Category: Pets

by M. Kathleen Shaw, DVM, Chair of the VVMA Media Relations Committee Every year, about five million people are bitten by dogs—half of these are children—and almost one million of those require medical attention. Medical bills and the emotional damage, especially to children, are incalculable. How can man’s best friend be responsible for so much… Read More

by M. Kathleen Shaw, DVM Chair of the VVMA’s Media Relations Committee Many people are beginning to realize the dangers of landscaping items such as cocoa mulch and stainless steel edging but there are many more potential dangers for pets when you start your springtime lawn and garden care. While flowers are colorful and fragrant,… Read More

Bark For Life, an event hosted by the American Cancer Society, will bring dog owners and their pets together in the fight against cancer on May 17. This non-competitive 1.5 mile walkathon will raise vital funds for the American Cancer Society while celebrating the special bond between people and their dogs. Bark For Life of… Read More

by M. Kathleen Shaw, DVM If you’ve ever seen a tick – especially if it is on you or your pet friend – you’ll never forget it. Ticks can cause people and pets endless hours of suffering. As if ticks were not bad enough, these blood suckers can also transmit serious diseases to our pets. While… Read More

Seventeen million Americans bring home a new pet each year, according to the American Humane Association – and a lot of those pets are adorable puppies. “It’s exciting to bring home a new puppy, but there are several things you need to think about before you do,” said Dr. Simon Starkey, PetSmart veterinarian. “To get… Read More

by M. Kathleen Shaw, DVM With the spring holidays of Easter, Passover, and Mother’s Day, lilies will be present in many homes. This summer, daylilies will grace many gardens. They are favorite flowers to many of us: their color, fragrance, and beauty are hard to beat. However, what you may not know is lilies are… Read More

By Dr. Rod Block Today’s modern world shows how much our relationship with animals has changed. Back before the mechanical wonders of industrialization, we relied upon animals to carry the brunt of our work. Their primary purpose was to haul loads, plow fields, and chase down prey. Today, tractors and other marvels of the post-industrial… Read More