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By Dr. Ellen Friedman While we spend a lot of time thinking about health problems that pertain specifically to certain dog breeds, the so-called “fancy” cat doesn’t call a lot of attention to itself. There are fewer specialty breeds of cats, and mostly we think of the “domestic short hair” as the representative of [...]
By Dr. Ellen Friedman Yes, I’m a worrywart. But why wouldn’t I be? I’m a veterinarian, and I’m a pet owner. So I see pets who have inadvertently been put in harm’s way, and have been guilty of causing harm to my own pets. So this week, let me make you stop and think. [...]
By Dr. Ellen Friedman Dear Dr. Friedman: When I take my pet to the vet for a medical problem, they always want to check a urine sample, even if my dog (or cat) is vomiting. Don’t you just check urine when there’s a urinary tract problem? — A Curious Pet Owner Dear Curious: There is [...]
By Dr. Ellen Friedman How do you introduce a new kitten to a household with cats who didn’t feel any real need for kittens? Safety is a must First off, safety is key. The kitten must be protected from himself. In a new environment, dangers lurk. Keeping roaming space limited in the first weeks is critical; [...]
By Dr. Ellen Friedman Your dog came home from her procedure, a tumor removal, with an enormous plastic cone on her head. What the heck is going on? An Elizabethan collar is commonly used to prevent interference with a surgery site, wound or dressing. Dogs often lick wounds, but the constant disruption of the area can [...]
By Dr. Ellen Friedman Good news. And bad news, too. Junior Biggie J has come home. I have a new friend; my heart is almost whole. And I am wheezing. Since high school (lo, these many years), I have never had an allergic reaction to a cat. But little Junior Biggie is an allergy hot spot, [...]
By Dr. Ellen Friedman In our job as care providers for companion animals, one of the most complicated and difficult situations we find ourselves in is counseling owners about quality of life at the end of life. When is the “right time” to end a dear friend’s perceived suffering? We have quality-of-life charts: Are the [...]
By Dr. Ellen Friedman We know you have cats. We know, because when you bring your dogs in to see us for routine annual — or biannual care — or when they’re sick, or itchy or just not right, we say, “Do you still have Fluffy? We haven’t seen her since we spayed her four [...]
Dr. Douglas Brum, General Practice & Preventative Medicine UNDERSTANDING THE FLEA For millions of pets and people, the tiny flea is a remorseless enemy. The flea is a small, brown, wingless insect that uses specialized mouthparts to pierce the skin and siphon blood. When a flea bites your cat, it injects a small amount of saliva into [...]
Angell Memorial Animal Hospital General Practice & Preventative Medicine COPING WITH LOSS The loss of any close friend can be devastating, and pets can be among our closest companions. A pet frequently provides unconditional love, emotional security, and loyalty. Routine activities with an animal companion often provide structure, fun, relaxation, and social contact in our [...]