Dogcharmer: No touching?
Hello Tom,
Here is a question from my mother’s dog, Penny. Penny was retired from having puppies in August 2021, and seemed to knew nothing about the loving care humans can provide. Penny didn’t know...
Visiting Vet: Liquid biopsy
One of my patients is a sweet Great Pyrenees–Bernese mountain dog mix named Sol. His owner recently told me that Sol‘s brother had died suddenly from cancer. “Is there any way you can check...
Dogcharmer: Two problems, two approaches
Hello, Tom,
My name is Moose. I am a toy fox terrier/French bulldog mix. I will be turning 6 years old this year. I go from a calm dog in the house to a bouncing,...
Visiting Vet: Grill cleaners
I was in my car driving home from a doctor’s appointment, and trying to decide what to make for dinner. The sun was shining, the water sparkling blue, the harbor picturesque. Inspiration struck. Siri:...
Visiting Vet: Tickborne diseases
Last week I saw three lovely dogs, Tulip, Daffodil, and Hyacinth. Tulip and Daffodil were here for annual physical exams, vaccinations, and preventive healthcare. Hyacinth came in because she wasn't feeling well. We drew...
Dogcharmer: Skittish newcomer
Dear Tom,
We have just last week brought a new dog into our family. She is now our adorable Phoebe, a 5-year-old American cocker spaniel. We drove to New Hampshire to get her from her...
Visiting Vet: Food allergy
Hey, parents. Remember when your kids were little, and the pediatrician had you introduce foods slowly, one at a time, giving the new food for a week or two before trying the next one?...
Dogcharmer: Tucker’s not done
Dear Tom,
We take our 11-year-old Labradoodle, Tucker, on daily off-leash walks through the woods. He gambols off, runs back periodically to check on us, then eventually, energy depleted, walks back with us. Lately, regardless...
Visiting Vet: Poisonous plant exposure
Ah, Spring. Pinkletinks sing. Gardeners plant peas. Easter and Passover are right around the corner. Any day now I will start getting calls about cats poisoned by lilies and dogs by chocolate bunnies. Nobody...
Dogcharmer: Resource guarding
Hi Tom,
My daughter needs to be able to recall Ludwig when he gets out the door. Also, how do we get Ludwig not to eat the 2-year-old cat and 16-year-old bichon frisé?
Melisa
Dear Melisa,
Let's start...
Visiting Vet: Foreign bodies
Socks, corncobs, bones, balls, toy soldiers, Play-Doh, Gorilla Glue, needle and thread, ribbon, rubber bands, hair ties, Nylabone chunks, tampons, coins, underwear, rocks, Popsicle sticks, batteries, magnets, fish hooks, peach pits, pacifiers, entire stuffed...
Trans-fur-mation
It’s almost closing time for Rose Walsh of Oh My Dog MV — she’s covered in fur of all colors, and her clothes are soaked in dirty dog water — this is her happy...
Visiting Vet: Tail pull
Talk about fur flying! There were literally tufts of hair strewn about when Vincent had a fight with another cat last week. “I didn’t find any wounds,” his owner reported, but she had been...
Dogcharmer: Get those extra ZZZs
Dear Tom,
I have an 11-year-old Papillon mix that I adopted when he was 9. Jack is very food-motivated, and spends most of his time looking/waiting for something to eat. Otherwise, he's happy to lay...
Visiting Vet: Tearing the cranial cruciate ligament
By the time you read this, the Super Bowl will be over. We will know which team triumphed and, I imagine, at least one more NFL player will have torn their cranial cruciate ligament.
I...
Dogcharmer: Not taking my own advice, Part 2
Dear Readers, and me,
Having had Paula Jean, the easiest dog in the world to live with, for the past nine years, I feel I should not only remind myself of what to do when...
Visiting Vet: PHT in dogs
Winter 1993. My husband and I had rented a house in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom for a budget vacation. We had borrowed snowshoes, packed skis, puzzles, and books, envisioning snowy days outside and cozy evenings...
Dogcharmer: Not taking my own advice
Dear Dogcharmer Tom,
I recently heard a cute tip, or recommendation for older people when it came to travel: "In your 60s, go go, in your 70s, go slow, in your 80s, no go." Well,...
Visiting Vet: A stuffy nose, and its many possible causes
Puma is an elderly indoor cat with a case of chronic “snuffles.” That’s just what it sounds like. Intermittent nasal and sinus congestion, and a snotty nose. Sometimes she’s completely fine. Other times, thick...
Fostering love
A lot of kittens, pups, dogs, and cats, as well as animal lovers, are very lucky to have Kym Cyr of Second Chance Animal Rescue. This Island treasure is a no-kill, cage-free organization that...