Reading pet food labels – Pet tip 146

Attempting to choose the right pet food for your dog or cat can be a daunting task. Wandering amongst the aisles of food in your local pet store, there seem to be millions of options. While many owners appreciate the …

Cataract Surgery in Dogs

Have you ever wondered how cataract surgery is actually performed? If so, read on as it really is a very interesting procedure! Cataract surgery is formally known as phacoemulsification. “Phaco” stands for lens, and to ‘emulsify’ means to break down. This is a great name for this procedure, because this is exactly what it is!

Normally the lens in the eye is a clear soft structure that allows light to easily pass through it. If there is any opacity on the lens, it is known as a cataract. A cataract occurs when proteins in the eye leak into the lens, and start to harden. A general rule of thumb is that if you cannot see into an animal’s eyes clearly, then it can’t see out at you clearly! Thus in a cataract, if the entire lens is opaque due to the protein that has leaked out, then the animal’s vision is reduced.

Cataract surgery involves two main tools; one to break up the cataract into smaller pieces, and the other to vacuum the pieces out of the eye. To begin, the animal is placed under general anesthesia so that it is completely unconscious during the procedure.

Foster care for cats and dogs – Pet tip 132

For many animal lovers, the idea of fostering a pet can be scary. To take on all of the responsibility, put in all of the work and time and energy and love, just to have to say goodbye—it can be …

Tip – 44 – Dog biting – bite inhibition

All puppies love to play by being mouthy and biting or chewing anything they can get their sharp little teeth into. These sharp teeth are the reason that it is crucial for puppies to learn bite inhibition (controlling the force …

Stud Tail and Cats – Pet tip 229

In order to be a diligent cat owner we must pay keen attention to any noticeable changes on our cat’s body. Sometimes it’s easy to spot a difference as in the case of a large growth. Other times though, you …

Homemade Dog Food

Homemade Dog Food
By Stanley Coren

Generally speaking, commercially produced dog foods, especially those that have been certified by national veterinary societies, provide a good, safe and convenient way of feeding your dogs. However, some people find that their dogs …

Socializing your Puppy

Socialization

Until they reach 16 to 18 weeks of age, a puppy will be in a socialization period. This period is the most important and critical in its life. Every effort should be made to socialize your puppy; meaning to …

Dog Owners that Look Like their Dogs – Pet tip 202

Have you ever walked down the street with your dog and upon passing another dog owner and their pooch, been stopped dead in your tracks because of an uncanny resemblance between the two? It’s true, even scary sometimes, how some …

Lead Poisoning in Cats, Dogs and Birds

Lead poisoning in cats and dogs

Unlike the dramatic onset of clinical signs seen with most small animal poisonings, lead poisoning often has an insidious onset. The potential sources of lead for domestic animals are numerous and widespread. Ingestion of …

General Care for Pets

General pet care

To most people, a companion dog or cat is considered as much a family member as a child. The health of a pet then is of utmost importance to its owner. Illness can be stressful for both …