our blog

Essential Oils and Animals

Posted 06.15.16 by Karen Gant, DVM

As I am delving into the world of essential oils for myself, I have found many people asking me about use in and on their dogs and cats.  First and foremost let me clarify I am NOT a holistic veterinarian (there are tests and lots of qualifications that go into becoming a true holistic veterinarian). I am just an interested...Read More

The Truth About Dog Flu and Pneumonia

Posted 06.09.16 by Christine Taylor, DVM

  As we have discussed, canine influenza- aka the dog flu- is a highly contagious respiratory infection. There are currently two canine strains of this virus known to affect dogs internationally. H3N8 emerged around 2004 in Florida, and continues to cause sporadic disease. H3N2, a mild strain, was recently identified around Chicago in 2015. Geographic locations for this newer strain...Read More

Beware of Grass Awns!

Posted 06.01.16 by Christine Taylor, DVM

What are grass awns? One of the most common minor emergencies we see during the summer in the Mid-south are grass awn foreign bodies. These ‘seeds’ or grass awns can become lodged in pet ears, between toes, and under the skin. The most common presentation is a draining tract between the toes. However, grass awns can also cause much more serious...Read More

Litter Box Issues

Posted 05.04.16 by Emily Lindsey

Litter box problems are the most common behavior issue with cats. Unfortunately, it often leads to banning the cat outdoors, abandonment, or even surrender to the shelter when their owners cannot handle it anymore. While stress is often a common cause of litter box issues, medical conditions can also lead to this problem. If your cat is having litter box...Read More

Canine Influenza

Posted 04.06.16 by Emily Lindsey

Even though flu season is almost over for us humans (hooray!), canine influenza, or dog flu, season lasts all year.  The flu in dogs is a relatively new disease and the most recent strain (the H3N2 strain) has proven to be quite nasty and resilient.  Typically, we refer to outbreaks of disease as an epidemic.  With an epidemic, we see...Read More

Are ‘Recheck’ Appointments Actually Needed?

Posted 03.31.16 by Emily Lindsey

Your dog’s ears are red and inflamed and he has been shaking his head and scratching at his ears. The doctor looks into the ears to find both ear canals are swollen with a dark wax inside. She gets a sample from the ear canals and performs cytology with a microscope diagnosing a mixed infection of bacteria and yeast. An ear...Read More

My dog has a cold, wet nose… Why?

Posted 03.25.16 by Emily Lindsey

When it comes to pets, it seems there are many mysteries about their bodies and why they were made a certain way. One thing that makes their humans curious is the fact that their noses are often both cold and wet.  It is often believed that a dry, warm nose equals a sick dog and a visit to the vet...Read More

What Can I Give My Dog/Cat For Pain?

Posted 03.09.16 by Emily Lindsey

Understandably, it is very hard for us to see our pets in pain.  While it may be tempting to go in your medicine cabinet and reach for over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen, and give it to your pet, these medications must be avoided. Over-the-counter pain medications created for humans can be very harmful, and even fatal,...Read More

Herbal Supplements… All Hype or Worth A Try?

Posted 02.24.16 by Emily Lindsey

Alright, let’s get to the “root” of the matter of herbal supplements. There is a plethora of natural and herbal supplements available, both prescription and over the counter. Many ailments, particularly chronic diseases, have been shown to benefit from natural treatments. In veterinary medicine we look for alternative treatments for certain conditions, but they do need to be restricted to...Read More

Vomiting… The Mild, The Bad, and The Ugly

Posted 02.17.16 by Emily Lindsey

Imagine this – you wake up in the morning and get out of bed… you step in a cold pile of… oh yuck! Vomit! While you have been sleeping, your pet has been getting sick, all over your nice new carpet. Unfortunately, this is the case for many of our clients and their beloved pet(s). You may ask… Is vomiting...Read More