Posts in Category: Pet Health & Wellness

As Kermit once lamented, “It’s not easy being green.” Many of us drive cars, collect plastic bags by the thousands, and occasionally don’t scoop the poop (cringe). However, being an eco-friendly pet owner can be a lot easier by making a few simple choices. Continue…

It seems dog parks, community parks, and sidewalks can be dangerously rife with dog poo. We have to shake our heads and wonder why some owners just can’t seem to scoop the poop. Aside from the disgusting experience of stepping in a fresh pile, there are numerous health reasons for cleaning up after our pets.

Health Reasons for Cleaning Up Pet Waste

Although the task is a stinky one, cleaning up after a pet is a necessary part of being a responsible pet owner. It also helps minimize the spread of illnesses and parasites, some of which can be transmitted to humans as well (i.e., zoonotic). Continue…

It’s safe to say that most dogs love a good toy. Whether they’re playing with you or keeping themselves occupied, dogs love to tug, squeak, chew, fetch, and cuddle their favorite play things. Not only do good dog toys serve to keep your pet active, but they can serve as a wonderful alternative to treats when it comes to rewards for good behavior and devoted companionship.

Safety, however, should be a special consideration when selecting dog toys for your furry friend. After all, the last thing we would want to do is give our BFF (Best Furry Friend) something that would make them sick or worse.

So how do you know if you’re barking up the wrong (or right) tree when it comes to dog toys? …Let’s find out! Continue…

Indulgences in some forbidden people food, antibiotics, and obesity are all possible causes of pancreatitis in pets. Pancreatitis is defined as an infection of the pancreas and can cause serious health repercussions.

The function of the pancreas in animals, is like that of the human organs, it produces enzymes and insulin. Pancreatitis in pets should be noticed as soon as possible, and treatment given, when any of the following symptoms are noticed. Continue…

Finally, the temperatures have lowered in the last month and continue to move back into the pleasant outdoor climate that makes San Antonio a great place to live. South central Texas offers a lot of fun activities with pets in the fall. Hiking, biking, parks and parties, the fall season really is a nice mix of seasonal activities for you and your furry friends. Here are some ideas to keep you and your favorite animal moving well into winter. Continue…

Even though this illness can be found worldwide, very few dog owners know about it. Canine leptospirosis, or lepto, is a bacterial infection caused by one or more of the bacterial strains, Leptospira.

Although lepto has been around for thousands of years, we are seeing more cases emerge as our contact with wildlife in both rural and urban areas increases. Continue…

We are all too familiar with that singular moment of disbelief when – for the first time – a pet starts to show signs of getting older. Since when did Fido shrug off a walk along the river? Was Fluffy’s face that grey (or white) just yesterday? While changes can certainly occur overnight, it’s more common for distinct age-related symptoms to surface over a period of time. Plus, many pets are hardwired to mask illness, keeping you in the dark as long as possible. Continue…

For someone just heading off to college, it’s usually hard enough to leave family behind. But, to have to leave the family pets, too? That’s way worse. Because of this, many students are tempted to bring their furry friends along to the college with them.

Mixing college and pets may seem like a lovely way to alleviate homesickness and bridge the gap between home and independence, but bringing pets, especially dogs or cats, to campus can be a very bad idea. Continue…

The summer is possibly the most special season of the year for your pet, and the reason goes far beyond the extra social occasions, traveling opportunities, and longer than usual naps splayed out on the lawn. It’s the time spent with running amok with your children, of course! But, alas, summer is coming to a close and with autumn on the horizon, your family’s school-year routine is fast approaching. How does your pet handle change when he or she has grown accustomed to surges in attention and activity this summer?

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When your dog displays signs of respiratory distress, what do you do? With the latest outbreak of canine influenza around Chicago earlier this year, and the spread of the same strain in our own backyards in 2011, it’s natural to conclude that your dog caught the nasty, contagious flu. However, while some symptoms (such as nasal discharge and the tell-tale coughing) are similarly unfortunate, your dog could actually be infected with common kennel cough. Continue…