Why Is My Dog Limping on a Front Leg?
Your dog's front legs do a lot of quiet work. They carry the bulk of your dog's weight with every step, and they absorb the shock every time your dog jumps off the couch or sprints across the yard. So when your dog starts limping on a front leg (what a vet might call lameness), […]
What Causes Hot Spots on Dogs?
Most people assume a hot spot is a skin problem. It usually isn't; at least not at the root. The sore on your dog's skin is almost always a symptom of something else entirely, and treating only the spot is why so many of them come back. However, hot spots are common, treatable, and something […]
Treatment for a Hot Spot on a Dog
The right treatment for a hot spot on a dog starts with acting quickly, because these sore, moist patches can go from a small pink spot to a raw, painful lesion in a matter of hours. One minute your dog is fine, and by the time you look again, they have licked and scratched a […]
How to Treat an Allergic Reaction in Cats
If your cat has an allergic reaction, it can be alarming to watch: a puffy face, new bumps under the fur, or nonstop scratching after a new food or an afternoon in the yard. Some reactions are mild and settle with simple care at home, while others move fast and need a vet the same […]
How to Treat a Dog Eye Infection
One of your dog's eyes is red and watery, she keeps pawing at it, and you want to fix it before it gets worse. If you are trying to figure out how to treat a dog eye infection, the first thing to know is that the right treatment depends on what is causing it. Eyes […]
How to Treat a Dog Ear Infection
If your dog will not stop shaking its head or scratching at one ear, an ear infection is a likely reason. These infections are common in dogs; they are usually uncomfortable, and they almost always need a veterinarian to resolve properly. Below is what treatment involves, what you can do at home, what to avoid, […]
How to Treat a Cat Eye Infection
A crusty, squinting, or watery eye is one of the more common reasons cat owners call us, and it usually raises the same two questions: is this serious, and what should I do right now? The answer depends on what is behind it. Some causes settle with simple care, while others need a vet's attention […]
How to Treat a Cat Ear Infection
If your cat has been shaking her head, pawing at one ear, or leaving behind a dark, coffee-ground-looking discharge, an ear infection may be the reason. Ear infections are less common in cats than in dogs. In cats, an ear infection often points to something else going on beneath the surface, so getting to the […]
How to Tell if Your Cat Is Sick
Cats are wired to keep their guard up. In the wild, showing weakness makes an animal a target, and that instinct hasn't gone anywhere, even in a cat who has never spent a day outdoors. So when your cat starts to feel unwell, they may carry on as if nothing is wrong. By the time […]
How to Know If Your Cat Has Worms
Cats are experts at hiding when something is wrong, which is part of what makes worms so easy to overlook. Knowing how to tell if your cat has worms comes down to noticing small shifts in their appetite, energy, or litter box habits before anything looks obviously off. Some cats carry a mild infection for […]
