Category: blog

I am writing this blog out of love for your pet and the experience I have in animal medicine. Online pharmacies are becoming the go to for owners to save money and the convenience of having it shipped directly to your home.  I get it! But….the down side to online pharmacies is that they are making it harder and harder for hospitals to continue stocking an in-house pharmacy and keeping their prices reasonable. Online pharmacies take anywhere from 5-7 days between getting approval from the veterinarian and getting it shipped.  Is the savings worth it?? For example,  you take your dog to the Veterinarian for itchy ears.  Your dog is diagnosed with an ear infection.  The veterinarian no longer has an in- house pharmacy and writes you a prescription. On-line pharmacies should have the medication to you with in 2-3 days but in the 2-3 days your dog is still itching at its ear.   The ear is filled with tiny little blood vessels, constant scratching at the ear can cause those vessels to rupture. Now your dog has an ear hematoma, which most of the time needs surgical repair. Is the savings worth it now?? I can only imagine what would happen if this ear medication was insulin. I just wanted to make you aware that at some point your veterinarians’ hands are going to be tied in getting medication to your pet in a timely manner.

Oral health is not only important for humans but also for our beloved pets as well. Periodontal disease is the most common dental condition in dogs and cats. Your pet will likely have some level of periodontal disease at 3 years old (sometimes even younger in smaller breeds). Early detection and treatment are important, as advanced periodontal disease can cause not only oral pain but can also affect other organs such as the kidneys, liver, and heart. Yearly dental exams performed by your veterinarian are recommended to detect early signs of issues and to keep your pet’s mouth healthy for many years of happiness and kisses!