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With temperatures outside dropping and snow falling on the mountains in Tahoe, we have officially entered into winter! Here are five tips to keep in mind to help you and your pet enjoy this winter season safely.

A gastropexy is a surgical procedure performed in order to prevent Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV), commonly called torsion or bloat.  GDV is a life-threatening condition where the stomach flips or twists, trapping air and gases in the stomach. Circulation to the spleen and stomach are cut off, causing the dog to go into shock and, if untreated, die. During a gastropexy, the stomach is attached to the abdominal wall, so that it is unable to twist.

A dog with heatstroke? Sounds like all you need to do is let them cool down for a while. Actually, it’s a lot more serious than that and can be fatal. And by the time it’s detected it could be too late.

A wellness appointment is an appointment that is made/attended when your pet is in good health. It is a key component to your pet's overall health and well-being. Y

Heartworm disease or dirofilariasis is a serious and potentially fatal disease. It is caused by a blood-borne parasite known as Dirofilaria immitis.

This is a combination vaccine against feline viral rhinotracheitis (herpes virus), calicivirus and panleukopenia.  These are all viruses that cause significant disease and even death in cats. The herpes virus and calicivirus cause upper respiratory infections, whereas panleukopenia causes vomiting and diarrhea.  This vaccine is considered a "core" vaccine for both indoor and outdoor cats and is given every three years to cats above the age of one.

Question: Dr. Utchen, I recently adopted a cat from an animal shelter and when I took her to my vet she tested positive for feline leukemia. She seems perfectly healthy right now, but what can I expect down the line? Is my other cat at risk of getting leukemia?

One of the less common problems we see in cats, yet perhaps the condition requiring the most patience and cooperation between a veterinarian and cat owner, is diabetes.

For years routine immunization of cats, dogs, and people has been the basis of preventive health care. We have compiled this informational handout to help clarify recent research into the safety and potential side effects of the various feline immunizations, and to make you aware of the steps we have taken to insure the health of your cat.

Unlike most pets, snakes eat whole prey items including mice, rats, gerbils, and hamsters.  Larger snakes will also eat whole rabbits.  Since snakes eat entire prey items, this simplifies things for snake owners, and most certainly prevents many dietary-related diseases so commonly seen in other reptiles.  However, it does present a problem.  Namely, you must provide some type of prey to the snake.  If you're squeamish about killing rodents for your snake and then watching it eat the prey, a snake is probably not the pet for you!