Lessons Learned: Living With a Fearful Dog
Note: The owner wished to share this story to help shed light on the challenges faced when adopting a fearful dog; the names in this story have been changed to maintain their privacy. Love can fix everything, or so we’re told, but when it comes to dog behavior, it’s certainly (and sometimes dangerously) a view […]
On the Bit,” a nuance of dressage!
A horse on the vertical and working over its back differentiates dressage from other forms of riding. The horse’s nose is on the vertical when the horse flexes at the poll or atlas joint, and its nose is tucked in. And if the horse is tracking up, or taking a full stride under the seat […]
How Sweet It Isn’t – Diabetes in Cats and Dogs
As you probably already know, diabetes has something to do with blood glucose (a sugar) and insulin. After we eat and food is digested, the glucose and other nutrients enter the bloodstream to be delivered to our cells. Cells need energy to survive and perform their various functions. These nutrients also provide building blocks for […]
Blue Pearl Article Spring 2022
Veterinary technicians play many roles. We are phlebotomists, radiology technicians, laboratory technicians. We are ICU nurses and anesthesiologists. Most importantly we are the voice for the voiceless. Every day we advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. That is the most rewarding part of being a vet tech: Knowing that at least one patient […]
Problem Behaviors? Something to Think About if Your Dog Itches By April Minech
Allergies be the cause of more than just a little scratching; it can affect how your dog thinks, feels and behaves. Canine atopic dermatitis is a common allergic skin condition in dogs that causes long-term and constant itching similar to eczema in people. Often, we can gain insight into what is happening with dogs by […]
Can Cats Develop Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome?
With the experience of watching both of my parents and a few older relatives slip into what we used to call “senility,” I’ve often wondered if I saw the same sort of cognitive issue in my elder cats. Today we use the term “dementia,” but “cognitive dysfunction” is a more specific term. Symptoms of both […]
Roxy’s Final Journey
The photogenic little Italian Greyhound was adopted in October of 2009 and started her whirlwind life at 4 months of age; her parents – Mona Gray and Jason Dunkle – had no idea what a celebrity she would become. She was a spunky little puppy with a personality that was larger than life and a […]
Is my horse on the bit?
On the bit means that the horse is stepping up or lifting under the rider’s seat to a connection with the bit. As a result, the horse is “on the bit.” I have heard it is also called “on the aids.” So what does that mean, on the aids? Well, the horse is connecting to […]
Caring for a Blind Pet By Amy Peters, LVT and Sheri Santucci
Caring for a blind pet is a unique and privileged responsibility. If your pet has become suddenly blind, they may become confused by the sudden nature of its change in vision status. Many pets adapt to their blindness quickly while others need months to adjust to the change. Vision in cats and dogs is quite […]
Chemo or Cat? By Dr. Susan Wagner, DVM MS ACVIM
My years as a conventional and integrative veterinarian have taught me that the human-animal bond goes beyond companionship. Animals are here to be our guides and teachers, and to help us on this journey called life. The most important lesson they teach us is to love without judgment. They view us as special people, whether […]