Domestic horse slaughter coming soon

In 2007, the last plant that slaughtered horses for human consumption within the United States closed down because language was included in the annual federal appropriations bill barring funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to inspect horse slaughter plants. Without inspections, the facilities couldn’t be licensed, so they had to close down. This language has been included in every appropriations bill since … until now.

Critter Talk: Don’t Wait for Red Eye to Go Blind Eye

The eye is a complex structure. But, for all of its complexities, the eye tends to react to almost every insult in more or less the same way. A cat with a herpetic ulcer, a dog with glaucoma, a horse with a wound to the surface of the cornea, they’ll all have some combination of a red eye, pain (e.g., holding the eye partially shut), and drainage.

Critter Talk: Inspiration in Action

Just down the road from me in Loveland, CO resides the headquarters for Heska Corporation. Heska makes diagnostic tests and other such things for the veterinary market, but that’s not why I mention them today.

Critter Talk: Why does my dog pant?

Dogs pant. They pant when they’re hot, they pant when they’re excited, they pant when they’re scared, and sometimes they seem to pant for no good reason at all (from our point of view, at least).

Critter Talk: Removing Lipomas

If you have ever lived with older dogs, I’d be willing to bet that you have some experience with lipomas.

Critter Talk: Ban the behavior not the breed

Living in Colorado is great, but unfortunately, the combination of my proximity to Denver and my profession leaves me having to answer questions about that city’s asinine “pit bull” breed ban.

Critter Talk: Your smoking kills your pets

If you smoke stop now. If you can’t quit at least don’t smoke around your family, and that includes your animals. Smoking kills!

Critter talk: Prevention and monitoring of feline urinary issues

Unfortunately, several of the conditions that cause cats to urinate outside of the box and experience other symptoms of lower urinary tract disease have a tendency to improve with treatment, but often return after therapy is stopped.

Critter talk: Pets as Christmas presents

The holidays are right around the corner, and my niece wants a dog. She’s been asking for years. I feel for her and hope she gets one at some point, but I do my best to stay out of the “should we — shouldn’t we” discussions within her immediate family.

Critter Talk: RATS!!

I love when a scientific study proves what I’ve been saying for years. Rats are cool. OK, that’s not exactly what the study shows, but it’s pretty interesting nonetheless.

Critter Talk: What to get your pet for Christmas

I’ve started my holiday shopping, and as is often the case, I seem to have better plans for my animals in comparison to my human family members.

Critter Talk: Getting your cat back into the “box”

If your cat has begun to urinate outside the litter box, any underlying causes must be addressed before any other changes can be made.

Critter Talk: Air Travel with our pets

If you want to travel with your pets driving might be a better option than putting your pets in air cargo.

Critter talk: The terrible pain of osteosarcoma

I had a heart-breaking euthanasia appointment a few weeks ago. Euthanasia is always difficult, but usually I can focus on the relief/prevention of suffering aspect and feel pretty good about it when all is said and done. Not this time though…not this time.