Pawcurious: With Veterinarian and Author Dr. V

Celebrating the truth that pets make people better.

Blog

Terror at the pet store

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Today, on my lunch break, I was browsing my local pet superstore in search of a pair of Easter Bunny ears for Koa (no dice, by the way. I'm open to suggestions for where I might find some at this late hour.) Anyway, I ducked into the loo, and as I shut the stall door I heard a "scritch scritch" noise not unlike someone sweeping the floor. Scritch, scritch. Scritch, scritch. I look under the door. I do not see any feet. Scritch, scritch. Then a rat ran across my feet. ... Read more »

With age comes wisdom (sometimes)

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A man and his daughter arrive with the daughter's kitten. The kitten is not feeling well, they tell me. She hasn't eaten for several days. I examine the kitten, who is dehydrated and depressed. Her belly is large and pendulous. "Where did you get her from?" I inquire. The shelter, they tell me as they watch me pull several cc's of straw colored fluid from her abdomen. We talk about FIP, a nasty disease with a very poor prognosis. The young girl, probably 7 or 8, nods solemnly. She knew ... Read more »

My Anaconda Don’t Want None

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One of the prices we pay for living in paradise (aside from traffic, cost of living, and all of that manmade stuff) is sharing the land with the lovely rattlesnake. Generally speaking, they aren't too difficult to deal with if you are your average suburbanite- just leave them be. It's not like they're Boomslangs that drop randomly out of trees onto your head (I had nightmares after learning that little factoid); they sun themselves on rocks and other exposed places trying to be left alone. ... Read more »

Picture of the Week

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Grandma's house is as close as a dog can get to heaven on this earth. The yard is one big lush garden, full of bright beautiful flowers, inviting bees to annoy, and a pool for a refreshing dip. Plus the caretaker is generous with the treats. I'm pretty sure the dogs would like to live there; sadly though, they are stuck with me. For all of this, there is a price. They must occasionally play along with our whims. Grandma is very fond of her flowers. They bear this willingly, for the most ... Read more »

Things to smile about: Fetching Tags

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I had NO idea I had so many knowledgeable chicken experts reading this blog. Truly, thank you for the encouragement and all the fantastic links. I have my work cut out for me. I even found out my receptionist is on a similar chicken kick and she pointed me to a place that is selling 8 month old laying hens. Score! There are all sorts of things that put me in a good mood this week. I put new tags on everyone's collars, and they are seriously, seriously cute tags. Since people tend to frown on ... Read more »

I want a chicken

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You heard me. I totally want a chicken. I blame Dr. Crosby over at AboutVetMed for putting the idea in my head in the first place- I had said something to the effect of, "I don't do birds," and she said, "But what about chickens?" and I had to admit I had never really given the idea much thought because as she correctly surmised, by "birds" I meant "parrots and cockatiels." ... Read more »

Teddy’s Pride Giveaway winner!

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Using random.org, I came up with a number and here you go: Congratulations to Lindsay and her stinky pup Toby! This sounds perfect for my dog Toby. His breath STINKS. I got his teeth cleaned and it still smells. Lindsay, if you can send me a line through my contact info we'll get that out to you! ... Read more »

chompchompchomp

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People ask me on a regular basis what kind of toy they should give their dog to chew on. We go through the usual: Bully sticks, rawhides, Greenies, Kongs (each with distinct advantages and disadvantages.) We eliminate the problem items I never recommend: pigs ears, cow hooves, dried femur bones. For the most part, we can find something that most dogs can use. Sticks, by the way? I don't recommend them. (My husband took this picture when I wasn't around.) About once a week, an owner ... Read more »