It’s a common misconception that veterinarians have all the correct answers, all of the time. Even an experienced veterinarian like me gets stumped occasionally – this happened with one of my pets, Mama Kitty. The story of her medical and behavioral problems is a great example of getting an expert involved quickly, and has made me realize and appreciate the …

Picture this scenario: you’ve just adopted an active, exuberant dog, but then your veterinarian diagnoses him with a malignant tumor and only one year to live. Now imagine that, just three years later, you are faced with your own diagnosis of breast cancer! Incredibly, this is just what happened to attorney Teresa J. Rhyne, author of The Dog Lived (and …

Here’s what you can expect from your dog’s veterinary exams when he is a senior. Check out our guides to what to expect from your puppy’s vet trips and your adult dog’s visits. Meet Elton, a Jack Russell Terrier mix, at Friends For Life in Gilbert, AZ. Senior-dog exams (7 years and older): The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that …

Here’s what you can expect from your dog’s veterinary exams when she is an adult. Stay tuned for a guide to your senior dog’s vet visits, or check out our guide to what to expect from your puppy’s vet trips. Meet Suki, an Australian Cattle Dog, at Bonaparte’s Retreat in Nashville. Adult-dog exams (ages 18 months to 7 years): The …

As your dog ages, his health needs change. Here’s what you can expect from veterinary exams when your dog is a puppy. Stay tuned for guides to vet visits for adult and senior dogs. Clipper the puppy is at Hopalong Animal Rescue in Oakland, CA. Puppy and adolescent exams (ages 6 weeks to 18 months): Your dog’s early checkups can …

In honor of Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month, we’re giving you a step-by-step guide to make vet trips easier for everyone and ensure cats get the healthcare they need. This week we’re tackling the cat carrier. (Read our past vet tips posts here.) Sadie is a playful and active calico cat at Homeward Trails Animal Rescue, Inc. in Arlington, VA. For cats, seeing …

Few things strike fear in the hearts of cat parents like a trip to the vet — and the result, too often, is that our cats get inadequate healthcare. In fact, cat advocacy group the Catalyst Council estimates that cats go to the vet less than half as often as dogs. USA Today pet columnist Sharon L. Peters interviewed the …