Author Archives: debbiehaines415

GDV & Prophylactic Gastropexy: Prevention Can Save a Life If you have a large or deep-chested dog, you may have heard of GDV (gastric dilatation-volvulus), or “bloat.” GDV is a life-threatening emergency in which the stomach fills with gas and can twist, cutting off blood supply and potentially leading to shock, tissue death, and death.Continue reading “GDV & Prophylactic Gastropexy in Dogs”

Calicivirus, Gingivitis & Stomatitis in Cats If you have a cat with chronic bad breath, red and inflamed gums, difficulty eating, excessive drooling, or painful sores in the mouth, feline calicivirus (FCV) may be part of the picture. Calicivirus is a very common and contagious feline virus. One of its classic signs is painful ulcersContinue reading “Calicivirus, Gingivitis & Stomatitis in Cats”

Anxiety in Dogs: Sometimes It Takes More Than One Approach Anxiety is very common in dogs, and separation anxiety is one of the most frustrating forms—for both dogs and their families. Dogs with separation anxiety may bark, howl, pace, destroy things, have accidents in the house, or even try to escape when left alone. OneContinue reading “ANXIETY IN DOGS”

Blocked Cats: Why Does It Happen? A blocked cat is a true veterinary emergency, and unfortunately, I see this problem far too often—almost always in male cats due to their unique anatomy. A urinary blockage occurs when a cat cannot pass urine through the urethra. This can happen because of inflammatory debris, mucus, crystals, stones,Continue reading “Blocked Cat”

Radiographs vs. Ultrasound: Why We Often Need Both When your dog or cat isn’t feeling well, diagnostic imaging can provide answers that we simply cannot get from a physical exam alone. Two of the most commonly used imaging tools in veterinary medicine are radiographs (X-rays) and ultrasound. While they are very different, they work bestContinue reading “Radiographs vs Ultrasound”

Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease. It can be spread to people and pets through the bites and scratches of an infected animal. Rabies primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to severe brain disease and death if medical care is not received before symptoms start. In the United States, more than 90%Continue reading “Bats/Rabies Dogs and Cats”

Foxtail (Hordeum murinum) Foxtail is a nuisance weed that is dangerous to pets, livestock and wildlife Mechanically Injurious Parts of the Plant: Awns of plant Common Location: Throughout the U.S. with many in the western U.S. Toxic Signs or Symptoms: Injurious to eyes, soft tissues in the mouth, digestive tract, paws, eyes, ears, skin, orContinue reading “Foxtail And Pets”

Nicotine poisoning is a serious emergency that can affect both dogs and cats. Symptoms can develop very quickly, often within 30 to 60 minutes after a pet eats a nicotine-containing product. In some cases, signs may not appear for several hours. Because nicotine poisoning can be life-threatening, contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect yourContinue reading “Nicotine Poisoning in Dogs and Cats”

Why Is My Dog’s Nose Dry? A dry nose is something many dog owners notice and worry about. The good news is that a dry nose is not always a sign that something is wrong. However, there are several health conditions that can cause a dog’s nose to become dry, cracked, or crusty. Some ofContinue reading “Dog Dry Nose”

Understanding Pododermatitis (Paw Inflammation) in Dogs If your dog is constantly licking or chewing at their paws, they might be dealing with pododermatitis. Simply put, “podo” means foot, and “dermatitis” means skin inflammation. It isn’t a disease on its own, but rather a reaction caused by an underlying issue (like allergies or bugs). It canContinue reading “Pododermatitis”

A dog’s paw pads might feel rough, they are actually one of the most sensitive parts of their body. The skin on their pads is thick and cushioned by a layer of fat underneath. This setup acts like a built-in sneaker—absorbing shock, preventing slips, helping them balance, and protecting their feet from tough terrain. BecauseContinue reading “Cracked/Dry Dog Paws”

While many owners view fleas as just an annoying cause of itching and scratching, a heavy infestation can quickly escalate into a medical crisis. Fleas are blood-sucking parasites. Flea anemia occurs when hundreds or thousands of fleas bite a dog continuously, draining their blood faster than the dog’s bone marrow can produce new red bloodContinue reading “Flea Anemia In Dogs/Puppies”

Understanding Flea Anemia While a few fleas might seem like a minor nuisance, a heavy flea infestation can quickly turn into a silent killer. Fleas are parasites that survive entirely by feeding on your pet’s blood. Flea anemia happens when hundreds of fleas bite a cat or kitten continuously, draining their blood faster than theContinue reading “Flea Anemia Cats/Kittens”

If you are reading about Hemangiosarcoma (HSA), you might be going through a highly stressful and scary time with your dog. It is one of the toughest diagnoses a pet parent can face, but breaking down the medical jargon can help you understand exactly what is happening and what steps you can take. What isContinue reading “Hemangiosarcoma (HSA)”

Veterinarians rely heavily on medical abbreviations for the same reasons human doctors do: efficiency, speed, and standardization. However, for a pet owner, looking at an electronic medical chart or a prescription bottle can sometimes feel like trying to crack a secret code. Here is a breakdown of why vets use this shorthand and how takingContinue reading “Basic Vet Abbreviations For Pet Owners To Know”

First, take a deep breath. What you are feeling right now is a heavy, painful weight, but it is also completely normal. Guilt is a universal part of grief, but with behavioral euthanasia (BE) or euthanizing a sick dog, that guilt carries a very specific, agonizing sting. When a dog has a physical illness likeContinue reading “Understanding The Guilt Of BE”

Talking to your children about behavioral euthanasia is incredibly difficult, but approaching it with honesty, validation, and age-appropriate information can help them process this profound grief. Here is a guide on how to navigate this heartbreaking conversation, structured by age group and general principles: General Principles for the Conversation Tailoring by Age Group Toddlers &Continue reading “Children Dealing With Pets Euthanasia”

This is an incredibly heavy and heartbreaking topic, and if you are currently navigating this with your own dog, I am so sorry. It is a deeply isolating and emotional place to be. When facing the devastating decision of behavioral euthanasia, ensuring that the behavior isn’t actually a cry of physical pain is a crucial,Continue reading “Before Behavioral Euthanasia: Rule Out the Silent Culprit”

Is it “Bad Behavior”or is Your Dog in Pain? ? When dogs hurt, they can’t tell us with words. Instead, their pain often talks through their behavior. Chronic discomfort changes how a dog processes the world, often triggering sudden behavior problems. Here is how pain changes a dog’s actions: Hidden Red Flags to Watch For:Continue reading “Bad Behavior Or Pain?”

IVDD Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) in dogs is a condition where the cushioning discs between the vertebrae bulge or burst, putting pressure on the spinal cord. Often called a “slipped” or “herniated” disc, it causes severe pain, nerve damage, and potentially paralysis. It is most common in breeds with long backs and short legs, likeContinue reading “IVDD”

A dog’s penis is crucial to the reproductive and urinary systems. At its core, it consists of two primary components: the penile shaft and the bulbus glandis. The penile shaft is a long, cylindrical structure that extends from the base to the tip of your dog’s penis. Additionally, a retractable sheath called a dog’s prepuceContinue reading “Dog: Smegma”

Responsible Animal Breeding: When it comes to breeding dogs, going into it with a structured, educated approach is key. Breeding dogs is a deeply rewarding experience when done correctly, driven by a passion to improve the breed’s health, temperament, and conformation. It requires a significant, lifelong commitment of time, energy, and financial resources, blending canineContinue reading “Puppy Chronicles”

For those times that you may have an emergency with your pet it’s a good idea to be prepared, especially if you do not have easy access to emergency veterinary care. Purchasing a book that covers basic emergency treatment suggestions can also be helpful. Knowing some basic first aid information and being prepared for emergenciesContinue reading “First Aid Kit”

Here is an explanation regarding the science behind why a puppy/kitten vaccination SERIES of shots is given:    It is all to do with maternal antibodies. If the mom is vaccinated, she passes antibodies for distemper and parvovirus in dogs or distemper and upper respiratory infections in cats to the babies in the colostrum and milk.Continue reading “Why A Series Of Puppy Or Kitten Vaccines”

Feline nasopharyngeal polyps can gro anywhere within the ear canal from just outside the ear drum (may actually be visualized using an otoscope, through the internal ear architecture (needs CT) into the back of the throat (may or may not be seen). CT is often required to diagnose nasopharyngeal polyps in cats, although they mayContinue reading “Feline Nasopharyngeal Polyps”

French Bulldogs are among the sweetest and charming little dogs. However, indiscriminate breeding has resulted in a breed that is genetically prone to a myriad of anatomic disorders – a breed with likely the most possible genetic abnormalities of all breeds. So, we often advise new owners to start a savings account as well asContinue reading “French Bulldogs”

I am a DVM that heavily advocates for pet insurance. Some DVMs do not.Obtaining pet insurance is highly and strongly recommended ASAP literally the day you pick up that puppy / kitten. BEFORE pre-existing conditions occur. Many policies do not cover congenital conditions.  If the breeder or shelter offers you to activate insurance at timeContinue reading “Veterinarian Perspective On Pet Insurance”

When dogs reach certain ages there are often  hormonally and mentally predictable behaviors that develop – there are age-related behavior stages, during which it can be easier to adjust unwanted behaviors than when older. Spaying or neutering ASAP may minimize unwanted behaviors such as inter-dog aggression, but positive results can’t be guaranteed, nor should theyContinue reading “Dog That Bites”

Puppies may be orphaned for many reasons such as rejection by their mother, failure of milk production, found abandoned, rarely, the death of their mother. Newborn puppies are very fragile and problems can develop quickly due to their high reliance on their mother for warmth and nutrition. There are several critical problems that must beContinue reading “Puppies (Orphan)”

Cat/kitten diarrhea: There are numerous causes for recurrent or chronic diarrhea in a kitten/cat. The most common cause would be unsuccessfully treated intestinal parasites or organisms – roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, Giardia (may need an ELISA test). Tritrichomonas is a parasite that is very difficult to diagnose but should be considered in kittens with unrelenting diarrhea.Continue reading “Cat/Kitten Diarrhea”

Skin issues are extremely frustrating for both owners AND veterinarians. Many, many, many, many skin disorders, (and indeed, causes for itching if present) have EXACTLY the same appearance and/or symptoms, so diagnosing on only appearance is usually impossible. And, there is no SINGLE treatment for all of these disorders. Often owners try all sorts ofContinue reading “Skin Issues”

Chronic diarrhea: Long lasting or repeated episodes of loose stool needs addressing! There is a starting point with diet assessment, lab testing,and medications, perhaps including deworming, even if fecal analysis is negative. If unsuccessful, other tests and treatment are used. If routine diagnostics aren’t fruitful we are wise in having a referral to an internalContinue reading “Dog/Puppy Chronic Diarrhea”

Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) disease is the most common, painful knee injury in dogs and occasionally occurs in cats, and is caused by the rupture of a key ligament stabilizing the knee joint (stifle). Symptoms include sudden hind-leg lameness, limping, and joint swelling. It is often caused by degeneration, obesity, or injury during activity. SurgeryContinue reading “CCL”

Bringing Home Puppies Younger Then 8 Weeks Old. It is important when adopting or purchasing puppies that they should remain with their mother and littermates for at least 8 weeks to ensure proper emotional, behavioral, and physical development. Puppies have a lot of important developing to do in the first 8 weeks of their life.Continue reading “Puppies Under 8 Weeks Old”

Cat Mounting Cats mounting (humping) is a normal feline behavior driven by sexual, behavioral, or medical factors. While common in intact males for mating, neutered cats often mount due to stress, boredom, or to display dominance within a household. It is generally a harmless act of social hierarchy, though it can signify anxiety. Why CatsContinue reading “Cat Mounting”

Dog Testicles Frequently Asked Questions. What color should dogs testicles be? Most dogs’ scrotums are greyish in color regardless of the skin color on the rest of their bodies. Some are darker, even black. You might see pink spots on the scrotum, especially in a young dog. Minus any other symptoms, these colors and minorContinue reading “Dog Testicles”

by Deb Haines Grief ; Don’t Rush Your Pets Process, Have Patiences When your dog or cat loses their favorite companion, buddy or playmate, it’s normal for them to go through a period of grief/mourning. By trying to understand the signs of grief in your pets and knowing what to do to ease your companion’sContinue reading “Grief In Dogs And Cats”

Keeping Cats Safe From Toxic Plants If you have cats, you know that cats are curious by nature and will need to be supervised around plants. There are numerous plants that are poisonous to cats, the biggest flower danger to cats are Lilies (all types), Tulips, Daffodils, Chrysanthemums, Hyacinths, Azaleas, and Amaryllis, which can causeContinue reading “Cats And Toxic Plants”