With the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in Colorado and Washington, last week the Justice Department effectively announced it won’t challenge other states’ attempts to legalize the drug for medical or recreational use. While marijuana is still classified as illegal, there are many individuals who believe these policy changes lay the groundwork for many states to legalize marijuana, especially for medicinal use in humans. In the meantime, debates about whether or not medical marijuana is beneficial for ailing pets are becoming more frequent. The jury remains out regarding the benefits of medical marijuana for pets, but recent news coverage and an increase in the number of pets being treated for accidental marijuana poisonings are raising questions about the safety of marijuana, especially in dogs.
Tag: All Pets
Monkey Business!
This is 2016: The year of the Monkey. According to Chinese astrology, if you were born in monkey years (1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004) then you are intelligent, witty, and inventive -just like our primate friends!
Primates come in all shapes and sizes, but had you ever heard of a Bushbaby? They are the SMALLEST primates in Africa. Some are kept as pets Continue reading Monkey Business!
February is Dental Health Month!
There’s no better way to start the year than with a shiny new smile. Pets want good smelling breath just as much as you want them to have it! Stinky breath and brown spots on the teeth are signs of dental calculus build up and gingivitis- things that could lead to serious dental disease- but are very preventable! Continue reading February is Dental Health Month!
Tips for Protecting Pets for Winter
Winter is the season of cold and for some areas, numbing wetness. Make sure your pets stay safe and warm by following these simple guidelines.
Cold Weather Activities for Pets
Does this cold winter weather of you and your pet feeling a little antsy? If you’re used to spending time outdoors, then chances are you’re both probably starting to feel a little restless by now.
Making an effort for both you and your pet to stay indoors this winter is great for the mind and body. Your pet will enjoy and appreciate the chance to play and be able to stay active and healthy at the same time. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Fall Weight Management Tips for Your Pet
It is officially Fall! This means shorter days, changing leaves, a crisp breeze, football, holidays and food. And with food comes the seasonal weight gain. We seem to find more and more excuses to stay inside our homes as the temperature drops. Add this to the holiday celebrations with the natural tendency to crave comfort food for the colder months, and you have the perfect combination for seasonal weight gain.
Overweight pets face many of the same health issues and concerns as people, including: heart disease, type 2 diabetes, bone and joint problems, various forms of cancers, and a shortened life expectancy, just to name a few. Fortunately, with a few simple modifications, you and your pet can avoid the seasonal weight gain.
Could Your Dog Have Fall Allergies Too?
We’ve all seen or felt it before: the sneezing, the itching, the watery eyes, the irritated nasal passages and so on. But your dog is now exhibiting signs of the typical behavior for fall allergies in humans. Could your dog have allergies too? Is this even possible? What are the signs and symptoms you should be concerned about, and when is the appropriate time to call the vet?
Intestinal Parasite Screenings for Cats
Parasites often go unnoticed because they are “silent”. Intestinal parasites that are more common have adapted so well to their hosts (your cat), that they are living in balance and cause no observational health issues. This can always change though, because when the parasites become too numerous the pet’s health is affected. The best approach, because of their silent nature, is to try to keep pets completely free of them before the balance becomes disturbed.
The Chemistry Panel in Dogs and Cats
Have you ever wondered what the normal values for the blood chemistry elements for dogs and cats are? Well, “normal” is actually quite relative. Every veterinary diagnostic lab and “in clinic” laboratory equipment will have its own set of calibrated values that are considered “normal”. So as to be expected, the “normal values” will vary.
Heartworms in Dogs: Facts and Myths
Heartworms in dogs can easily be prevented, but difficult and expensive to cure. This article separates facts from myths regarding heartworms in dogs.
