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Ask The Vet: Many Effective Therapies for Dogs With Osteoarthritis
Q: Grayson is my first dog now that I'm an adult living on my own, though I did grow up with dogs. When I was a kid and our dogs got old and arthritic, they were euthanized.
Gray is aging and, I think, developing arthritis, but I am reluctant to take him to his veterinarian because I'm not ready to discuss euthanasia. Are there treatments these...Read more

My Pet World: Overcoming the shadow of abuse — Helping a dog feel safe again
Dear Cathy,
Two months ago, we adopted Fred, a Shar-Pei/Lab mix, through a rescue. He was found severely malnourished and covered in sores. After two months in foster care, we adopted Fred. He has bonded well with our five-year-old dog and is learning to be his own dog. While he’s made significant progress, he still struggles with some ...Read more
Saving Beloved Pets Caught in Los Angeles Wildfires
I knew it was a big ask when I reached out to Los Angeles area veterinarian Dr. Annie Harvilicz to see if she could talk to me. She's known by most as "Dr. Annie," and when a friend shared her social media posts showing her efforts to save animals caught in the raging fires, I knew people outside of greater Los Angeles had to know about her work...Read more

Tips on how to have a pet-friendly party
Dog owners need to make sure their pups are cared for during get-togethers with friends and family.
Here are some tips from the American Kennel Club to make sure your dog and your guests have an enjoyable and safe party experience.
Let your guests know. When setting up your celebration, make sure you remind all your guests that your dog ...Read more

A wave of cat deaths from bird flu prompts new rules on pet food production
LOS ANGELES — As experts continue monitoring and surveying the environment and the nation's food supply for H5N1 bird flu, a rash of dead cats has many officials on edge.
From pet cats in Los Angeles County and Oregon to captive wild cats in Washington and Colorado, dozens of felines have died as a result of consuming H5N1-infected raw pet ...Read more
Ask The Vet: Parasites Commonly Infect Indoor Cats
Q: Can cats that stay indoors get parasites? My veterinarian recommends that I apply a parasite preventive to my cat Seymour's skin every month, but I don't understand why it's necessary.
A: While cats that spend time outside are more likely to encounter parasites, even indoor-only cats can become infected. Three types are common.
The first is...Read more

My Pet World: Feral cats, wildlife, and the trouble with 'people like me'
Dear Cathy,
I read your advice, "Preparing Feral Cats for Winter." While our country is riddled with invasive species of plants, animals, and insects, feral cats are also invasive, invading the limited habitats of today's urban and rural landscapes.
The article mentions you as a "pet expert," yet you seem to lack significant knowledge about ...Read more

Vaccine hesitancy among pet owners is growing – a public health expert explains why that matters
When most people think about vaccines, they typically think about humans: Experts warn that when large numbers of people are unvaccinated, it can lead to severe consequences, including disease outbreaks and higher rates of illness and death, particularly among the most vulnerable. The economic costs to society can also be substantial.
...Read more

New year’s resolutions for you and your pup
The start of every year brings a list of resolutions to live better and healthier lives. Here are eight achievable new year resolutions for you and your dogs.
Go on regular walks with your dog. Fitness is important for both dogs and people! Obesity is the number one preventable health issue in dogs today. The exercise recommended most to ...Read more

What does racial bias have to do with pet adoptions?
It’s been said that it’s easier to buy a firearm than to adopt a rescue animal in this country.
Once your internet search has steered you to a pup who pinches your heart, congratulations! You’ve found The One. Now get ready to be questioned.
The vetting may include lengthy application forms, in-home visits and intense competition from ...Read more
Ask The Vet: Canine Carsickness Common But Treatable
Q: We recently adopted Rufus, a young adult dog who becomes anxious every time he's in the car. He pants, whines, drools, licks his lips and sometimes even throws up. What can we do about this?
A: The most effective way to help Rufus feel calm in the car is behavior modification. Through a series of small steps, you'll teach him that car rides ...Read more

Harnessing the Benefits: Why Dogs Are Better Walked in a Harness
For dog owners, few things are as routine as the daily walk. It’s a time for exercise, bonding and exploring the world together. But how a dog is walked—specifically, whether they wear a collar or a harness—can make a significant difference in their safety, comfort and overall walking experience. Many veterinarians, trainers and ...Read more

Kitty hot-stone massages and canine acupuncture: Specialty vet teaches old dogs new tricks
BOULDER, Colo. — Ruffian the champion show cat reclined on a fur pillow wearing tiny protective goggles to shield his eyes from the laser therapy being used to treat his inflamed joints.
Veterinary physiotherapist Kerry Kilgannon hovered a laser wand over Ruffian’s hips one December morning while using a dangling cat treat to bribe the ...Read more

Road trips with your pup
Sometimes, hitting the road means traveling with your pets.
The American Kennel Club suggests the following tips ensuring the journey goes smoothly.
Carry the correct paperwork. Especially for long trips, it’s important to keep certain documents on hand, including a recent photo of your dog and a copy of their health records that lists ...Read more
Ask The Vet: Living With Pets Protects Children From Allergies
Q: We have several cats, and we provide foster care for kittens from a rescue organization. I am pregnant with my first child, and we don't want our child to grow up allergic to cats. While our child is young, should we stop fostering and limit access to our family cats?
A: Quite the opposite. For years, physicians have recognized that ...Read more

My Pet World: The 3-3-3 rule — Giving your dog the time to adjust
Dear Cathy,
I got a two-year-old Shi Tzu from a private party. I wanted a lap dog, but she hides under my recliner. She will come for treats and follow me around the house but mainly stays under the chair. I got her a crate, but she only goes in to get a toy or a treat. I covered it with a blanket, but that didn't help. I did find out they ...Read more
Dealing with Cats Who’ve Gone Off Their Litterbox: A Comprehensive Guide
Few things are as frustrating for cat owners as discovering their feline companion has stopped using the litterbox. It can be perplexing and disheartening, but it’s important to remember that cats don’t avoid their litterboxes out of spite. Instead, this behavior usually indicates an underlying issue—be it medical, environmental, or ...Read more
'A necessary evil': The captive dogs whose blood saves lives
Inside a subzero freezer at a Northern California pet hospital sit rows of carefully labeled bags of fresh frozen plasma. Each pouch could save a pet’s life: a retriever that ingested poison, a corgi with a bleeding disorder, a puppy with parvovirus.
While the pouches each look the same, their straw-colored contents come from starkly ...Read more
Ask the Vet: Collapsing Trachea Causes Dry, Honking Cough in Small Dogs
Q: Our Yorkshire terrier Bentley has a dry, honking cough. His veterinarian said he has a collapsing trachea and recommended we walk him on a harness rather than a neck collar to take the pressure off his throat.
Is there anything else we can do to minimize his coughing and help him catch his breath? Please tell us more about this condition.
A...Read more

My Pet World: Litter box woes, breed choices, and barking ringtones
Dear Cathy,
My nine-year-old female cat steps into her litter box and urinates and poops right by the opening, standing up. I bought a taller box, but the urine still goes over the opening. How can I stop this? Don't cats usually turn around when they go into the litter box? This is a recent issue, and I think she may have arthritis and can't ...Read more
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