Can my pet get human head lice?

Posted by on Aug 16, 2017 in Ask the Vet | 0 comments The short answer is no.  Lice are species specific. That means that human lice affect humans and dog lice affect dogs. Dogs and cats have higher basal temperatures than people usually running at 101 to 102.5 degrees F.  Human lice don’t thrive at the higher temperature and don’t prefer cat and dog blood which they need to feed on. Your pets don’t need to be treated since the lice won’t...
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Do I need flea prevention for my indoor cat?

Posted by on Aug 9, 2017 in Ask the Vet | 0 comments Many people try to save on pet care costs by omitting flea prevention on indoor cats. Unfortunately, some of the worst flea infestations I have seen are in households with indoor cats not on prevention. Fleas are everywhere; even living in our grass. Fleas can infest our indoor kitties by hitching a ride on our shoes, pants, or on dogs that enter the home. Unfortunately, only a couple fleas...
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How often should a dog’s anal glands be expressed?

Posted by on Jul 26, 2017 in Ask the Vet | Comments Off on How often should a dog’s anal glands be expressed? As most dog owners know, dogs have anal sacs on either side of their rectum. These normally empty when a pet passes a bowel movement to add a scent to the stool – as if that is even necessary! If the dog has chronically soft stools or abnormal anal sacs, however, these sacs can become impacted, requiring expression. Affected dogs will scoot their bottoms on the ground and lick the area...
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Ask the Vet

Posted by on Jul 5, 2017 in Ask the Vet, News | Comments Off on Ask the Vet The following articles by our doctors have been featured recently in the Hudson Hub. Please read and feel free to share this information with your friends! Featured topics: AAFCO Statement on Food Bags Aggressive Dog Part 1 Aggressive Dog Part 2 Antifreeze Dangers Arthritis  Avoiding Dog Bites Bee Stings A Bee Stung my Dog – Now What? Baby Bunnies Bad Breath Bladder Infections in...
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My dog was stung by a bee. Should I be worried?

Posted by on Jul 5, 2017 in Ask the Vet | Comments Off on My dog was stung by a bee. Should I be worried? A Bee stings are common this time of year as our dogs spend more time outdoors. Most often, a bee sting will result in no significant complications. A cool compress, such as an ice pack wrapped in a towel, can be applied to the site for 5-10 minutes to help with pain and mild irritation. However, some pets have allergic reactions to bee stings.  The most common sign of a reaction in pets is...
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Where Exactly Do Ticks Hang Out?

Posted by on Jun 17, 2017 in Ask the Vet | Comments Off on Where Exactly Do Ticks Hang Out? A Ticks are everywhere this year. These ugly insects are blood feeders and are unfortunately capable of transmitting some serious illnesses, such as Lyme disease, to people and dogs alike. Ticks are most often found on low lying vegetation – such as fields of tall grass or low plant life in the woods. They spend their adult lives hanging on to leaves with their ‘arms’ outstretched waiting for a...
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Q How Do I Help My Dog with Fear of Storms?

Posted by on May 27, 2017 in Ask the Vet | Comments Off on Q How Do I Help My Dog with Fear of Storms?     A Many dogs (and some cats) have anxiety or even outright panic during thunderstorms.  Usually, the fear response becomes more obvious as the dog moves through middle-age.  Common signs of anxiety including hiding, whining, panting, pacing, and even destructive behavior. Behavioral modification and reassurance may be enough to bring some calming affects; however,...
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How Can I Get My Pet to Lose Weight

Posted by on May 3, 2017 in Ask the Vet, News | Comments Off on How Can I Get My Pet to Lose Weight Q How can I get my pet to lose weight? A Weight loss in pets can be challenging, but just as in people, weight can be successfully managed by monitoring “calories in versus calories out”. Measure how much food you are currently giving per day with a measuring cup and compare with the recommended measure on the food bag. If your pet is overweight, try decreasing this volume by 20%. Also, calories...
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Why does my pet’s breath smell so bad?

Posted by on Apr 8, 2017 in Ask the Vet | Comments Off on Why does my pet’s breath smell so bad? Q Why does my pet’s breath smell so bad? A Though many things may cause bad breath in your pet, by far and away, the most common cause is heavy tartar.  Dental cleanings are a daily procedure in our practice.  These procedures are properly handled under sedation so that a thorough exploration of the mouth can be done.  All 42 teeth of an adult dog (32 in a cat) are examined,...
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My dog swallowed something. What should I do?

Posted by on Mar 25, 2017 in Ask the Vet | Comments Off on My dog swallowed something. What should I do? Q My dog swallowed something. What should I do? A The answer may lie in on both the size of your dog and what was swallowed.  For small, rounded objects that have been swallowed within 30 minutes, hydrogen peroxide can be administered orally.  Call your veterinarian to get dosing amounts based upon your dog’s size. For sharp objects or caustic solutions, vomiting may cause unwanted...
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