Preventive Health

Arnie from Chicago at an 8-week puppy visit

Adding a new four-legged member to your family? Dr. Alyssa Baratta-Martin, a primary care veterinarian at the University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine South Clinic in Urbana, explains what owners will likely encounter when bringing their…
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Hedgehogs Make Cute but Challenging Pets

December 04, 2017

Hedgehogs are nocturnal, athletic, and solitary Hedgehogs have gained popularity as pets in recent decades. Before you add one to your family, Dr. Krista Keller, a veterinarian at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital…
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dog in a taco costume

Remember FEAR Tips to Keep Pets Safe This Halloween

October 16, 2017

When Halloween comes, adults and kids alike enjoy the chance to dress up and eat more candy than usual. But the American Animal Hospital Association recommends being mindful of pets’ FEAR—food, environment, attire, and recovery—to keep pets safe…
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[snake with bite wound]

Your Pet Snake’s Diet: Dead or Alive?

September 30, 2017

Feeding live prey has risks In the wild snakes can’t just order carry-in; they have to hunt for their next meal. So it’s not surprising that owners of pet snakes may believe their pets need…
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[the shelter medicine mobile surgical unit at the University of Illinois]

Sorting the Science on Spay and Neuter Surgeries

September 11, 2017

It’s almost always best to spay and neuter pets By far the most common surgeries performed on dogs in the United States are spay and neuter procedures—collectively called gonadectomies—that remove the reproductive organs to prevent…
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[Golden Wednesdays at Illinois veterinary rehab]

Old Dogs (and Cats), New Tricks

July 09, 2017

Tips for Keeping Geriatric Pets Healthy Thanks to advancing medicine, pets live longer than ever before. However, with these added years of valuable life come more age-related health problems. In her role as a rehabilitation…
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[ticks, fleas, heartworms are major pet parasites]

Prevent the Big Three Pet Parasites

July 03, 2017

Ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes. Nobody wants these bugs on their pets or in their house. But the reasons for keeping these bugs away go beyond just avoiding pests. “Ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes are dangerous because…
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[FEMA workers rescue a dog from a flooded neighborhood]

Be Prepared: Include Pets in Disaster Planning

May 22, 2017

Emergency responders help all household members “You may not be able to prevent a disaster from occurring, but you can reduce its impact with a little planning,” advises Dr. Loukia Agapis, a veterinarian at the…
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