dogcatdoc Blog & Latest Recalls

In the summer heat, pets can develop HEATSTROKE in a matter of minutes if not attended to. Heatstroke is an inability to adequately dissipate heat. It is a life-threatening condition and requires immediate attention.

This July 4th, the skies over Santa Monica (Pacific Palisades, Marina del Rey, and Culver City) will be filled with colorful (and LOUD) displays. Some dogs and cats may be very fearful of these explosions…even hurting themselves by bolting through windows to flee the thunderous noise and bursts of light.

Pain can often go unnoticed in our pets, especially our older cats and dogs. Almost every day, I hear a client say, “He’s just slowing down with age.” Remember, age is NOT a disease. The “slowing down” is likely due to a problem, often arthritis.

Foxtails are those small, arrow-shaped parts of grasses that carry seeds. They have sharp points at one end and very small barbs. This allows them to migrate easily in one direction but not the other way. Foxtails can burrow into the skin and travel significant distances, causing irritation and infection in pets.

Raw food is the purest, healthiest, and best diet (most expensive) available for your dog or cat, RIGHT? Well, maybe…there are life-threatening risks to feeding your pet a raw diet, potentially deadly to YOU and YOUR FAMILY.

Fleas are rampant in our warm climate, and we see more of them during the Spring and Summer months. While fleas are offensive, and most people consider them just plain gross, there are serious health implications to fleas hitchhiking on our dogs and cats…

Dental disease is one of the most common problems diagnosed in both dogs and cats. Only 32 dog and 12 cat dental products are deemed effective enough to be recommended by the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council).

You know that chocolate is bad for dogs. Cats are usually too finicky to eat it. But, do you know why? More importantly, do you know what signs of chocolate toxicity you should look for and what to do?

Flea infestations are the most common ectoparasitic problem of dogs and cats in North America. Here in Southern California, it’s been a particularly bad flea season due in part to the warmer than usual summer and fall.

Whether you’ve got a playful pup or curious cat, it’s practically inevitable that your pet will require first aid. Rambunctious romps could result in some cuts and scrapes (or worse) along the way. Immediate and proper attention at home will help speed healing and minimize pain. Here are some basic guidelines to care for your pet’s wounds at home.

Prevent heartworms from a mosquito bite. Heartworms (scientific name Dirofilaria immitis) are a parasite of dogs and other canids, such as foxes. Cats are more resistant to infection than dogs; their infection rate is only 5–20% of that of the dog. Heartworm...

Please leave routine anal gland expression for those pets who have a history of anal gland infection. Again, only a licensed veterinarian or technician is qualified to perform this medical procedure on your pet.