Every year as cold weather approaches, it is a good idea to check over the following tips and reminders so your pets will enjoy the fall and winter seasons.

Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin stored in the liver.  Like other fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and K, if one exceeds optimal doses, the potential for long-term toxicity arises; therefore more caution needs to be used when giving fat-soluble vitamins.  More is definitely not better.

Excessive tearing ( also called epiphora) is the result of an overflow of tears from the eyes. In certain breeds of dogs (e.g. poodles, spaniels, pugs, etc.), it is normal but can be a cosmetic problem. The bronze staining of the hairs is due to a compound in the tears called porphyrin.

Dogs do, as a general rule, love the great outdoors and the winter is no exception. In fact many seem to prefer the colder months and seem invigorated by it. Fortunately, dogs were born with “fur coats” and a higher tolerance to colder weather than their owners; but not all of them like to spend extended periods of time outdoors.

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is an autoimmune disease wherein a dog becomes allergic to its own tissues. This disease results in crusting, depigmentation, redness, and ulceration of the nose. Lesions may also appear around the eyes, ears, limbs, and other areas. DLE can occur at any age, and is seen more often in such breeds as Collies, German shepherds, Shelties, and Siberian huskies.

Anal glands are two small glands or sacs located on either side of the anus.The purpose of the anal glands is known to be the application of pheromone-rich secretion to the outside of the stool in order to mark territory- this is an important function in roaming animals.

Ask the Vet

Get up out of your recliner, find a comfortable pair of shoes, and ready yourself for a two hour run. What?  Unless you are a conditioned athlete, you are not going to be willing nor able to complete this task.

From January 1998 to January 2003, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center received 44 calls regarding paintball ingestion by dogs that subsequently developed illness. 

Obesity affects pets adversely in many ways. Overweight pets tend to play and exercise less and don't live as long as healthy pets do. In fact, the list of harmful effects of obesity on pets is a long one.

Obesity is the most common nutritional disease in pets. Obesity means the excess deposition of fatty tissue in the body. It is estimated that over 30% of the dog population is obese and their owners are not even aware of it. Obesity is a dangerous condition because overweight pets tend to have more illnesses and a shorter life. Our overweight pets also tend to not enjoy life as they should, due to too much effort.

Obesity is one of the most common nutritional medical disorders affecting companion animals, with approximately 24-40% of pets being classified as overweight. Obesity is defined as an increase of over 20% above the optimum body weight.