It’s time to make the word “mutt” keep you from turning up your nose and, instead, let that term roll off your tongue with fondness. And dare we say, mutts are “in”, for whatever that’s worth. Mutts, or mixed breeds, are among the most popular dog breeds. Of course, this is because designer breeds (think Goldendoodles and Labradoodles) are all the rage but, really, a mutt can be the mix of any dog breeds.

As veterinarians, it's heartbreaking that every summer we see several cases of heatstroke. These are dogs that are members of the family. They are loved and cared for by well-intentioned owners that dote on them. They just thought that their dog loves to ride in the car and that they would be fine in the car with the windows cracked while they ran into the dry cleaners. Or they perhaps didn't realize that they were putting their beloved pet in danger by taking them for a run or a walk on a summer day. Don't let this happen to you!

How much do we love thee, puppies? Oh, let us count the ways. Puppy breath, silky fur, endless kisses, oh my! The one thing that every puppy owner dreads, however, is accidents. And those of us in the veterinary community will tell you, the only certainties in life are death, taxes, and puppy accidents. It comes with the territory!

As we are in peak hurricane and storm season in many parts of the United States, we figured that now is as good a time as any to discuss disaster preparedness. As veterinarians, however, we want to point out the necessity of having your pets involved in your (hopefully!) very-detailed emergency preparedness plan. Far too many times, we read articles or see news stories of pets being left behind, some never to be reunited with their owners. Even worse, many pets die during these disasters.

From their super soft fur and sleep barking to their smelly breath and, yes, even their razor-sharp biting teeth, puppies are just the cutest. But if you've recently adopted one, you hopefully realize that there is more to dog wellness than a steady flow of kisses from your family members (although those are good, too). One of the key parts of getting your pup on a path to wellness is dog vaccinations and, if you are new to the puppy game, you might have questions.

We hope that everyone has a fantastic Independence Day and that you will be celebrating with friends, families, and pets. Here are four things to keep an eye on so you can keep all of the pets that you are celebrating with happy, healthy, and safe!

If you’ve ever had a dog or cat who has lived with you for many years, you know that they undoubtedly become a member of your family. So when you notice them slowing down or, worse, showing signs of pain, you might wonder whether your precious pet is nearing the end. And while we know this is the last thing you want to face as a pet owner, we all also realize that it’s an inevitable part of opening our hearts and homes to these wonderful animals.

An unfortunate truth is that, in many parts of the United States, if you have pets, it is not a matter of if your pet has ever had fleas but when they will get them. At some time in your pet’s life, they are likely to get fleas. But just because it is common does not mean that it should be ignored. Just 1 female flea can lay as many as 40 to 50 eggs a day and over 2000 eggs in her lifetime. The longer you wait, the bigger the problems these minuscule pests can cause.