local-expert-main

Hookworms are intestinal parasites that live in the digestive system of your dog (or cat).  The hookworm attaches to the lining of the intestinal wall and feeds on your dog’s blood. Its eggs are ejected into the digestive tract and pass into the environment through your dog’s feces. Larvae (youn...

Blue Green Algae: In New York State there has been an increase in blue green algae.  This is not only toxic to humans but to pets as well.  When it comes to swimming in lakes, you want to make sure to avoid ones that have that green-scum layer on top of the lake. Why? It’...

Lyme disease is caused by a spirochete (type of bacterium), Borrelia burgdorferi. Lyme disease is transferred by a tick, in this area most commonly the deer tick.  A tick must be attached for a minimum of 24 hours for the disease to transfer.  Once in the ...

Antifreeze, which contains ethylene glycol, is extremely dangerous to dogs and cats. Sources of ethylene glycol include automotive antifreeze (radiator coolant, which typically contains 95% ethylene glycol), windshield deicing agents, motor oils, hydraulic brake fluid, developing solutions for photography, paints, solvents, etc...

#1 Lilies: Lilies cause sudden kidney failure in cats. Easter lily, tiger lily, stargazer lily, Japanese show lily, Asiatic hybrid lilies, and daylilies are highly toxic. Exposure to any part of the plant, including leaves, flowers, pollen, or even the water from the vase or a pot, is problematic...

#1 Chocolate: The toxic component of chocolate is called theobromine.  The less sweet and the darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is to your dog.  Dark chocolate is the most toxic, followed by baker’s chocolate, milk chocolate, then white chocolate.  Ingestion can caus...

  It is the end of August and fall is approaching (sorry about the reminder!).  Many people think that finally we can stop with all the flea medications soon, because we only do our medications “seasonally”.  You may want to rethink that after reading the following: They can jump 10,000 times in a row (the length of three football fields) and up to 2 feet in the air (the length of three football

Cats have their daily routines.  They are perceived as an independent species, capable of caring for themselves.  Majority of cat owners have cats that are grazers.  Which means that their food and water is always available for them to eat and drink as they please.  They also ha...

#1 Elbow Dysplasia: Is an abnormal condition of the elbow.  There are several orthopedic conditions that result in elbow dysplasia.  Puppies or dogs that have elbow dysplasia have lameness, hold the leg up or out and have some level of discomfort or pain associated.  Arthritis is...

You may wonder what is going to happen when you sit in the chair and Dr. O’Day examines you. Here is the inside scoop… First, Dr. O’Day will form a comprehensive history of your jaw, head and neck symptoms, medical history, personal history and family history. Next, Dr. O’Da...

Asthma is a common cat disease. It is the constriction of the airways, or bronchi, the two narrow tubes that lead directly from the trachea to the lungs. The narrowing of the airways occurs when a cat’s immune system overreacts to the presence of an allergen and responds by releasing stimulants that cause inflammation and swelling of the sensitive tissue lining the bronchi and contraction of the s

Organic coconut oil can be beneficial for dogs with skin allergies. It is thought that dogs that are more prone to allergies have larger (microscopic) pores that allow allergens to get into their system. The coconut oil will help "plug" those pores, in turn reducing allergies...