For many of us, our everyday lives have changed dramatically, suddenly, as the coronavirus pandemic has swept the world, crossing continents, invading communities large and small. Although there are hundreds of existing coronaviruses in humans and animals, this brand-new “novel” coronavirus has never been seen before and has proven to be highly contagious among humans. … Continue reading Coronavirus and your pet — what you need to know
Dogs
Rabies didn’t die with Old Yeller — and the disease is endemic to Merced
I’m going to talk about something scary today. Not an alien life form but a very real live virus called rabies. Rabies didn’t die out with Old Yeller — it is still very much with us, and definitely present in the wildlife of Merced County. They map where the rabid animals were discovered, watching for … Continue reading Rabies didn’t die with Old Yeller — and the disease is endemic to Merced
Doggie Dental hygiene
February is National Dental Month in the veterinary world. Are we pushing for whiteners and brighteners, hoping to put a Hollywood-worthy smile on every doggie face? Nope, the hype is really about health. It’s pretty amazing we don’t see more problems within our pets’ mouths. People brush two minutes at least twice a day, then … Continue reading Doggie Dental hygiene
Cheese Whiz
So I was visiting with a friend when she decided it was time to pill her dog. This was something new for her and she had questions. “What should I put the pill in?” She’d used peanut butter once before when she gave her dog some medicine. I shrugged. That’s ok. Told her I use … Continue reading Cheese Whiz
Little Old Ladies
She was a little old lady, short and round as a dumpling. She energetically grabbed her dog from the exam table and tipped him onto his paws. You’d never have guessed her age except for the grey hair. Her dog found his footing and waited expectantly by her feet. “I’ve got to go”, she declared, … Continue reading Little Old Ladies
Molly and the Spider Plant
It was Molly who reminded me. Molly is an English Springer Spaniel. Her soft, silky black ears make it irresistible to gently pull them. Her owner was bewailing the fate of her garden, as young Molly had developed a fascination for a particular potted spider plant. She sought my advice. My mind went drifting back … Continue reading Molly and the Spider Plant
Weight Loss Dreams
Myrtle had lost 8 pounds. I was most impressed. A middle-aged Australian Shepherd, she’d never had puppies, so couldn’t excuse her mid-life spread by pointing out her gorgeous offspring. Myrtle had been spayed young, which virtually guaranteed that she would not contract breast cancer in her lifetime (a 1-in-4 risk for older intact female dogs). … Continue reading Weight Loss Dreams
Walking Your Dog
Walking the dog is good exercise, good for the dog, good for the family. Done properly, you take in some sunshine and fresh air. You have time to admire the blossoming trees and critique your neighbor’s landscape. Wait a minute, there’s a “proper” way to walk your dog? Hmmmm… Young puppies need exercise to … Continue reading Walking Your Dog