Matted fur is a condition that occurs mostly in longhaired cats when their fur becomes knotted and entangled. There are several reasons this can happen. When a cat sheds its undercoat, the fur can become caught in the topcoat. If a cat’s fur becomes dirty or oily, it can also become entwined and matted. Matting can also occur in places on the cat’s body that involves a lot of movement such as between the legs, under the chest, and around the collar.

When your pet has been scheduled for an ultrasound examination, we understand that it’s helpful if you know what to expect. Just like with people, the purpose of this procedure is to aid in making a proper diagnosis of a disease-causing illness or other conditions. Ultrasound can give your dog or cat’s veterinarian so much information about what is happening on the inside - in real-time. But what are we looking for, how should you prepare your pet, and what will the results tell us?

Let’s look at some frequently asked questions about pet ultrasound.

What are you doing this January 14th? The answer is, being fabulous with your pet, of course! January 14th is National Dress Up Your Pet Day – a special day created by celebrity pet lifestyle expert Colleen Paige in 2009. On this fashion-forward day, pet owners are encouraged to take time to have fun with their dogs, cats, and other animal friends, by dressing them up in cute AND safe pet costumes and outfits.

Taking care of a pet is a big responsibility – one that can get complicated sometimes. When it comes to keeping track of your pet’s health records, vet information, vaccinations, etc., how many times have you found yourself thinking, “I wish I had an app for that!”? Well, it turns out there are tons of phone apps now available for dog and cat owners. Here are some of the most useful apps we’ve found for keeping track of your pet, training your pet, learning about your pet, and much more!

New Year’s Eve can be a tough time for pets. Between the loud fireworks and guests, even the most social pets can feel a little intimidated. One danger you may not have considered is alcohol. In the midst of the festivities, your curious dog or cat may help themselves to someone’s glass and it can make them sick.

Start your New Year off right and avoid a pet emergency. Here’s what you need to know.

If you grew up in the '80s or ’90s, then you know the highlight of staying home from school sick was watching “The Price is Right.” For over 30 years, Bob Barker signed off with, “Help control the pet population. Have your pet spayed or neutered.” For those who have grown up in the 2000s, Drew Carey has continued the mantra. But besides the fact that Bob or Drew said so, just why should you spay or neuter your pet?

When your dog or cat visits the veterinarian, the doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to the heart. While a regular heartbeat has a certain rhythm, an irregular heartbeat breaks that rhythm either with an extra beat or two, or a “whooshing” sound.

An irregular heartbeat or unusual sound could mean your pet has a heart murmur.

The cat’s out of the bag – December is National Cat Lovers’ Month! How are you going to celebrate? When every day of the month is Caturday, there are so many possibilities, including health and wellness activities, bonding time fun, and purrfect parties. Here are some suggestions for joining in this month of fun feline festivities.