A funny thing happens when word gets out that you’re a veterinarian or veterinary technician: You become the neighborhood go-to person for medical advice.   Neighbors will knock on your door with their dog in tow, point to a wound, and ask “What is this?” They might stop you in the grocery store, whip out […]

In her new book—"Unlikely Companions: The Adventures of an Exotic Animal Doctor (Or, What Friends, Feathered, Furred, and Scaled Have Taught Me About Life and Love"—Laurie Hess, DVM, gives readers an unprecendented look into the life of a veterinarian who deals with some out-of-the-ordinary pets.   From her unqiue challenges at work (including solving mysterious […]

Norovirus—the word alone might be enough to make you a little nauseous. According to the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), noroviruses (there are many types) are the “leading cause of illness and outbreaks from contaminated food in the United States.” People can also become infected with norovirus through touching contaminated surfaces […]

Being a pet parent is a responsibility and a privilege that opens up your life and your worldview. As your heart grows, so does your insatiable thirst for knowledge about what your pet needs, what they're thinking, and what you can do to be an educated and caring pet owner.    While every dog lover […]

Feral cats are some of the most misunderstood animals, particularly in urban landscapes. But these outdoor cats are a vitally important part of the world around them.    The care of feral cats is a unique and important one, and now some cities are stepping up to allow these felines tto hrive in their environments while helping the […]

Declawing is a misnomer. Yes, a correctly performed declaw surgery does remove a cat’s claws, but it doesn’t stop there. To prevent the claws from regrowing, the bony top of each digit (finger or toe) must also be amputated. It’s not too surprising then that declawing has fallen out of favor with many pet parents. […]

In April 2015, Texas-based veterinarian Kristen Lindsey shocked and horrified pet parents and animal lovers everywhere when she posted a photo on Facebook of herself holding a dead cat that she killed with a bow and arrow.   In the disturbing post that accompanied the photo, Lindsey wrote, "My first bow kill lol. The only good feral […]

After a nearly 50-year absence, flesh-eating screwworms have returned to Florida, making for a dangerous, potentially fatal environment for animals and humans.       According to the USDA, the New World screwworm was detected in Key deer in a wildlife refuge in Big Pine Key, Florida—which has since been declared an agircultural state of […]

What is a veterinary technician? The easiest and most understandable explanation is a registered nurse for animals. To become a licensed, certified, or registered veterinary technician (the names vary depending on the state issuing the license), a candidate must have an associates or bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology, followed by passage of the veterinary technician […]

Shar-Pei Autoinflammatory Disease, or SPAID, is a serious, heritable syndrome that affects the canine breed.   According to Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine, SPAID is "characterized by recurrent symptoms of inflammation: fever; swollen, painful joints; a condition that causes bubbles containing a clear, jellylike substance on the skin; ear problems and kidney failure." Sadly, there is no […]