Pet Care Perspectives
Health care tips from our experienced veterinary specialists for your dog and cat.
Can pets serve to spread COVID-19?
Infectious disease experts and several international and domestic human and animal health organizations agree there is no evidence at this point to indicate that pets become ill with COVID-19 or that they spread it to other animals, including people. COVID-19 appears...
COVID-19 and Your Pet
HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW: There are 7 different types of coronaviruses. The CDC doesn’t believe this strain, COVID-19, can be transmitted to domestic animals. The virus originated from an animal source but is now being spread person-to-person. At present, infectious...
Tea Tree Oil Poisoning in Dogs and Cats
Tea tree oil is a popular alternative treatment for many skin conditions affecting humans and its popularity has resulted in veterinary skin care products that contain the product. In small concentrations (.1% to 1%), tea tree oil is tolerated and safe for cats and...
Foreign Body Ingestion in Dogs and Cats
This holiday season we have already seen a rash of pets eating things they shouldn’t, causing obstruction of the stomach or intestines, and often resulting in life-threatening situations if left untreated. Some objects can pass without taking medical intervention,...
Holiday Hazards for Pets
The holidays are closing in quickly and for many, pets are part of the fun. However, this time of year can also be dangerous for our dogs and cats. The holidays are when we see an increase in emergency cases at MetroVet. To keep your pet out of the ER and to help...
Holidays can be Dangerous for Pets. Be Aware of These Precautions.
Although you may be able to handle extra food and rich desserts with only a few pounds to show, your pet can't. Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines) are common holiday maladies we see in pets....
Recent outbreak of multi-drug resistant Salmonella across 33 states—linked to pig ear dog treats.
As of September 5, the Centers for Disease Control reports 143 people infected from 35 states, with 33 people hospitalized. We’ve never been fans of pig ear treats for dogs due their high fat content, coating agents, and the high incidence of stomach upset they...
Diabetes in Dogs and Cats – What you should know
Diabetes mellitis is common in middle-aged to older cats (especially overweight cats) and middle-aged dogs. The disease occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, which then causes blood sugar to rise. We diagnose diabetes when we see a combination of...
Xylitol Poisoning
Xylitol: Just as Dangerous in Dogs as Chocolate, Yet Less Known Xylitol is used in a variety of food and non-food products including sugar-free gum, candy, peanut and nut butters, baked goods, baking mix, jelly, condiments, syrup, flavored drinks, drink...
Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs
Why is chocolate bad for dogs? Chocolate contains substances known as methylxanthines, specifically caffeine and theobromine, both of which are toxic to dogs. Dogs metabolize theobromine much slower than humans, so depending on your dog’s weight, even small amounts of...
Canine Influenza
Oregon Humane Society pauses dog adoptions after group exposed to dog flu. In June, the Oregon Humane Society reported that three dogs in their care tested positive for Canine Influenza Virus. These dogs were part of a larger “second-chance” transfer from a...
Heart Murmurs in Cats — Should You be Concerned?
Cats are frequently diagnosed with heart murmurs, however hearing a murmur during a physical exam is no reason to panic. It is a reason to have a discussion about heart disease and what it may mean for your kitty. Many cats with heart murmurs will live long, happy,...
4th of July Safety
Keep your pets safe with these tips The sights and sounds of the 4th of July often scare pets, causing stress and fear. You may notice your dog whining or exhibiting destructive behavior resulting in damaged property or injury. Cats seek out hiding places once the...
Heatstroke in Dogs
With the arrival of hot weather, take precautions with your pets! Even though everyone knows that keeping your dog in a car on a hot day is dangerous, we still see cases of heatstroke. In the past week we’ve treated several, costing owners plenty and endangering the...
The Problem with Bones
Think twice before you give that shank to Rover! Some of the chew products responsible for broken teeth are nylon toys, cow hooves, bully sticks, pig ears, antlers, and large twisted/compressed rawhide chews. However, the most common cause of fractured teeth in dogs...
Pretty but Poisonous Plants to Pets
Hundreds of plants are poisonous to pets, which is why we commonly see plant ingestions in our urgent care service. When pets consume highly toxic plants it can be fatal — even if only a small amount is ingested.
Heart Disease in Dogs Linked to Some Grain-Free Diets
The possible link between grain-free pet foods and heart disease in dogs
The Ultimate Flea-Fighting Guide
Just because you don’t see fleas on your pet doesn't mean that you don't have a flea problem! Many pets that have fleas don’t show signs of them. Don’t be fooled into complacency! Our approach is to concentrate your flea control efforts on monthly prevention, using...
Recognizing Heart Failure in Pets
Emergencies in our pets always strike when we least expect, so it’s best to be prepared, know how to recognize signs of an emergency, and know when to act fast. A common emergency seen by our urgent care service in dogs and cats is heart failure. Knowledgable pet...