Rabies in North Carolina

Rabies in North Carolina

Dr. Bridget Andersen The Rabies virus is an uncommon, yet deadly disease that can be spread from animal to animal or from animal to human.  With the emphasis placed on Rabies vaccination within the pet community in the last 50 years, the United States has been highly effective in decreasing the number of Rabies cases […]

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“Lumps & Bumps & Masses, Oh My!” by Dr. Kimberly Ackerman

“Lumps & Bumps & Masses, Oh My!” by Dr. Kimberly Ackerman

You’re sitting on the couch, watching TV and petting your beloved furry friend when you feel it… a lump! Should you have it checked out or just ignore it? I’m here to tell you that you should always have any lump, bump, growth, or mass checked by your veterinarian.  It’s important to document the characteristics […]

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Keep Your Pet Safe and FOUND with a Microchip

Keep Your Pet Safe and FOUND with a Microchip

Microchipping pets is an extremely useful tool that has become available to the  public at a very affordable price. A chip can be implanted by a veterinarian or at a shelter in the matter of a minute. After confirming that the animal does not already have a chip, the vet or technician injects the chip […]

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Differences and Similarities between Feline FIV and FeLV

Differences and Similarities between Feline FIV and FeLV

Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) are both caused by retroviruses that can be transmitted it to other cats. Both viruses depress the immune system opening the door to secondary infections and diseases. The most common contagious infection is upper-respiratory. The most common non-contagious disease is cancer. An individual cat can contract both […]

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What is Feline Chin Acne?

What is Feline Chin Acne?

What is chin acne? Feline chin acne is a poorly understood disorder of follicular keratinization, which refers to the overproduction of keratin, a protein found in the outer layer of skin. When this excess keratin is trapped in the hair follicle, comedones or “blackheads” form. These comedones may become infected with bacteria and form pustules […]

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Guinea Pig Nutrition

Guinea Pig Nutrition

Guinea pigs develop dietary preferences early in life and do not adapt readily to changes in type, appearance, or presentation of their food or water.  The optimum diet for a guinea pig should contain guinea pig pellets, grass hay and supplemented with fresh vegetables.  Guinea pigs are completely herbivorous and enjoy a variety of leafy […]

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Why Does My Pet Need Parasite Prevention?

Why Does My Pet Need Parasite Prevention?

Dr Jamie Laity Monthly preventative products for parasites can be a source of much confusion for pet owners. What does my pet need? How often should I give it? Which products work best? These are a few of the many questions we hear on a daily basis. Here’s the scoop: In the south, parasites (both […]

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Household Toxins

Household Toxins

Dr Bridget Andersen There are numerous toxins in a typical household to which our pets could become exposed.  Toxic substances range from obvious hazards such as rat poison, to seemingly benign substances such as over the counter flea medications and raisins.  It is impossible to remember all of the potentially harmful household items, but there […]

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Why spay or neuter?

Why spay or neuter?

Neutering is a sterile surgical procedure that involves removing both testicles from a male pet. Spaying refers to the operation where the ovaries and uterine horns are surgically removed from a female pet. It is recommended to spay and neuter your pets between 5 and 8 months of age, before they reach sexual maturity. This […]

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Nutrition for Ferrets

Nutrition for Ferrets

Feeding your ferret a proper diet is extremely important.  Ferrets, like cats, are strict carnivores that are designed to eat whole, small prey animals.  In nature, ferrets would only encounter carbohydrates in the partially digested stomach contents of their prey.  The most common diet fed to pet ferrets in the United States is dry kibble, […]

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