Intervertebral Disc Disease: What is IVDD?

Posted 09.04.18 by Reagan Bugg, DVM

What is IVDD? Intervertebral disc disease is a common cause of spinal pain in the dog. Between each vertebrae is a intervertebral disc, which acts as a shock absorber. A normal disc is made from a hard, fibrous outside ring (annulus) and a soft gel like center (nucleus pulposus). There are two types of degenerative disc changes that can occur:...Read More

Grain-Free Dog Food: Is it Good or Bad?

Posted 07.31.18 by Susanne Heartsill, DVM

Grain-free, holistic, natural…these are all terms that invoke a sense of comfort. Surely, if something is labeled holistic or natural, it must be better for us and our pets, right? Unfortunately, these are labels that have little meaning as they relate to pet diets. Although they are generally accepted by the dog food industry, there are currently no regulations or...Read More

Holiday Dangers For Pets

Posted 12.20.16 by Drew McWatters, DVM

While the Holidays are the “most wonderful time of the year” for people, they can be a dangerous and stressful time for our pets. Here are some ways to keep your four legged family members safe during the holidays. 1) AVOID Holiday Food Items That Could Cause Problems For Your Pet: A general rule of thumb is to avoid feeding...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

What do I feed my new puppy?

Posted 08.26.15 by Emily Lindsey

So you got a new puppy — Congratulations! You’re about to have so much fun, some work, and years of love and companionship. Let’s get that little guy started off right with proper nutrition just right for growing puppies. First, it is really important to feed your puppy food designed specifically for growth. It is more calorie dense than adult...Read More

Should I Microchip?

Posted 08.26.15 by Emily Lindsey

Here is a scary statistic: Of the approximately 8 million animals that go to shelters each year, only about 15-20% of dogs and only 2% of cats are reunited with their owners. For cats, this number is 10 to 20 times higher for those who have a microchip implanted. Dogs are 2 1/2 times more likely to get home if...Read More

Flea and Tick Prevention Explained

Posted 08.24.15 by Emily Lindsey

When it comes to our pets, most of us think of them as family members and want them in our homes, and maybe even in our beds with us. But what we definitely do not want in our homes are the parasites that dogs and cats can harbor on their skin. Fleas and ticks are prevalent in our area, and...Read More

Intestinal Parasites in Kittens

Posted 08.14.15 by Emily Lindsey

Intestinal Parasites in kittens are very common. We often encounter roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, coccidia, tritrichomonas, and even giardia. Some kittens will be asymptomatic or you will often see gastrointestinal signs including diarrhea and vomiting. Many of these parasites can be passed to other pets in the household as well as to human family members so having your new kitten tested and...Read More

Preventative Wellness Care More Than Just “Shots”

Posted 08.12.15 by Emily Lindsey

By Drew McWatters, DVM Preventative wellness care, or routine “check-ups”, is an undervalued and misunderstood part of both human and animal health care. Even though everyone knows “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, we are reluctant to take ourselves or our pets to the doctor in the absence of an illness.  As a veterinarian, here are...Read More