Ticks & Tick-Borne Diseases in Upstate New York
What CAPC and CDC Data Tell Us About Risk to People and Pets If you live in Upstate New York, ticks are not a “maybe.” They’re a reality. As a veterinarian practicing in our region, I can confidently say that tick prevention is no longer seasonal — it’s essential. Surveillance data from the CDC and […]
Safe & Effective Flea, Tick & Ear Mite Treatment for Kittens
Kittens may be small, but parasites can cause very big problems. Fleas can lead to anemia. Ear mites can cause painful infections. Ticks can transmit disease. And once fleas enter your home, they multiply quickly. The good news? We have safe, veterinary-approved options specifically labeled for kittens. Starting early and using the correct product at […]
Specialty Grooming for Dogs
Some people get a lot of joy from dressing their dogs up and creating innovative hairstyles, trendy outfits, and stylish pedicures. Dressing your dog may be amusing, but when it comes to spa visits, dog owners should use a little caution. Cutting a dog’s hair is a matter of good hygiene as much as good […]
Grooming and Coat Care for Your Dog
The condition of your dog’s skin and coat is a good indicator of their health. Health and nutrition influence the luster and texture of your pet’s coat from the inside, while regular grooming and skin care help keep your dog’s coat clean and free of tangles on the outside. What types of haircoats do dogs […]
How to Properly Collect a Fecal Sample From Your Pet
Accurate Testing Starts With a Good Sample 4 Fecal testing is one of the simplest — and most valuable — diagnostic tools in veterinary medicine. It allows us to detect intestinal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, Giardia, and Coccidia before they cause significant illness. But here’s the truth:A fecal test is only as good as […]
The Top 10 Canine Nutrition Myths
Nutrition is one of the most common topics I discuss with dog owners every single day. And like most things that circulate on the internet, there is a lot of opinion mixed in with very little science. Good nutrition is not about trends. It’s about evidence, physiology, and long-term health. Below are the top 10 […]
Principles of Teaching and Training Dogs
How can I teach my dog new tasks? Punishment is not a recommended training strategy. It can have unwanted consequences including fear and aggression. Punishment can permanently damage the trust your dog has in you. Punishment is designed to stop behaviors, but punishment does not inform your dog which behavior to do instead. This can […]
Vaccines for Cats
Vaccines are necessary to reduce illnesses in cats caused by infectious diseases. Improvements are continuously being made in vaccine safety and effectiveness. Veterinarians routinely recommend certain vaccines for all cats (called core vaccines), while others (called non-core vaccines) are used more selectively, according to the cat’s environment and lifestyle. In all cases, decisions about vaccine […]
Deciphering Cat Food Labels
Evaluating cat food labels can be challenging and confusing for pet owners. These labels provide an important way for pet food manufacturers to communicate nutritional information to consumers. However, food labeling requirements for cat foods vary significantly from those for human food. It is important to understand some of the rules regulating cat food labels […]
Flea Control in Cats
How can my cat get fleas? Fleas can spread directly from a flea-infested animal to your cat, but usually cats get fleas from their environment. Fleas live, feed, and mate on many animals, including cats, dogs, rabbits, ferrets, opossums, rodents, and raccoons. Flea eggs fall off these animals, into the environment, where they hatch into […]