Renal (kidney) disease, also known as chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a result of poor kidney function. The kidneys are responsible for many important body functions, such as water conservation, removal of waste products, electrolyte balancing, blood pressure regulation, pH balancing, red blood cell production, and more. Typically, kidney disease hits pets later in life, … Read moreChronic Kidney Disease & Your Pet

Glaucoma is an eye disorder, resulting from increased pressure within the eye (intraocular pressure). This can be extremely painful for the pet and may lead to blindness. Glaucoma can occur rapidly in our pets or may develop gradually depending upon the cause. There are two types of glaucoma that affect pets: primary glaucoma and secondary … Read moreYour Pet Has Glaucoma: Now What?

It is common for pets to experience mild side effects after receiving a vaccine, usually starting within hours of the vaccination. If the following side effects last for more than a day or two – or if they cause your pet significant discomfort – it is important for you to contact your veterinarian: • Discomfort … Read moreThe Shot Clock: What to Expect After Your Pet’s Vaccination

Have a Heart! Protecting Your Pet from Heartworm Every year, hundreds of pets are infected with heartworm in our corner of Louisiana, thanks to our temperate climate and sizeable mosquito population. Did you know that it only takes one bite from a mosquito to infect your pet with heartworms? As the name suggests, heartworms live … Read moreHEARTWORM

The Whole Tooth Caring for Your Pet & Their Teeth Post-Cleaning Your pet just had their teeth cleaned. Now what? Here are a few tips from our experts for how to care for your best friend, post-op. Post-Op Checklist 1. Take it Slow: R&RYour pet just underwent surgery that included anesthesia, and that means he … Read morePOST DENTAL

Diabetes and Your Pet Just as in humans, diabetes in pets is the result of the pancreas producing less of the hormone insulin than is needed or the animal’s cells becoming resistant to insulin. Carbohydrates in your pet’s food get converted to various sugars, including glucose. Without insulin—or if the cells are resistant to insulin—the … Read moreDIABETES

Sneezing. Scratching. Wheezing. Allergies and Your Pet. Spring is primetime for pet allergies, and we wanted to put the spotlight on the fact that, just like you, pets can have adverse reactions to the environment. Have you noticed your pet itching more as the weather warms? Maybe you’ve watched your best friend wheezing or suffering … Read moreALLERGIES

A Joint Effort Protecting Your Pet from Arthritis Just like humans, pets can suffer from osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease of the joints characterized by a breakdown of cartilage and the rubbing of bone-on-bone. If left untreated, arthritis in our animal companions can lead not only to chronic pain but long-term mobility issues. There are several … Read moreOSTEOARTHRITIS

Fighting obesity in pets requires two things: proper nutrition and regular exercise. With an estimated 60% of cats and 56% of dogs classified as overweight in the U.S., it is more important than ever to realize the risks involved in overindulging our pets. Just as in humans, pet obesity can lead to: Decreased life span … Read moreHEALTHY WEIGHT = HEALTHY PETS