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You’ve probably seen television doctors talking about a patient’s “vitals.” That’s something we measure in veterinary medicine, too. Here’s how I explained it to a reader. Q: What are vital signs in dogs, and what do I need to know about them? A: Vital signs are just what they sound like: indicators of life and […]

A reader has the DIY bug and a cat. Here are some tips for building a great scratching post! Q: I want to build a scratching post for my cat. Do you have any tips? A: That’s a great idea. Building it yourself ensures that it suits your cat’s scratching style and size. Here’s what […]

A reader wanted to know just how much playtime her cat really needs. I’m glad she asked this question, because most cats I see as a veterinarian aren’t even coming close to the minimum, let alone the optimal, amount of play that they need to be happy and healthy! Here’s what I told her. Q: […]

If your cat has hyperthyroidism, the cause may be flame retardants in the environment. Feline hyperthyroidism, first diagnosed in 1979, is the most common endocrine disease in older cats. In the 40 years since that first case was diagnosed, the prevalence of the disease has risen dramatically. Scientists suspected a link to household flame retardants, […]

When you think something’s wrong with your dog or cat, the first thing you do is Google the symptoms. Are we right? We bet we are. Studies show that 3 out of 4 people go to the internet before calling their veterinarians or taking their pets to the clinic. We understand. If you’re worried about […]