Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD

How Do I Know When My Dog Is Dying?

Know when it’s time to euthanize your dog and give them the dignified departure they deserveHow do you tell the difference between normal old age, temporary illness, and the final days of a dog’s life? We're here to...

How to

Know if Your Cat Is Dying

A cat nearing the end of his or her life may exhibit certain behaviors that will let you know it's almost time. The cat may refuse to eat or drink, have a lower energy level and experience weight loss. Many cats instinct...

How to

Treat a Poisoned Cat

Based on data from the Pet Poison Helpline, nearly 10% of their calls from pet owners were for possible cat poisonings. Due to a cat’s curious nature and obsession with cleaning, cats can sometimes land themselves into...

How to

Clean a Mother Dog After She Gives Birth

''When and how to bathe a mother dog after delivery''After the mother dog gives birth, the whelping box needs some attention. The mother will clean her pups, but you should make sure she is cleaned to reduce the risk of ...

How to

Create an Indoor Box Turtle Habitat

Box turtles are best kept outdoors where they have a lot of roaming area. However, that doesn't mean that you can’t provide your box turtle with a great home if you live somewhere that can’t have an outdoor enclosure...

How to

Stop Your Cat from Attacking Your Dog

Cats and dogs both make great pets and can become the best of friends when they share a home; however, sometimes tension can develop between the two. If your cat keeps attacking your dog, it can cause stress for the whol...

How to

Treat Mother Dogs with Sore or Infected Nipples

When a mother dog is nursing a lot of puppies there is a chance that her nipples will get sore or infected. This can be detrimental to the mother but it can also impact the health of her puppies. If she does not allow th...

How to

Install Wire Fencing for Dogs

Making sure your dog is secure in your backyard is important to its health and your peace of mind. Putting up a fence for your dog can be a big task, but with the right materials and know-how, you can construct a fence ...

How to

Spot Signs of Illness in a Cockatiel

In the wild, birds like cockatiels don’t show signs of illness for fear of attracting predators. At home, however, such shyness often means that sick birds don’t get treatment. To make sure your cockatiel is healthy,...

How to

Identify a Maine Coon

There are several ways you can identify a Maine Coon. One way is by looking at its physical features like its large size, shaggy fur, tapered tail and ears, and large eyes. Since Maine Coons are outgoing and friendly, ...

How to

Diagnose Kidney Failure in Cats

In cats over the age of 7 years with kidney disease, having the disease is part of the natural aging process. In animals less than 4 years of age, kidney problems are more likely to be the result of a genetic predisposit...

How to

Identify a Siberian Cat

Siberian cats are elegant, long-haired Russian cats. To determine if your cat is a Siberian or simply to learn more about the characteristics of Siberian cats, you can examine their physical appearance and observe their ...

How to

Save a Fading Newborn Puppy

For the best chances of saving a fading pup, contact a veterinarian at the first sign of trouble, like excessive crying or difficulty nursing. Ensuring that the pups nurse, maintaining their body temperature, and offerin...

How to

Treat Conjunctivitis in Cockatiels

Conjunctivitis occurs when your bird has swollen, irritated membranes around the eye. Your cockatiel's conjunctiva is the tissue between its eye and eyelid, which you can see if you gently lift up the eyelid. In a health...

How to

Stop Your Cockatiel from Biting

Cockatiels are a popular and relatively docile breed of bird. Cockatiels generally form an emotional attachment to their owners and have an even temperament. However, it’s not uncommon for cockatiels to sometimes bite ...

How to

Identify a Ragdoll Cat

Ragdoll cats are beautiful animals who make great companions. Their soft coat and bright blue eyes add to their striking features, while their docile personality makes them a great addition to any family, even one with y...

How to

Tell when a Parakeet Is Sick

If you're new to owning a parakeet, you might not know what signs there are when the bird is not feeling well. Since birds can deteriorate rapidly if not tended to when sick, it's important to know the indications of a s...

Why Older Dogs Excessively Lick Things (And What to Do About It)

If your older dog excessively licks you or random items in your home, you may be scratching your head trying to figure out what’s going on. Licking can become more excessive and noticeable as dogs get older, and the ex...

How to

Groom a Persian Cat

Persian cats have beautiful long hair that requires regular maintenance. They need to be brushed and combed daily, bathed once or twice a month, and have their nails clipped every ten days to two weeks. If you're giving ...

What to Do If Another Dog Bites Your Dog & When to See a Vet

Tips to clean and care for a bite wound on your dogIf your dog is attacked by another dog, your dog may have wounds as a result of the fight. It is imperative that you determine how serious the bite on your dog is, and ...