• Call Dr. Celeste Conn at 1 410-708-2608 to schedule an appointment

  • By now, everyone has heard about grain free pet foods. Lots of people feed these products to dogs and cats.  And by now, many readers have heard there’s a problem.   Starting in 2014 the FDA became concerned about a possible link between grain free diets and heart disease.  Recently in June 2019 that body issued a statement not only further warning consumers about the potential hazard with [...]

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    YOU DIDN'T GET IT FROM THE CAT! Not at least, COVID-19. Cats and dogs have long harbored a corona virus within them.  But it's a gastrointestinal virus, not a respiratory one.  In fact, many veterinary practices include corona virus in their distemper vaccines for dogs to protect them against diarrheal illness. Recall that when we speak of a distemper shot-DA2PP, it's a combination [...]

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    I am often asked why I recommend a heartworm check on dogs yearly if their owners have them on the preventative faithfully.  Is that necessary? Yes.  It’s a really good idea.  Here are a couple of reasons:  Compliance and resistance. Let’s face it, few people remember to give (or take their own) medication 100% of the time.  A review by veterinary practices of drug sales to regular [...]

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    During a house call last week, I asked my friend and assistant Holly to go grab the puss.  Open mouth, insert foot.  That’s one phrase I probably should stop using.  Holly did in fact, grab the FOUR LEGGED puss, and we poked him with needles, took his precious blood and clipped his too long nails.  The cat’s owners, Holly and I all laughed at the double entrendre, and I started musing [...]

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    My pets don’t brush their teeth every day.  Do yours?  Probably not. While the best current advice is for owners to fulfill this task daily for our animals, my guess is few of us do. When I went to veterinary school (a really long time ago!), dental prophylaxis was not a major topic of concern. But as the body of medical knowledge increased and more was learned about the repercussions of[...]

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    My pets are very bored. Bone chilling temps have kept my animals indoors. Not that it’s a bad thing. Temperatures this cold and winds this ferocious are dangerous to pets who remain outside for long. Domesticated animals have become acclimated to heating systems and do not have the thick pelage of those whose entire life is spent out of doors. Still, while not life-threatening, boredom is [...]

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    Some people have been lucky enough to travel south this time of year. So-called snowbirds have mercifully escaped the brutal winds and sub- freezing temperatures which beset Maryland in winter. Usually pets go along. (Champ, Atticus and I have not been so fortunate.) But also, animals travel for reasons other than climate. Whether for competition at dog and cat shows, owner relocation for [...]

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    Several years ago, I wrote an article about Canine Influenza. Back in 2004, canine flu was emerging here in the United States and appeared in pockets around our country. It created big headlines in the greyhound racing circuit in Florida. Today, canine influenza has been reported in over 40 states and thousands of dogs have been infected. So what’s changed? Just as with humans, newer [...]

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    Holiday Hazards

    Tis the season to be...wary? Of course we all think of the holidays as festive times; lots of celebrations with food, drink, family and friends.  And for the most part, that's true.  To keep the good time rollin' for your furry friends, there are a few things to consider. We all know that chocolate has varying degrees of toxicity for dogs, with dark being most toxic, then semi-sweet, [...]

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    #1  Stop waking mom at 5AM. Once, just once, I needed to be up that early.  But the memory of that morning is engraved in their minds and now 5 is the new 7.  Rise and shine mom, it’s time to eat! #2  Eat at their own food bowls. Why is this so hard?  Why must I stand there every morning like a policeman on patrol?  Don’t’ they understand every [...]

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