Helpful Resources

PROS AND CONS OF NEUTERING DOGS • If you own an intact male dog, you may be wondering if you should neuter or not neuter him. • There are a lot of strong opinions about the procedure— people against neutering on one side and people for...

CANINE AND FELINE HEARTWORM • Most Americans love their pets and consider them family members. Likewise, most clients would not knowingly expose a pet to infection with a potentially fatal disease • Yet millions of owners who fail to protect...

Canine Lyme disease-Companion Animal Parasite Council -CAPC • Lyme disease in dogs is showing up in places it didn’t used to. • That could mean humans are at increased risk for catching a disease that’s already on the rise in dogs. • The...

CATS • Like dogs, cats look very different from people but share many of our body’s characteristics, such as a circulatory system, lungs, a digestive tract, a nervous system, etc. • There are many different breeds of cats, including...

NEW CAT OWNERS • Cats make great companions. Not only do they look good, they also keep mice away (if you are lucky) and have built-in motors. • But there's more to owning a cat than having a cute, soft, purring companion. Before you get one,...

Your Animal’s Weight • Though a few extra pounds may seem like they can't hurt, obesity can be a life-threatening condition for your pet. • Excess weight in pets can lead to osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, heart and respiratory...

What to feed your pet rabbit • When it comes to feeding rabbits, many people have it all wrong thanks to Bugs Bunny and every other image that pairs rabbits with carrots. • In reality, domesticated rabbits thrive on a diet that consists of...

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR! • Some dogs just love to go on car trips. It doesn’t matter where to, they just want to be with the family. • If the car trip is to run errands, even quick stops, it is best to leave your dog safely at home where it...

Leptospirosis • Leptospirosis (lepto) is an infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria called Leptospira. • The disease causes serious damage to the kidney and liver, and may be fatal in severe cases. • Leptospirosis is a zoonotic...

Pet Cremation • We can always find our beloved pets in our hearts, but having their cremains may feel like they are still here with us. Boxes and urns have become the physical presence of the companions we have loved and lost. Stopping to look...

Licensed Veterinary Technician Job Description Job Description Summary: The primary purpose and function of the Veterinary Technician is to support the veterinarians, and other staff, in ensuring quality veterinary care, advocating for pets,...

Pet Cats & Toxoplasmosis - Risk For Pregnancy and the Immunocompromised • Concerns about toxoplasmosis revolve mainly around 2 groups: pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals. In other humans, Toxoplasma exposure typically results in...

Keeping pets cool is not just kind; it’s crucial. • When the temperature rises, all pets are at risk for heat stroke. • Some pets are particularly susceptible. Brachycephalic breeds—those with a “pushed-in” appearance—are inefficient...

New imported distemper strain in dogs • In early October of 2018, a 12-week old “Sheltie” arrived from Korea. Approximately 12 days later, the dog began showing a cough and lethargy with blood work indicating “anemia.” About 10 days...

ONE OF THE MOST COMMON QUESTIONS TO VETERINARIANS • One of the most common questions veterinarians hear each week is, “When should I spay or neuter my dog or cat?” With so much conflicting advice from friends, breeders, and the Internet, it...

Rabbit Neutering Neutering is also referred to as orchidectomy or castration. It is a surgical procedure in which the testes (and associated tissues) are removed in order to sterilize, or render infertile, a male animal. There are many behavioral...

WHY CATS KNEAD The kneading behavior begins early in life, while kittens are nursing. As kittens knead their mother’s mammary glands, oxytocin is released, causing milk to flow. Animal experts believe other reasons cats knead might...

Bird care • Cage o The cage must be big enough for your bird to stretch his/her wings (parrot-type birds) and fly (finch-type birds) o The cage must be made from nontoxic (nonpoisonous) material (e.g., Zinc, even powder-coated can...

Upstate Veterinary Specialties take on Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy • Recent evidence has led the US FDA to announce that diets including legumes, lentils, peas and potatoes as main ingredients may be linked to the development of dilated...