Trupanion has amazed us again!  Since our last discussion, the pet insurance company has now extended its “Free 30 Day Trial” to dogs and cats from 8 weeks to 14 years old.  Previously, the certificate was only valid for dogs and cats from 8 weeks to 12 months old, which may have been discouraging for pet owners whose interest was sparked by such an offer but their pet’s age exceeded the limits in order to take advantage of this deal.  This news is incredible given the misconception  that the older pets get, the less they will benefit from veterinary pet insurance or, that they aren’t eligible to participate in pet insurance programs at all. Read the rest of this entry »

by Dr. Elizabeth Murphy

 

Christmas trees set the tone for a festive holiday decor, but can pose a danger to curious cats and dogs.  Here’s what to watch for so you can protect your pets:

 

The Tree:

 

• Pine needles smell wonderful to us humans but, for some reason, are tasty to some cats and dogs.  Pine needles are not in themselves toxic to pets, but can be very irritating to the pet’s stomach, causing vomiting and a poor appetite.  Keep sweeping up those pine needles as they dry up and drop onto the floor over the next several weeks!

 

• Anchor your tree securely so that climbing cats and tail-wagging dogs will not knock it over. Read the rest of this entry »

The Broad Ripple Animal Clinic and Wellness Center is proud to announce that our medical director, Dr. William Neumann has earned recognition as a Diplomate with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP), as a Board Certified Specialist in Canine and Feline Practice. Dr. Neumann is one of only five veterinarians in Indianapolis to earn his certification as an ABVP Diplomate. Read the rest of this entry »

 

Feline acne usually presents as crusty, scabby sores with or without accompanying whiteheads or blackheads on your cat’s muzzle and chin.  Often the chin and muzzle can be swollen and quite painful to the touch.  While it is usually not contagious, more than one cat can be affected in the household.  The signs of feline acne can wax and wane, depending on the underlying cause.  Most of the time there is a bacterial infection but this is usually secondary. Read the rest of this entry »

by Dr. Elizabeth Murphy

 

What could more comforting and satisfying than home made bread or yeast rolls for your holiday dinner? Not many things – except maybe a healthy dog!

 

Many people don’t know that rising bread dough is a dangerous temptation for dogs. Most forms of bread dough contain yeast – a single-celled fungus that in warm environments causes sugars to turn into carbon dioxide (which causes the dough to rise) and alcohol (which gives flavor to the dough).  This chemical process is great when it happens in a warm kitchen within a pan, but not so great when it happens in a dog’s warm stomach. Read the rest of this entry »

We insure our home, our vehicles, and our belongings, but, more importantly, we insure our families and ourselves.  Insurance enables us to take action and make choices without worrying about the cost associated with when something goes wrong,  needs to be fixed, or when we need medical treatment.  The same should be true for our pets, and, thankfully, pet insurance offers that protection to our furry family members since it functions as health insurance for them.  It helps us manage the cost of veterinary care from minor illness, to chronic conditions, to major disease or injury, to the unexpected veterinary expense. Read the rest of this entry »

by Dr. Elizabeth Murphy

 

In contrast to most of my veterinary colleagues, I do not remember exactly when I knew that I WANTED to be a veterinarian. For some veterinarians, the moment they know is as acutely remembered in all details as some of the big events in our society – like 9/11 or when Kennedy got shot, just more positive!  For me, it was a long slow dawning of realization over many years.   Read the rest of this entry »

 

by Noel Brunner (as told to Jenni)

 

Hello, friends! Noel Brunner, here.

 

I’d have to say fall is my favorite season, and I’m so excited we’re getting a preview of what’s to come this season here in Broad Ripple. I just love the cooler temperatures, Colts football, rolling around in piles of leaves (not mention all the good sticks to chew on), and trick-or-TREATing! Yep, fall is my favorite.

 

Also starting this fall are Caturdays at the Wellness Center. Every first and third Saturday of the month, the Wellness Center will become a “no dog zone,” as Dr. Birchfield will only be seeing appointments with cats on those days.

 

Now, don’t get me wrong—I love the Wellness Center (I go there frequently for laser therapy treatments). But no dogs allowed?! That’s just unfair. Everyone knows dogs are soooo much better than cats. Have you ever seen a cat sit on command? Or catch a Frisbee in its mouth? No, I didn’t think so. I don’t mind the cats that come to BRAC, but some of them can be scared of me and my other doggy friends. So, while I wish I were invited to Caturdays, maybe my feline friends will be happier without me there.

 

Did you know there is a cat who lives at the main clinic? Her name is Princess. She mainly hangs out with the doctors in the treatment area. I guess she doesn’t like all the attention up front, which is great because that means more attention for me! And more attention means more treats!

by Brad Phifer, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA

 

As humans we expect a lot from our dogs. We expect them to guard us against a burglar but not the mailman. We expect them to realize it is ok to jump up on Saturday afternoon when we are in garden clothes, but not ok Monday morning when we are in a suit. Many parents expect the dog to tolerate being jumped on, hit and/or poked with a toy without ever lifting a lip or growling to say leave me alone. While many dogs may be tolerant this kind of behavior from children, most will not and should not be expected to do so. Read the rest of this entry »

by Dr. Bill Neumann

 

At some point in their lives, many people want to be a veterinarian “when they grow up”. Most people who successfully achieve their dream of becoming a veterinarian, made this decision at a young age. I was no different. Since elementary school, I have always enjoyed science. I just didn’t know what type of science I wanted to study, or what I wanted to do with science as a career. At first, I thought I would follow in my brother’s footsteps and be an engineer, but that all changed in middle school. Read the rest of this entry »