Pet Talk
Providing Enrichment for a Pet Bird
Birds make beautiful, entertaining, and intelligent pets. Caring for them can be rewarding, but also challenging, especially when it comes to keeping them mentally stimulated and energized. With 20 years of experience as an aviary manager, Debra Turner, a senior research associate at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, has advice […]
The Remarkable Ruminant Digestive System
Cows are notorious for chewing their cud, but did you know this is actually a key part of their digestive process? This chewing of cud, also called “ruminating,” is one feature of an interesting and complex digestive system that allows cows to extract all of the necessary nutrients from their food. Ruminants such as cattle, […]
The Magic of Pet Therapy
Does your pet have a talent for comforting those in need? Volunteering for pet therapy is a great way to spend more time with your pet, while also improving the lives of people in your community. Kit Darling, infection control coordinator at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, says pet therapy […]
How to ‘Chews’ the Best Dog Chew Toys
Pet stores often carry an overwhelming number of dog chew options, from rawhides and antlers to rubber toys and ropes. With so many choices, how do you know which is the best for your dog? To help with this decision, Dr. Lori Teller, a clinical associate professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine […]
Stop the Spread of Vesicular Stomatitis
Outbreaks of vesicular stomatitis (VS) occur in Texas every several years, but until this June, there were no reported cases since 2014. Because horses near Austin were recently diagnosed with this disease, horse and livestock owners in nearby areas should take precautions to keep their animals safe. VS is a highly-contagious zoonotic disease that causes […]
The Benefits of a Balanced Microbiome
The term “gut microbiome” is often used to refer to all the organisms—including bacteria, viruses, and fungi—that live in an animal’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract. For people and pets, these organisms have a large impact on the health of both the GI tract and the entire body. Dr. Audrey Cook, an associate professor at the Texas […]
Detecting the Subtle Signs of Pain
The first step in caring for a sick or injured animal is being able to recognize the signs of pain that indicate something is wrong. Acute pain tends to be easier to identify, but chronic pain can have a variety of less-noticeable symptoms. To help pet owners recognize these symptoms, Dr. Daniel Eckman, a veterinarian […]
Fourth of July Pet Safety: Fireworks, Barbecues, Mosquitos, Oh My!
Many of us celebrate our nation’s Independence Day by barbecuing, relaxing with loved ones, and watching the bright-colored flashes of fireworks that light up the night sky. The Fourth of July may be a fun-filled holiday for you, but for pets, the holiday can potentially be scary and hazardous. Dr. Stacy Eckman, a clinical associate […]
Combating Pet Cancer
Cancer is a scary subject, especially when a loved one has been diagnosed. Because the first reactions and decisions can make a huge impact on treatment options and outcomes, it is important to be prepared and know what questions to ask first. Dr. Brandan Wustefeld-Janssens, an assistant professor of surgical oncology at the Texas A&M […]
What to Know About Swine Fever
Over the past couple of months, stories of African Swine Fever (ASF) spreading through Asia have frequented U.S. and international news. While ASF is not currently present in the U.S., there are still precautions pig owners can take in case this disease does spread to America. To offer clarification on this topic, Dr. Brandon Dominguez, […]
