As much as we wish they could, dogs can’t communicate pain, illness, or discomfort with words or even woofs. Instead, changes we notice in their demeanor, eating habits, or shifts in their routine hopefully make us stop and take notice of a potential problem. Dogs instinctively avoid revealing that something is wrong, so it’s up to the dog owner to stay consistently alert and spot illness early to avoid complications.

November is National Diabetes Month and, although this originally began as an awareness day for humans who are stricken with this endocrine disease, it has evolved into National Pet Diabetes Month as well. As veterinarians, we’re all for more awareness about this disease, as many people don’t realize how prevalent it is. In fact, 1 in every 200 cats will get it in their lifetime!

If you’ve ever had a puppy, the term “parvo”—short for parvovirus—is surely enough to send shivers down your spine. This extremely contagious virus is known for taking a previously healthy puppy that was showering you with smelly puppy breath kisses and playing one day to nearly or actually fatally ill in a matter of days.

If you’ve ever had a dog or cat who has lived with you for many years, you know that they undoubtedly become a member of your family. So when you notice them slowing down or, worse, showing signs of pain, you might wonder whether your precious pet is nearing the end. And while we know this is the last thing you want to face as a pet owner, we all also realize that it’s an inevitable part of opening our hearts and homes to these wonderful animals.

What’s that SMELL? Many pet owners are stumped the first time they notice the pungent, fishy odor coming from their pet. While dogs have the most problems with their anal glands, even cats can have issues.

Taking care of a dog is typically pretty straight forward. You have to make sure that they eat every day, that they have a safe place to sleep at night, and that they get the love and attention they deserve as a furry member of your family. But dealing with a sick dog may become tricky -- not to mention stressful.

Plants add a certain element to the feel of our homes; however, those with pets need to be selective about the greenery they choose to have around.

According to the ASPCA Poison Control, there are literally thousands of plants that could harm your pet if they ingest it. They all have varying degrees of effect on your dog or cat. Some mild, some severe, and some even potentially fatal. We've narrowed down the list to nine of some of the most common household plants.