Pawcurious: With Veterinarian and Author Dr. V

Celebrating the truth that pets make people better.

News

Next time you donate that couch to Goodwill….

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Make sure your cat isn't stuck inside of it. That is the sort of thing that would happen to me- my cats are always wiggling under the cushions, trying to spelunk into the depths. I can't imagine how that cat managed to get totally stuck inside the couch, though. Fortunately the story has a happy ending, but that poor cat! He wiggles inside his favorite hiding place and wakes up in a new house! There's no way it would have taken 10 days to find Calypso, though. If I am 10 minutes late in ... Read more »

In other unshocking news…

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Anyone out there still thinking the old alpha-rolling-your-big-Rottie-technique is a good one? In the latest issue of Applied Animal Behavior Science, a new study reveals that aggressive training methods result in an aggressive pet. According to the study's author, using "confrontational" methods such as the stare-down, growling at the dog, physical punishment, and alpha rolling not only do not correct the problem behavior, they can make aggression worse. This is not news to most veterinary ... Read more »

Bad ideas, part 10

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I just finished reading this story on CNN about a chimpanzee attacking and seriously injuring a friend of his owner. It's so sad, for the victim, for Travis who is now dead, and for the owner who, in desperation, stabbed the pet she loved as a child. I have never quite understood the appeal of primates as pets. The overwhelming memory I have from my time studying primate medicine is that of fear- they can MESS YOU UP. Don't get me wrong- I think primates are amazing and astounding creatures. ... Read more »

Got Salmonella?

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Dogs and peanut butter go together like, well, people and peanut butter. Peanut butter is a well-loved product. Remember that Got Milk commercial with the dog with the peanut butter stuck to the roof of his mouth? (I couldn’t find it, but this one is almost as good.) I used to use it to glue Mulan’s pills to her palate. It’s like doggy manna. Given its status as Most Favored Flavor, it’s hard to find a dog treat out there that doesn’t come in a peanut butter ... Read more »