Ask Dr Jane
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Top 10 Reasons Your Dog Or Cat Should Take Fish Oil
Fish oil supplements are an ideal complement to your pet’s diet because they supply omega-3 fatty acids, which your dog or cat’s body cannot sufficiently produce on its own. Still in doubt? Here are the top 10 reasons why it’s important to supplement your dog or cat’s daily intake with a quality fish oil …
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How Much Can Your Dog Smell?
Dogs are scent-oriented creatures, with some of the most highly developed noses on the planet. Hide a few treats around the room and see how quickly they’re ferreted out. But does your dog’s schnoz have more practical applications than we realize? The answer … well, it couldn’t be plainer than the nose on your face.…
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Lyme Disease – An Emerging Problem For Dogs
It’s the height of summer, which means that mountain trails, bucolic meadows and forested thickets are beckoning your dog to romp and explore. This impulse may be at odds with concerns about new research on Lyme disease, which may have you more inclined to restrict your canine companion’s activities to the Great Indoors. Before you put the…
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Do You Have A Fear Of Dogs? It’s Called Cynophobia
Imagine walking down the road. Suddenly, you are confronted by a large, snarling dog heading directly for you. Try to imagine your level of fear. If you were once terrorized by a dog earlier in life, multiply that fright by a factor of ten. Your heart would race, your body would start to shake and…
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Minimize Stress When Moving With Your Pets
Moving to a new residence can be a nerve-wracking event for everyone involved. With the average American moving 11-14 times, that’s a lot of trips to ‘Stressville’. Between sorting through your possessions, packing up boxes, traveling to the new location, switching utilities and all of the other steps that go into a move, it’s…
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Great Tips When Using A Pet Sitter
While boarding facilities are a great option for many people, some pet parents feel more comfortable hiring a pet sitter to stay home and care for their pet while they are away. Pet sitters and pet parents can make for a winning combination in companion animal care, but the secrets to this relationship are preparation and…
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Holistic Tips By Dr Jane Bicks – Focus On Fleas
Last month, we launched a new series about ‘holistic’ health care for companion animals. Remember, holistic care entails viewing the body as a whole as well as how every discrete part works in relation to all the other parts. In keeping with a holistic mindset, this month I want to address fleas. Flea season is,…
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What Does The Term “Holistic” Really Mean?
The holistic approach to veterinary care has different meanings for different people. Essentially it means just what the name indicates – looking at “the whole” and not the individual parts. Holistic practitioners consider the whole of a companion animal’s being and how every discrete part works in relation to every other part. Fundamental to this…
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5 Basic Types Of Aggression In Cats
by Dr Jane Bicks As a holistic vet, I’m frequently asked, “How can I deal with my cat’s bad attitude?” The problem area dubbed “feline aggression” can be complicated, upsetting and potentially hazardous for pet parents. Not only can cat bites and scratches really hurt, they can transmit diseases, too, such as cat scratch fever…
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Five Essential Nutrients for Dog & Cat Skin and Coat Health
Keeping your companion animal’s skin healthy and coat shiny can prove challenging. Even though you might already feed a quality food, and brush and shampoo regularly, there’s more to this area of pet care than you might think. Veterinarians will tell you that the condition of the skin can be a good indicator of a…