Author: Dr. Gabby Varcoe

Tips for Caring for Blind Pets

dog with toys

Some pets may lose their vision suddenly while for others it may be a more gradual process. In either case, caring for a vision-impaired pet has certain challenges but can be managed well and they can continue to participate in many activities, such as playing and going on walks. When dogs lose their vision gradually you may not notice that…

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Exercise in puppies

Exercise is important for puppies but too much exercise can do more harm than good. Puppies require less exercise than adult dogs and the exercise should be controlled. Puppies can have a lot of energy and may be able to keep up with you while out on a run, but this can be damaging. The stresses that forced exercise…

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Stress in Animals

Stressors can include physiologic (such as pain, thirst, hunger, and illness), psychosocial (such as unfamiliar people or animals, being separated from the owner or familiar environment) and things in the environment (such as odors, noises, temperature/humidity, and pheromones from other animals). When an animal is stressed out, they can respond in two ways; they can have an immediate stress…

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Coping with grief around the holidays

The holidays can be difficult for some, especially when grieving a loved one. These are some ways to help you cope around the holidays. First, remember that it is okay to be happy. Feeling joy doesn’t diminish how much you love and miss your pet, or loved one. The holidays can be quite hectic so set aside some quiet time for yourself…

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Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Diet

You have probably hear the buzz about certain dog foods and dilated cardiomyopathy, DCM. There is a lot that we don’t know but here is some information regarding about what we think is going on. In the summer of 2018, the FDA announced that it is investigating the possible link between certain diets and DCM. First let’s talk about…

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Essential oils and pets

Essential oils are naturally occurring aromatic compounds that come from different parts of plants. Essential oils need more research in pets, they can be both useful and harmful. You want to make sure that you educate yourself on how essential oils can affect your pets before using them. You want to use oils from companies that are reputable and are of…

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Keep your dogs healthy this Thanksgiving

As the holidays approach we should be aware of the possible risks to our pets that may be associated with our celebrations. Below are some of the foods to keep away from your pet during the holidays. Chocolate contains methylxanthines. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is Xylitol (an artificial sweeter) found in many candy and sugar free…

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Hydrotherapy

Animals can benefit from rehabilitation just as much as people can. Rehabilitation can be used for our pets after surgery, an injury or arthritis. There are many components and modalities used in rehabilitation, including hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy involves swimming and walking in the underwater treadmill. When taking your pet to start rehabilitation, make sure that the person who will be…

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Keep your pets calm during the Fourth of July celebrations

With the Fourth of July around the corner many pet lovers rush to find ways to help keep their pets calm during the fireworks celebrations. Here are a few tips so that everyone stays happy and safe. Here are some signs to look for in a stressed dog: Hiding Ears pinned back Tucking the tail Gastrointestinal upset such as…

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