Veterinary acupuncture is becoming increasingly more commonplace as veterinarians and the general public become more aware of the benefits of acupuncture when it comes to treating a variety of medical conditions. Acupuncture can even treat serious conditions, like intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) – slipped disc.
If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, and you feel strongly about the moral choice you’ve made, then you face a conundrum when it comes to pet food. On the one hand, you may be loath to support the meat industry in any way, including meaty dog foods. On the other, you’re concerned about the implications a vegan diet would have for your dog’s health.
Dogs, like people, are vaccinated against certain diseases to prevent infection or minimize the severity of infection. Vaccines are credited with lowering the incidence of certain diseases in dogs. This is one of the reasons why vets are so concerned about any controversy that surrounds pet vaccinations. If people decide that dog vaccinations are overrated, there could be a resurgence of diseases previously under control.
Many dogs love water, from romping in mud puddles to swimming in the pool, but some dogs are afraid of water, sometimes to the extent that they won’t walk on wet grass. Paying attention to how your puppy initially responds to water is very important because if there is any indication of fear, you need to ensure you don’t put any pressure on your pup to ‘get over it’. Always be encouraging, understanding, and patient when training your puppy to swim and help her feel safe at all times.
Bad news for dog parents is that summer is snake season, which means that humans and dogs are at risk of snake bites. While the prospect of being bitten, no matter the snake, is not a happy one, the fact that venomous snakes abound across the entire continental US makes it somewhat worse (Alaska is not plagued by snakes – they have the sense to avoid the extreme cold).
Kidney problems are fairly common in domestic cats, particularly as they age. The kidney performs the vital functions of assisting in the regulation of blood pressure, controlling the fluid content of the blood, production of certain enzymes and hormones, and removing waste from the feline system. So they’re not something little Sylvester can do without.
Heartworm disease: Doesn’t sound pleasant, does it? Well, it’s not but, unfortunately, it’s a big risk for many dogs in the US, and as global weather conditions change, that risk is growing. Heartworms can be fatal if left untreated or if it goes undetected for a long time. Even with treatment, the risk of long-term damage can affect your dog’s health for the rest of her life.