For most pet parents of felines, one of the most calming things we experience is watching our cat take a nice, long nap. But one common question that comes to mind is, “what is a normal resting or sleeping breathing rate in my cat?” Monitoring the normal breathing rate can be an incredibly useful measure…
The Ultimate Guide to Protecting Your Dog’s Paws from Winter Ice and Salt Burn. Sure, a winter wonderland walk can be lovely and magical for you, but the experience might be agonizing for Fido. The salt and chemicals we slather on our walkways to prevent slippery conditions can lead to red, dry, chapped and even…
How to Treat a Dog’s Dry Cracked Nose During Cold Winter Months? As a veterinarian, one of the most frequently asked questions in my clinic during winter is: “Why is my dog’s nose dry and cracked?” You aren’t alone, your worried pet parents and the question certainly warrants concern. While a dry nose is typically…
Is Your Feathered Friend Feeling the Chill? By the time the frosty winds have begun, we’ve donned warm jumpers and cranked the thermostat to the maximum. But what about the pet bird perched in its cage? Our sensitive avian friends (most have native origins in tropical and subtropical climates), are utterly dependent on us to…
Why is My Cat’s Stool Covered in a Clear Slimy Casing?. Upon cleaning your cat’s perfectly ordinary feces, the sight of a clear, gelatinous slime surrounding the bowel movement can be a frightening event. I, a veterinarian and pet health guru, can appreciate that the sight will indeed incite some alarm. Ultimately, the short version…
How to Check a Dog’s Capillary Refill Time Using Their Gums? Of all the tests a veterinarian can perform, perhaps none are so life-saving to learn in the emergency room-or in your own home. I’m talking about one simple 5-second blood test: your dog’s capillary refill time, or CRT. This test is one of the…
The Skunk astrophel Your Dog Got Sprayed at Night.The serene calm of a late night backyard break is immediately obliterated. Your dog comes bolting back in, followed by an unavoidable and pungent cloud of odor that will make your eyes water and burn your nose. It’s not a skunk, it’s the skunk. In the ensuing…
Dark Red Blood in Cat Poop: A Guide for Concerned Pet Owners. As a veterinarian I am certain that you were scared when you first noticed a blood streak with your cat’s stool. Your cat IS having a problem but the colour of blood indicates many things so by informing the vet the colour of…
Foam in Dog Urine: What It Means and Is It a Kidney Issue? Does your dog’s urine look foamy and bubbly? If so, don’t panic in many cases, foamy urine isn’t a sign of a major problem, but it is a symptom you need to take seriously. Foaminess is frequently an indication of proteinuria –…
How to Collect a Clean Urine Sample from a Female Dog at Home?. It may feel like a challenge, but learning how to collect a urine sample from a female dog is an important skill for every pet owner. A urine sample is”liquid gold” for your veterinarian and can tell them so many things about…