Did you know that February is National Pet Dental Health Month? As humans, most of us have a regular dental hygiene routine. We brush twice a day, attempt to floss at least once a day, and see our dentists/dental hygienists twice a year. We do this to keep our teeth as healthy as possible and address concerns as soon as they arise. The month of February is a great reminder to recognize that pets need dental health care just as…
As a veterinarian, it seems that everyone knows that cats and dogs shouldn’t eat chocolate, but what about other frequently consumed human foods. Check out the list below for information on human foods that our furry companions should avoid and why. 1. Avocados (Dogs and Cats) Avocados contain a toxin called persin. Birds and ruminants (like cows) are very susceptible to this toxin and should never be fed avocadoes. While dogs and cats are far less sensitive, they can still…
October is a month filled with wonderful things. Crisp days, colorful leaves, all things pumpkins spice and national veterinary technician week! National veterinary technician week extends from October 15th – 21st, 2017. As many of you know, I pay the bills by working as a veterinarian. I wouldn’t be able to provide the same standard of care to my patients if I did not have amazing, hardworking veterinary technicians at my practice. (Let’s be honest, I need all the amazing,…
What is the VOHC seal? The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) concept was developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Veterinary dentists recognized that there were many products being marketed to improve the dental health of pets. However, there was not an objective means of recognizing which products actually worked. As a result a panel of veterinary dentists and representatives from several veterinary organizations agreed upon a protocol for testing effectiveness of plaque and calculus retardants in dogs. (Note…
As a general practice veterinarian, I am blessed with the opportunity to come in contact with many aspiring veterinarians. Some are already well on their way to getting accepted into veterinary school, but some are just starting on on their journey of discovering what options are available to them in a career as a veterinarian. This article is for those who are just starting out. If you’re interested in veterinary medicine as a career, the first step is making sure…
The term “voluntourism” can bring about mixed emotions. It is oftentimes used to describe relatively expensive trips made by citizens of “wealthy” nations to international countries deemed underprivileged or “poor” in order to perform some type of volunteer work. While this in and of itself can be a great thing, many people argue that it would be more constructive and helpful to simply donate the money and allow local experts to perform the task themselves (often much more quickly). For…