Fido and Fluffy’s Breath Stinks!! What do I do?

Good health for your dog and cat often starts at…well, the beginning. That is your pet’s mouth. Often the first time the pet owner really thinks about the mouth is when they get a good whiff of their dog or cat’s breath. It can be anything from a slightly gamey smell, to a sour smell, to a terrible sewer-like smell.

What Causes Kidney Disease in Dogs?

Kidney disease can be a frightening thing. As you may remember from biology class, kidneys filter out substances the body can’t use and release then in the urine. They also help control blood pressure and maintain healthy levels of hydration, salts, and acids in the body.

Basically, having at least one healthy kidney is essential to having a healthy and well-functioning body.

How To Care For A Diabetic Pet

You may have not known that your dog or cat could even get diabetes. But they can, and veterinarians are seeing more and more of it due to diet and sedentary lifestyles in our dogs and cats.

The good news is, early detection means diabetes is treatable. However, like many diseases, it can require some serious lifestyle changes.

What is Giardia?

It’s possible you’re not familiar with this nasty parasite or think it’s limited to foreign countries. However, giardia is a common intestinal parasite throughout the U.S. as well as abroad. Mud puddles, unclean rivers, even contaminated grass can all spread this infection. At North Elm Animal Hospital we have seen pets contract it from neighborhood streams.

Protecting Your Pets from Common Poisons

Most people think of bleach or rat poison when they think of household toxins. If that’s you, you’re right. Yet, there are many other less obvious items that could pose a hazard.

Take sugar-free gum for instance. Did you know that it contains xylitol, which can cause liver failure in your dog? The popular sugar substitute is also in certain brands of toothpaste and sweetener packets for coffee and tea. Yet, it can be deadly to your dog.

What’s that Spot? Or, a Look at Lick Granulomas

That sound can even wake you in the middle of the night -- there is just something about a dog licking his paw or leg that immediately grabs your attention. You know something is wrong, but what is it? You don’t necessarily see any obvious signs of a problem...until you find a raw, pink area of skin. It can seem like this “boo-boo” crops up all of the sudden, and while the actual sore or wound could be caused by any number of issues, one common issue is a lick granuloma.

5 Tips to Curb Your Cat’s Scratching

When it comes to frustrating feline behaviors, a penchant for furniture destruction tops the list for most owners. These tips and creative solutions can help your cat develop better scratching habits so you can live in harmony—and maybe even save your favorite chair in the process.

Tummy Trouble: Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Dogs and Cats

Is it a simple stomachache—or something more serious? While some causes of gastrointestinal upset in dogs and cats can be easily explained by dietary indiscretion (like rummaging through the trash), a bout with intestinal parasites, or even a change in food, others aren’t so clear.

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