Since the late 1970’s, there has been a significant increase in the prevalence of feline hyperthyroidism, making it the most common feline endocrine disorder in the world. What causes hyperthyroidism, and why is it so common? Previous studies of cats in the U.S., Great Britain and New Zealand have identified a number of risk factors for the development of hyperthyroidism, including genetic predispositions, the feeding of some canned cat foods and cross-breeding. Furthermore, some veterinarians believe feline hyperthyroidism is simply an outcome of cats living longer. But, if thyroid dysfunction is symptomatic of old age, why is it not more common in dogs, or people for that matter?

Do you have a cosmetic “junk drawer” in your bathroom? You know, the one filled to the brim with enough makeup to beautify the entire Dallas Cowboy cheerleader squad! Somehow it’s difficult to bring ourselves to dispose of all the latest (or has been) styles that we have purchased over the years. They’re probably still good, right? However, in many cases, the answer is “wrong!”

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Unfortunately, arthritis is one of the most common conditions affecting dogs in America today. In 2008, arthritis was listed among the top ten disease conditions in dogs (source: VPI). According to recent data, there are as many as 10 million dogs currently suffering from the chronic pain of joint disease, and one in five dogs will develop arthritis or joint disease during their lifetimes.

This holiday season, we’re especially pleased to bring you news of yet another financial award given by the Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation, this time to an inspirational organization of animal rescuers in Pennsylvania.

The holidays are fast approaching and, amid the hustle and bustle, many people choose to adopt a new puppy into their homes during the holiday season. If you are the proud pet parent of a brand new puppy, here are some great tips on how to best take care of your new bundle of joy during the cold-weather months.

Sun Protection – As we age, our skin is exposed to countless hours of sun. Constant, unprotected exposure can eventually result in what we commonly refer to as age spots. Ranging in all different sizes and shapes, these spots can appear on any area that has been exposed to the sun’s rays – your hands, arms, legs and, unfortunately, even your face. In order to decrease the risk of the appearance of these spots, you must protect your skin from the damaging rays of the sun. These rays come in two different wavelengths, UVA and UVB. UVB rays, while shorter than UVA, make our skin burn when overexposed. UVA rays, which penetrate deep into the skin’s layers, damage our collagen fibers … creating those dreaded wrinkles and leathery-looking skin. The best form of protection (besides staying indoors during daylight hours) is to use a broad-spectrum sunblock that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

Having multiple pets increases everything: the joy, the cost, the hair, and the cuddles. As a veterinarian, I am often asked for advice on how best to integrate a new pet into a home that already has resident animals. In this post, I’ll be focusing on dog-only and cat-only households.

While underappreciated or even unrecognized as an organ, skin has amazing properties. For starters, it’s the largest organ of the body. Both tough and pliable, skin has many functions, including regulating body temperature, helping to prevent dehydration and protecting against injury and disease. Without skin, our pets couldn’t have hair, and everything that was on the inside would be exposed, making snuggle sessions a little on the icky side!