sumac, you may also encounter them along streams, roadsides, and in parks and backyards....Read Full Post […]

A VetMed forum guest writes: I have 2 cats, 2 ragdolls who are the loves of my life. Both 11 years old and one with kidney failure and heart problems. He is allergic to everything and has ongoing to reactions to things here and there. I have since looked into seeing a therapist for counseling since I am such a mess when he is sick. I feel like I won't g […]

A reverse sneeze is a fairly common respiratory event seen in dogs (rarely cats) that, while harmless, can be quite frightening for dog owners to witness. Find out what happens during reverse sneezing and what some possible causes are in this FAQ....Read Full Post […]

Have you noticed odd behaviors in your senior dog that you can't explain? Dogs, like people, can suffer from dementia as they age. The hallmark of clinical signs of senior dementia is confusion; they may greet their humans differently than before, forget about house-training and other learned behaviors, and easily get "lost" in their familiar […]

Senior cats sleep most of the day. How are the signs of age-related dementia recognized in cats? Changes in behavior are important to note. Here is a list of the most common signs seen with senior dementia in cats....Read Full Post […]

A common question on this site is if pets can "get" poison ivy. Not in the sense that humans do, with a intensely itchy, blister-filled rash like humans, but dogs and cats can transmit poison ivy, oak and sumac. This happens because the allergenic (toxic) part of these plants is an oil called urushiol and it is easily spread by fur, clothing and ot […]

Your pet ran through a patch of poison ivy. Pets may not "get" poison ivy, but they can spread it. The next question people have is: How do I bathe my dog after being exposed to poison ivy? Learn about urushiol, the oily resin component of these plants that causes sometimes severe rashes in humans that itch and blister, and how to get rid of it to […]

Thankfully, the answer is no, dogs and cats do not appear to be sensitive to the effects of urushiol, the allergenic oil found in these plants. The hair coat provides protection as well....Read Full Post […]

As the late summer grasses dry out and seeds begin to scatter, caution is advised for  pets. These grass awns work their way in between the toes, in ears, up noses and through skin. Grass awn abscesses are a common manifestation of seed foreign bodies....Read Full Post […]