VetInternetCo Articles

Though it's a fun holiday tradition for humans, mistletoe is toxic for pets.  Learn more about how to keep pets safe this holiday season. 

Pets become exposed to the toxic effects of mistletoe when the vine is bought in the home for as holiday decoration.  It is an English custom that any two people who meet under a hanging piece of mistletoe are obliged to kiss each other.  According to tradition, the mistletoe must not touch the ground between its cutting and its removal as the last of the Christmas greens after Christmas Eve.

You may have heard poinsettias are poisonous for pets.  Although poinsettias are toxic, they are more of a gastro-intestinal irritant.

Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are also known as the Christmas flower or star.  They are a popular plant used as decoration around the holidays from November through December.  The plant is actually a shrub, and features brightly colored red, white or pink terminal leaves, while the lower leaves remain green in color. 

We can't say for sure on a large scale, but anecdotally—yes! As people are becoming more conscious about what they're putting in our own bodies, it's only natural that we start to think about our pets as well. For years, many of our bestselling dog foods, such as Orijen, Acana, and Blue Buffalo, have been those that emphasize natural, organic ingredients and whole proteins. But how many times have we refilled our dogs' bowls with unfiltered tap water?

Cracks or injuries to your turtle's shell are nothing to ignore. Even a small crack or tear can turn into a serious infection. Always check with your veterinarian on any injuries your turtle might sustain. Here is how a veterinarian may treat your turtle and get her back on her feet.

Traditional wound management in turtles, or chelonians, has generally consisted of surgical wound debridement by a veterinarian (removal of the dead tissue), followed by topical and systemic administration of antibiotics.

Ever wonder what all the hype is about concerning Probiotics and Prebiotics? Confused about what health claims are fact and what is fiction concerning this new natural supplement? Not sure what the difference is between a probiotic and a prebiotic?

Looking for a smaller dog that is tough as nails?  One who will bond with only one person and not take off with any stranger that comes by?  Then the Basenji may make a great fit.   

The Basenji is an ancient breed that is believed to predate the modern breeds of the 19th century.  The modern Basenji hails from central Africa and was bred to hunt lions. 

The English or British Bulldog is an old breed of dog originally developed on the British Isles. Ancient Mastiffs from Asia are believed to have been used to establish the core of the breed.  The early Mastiffs were known for their ferocity and their ability to bring down aggressive prey.  The first English Bulldogs were bred in the 13th century for “Bull baiting” and dog fighting.  The goal was to develop a breed that was nearly insensitive to pain.