The Petzine

I know from experience that most pet owners could never dream that their dog or cat would bite somebody. But the reality is, when a dog or a cat is battling an extreme fear of a situation, the natural instinct is to protect themselves and protect you by biting or scratching. This is very, very common when pets go to the veterinarian. Handling it responsibly requires you to set aside all personal embarrassment or surprise, in order for the veterinary [...]

Ear infections, most often known in the medical world as “otitis externa”, are extremely common in all breeds of dogs. Cats and dogs with small, stand-up ears are less likely to deal with ear infections, but it can happen. As someone with a cocker spaniel mix, I know all about the pains of dealing with long, floppy ears and the chronic ear problems that come with them. The good news is that there are a number of inexpensive ways of [...]

Spay and neuter is definitely a hot topic these days. Most people recognize the undeniable benefits of the quick and minimally-invasive surgery. However, working as a veterinary technician for many years, I could always count on talking to at least a few people who were vehemently opposed to the procedure, but their reasonings were often outdated or misinformed. Most professionals can give you a different point of view on the benefits of spay and neuter, whether medical, behavioral, or otherwise. [...]