Veterinary hospice and palliative care is my calling. That isn’t something I ever thought I would say, but there it is. I’ve devoted a large portion of my practice to helping pets at the end of their lives. Along with pets, I also support their people through the worst part of pet ownership. As I’ve… Read More
Care
Do You Know the Tick Season Myths?
When the topic of heartworm and flea/tick preventatives comes up during an appointment, sometimes it feels like there’s an elephant in the room. Often at this time of year, with talk of blizzards, cyclones, and polar vortexes, the answer to the question, “Do you need more flea-tick or heartworm preventatives?” is something like: “No, we’re… Read More
Why You Should Consider “Drastic” Measures for Your Pet’s Cancer
I hate osteosarcoma. This bone cancer is a cause of major pain for pets and heartbreak for their owners. Many dogs with osteosarcoma have a greatly improved prognosis with limb amputation. Read More
Sometimes, Bad Things Happen. It’s Not Your Fault.
It happens all the time – the receptionist takes a phone call about a patient not doing well after surgery. Maybe they aren’t eating, maybe they chewed at their incision line, maybe they need more pain medications. Regardless of what the issue is, I always get that sinking feeling in my gut: What did I… Read More
Why I Support Pet Owners Who Drop Their Pets Off for Euthanasia
If there’s one thing I’ve learned being in hospice practice it’s that every grief journey is different. Read More
Got a patient with the squirts? Think twice about chicken and rice!
Poor Hershey is having a rough weekend and, as a result, your own weekend is about to get a lot more interesting. There is a stench coming from his exam room that promises to clear out your clinic’s waiting area. He’s already managed to create a Jackson Pollock painting on the exam room wall using… Read More