Arthritis is a progressive deterioration of the cartilage in joints of dogs and cats. Pain and lameness develop secondary to joint dysfunction and muscle atrophy. This condition is progressive and can affect the quality of life of your pet, but there are steps that you can take to help keep your pet comfortable. * Maintain a lean body weight…
When it comes to adding a new member to the family there are a lot of things to consider. What kind of pet am I looking for, what breed(s) are compatible with my lifestyle, how much time can I dedicate to my pet etc…One thing to consider would be adopting an older pet. Older pets usually get passed up…
It takes two to three weeks for the body to adapt to a temperature change of more that 10 degrees F. As the temperature begins to drop your dog will have to adapt to these changes. Some of these changes will affect dogs in different ways and will depend on the breed, coat length, age, and overall health of…
Rehabilitation can be beneficial for older dogs and for dogs in hospice care, rehabilitation can also help many other conditions. I have put together what a typical day can look like at a rehabilitation center. A day in the life of a rehabilitation veterinarian As a rehabilitation veterinarian, we see many different types of cases every day. This is…
Traveling can be stressful for everyone and that includes our pets. When you are going to travel, whether its an overnight trip or you are going for a few days, it is important to plan ahead. here are some tips for traveling with your senior pet, these can also be used for traveling with younger pets as well. Make…
How do we know when it is time? Keep in mind that every situation is different and even if you had to make this decision for another pet in the past, this time may be different: Chronic conditions that are difficult to manage such as chronic cough or difficulty breathing, pain that cannot be controlled with pain medication and…
Osteoarthritis, also known as arthritis or degenerative joint disease, is a progressive and irreversible condition affecting the joints of dogs and cats. Arthritis is non curable and affects dogs of any size, breed, gender and age. Some of the signs you may notice your dog doing include: Lameness, being the most common sign seen, may be progressive, persistent…
Nutrition can make us or break us and that holds true for our pets as well. What they eat is up to us as their caretakers and guardians so why not offer better options. Nutrition can be broken down into simple categories. Water All pets should have access to fresh, clean water at all times. Food broken…
Canine cognitive dysfunction, or cognitive disorder, is the most common chronic degenerative neurological disorder affecting senior dogs. A large number of senior dogs will be diagnosed with this progressive disease which is similar to Alzheimer’s disease in people. The exact cause of this disorder is unknown but cognitive dysfunction can occur due to an accumulation of beta amyloid plaques within the…
The term “laser” stands for “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation”, which is a form of light therapy. Therapeutic laser therapy has been used frequently in the hospice setting for pain management, to promote wound healing, and to reduce swelling and inflammation. Laser therapy is non-invasive and very well tolerated by our patients. Many hospitals now have the ability to…
