December is Winter Weather Safety Month, making it the perfect time to remind pet owners of the dangers that come with the cold winter months. From hypothermia risk and protecting sensitive paws to leashing your dog and ensuring adequate shelter for outdoor cats, there are many precautions to take to ensure your pets continue living their best lives straight through this cold, snowy season.

How do I know when to take my pet to the vet? This is a good question. And it is a rather common question. Because too many times, pet owners worry that they waited too long or brought their pet to see the doctor too soon, and somehow they will be at fault if Fluffy has any issues.

Floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires. There’s no part of the country that hasn’t been affected by weather emergencies in recent years.

This is why it’s a good idea to have an emergency plan for your entire family, including your pets. Hopefully, you’ll never need it. But since summer is prime time for severe storms and flooding, why not take a few minutes to review your plan and if needed, create a “go” bag in case of emergency?

Taking care of a dog is typically pretty straight forward. You have to make sure that they eat every day, that they have a safe place to sleep at night, and that they get the love and attention they deserve as a furry member of your family. But dealing with a sick dog may become tricky -- not to mention stressful.

If your dog or cat had an accident, would you know how to stabilize them before transporting them to the vet or to an emergency veterinary care center?

A kidney breakdown is a frightening thing. As you may remember from biology class, kidneys filter out substances the body can’t use and release it as urine. They also help control blood pressure and maintain healthy levels of hydration, salts, and acids in the body.

Basically, having at least one healthy kidney is essential to having a healthy and well-functioning body.

Most people think of bleach or rat poison when they think of household toxins. If that’s you, you’re right. Yet, there are many other less obvious items that could pose a hazard.

Take sugar-free gum for instance. Did you know that it contains xylitol, which can cause liver failure in your dog? The popular sugar substitute is also in certain brands of toothpaste and sweetener packets for coffee and tea. Yet, it can be deadly to your dog.

The recent outbreak of canine influenza virus (CIV) in the Midwestern region of the United States has affected more than 1,000 dogs. Should you be worried?

As with all infectious and parasitic disease trends, our doctors have been closely following this issue and its possible indications for our clients and patients.