Puppy FAQs

Pam
Why does my puppy have hiccups? For a puppy, hiccups without regurgitation are generally not a sign for alarm. Puppy hiccups are usually a harmless, involuntary contraction of the diaphragm experienced by all breeds and sizes, with episodes lasting just a few minutes. Some unborn pups even hiccup inside their mother’s womb! Hiccups are harmless, however, regurgitation, which is the act of suddenly upchucking undigested food or water with hardly any effort by the puppy is a cause for concern and should be checked out immediately by your veterinarian. How important is heart-worm prevention? Heart-worm disease is a potentially fatal disease that is now found in most areas of the… Read More Continue Reading

Your dog ate WHAT?

Pam
Pet parents often have common questions and concerns about things that the ‘dog dragged in.’ Dogs are closely tied to their genetic ancestors who survived by hunting, scavenging and eating, you guessed it, dead things. Some pet owners are concerned that their dog might contract an infectious disease chewing on a dead bird or roadkill, such as west nile virus or avian influenza. The truth is that even though they are high on the icky factor, dead birds are low on the risk factor. Even though west nile virus can cause death in birds, especially bluejays and crows, the risk of transmission of west nile is presumable very low in dogs. Avian influenza… Read More Continue Reading

Best Chew Toys for Dogs

Pam
Chewing is very important for your dog’s oral and mental health. It keeps his teeth clean, his body exercised and his mind occupied. Having your dog chew on a toy is also important to prevent behavior problems and chewing on inappropriate objects. A dog that has chewed for 30 minutes is busy, contented and then more apt to take a nap than gnaw on your brown leather shoes. However, everything your dog puts in his or her mouth has a potential for harm. He or she could break a tooth, choke, become allergic, get an infection, have trouble with digestion, and probably more things we haven’t even thought of. Despite… Read More Continue Reading