Lauren Baker, DVM, PhD

How to Treat a Dog's Injured Paw Pad

What to do about rips, tears, cuts, and flaps on your dog's pawsPaw pads insulate and cushion vital bones and joints, and provide much-needed traction. Because dogs are constantly on their feet, paws are susceptible to ...

How to

Identify Lumps on Your Cat

Many cats will develop lumps at some point in their lives. Still, it can be frightening to find a new lump on your pet. Some are entirely harmless, while some will need to be addressed by a veterinarian as soon as poss...

How to

Tell if Your Cat Is Dead

It can be difficult to tell if your cat is simply sleeping or if it has died. It can be curled up or stretched out, looking as though it is taking a nap, only for it to have died quietly. How can you tell, though? There ...

How to

Help a Bird with a Broken Wing

Broken wings are traumatizing for birds, especially wild ones that often depend on flight for survival. If you find a bird with an injured wing, whether it is a wild or domestic bird, you’ll need to assess the situatio...

How to

Tell if Your Fish Is Dead

You see your fish floating on their side in the aquarium or notice that they jumped out of the tank. While your first reaction might be to grieve or start to dispose of the body, your fish might not be dead. You can take...

How to

Treat Fight Wounds on a Cat

Cats sometimes get into a fight when they come across new cats or want to establish dominance. When cats fight, they use their teeth, which can lead to bite wounds. When a cat bites another cat, their teeth transmits bac...

How to

Encourage Your New Cat to Come Out of Hiding

New cats take some time to get used to their surroundings and will spend lots of time hiding while they acclimate. Let your cat get comfortable with its new home on its own time, which can take anywhere between two weeks...

How to

Diagnose Tumors in Hamsters

Hamster are fun little animals to keep as pets. They are naturally curious and easy to care for. As hamsters age, though, they can develop tumors, which are masses of cancer cells. Although most tumors in hamsters are be...

Easy Ways to Tell If a Cat Is a Bombay (Plus How to Care for One)

Learn how to pick out a rare Bombay from a sea of black catsIf you've always thought it would be fun to have a miniature panther, you might want to get a Bombay cat! These energetic black cats with rounded features and b...

How to

Treat a Cat With a Cold

If your cat has a cold, you might be worried about it. Colds in cats are minor respiratory infections, but they still need to be treated. Your sick kitty needs your care to feel better. Fortunately, treating a cat with a...

How to

Treat Itchy Ears in Cats

While your cat may occasionally scratch at its ears to relieve a stray itch or irritation, excessive or persistent scratching can be a sign that your cat has a medical problem. If you spot an infection or trauma to the e...

How to

Help a Cat Recover from Anesthesia

Your cat will likely receive anesthesia at some point in its life. For example, your cat may receive anesthesia to get spayed or neutered, for a teeth cleaning, or to receive stitches on an open wound. Anesthesia is rela...

How to

Eliminate Cat Odors Around the House

Cat odors can build up in your home due to cat urine, cat feces, and cat dander. Though you love your feline friend, you may not want your house to smell day in and day out. To eliminate cat odors around your house, you ...

How to

Treat a Cat with a Broken Claw

If your cat has a broken claw, you'll likely notice some blood. The cat also may limp, cry out in pain, or keep licking its paw. The first thing you'll want to do is stop the bleeding. Then, you'll want to take a good lo...

How to

Handle Aspiration Pneumonia in Young Puppies

Aspiration pneumonia occurs when liquid or solid materials get breathed into the lungs. It occurs commonly in young puppies, especially those that are improperly tube fed or have a cleft palate (abnormal opening in the r...

How to

Shave a Matted Cat

Cats just love to groom themselves. Unfortunately, they can’t always prevent tough tangles from forming in their coats. If your cat has developed mats in its fur, you’ll need to remove them right away to keep your pe...

How to

Help a Dog Recover from a Broken Leg

A broken leg is one of the most common injuries for dogs. If your dog recently got in a vehicular accident or took a fall and broke their leg, you’ll need to perform first aid and get them to the hospital right away! O...

How to

Treat Ear Haematomas in Cats

An ear haematoma is a condition where blood fills the space between the skin and cartilage of the outer ear (or pinna). Ear haematomas can happen in cats that scratch their ears vigorously or shake their heads. If you th...

How to

Identify a Turkish Van

A Turkish Van is a large, muscular cat known for its love of water. This breed has a soft, white coat with a colored tail and colored ears. A Turkish Van has blue or gold eyes, and sometimes will have one of each color. ...

What to Do When Your Cat is Limping: Treatments, Causes, & More

If your beloved cat is suddenly limping, you're probably wondering what to do next. Take a deep breath—we're here to help. The most common causes of limping are minor issues that you can easily treat at home, and we'll...