Pet parents postpone annual health exams for their dogs and cats for all manner of reasons. For some, it’s a fear of what your veterinarian will find during the examination. Others worry about the expense of the exam itself. And some seek only to avoid the stress a vet visit causes their pet kids. Regardless of the rationales behind not going in, the benefits far outweigh the more immediate costs of inaction.

Imagine walking down the road. Suddenly, you are confronted by a large, snarling dog heading directly for you. Try to imagine your level of fear. If you were once terrorized by a dog earlier in life, multiply that fright by a factor of ten. Your heart would race, your body would start to shake and your breathing would become shallow and rapid. These reactions are caused by a surge of hormones, such as adrenaline, often referred to as the ‘fight or flight response’. It’s how your body reacts to a perceived threat, and it’s totally normal.

This Golden Retriever pup loves watching televised sports, especially tennis. Here is a clip of him spectating and 'participating in' the Australian Open.

If you've ever wondered why your dog bows, we've got answers. And it's more complicated than you might think! Read this fascinating post by Dr. Jane Bicks.

In this month’s episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah reviews one of those I’ve-heard-mentioned-before-but-don’t-know-very-much-about canine health topics, Parvovirus. Sadly, with spring comes a seasonal increase in this potentially lethal disease, so you and your pup need to be prepared. Our staff veterinarian explains what the disease is, how it’s transmitted, tips about how to hinder its spread, symptoms to look out for, as well as what to do if your dog contracts this illness. And, be sure to watch the entire video, to learn how you can prevent your sweet pup from ever getting parvo. Thanks for watching this installment of Pet Talk, and check back next month for another brand new episode.

There's one rule in this house ... the dog is not allowed on the bed. What the pet parents couldn't figure out was, why was there so much dog hair on the bed every time they came home from work. So, clever people that they are, they set up a video camera to find out.

February is National Pet Dental Month, and a great time to talk to your veterinarian about the state of your pet’s mouth and, if needed, schedule a dental cleaning.

If your dog routinely chews for 10-20 minutes or more at a time, you’d better be sure that it’s something safe, as anything this repetitive can have significant wear-and-tear on teeth and gums.

It’s not just a typical winter when ‘polar vortex’ is the most popular weather phrase of the year. Even as we publish this post, the nation is on the brink of another bitter cold snap. While the thought of trekking around outside in frigid temps might instill a sense of dread for most people, your pup will likely be even more eager to explore the wintery landscape. In this episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah offers several useful tips to ensure that ‘outdoor fun time’ remains safe throughout the harsh winter season. A bit of precaution and planning makes all the difference, so break out the hot cocoa and watch the latest webisode now.