Stem cell therapy offers enormous potential for the health of our animals. In the best case scenario, it can help diseased areas regenerate and heal. Some wonder if stem cells will one day help our dogs and cats regrow amputated limbs, similar to a lizard. While that hasn’t happened as of yet, there is plenty of excitement about what these cells can do.

But first, you’re probably wondering what a stem cell is, anyway.

As the warmer months arrive this year, so does “kitten season.” Most areas of the United States experience kitten season, when cats go into heat and begin having litters of kittens, between April and October. If you already have a cat and are considering adopting a kitten, or are bringing an older cat into your home where you already have a cat, it’s important that you take the proper steps of introducing the two cats together, including matching personalities, cat preventative care, environmental enrichment, and more.

If you’re like most pet owners, showing appreciation for the furry companions who enrich our lives and make us happier and healthier is a daily event. That being said, life gets pretty hectic with work, family, and other obligations. Time is not always on our side when it comes to giving the attention your dog or cat deserves.

So your pet needs surgery? We know it’s stressful to think of your dog or cat undergoing surgery, but know your veterinarian wouldn’t recommend it if they didn’t think it was necessary.

You’re probably familiar with so-called "routine" surgeries like spaying/neutering and some dental procedures (however, it should be noted that each patient and each surgical procedure is unique). Then there are the urgent surgeries related to fractures, lacerations, or obstructions in the body.

There’s no “typical procedure” for caring for your pets after surgery. Some will need to stay overnight in the hospital for monitoring, while others can be discharged within the same day of their surgery.

It all depends on their age, health, and what type of surgery they had. Your veterinarian will give you specifics for your dog or cat. However, there are typical recommendations that can help your dog or cat recover sooner.

Outdoor temperature plays a role in health from both an Eastern and Western perspective. A healthy body—whether human or animal—should be able to adapt easily to changes in weather, until it starts getting into extremes. However, if the body is already out of balance, your dog or cat may experience more inflammation as the temperature rises.

If your dog or cat had an accident, would you know how to stabilize them before transporting them to the vet or to an emergency veterinary care center? The goal of National Pet First Aid Awareness Month in April is to ensure pet owners are aware of basic actions to take in the case of a pet-related emergency. Here are some tips to remember if your pet has an emergency:

Veterinary medicine becomes more sophisticated every year. From routine spay procedures to hernia operations, our dogs and cats are benefiting from medical breakthroughs that are first developed on humans.

One of those breakthroughs is laparoscopy. Laparoscopy is also called “keyhole” surgery because it’s minimally invasive, which means your dog or cat can recover faster. This has become the “gold standard” in human surgical procedures due to its minimal downtime and reduced post-operative pain. Now it’s becoming available for our companion animals.