Pet Health

September 9, 2014 In Family Fitness, News, Pet Health By Vancouver Health Coach

Obesity in Pets

Just like in people, obesity has become a significant health problem in our pets. Obesity in pets is associated with diabetes, respiratory issues, arthritis, and decreased life span. Unfortunately people have equated loving their pets to feeding them excessive amounts of food and treats. Keeping our pets at an ideal body condition is a much better way to love them and to help them have a long, healthy life. Food for thought: When trying to manage your pets weight start with the guidelines on the food package, remember they are just guidelines and adjustments will be made based on your pets...

August 7, 2014 In News, Pet Health By Vancouver Health Coach

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease

One of the most common reasons cats are taken to their veterinarians is because they are straining to urinate. In addition to the straining, these cats are often showing other clinical signs like increased frequency of urination, urinating in inappropriate places and passing only small amounts of urine at a time. Sometimes the owners also report noticing blood or a red/pink discoloration to the urine. All of these signs can be seen for multiple different reasons including bladder stones, crystals in the urine, cystitis (bladder wall inflammation), urinary tract infections, urethral plugs, trauma, neoplasia (cancer) and idiopathic (cause unknown) feline...

August 3, 2014 In News, Pet Health By Vancouver Health Coach

Ear Infections: Cleaning and Medicating Your Dog’s Ears

A common complaint from dog owners is that their dog is shaking their head excessively, scratching at their ears or rubbing their head along the ground.  Often when the dogs ears are examined they are red, thickened, itchy, infected and painful. Dogs can be predisposed to ear infections because of a number of factors including recent swimming/bathing, allergies, ears that flop over and excessively hairy ear canals.  Ear infections are most commonly due to bacteria, yeast, a combination of both in a mixed infection or ear mites. To diagnose an ear infection, your veterinarian will look down the ear canal with an...