Category: Safety tips for pets

The Great Unwind: Why Coming Home Feels So Good (for Both of You)

Do dogs really experience the same “vacation exhaustion” that we do, even when they’re having fun? Turns out, science says yes—kind of.

Paper Towels Are Not a Bandage

The Pet First Aid Kit You’ll Actually Use (Not the 47-Item Amazon Monster List) Over the past two years, our on-call doctors and I have answered countless late-night calls through Pets After Dark. And let me tell you, I’ve mentally compiled a wish list of things I wish every pet owner had at home. Call it the “real-world […]

A Shock to the System: Rethinking Electric Fences

“The case I just described perfectly illustrates the fundamental flaw in electric fence technology. Dogs experiencing high arousal—whether from prey drive, excitement, or fear—can completely override their conditioned response to the electric stimulation.”

The Best Gift You Can Give Your Pet: A Healthy Tomorrow

For most of us, our pets are far more than “just a dog” or “just a cat.” They’re family.They’re the ones who greet us at the door, wagging their tails or curling up beside us after a long day. They love us unconditionally, no matter what. As a veterinarian, I’ve learned one universal truth: every […]

When Your Best Friend Can’t Tell You It Hurts: A Vet’s Guide to Canine Pain

Last Tuesday, a client brought in Duke, a seven-year-old Labrador mix, because he’d “slowed down a bit lately.” What she described as normal aging was actually severe hip dysplasia that had been progressing for months. Duke had been suffering in silence, his tail still wagging, his eyes still bright with love for his family. This happens more often […]

Reading Between the Purrs😻

After thirty years of veterinary practice, I’ve learned that cats are the ultimate poker players of the animal kingdom.  While dogs will dramatically limp across the room with the theatrical flair of a Shakespearean actor nursing a splinter ( I only jest, in some cases signs are subtle and difficult to recognize-stay tuned for part two […]

Pediatric Spay and Neuter

When is the Right Time?   “As with all medical decisions, there is no single “right answer” for every animal.” Dr. Ariella Samson, DVM   Pediatric (or “early-age”) spay/neuter refers to spaying or neutering a puppy or kitten very young – typically around 6–16 weeks old, well before the usual 5–6 month age. In practice […]

Lick, Scratch, Repeat: 

Allergy Season for Pets Explained Spring is a season of renewal and rebirth—a time when nature bursts into life with vibrant colors, fragrant blooms, and warmer weather. For me it is the season to dive elbow deep in my flower beds which brings me so much joy but unfortunately also brings on a flare of […]

Lyme not Lime!

Everybody knows somebody- that knows somebody-that has been affected by Lyme disease. The symptoms in humans are plenty: severe headaches, joint pain, muscle aches, heart palpitations, dizziness, and fatigue, to name a few—it can be very debilitating and long-lasting.  But what about dogs? Lyme disease in dogs is complex and often misunderstood. While it is […]

I Hate Sticks!

I hate sticks. Or at least I hate seeing a dog running with a stick or chewing on a stick. This behavior is forbidden at our house. Read on and you’ll understand why. During my career as a veterinarian I have seen too many injuries, some gruesome, associated with retrieving and chewing sticks. I have seen a multitude of […]