Sadie’s success story – from panic to playful Sadie is a 3-year-old female German Shepherd who lives with her owner in a nice neighborhood in the Hill Country of Texas. In late 2021, Sadie was severely startled by a loud truck rounding the corner as she was on her daily walk. Sadie is fearful of…
read more
Five big fat lies about puppy behavior Over my career, I have learned much about normal and abnormal behavior. My focus is the cat and dog, blending the knowledge of health, and behavior over all life stages helps me understand animals better. Veterinary education often lacks integration of normal young animal behavior development. Often…
read more
Pandemic Puppy Veterinary exam behavior Survey results Over the past year, veterinary practices have commented on forums about the increase in dogs under the age of two struggling, during veterinary exams. Before the pandemic shut down of 2020, dogs under the age of two would be resistant to handling and veterinary exams it they missed…
read more
Why pets benefit from anxiety-reducing meds before anesthesia For many years, veterinarians advised pet owners to withhold all food and water for 12 hours before anesthesia. This common recommendation was based on the concern that food or water would reflux up the esophagus, and create a choking risk. Skipping oral medications were often advised. New…
read more
I wanted a cuddle, jogging, or therapy buddy, but he is nothing like that. Many people adopt or purchase a companion pet with a vision of the fun and love they will receive from this pet. Long hikes in the woods, fun at the dog park, cuddles on the couch as you watch Netflix are…
read more
The wonders of Witch Hazel (Hamamelis) As I have grown in my expertise in reducing pet stress during care, I have paid attention to every item and every step of care. Decreasing noise, soft towels to insulate against the cold stainless exam table, and using rewards were some of the first items I kept consistent…
read more
Pain in animals has been addressed as a result of injury, aging, or surgery. There are many references to managing acute pain caused by trauma or surgery. It is easy in a sense to assume and acknowledge an animal who was hit by a car is in pain. The day after a tooth extraction is…
read more
5 Essential Steps to Stop Separation Anxiety Separation anxiety can be one of the most frustrating behavior problems of dogs. The problem may begin gradually, starting with a little pacing or whining when you leave then escalating to digging at the door or breaking out of crates. As a veterinarian with behavior expertise, I am…
read more
How the Calmer Canine tPEMF device improved my dog Bella's reactivity My dog Bella is an 11-year-old, mixed-breed dog. She was a rescue, who by 9 weeks of age was no longer able to easily socialize easily. Despite meds, supplements, training, low stress handling and reward-based training, she is reactive at windows. Her triggers…
read more
The drug resistant client - understanding why clients would refuse medications Advances in animal behavior has helped veterinarians provide less stressful care to many patients, both large and small. The ability to correctly read the body language of stress before it reaches aggression, and then respond to this by changing the exam room, treatment and…
read more