LPD can destroy hip joints in terriers, but it can be treated
Some terriers mysteriously develop a crippling condition known as LPD, but it can be corrected with surgery.
What to do about cat pat aggression
Captain Jack Sparrow sits curled beside me watching Pirates of the Caribbean.
Catnip, easy to grow, perks up cats that are feeling low
Catnip is actually a mint, but to many cats it's much more than a flavor enhancer.
Some human meds work for dogs, others definitely don’t
Giving a dog an aspirin may seem harmless, but in fact quite the opposite is true.
Treating old, seriously ill pets prompts difficult decisions
Hard as it is to watch an older pet fail, sometimes the best treatment is no treatment.
How to diagnose irritated or discolored noses on dogs
Vets need to channel their inner detective when it comes to topical afflictions on dogs' noses.
Pets that swallow thread, floss, or yarn find strings attached
Vets call them "linear foreign bodies," a complicated name for a simple concept "” swallowing string.
Diagnosing Lyme in dogs is an imprecise science for vets
Symptoms may not appear for months; maybe it's just arthritis; what to do?
When vets have to treat unexpected pets
Every now and again, a truly unusual pet is brought into a vet's office "” like a tarantula.
Pets can’t describe pain, so how do vets treat for it?
Vets continue to be vexed by measuring pain in pets, and which medications work best to alleviate it.
For Martha’s Vineyard vets, diagnosing is like solving a puzzle
Some diagnoses are easy, some vexing. Either way a strict protocol and process makes the work more accurate.
Holiday flowers pose limited threats for pets
Some lilies can make some pets very sick, but most plants and flowers are can coexist with pets just fine.
Dog parks suit some canines, others not so much
Some dogs thrive in dog parks, whether on Martha's Vineyard or anywhere else. For others it's trickier.
Feline hyperthyroidism cures, on Martha’s Vineyard and worldwide
Several cures are available, including one that's expensive (and very effective) and one that's new to the market.
Ear mites can torment cats, on Martha’s Vineyard and worldwide
Sometimes, traditional remedies won't help dogs that are plagued by especially persistent ear mites.
A vaccination refresher course
I thought pet owners could probably use a vaccination refresher course. So the first thing I want to say is vaccines are good.
Overeating can make dogs very sick, even kill them
Some dogs don't know when they've had enough, and the results can be devastating.
When diabetes sneaks up on healthy Martha’s Vineyard pets
Dramatic weight loss in pets can indicate a number of conditions, including diabetes.
On Martha’s Vineyard and everywhere else, vets covet certainty
How often can any doctor be 100 percent certain about a diagnosis, whether for a four- or two-legged patient?
Guinea pigs can suffer as much as most other pets
A guinea pig seems like an innocent, low-maintenance pet, but potential trouble lurks with even the most basic pet.