Vet Q&A

How do I know if my dog has dental problems?

Any of the following might be indicators of dental disease: offensive breath, nasal discharge, face pawing or rubbing, decreased interest in chews, head-shyness, increased passiveness or aggression. These could be indicators of periodontal disease, trauma or misaligned upper and lower teeth.
A simple extraction involves breaking down the ligament that attaches a tooth’s root to the [...]

What is the normal lifespan of a Rottweiler?

In general, longevity within a species follows a pattern.  Smaller animals of the same species usually live longer than larger animals of the same species. Smaller breeds of horses tend to outlive larger ones. Dwarf mice live longer than standard mice.
The canine species mirrors the rest of the animal kingdom with smaller breeds like Chihuahuas and [...]

Why is there so much interest whether the President of the U.S. has a pet or not?

Nearly all of the U.S. Presidents have owned pets, which not only provided love and companionship but often helped boost the president’s popularity with voters.
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s black Scottish terrier, Fala, is credited with helping re-elect him for a fourth term. Fala had accompanied Roosevelt on a trip to Alaska’s Aleutian Islands, where he was [...]

Canine Compulsive Disorder

I have a mixed breed dog that constantly licks everything. She does not lick herself so much that she gets sores, but she always wants to lick something, including us. Is this a medical problem?
Incessant licking can be a manifestation of canine compulsive disorder, which is a psychological syndrome characterized by repetitive activities. These activities can include [...]

Puppies in Purses

Puppies in Purses

My daughter bought a Chihuahua puppy to “carry in her purse” as an accessory.  Apparently, it is one of the latest fads among teenagers. Is being carried around so much bad for the dog?
When dogs are puppies it is common to carry them around (especially with the small breeds) since they are not yet leash trained. [...]

Discouraging “Counter Surfing”

Discouraging “Counter Surfing”

How can I keep my cat off of the kitchen counter?
Cats enjoy “counter surfing” for many reasons.  First of all, they are looking for food scraps; second, they have a good view of the room; and third, they are at a perfect height to relate to their owners. 
 
Counters should be kept very clean with [...]

Desensitizing Firecracker Phobia

The sounds of the holiday season also includes the booming and rat-a-tat-tat, ear-splitting echoing of fireworks and firecrackers that terrifies many dogs.
It is definitely a myth that dogs will eventually outgrow a fear of the sound of firecrackers, thunder or other loud noises. Phobias are intense fear responses that are out of proportion to [...]

Caring for a Newborn Puppy

Question: How do I know if a newborn puppy is healthy, and what should I do if the puppy feels cold?
Answer: Healthy puppies should be plump and firm with pink mucous membranes. The heart rate is usually more than 200 beats per minute until 2 weeks of age. Respiration rate ranges from 15 to 35 times per [...]