She had been all black in her youth, but now at the age of 14 she is showing some gray around her muzzle. She used to jump and romp and play. Now she walks sedately across the yard, a faint weakness in her hindquarters. But always, Bella has class. Always, the gentle tail wag to … Continue reading New Life for an Old Dog
Diseases
Cloning
For roughly $50,000 you can clone your favorite dog or cat. Speaking strictly for myself, I was somewhat startled. Are we there already? Since I’m still sewing up cuts with plain old needle and thread, I find some of this high-tech stuff interesting. And amusing. And disturbing. So while I’m still healing the old fashioned way, … Continue reading Cloning
Dog flu has been reported in the Valley. Here’s what you need to know.
Serious news for all dog owners in recent weeks, folks: Canine influenza, or dog flu, has been documented both in San Francisco and the Bay Area and in Fresno. Up to 50 cases were diagnosed in the Bay Area in mid-January, with a confirmed case in Fresno announced Jan. 24. This dog flu is highly … Continue reading Dog flu has been reported in the Valley. Here’s what you need to know.
World Rabies Day
Several years ago I wrote an article on Rabies (Merced Sun Star, June 2014), a viral disease carried from animal to animal and sometimes from animal to human. For both animals and humans the disease is considered a death sentence. I recently came upon a series of articles in a veterinary journal and was … Continue reading World Rabies Day
The Large Animal Vet
Perhaps the title sounds misleading. A “large animal” vet develops a veterinary practice caring for the needs of livestock such as cattle (dairy or beef), sheep, goats and pigs. A “small animal” veterinarian like me is usually slotted into the care of companion pets such as dogs and cats. So when I examine … Continue reading The Large Animal Vet
Accreditation / Monkey Pox Virus
September 14, 2016 I am going to share with you the Veterinary Accreditation Program through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). What? The USDA-APHIS educate and certify veterinarians to inspect animals for disease prior to writing a health certificate for animal travel. The Center … Continue reading Accreditation / Monkey Pox Virus
Bupthalmia
August 16, 2016 Somewhere along the way your children catch on to you and become very suspicious when you are happy about something. Mine questioned the origin of names I kept pressing upon them for new pets. They obstinately refused to name the new cat “Tenesmus”. C’mon, I begged, it sounds great, doesn’t it? … Continue reading Bupthalmia
Skin Care plus MRSA
March 1, 2016 Have you heard? There are new scrubs, mousses, lotions, creams, and wipes to improve your PETS’ appearance! For some reason these are not appearing in “Vogue” magazine or even “Dog Fancy”. Since I can’t skim a popular magazine in line at the grocery store without encountering pressure to rejuvenate my own … Continue reading Skin Care plus MRSA
Variety Is The Spice Of Life
February 17, 2016 They say variety is the spice of life. I am fortunate to have an extremely interesting career! In the past eight days I have seen one rabbit with an ear ache and spayed another. A lizard presented with scoliosis, curvature of the spine, caused by underlying malnutrition. I saw a cat … Continue reading Variety Is The Spice Of Life
Feline Urinary Syndrome or FUS, FIC, FLUTD
December 21, 2015 I think he was already 90 when we first met. The blue eyes, the felt hat reminded me of my own grandfather. A little shorter than me, he was a kind man who had moved to the States when his family emigrated from the Azores. It had been a long time … Continue reading Feline Urinary Syndrome or FUS, FIC, FLUTD