If I could be a veterinarian for Santa’s reindeer, I think my life would be complete. Spending afternoons with the jolly ole fellow, sipping egg nog, and discussing how to best care for the sleigh-pulling team who bring joy to so many. Bucket list: complete!
Read MoreAnimal adoption is near and very dear to my heart. All of my animals have entered my life through some form of adoption whether it be an actual organization like the Humane Society or an owner surrender. An extraordinary number of animals are shuffled through rescue groups, animal shelters, the Humane Society & the SPCA. And unfortunately, I don’t see this changing any time soon. As the veterinary community works tirelessly to educate the public, it seems there are still animals without homes. So, what can you do to help? Aside from the obvious: Adopt! There are many ways you can lend a hand to your local shelter.
Read MoreNovember is Diabetes Awareness Month in human health and in veterinary health! Diabetes is a common disease for both humans and animals; however, many cases of diabetes in animals are preventable.
Read MoreMy cat, Samson, turned 11 years old last month. I cannot believe he is a senior. Did you know senior cats age roughly 2 years for every 6 months that we age? Samson was my first pet as an adult woman, and he has been with me through countless moves, meeting my husband, and now 2 human babies! He is the best cat and I hope I can keep him around for another 11 years (wishful thinking?!). I know there are many of you who enjoy your feline fur babies so I thought I would write a post giving a few tips on how to take care of these wonderful creatures.
Read MoreAnyone else feel like the summers keep getting hotter each year? I love the warm weather and actually prefer the summer days. And so do all of my animals! My dogs love to swim and my cat roams the house chasing the warmest sunbeam he can find. But the heat can be dangerous to us and to our animal companions. Here are 5 tips to keep your fur baby safe for the rest of the summer!
Read MoreQ: Hi Dr. Leigh, my lab, Bailey, just turned 8 and she has an ACL tear. We learned from our veterinarian that it is probably due to ball retrieving so sadly we have had to put the chucker/ball away. I have a few questions…
Read MoreThe recent outbreak of Canine Influenza Virus in the Southern United States has people asking a lot of questions. Here are 3 facts about Canine Influenza Virus and what you need to know if you are a dog parent!
Read MoreOur current dog, Bridie, a 3-year-old terrier-lab mix, is the perfect dog. She loves other dogs and gets to spend plenty of time playing and running in a pack on the weekends at our friend’s farm. She also spends time with one or more other dogs when she stays with the dog sitter while we are away. Her only fault is that she becomes extremely possessive when any of us (especially me) pays attention to another dog. She allows them in our car and in our home so long as we don’t try to pet them! We are moving and would like at least one more dog – one that is a little more territorial (for some security) – do you have any suggestions as to how we can make the transition easier on Bridie and the rest of the family?
Read MoreHeartworm disease is transmitted by mosquitoes and is a deadly but preventable disease. What else do you know?
Read More"There are 70 million nice dogs, but any dog can bite."
Read MoreEver heard the statement, “Dogs have owners, cats have servants”? Anyone who has invited a feline friend into their family can vouch for how true that statement is. Cats are wonderful companions (on their terms, of course) and actually outrank dogs as the more popular pet. However, when it comes to veterinary care, the numbers drop dramatically - more dogs are seen regularly for check-ups than their feline counterparts. Why?
Read MoreMy cat, Samson, is turning 11 years old this summer. Where does the time go? It seems like just yesterday he was a tiny flea infested kitten.
Read MoreWe know Zika virus has a major impact in human health, but what about our animal friends? There is still a lot that is unknown about how Zika impacts our companion animals, but here are the facts:
Read MoreHaving a dog (see separate blog post on cats) who is stressed at the veterinary clinic is not an easy situation for you or the veterinary staff. It breaks my heart when animals do not enjoy their visit with me, but more importantly it takes away from my ability to completely examine the animal, it creates more negativity in the animal’s mind, and it is a stressor for you! So, what can you do? How can you help your dog to have a positive experience?
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