Visiting Vet: The tale of PeeWee
PeeWee is a young hypothetical cat. Let’s say he lives with his owner, who keeps him indoors to make sure he stays safe (with the added benefit of protecting wild birds from predation). Maybe...
Visiting Vet: Brain inflammation — MUOs
Bonito is a handsome chocolate Labrador retriever who has had his share of challenges in life. As a pup, one of his testicles didn’t descend properly, thus requiring a little extra surgery when he...
Visiting Vet: Do dogs get poison ivy?
I dragged the hose across the yard in a halfhearted attempt to start cleaning out our long-neglected shed. Critters have chewed holes in the roof and floor, and made nests in the open bags...
Dogcharmer: George won’t come when called
Dear Dogcharmer,
We have the cutest little Westy imaginable. His name is George. We got him when he was 3 months old. He's now 4½ months old, and hasn't come to us once when he's...
Animal owners first aid education event
The Island's shortage of large and small animal vets is critical and well-covered (bit.ly/MVT_VetShortage). Coupled with the steady increases in year-round residents, the number of new pets exceeds the number existing local practices can...
Visiting Vet: Captain Jack
Captain Jack was a bad cat. Even as a tiny kitten, found abandoned in a church alleyway in Worcester, he had cattitude. A little, long-haired tabby, he strutted in his cage at the city...
Dogcharmer: Is it just loud noises?
Dear Dogcharmer,
We recently adopted a mix named Sheila. She's about 2 years old, and acts normal most of the time. However, sometimes she just shuts down all of a sudden. She'll hide under a...
Visiting Vet: Aslan in his old age
When I was in veterinary school, long, long ago, I had a professor who used to say, “Old age is not a disease.” What he meant was that when evaluating senior animals who weren’t...
Visiting Vet: Dog aggression — take it seriously
I’m running late. April 7 was the start of National Dog Bite Prevention Week, a project sponsored by a coalition of the American Veterinary Medical Association, State Farm Insurance, the Insurance Information Institute, and...
Visiting Vet: Vaccines work
The pandemic has taught us many things … from how to “Zoom” to how little many Americans understand science, especially the concept of herd immunity.
Now, I know you may not like to think of...
Dogcharmer: Conan’s not calm
Dear Dog Charmer,
Our dog Conan is a one-year-old German Shepherd who is very friendly with people and impossibly aggressive when it comes to other dogs. At 90 pounds, I can't hold him back any...
Visiting Vet: No lilies for kitties
Easter is right around the corner. For religious Christians, Easter is a time for celebrating their faith. For more secular folks, it is still a time of celebration. It’s spring. It’s a time for...
Tails from the heart
Married couple Cay Piasecka and Heather Mangione moved to the Island in 2019, and are the happy owners of Al Fresco Tails, a dog-walking and pet-sitting company. According to their website, the idea for...
Visiting Vet: Bored cats can overeat
A few years ago at her annual appointment, I mentioned to Augusta’s owner that the cat was a little chubby. OK, maybe I said fat. Having battled my own weight all my life, I...
Dogcharmer: Potcake is great
Dear Dogcharmer,
We adopted a Lab mix named Potcake six months ago. She's now 9 months old, and fine in every way, except for her constant chewing on furniture — wood and cloth. Her favorites...
Visiting Vet: Gemma’s dilemma
Thursday is my day providing “Urgent Veterinary Care” on the Vineyard. Despite the fact that I haven’t taken on new clients in years, for a 24-hour period each week, I try to assist anyone...
Dogcharmer: ‘Go find!’
Dear Dogcharmer,
If I wanted to get a puppy into search and rescue, how would I start? And how great are their noses, really? Your answer to my questions will really be appreciated!
Martin
Dear Martin,
As to...
Visiting Vet: The saga of heartworm meds
In 1977, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first canine heartworm preventive medication. I was just starting veterinary school. The drug was diethylcarbamazine, known simply as DEC, and it had to be...
Visiting Vet: A heart murmur can mean many things
Smurf is a classic example of what veterinarians call an LWD. That’s a Little White Dog. He happens to be a Maltese–toy poodle cross, but LWDs can be any pup fitting the description: bichon...
Dogcharmer: Learn to use your retractable leash
Dear Dogcharmer,
What are your thoughts about retractable leashes? I keep getting rope burns!
Scalded Hand
Dear Scalded Hand,
I've been asked your question many times. First things first — a retractable leash is a one-hand device. Period....