Dog Health & Care

---

How to Find the Best Veterinarian for Your Dog

Just as humans need medical checkups and urgent care when sick, your dog also needs qualified veterinary care if anything ever goes wrong. But how exactly do you find the right veterinarian for your pooch?

Seek a Trusted Opinion

First of all, ask your friends which vet they use. Also, talk to your groomer and doggy daycare workers. They should have the inside scoop on the area’s best medical providers. And lastly, check various online sites like Yelp, Pets911, and Kudzu. You can often learn a lot from other people’s experiences. Oh, and If you do rely heavily on your Web-based research, be sure to actually call the vet before you bring your dog into the office. Observe the professionalism, tone, and body language… Continue reading How to Find the Best Veterinarian for Your Dog

Pet Health Insurance Review

It’s not hard to find a quality veterinarian in most cities. Rather, it’s the cost of veterinary care that is often prohibitive. Even a simple checkup can be pricey, and by the time you request vaccinations, heartworm treatments, and dental procedures, the bottom line can very quickly skyrocket. This is where pet insurance steps in. A quality policy lessens the costs of routine care, minor injury, or major medical surgery.

Our Favorite Insurance Providers

• Embrace Pet Insurance - Embrace uses Lloyd's of London, which has been underwriting insurance policies for over 300 years...a solid company indeed. Policies are highly customizable and you're sure to find a suitable premium. The website is very informative and customer care is top notch. Their "Embracers" help you understand all details and will provide honest

Spay and Neuter 101: The Basics

According to the Humane Society, more than three million dogs are euthanized every year. Abandoned in shelters, our nation's chronic over-population of dogs has reached epic proportions. This is why animal advocates continue to remind the general population to spay and neuter our dogs. But aside from the population issues, there are also health-related reasons why getting your dog "fixed" comes so highly recommended.

Reduce Injury and Disease

Spaying and neutering can prevent cancer. In addition, neutered male dogs will less likely want to run away (read: get hit by cars) or engage in rough-housing with other male dogs. Also, male dogs are inherently territorial and if not neutered will use dominance over other dogs, particularly when a female is involved. Just visit any dog park in… Continue reading Spay and Neuter 101: The Basics

Dog Insurance: Should You Insure Your Pup’s Health?

Did you know that you can buy health insurance for your dog? Similar to your HMO at work, most pet insurance plans offer multiple options. Services covered can include surgery, routine checkups, prescriptions, and even dental care. If nothing else, make sure your plans covers costs associated with catastrophic events such as transplants and chemotherapy (yes, dogs can get cancer). As with humans, these major medical procedures are incredibly expensive for you to pay out of pocket, but a quality insurance policy will allow for the best possible doggy health care.

General First-Aid Tips

When it comes to proper health care for your dog, the best solution is always prevention. By implementing some basic  measures into your daily routine, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you're… Continue reading Dog Insurance: Should You Insure Your Pup's Health?

Is My Dog Sick?

Dogs are naturally curious creatures. Fearless and ready for adventure, our pups experience the world with heightened senses of sound, smell, and taste. So it’s not unusual to catch your pooch counter-surfing for chicken wings or trying to leap out of the car window (to chase the traffic whizzing by). Back on the home front, our dogs are often lured to the citrus scents of toxic household chemicals and can easily follow their natural instincts into hazardous situations. So how can you tell when your dog actually does hurt herself? What are the symptoms? And is it serious enough for a visit to the veterinarian?

Symptoms of Sickness

You should get in the habit of checking your dog on a daily basis. Lift her ears and look for ticks, part her hair… Continue reading Is My Dog Sick?

Next Page »