May Day is a day of celebration, and it is no different for our furry friends. While the original May Day takes place on May 1, dogs get their own May Day for Mutts on the first Sunday in May. This year, it takes place on May 7. This day is a special opportunity to celebrate mixed-breed dogs.

If you share your home with a mixed-breed dog, May Day for Mutts is a perfect time to spoil them. Let’s look at seven ways to celebrate May Day for Mutts with your mixed-breed dog.

If you were to meet Howie with his cute bow tie and his wagging tail, you would never know that one fateful day last spring his mother thought he was on death’s doorstep. When Howie arrived at my clinic he was painful to the touch, had a high fever, had no appetite, and was very lethargic. He had no desire to walk around and we could barely touch him without him yelping in pain. After carefully examining him, my top two differentials were a back issue or Lyme disease.

Anyone who has been blessed with a pet that has made it into the golden years of life knows that as time progresses, things can become more difficult for our beloved furry friends. One thing that some dog owners may see with their dog is a disease called degenerative myelopathy.

Hiking with your dog can be a great way to bond and explore the great outdoors together. Unfortunately, not all dogs are great hiking companions. Some breeds are naturally better equipped for it than others, and it's important to be mindful of this if you are thinking about bringing home a new canine companion to share adventures with. As veterinarians, we know a thing or two about dogs and which breeds are best suited to certain activities.

Being a pet owner means sometimes leaving your favorite four-legged friend with people outside your trusted circle of family and friends. Family vacations sometimes require leaving your pet in the care of a boarding facility, working long hours outside the home might mean hiring a regular dog walker, and long-haired dogs need to visit a groomer regularly.

Dog heartworm is a dreaded diagnosis that can mean extreme discomfort for your dog, but it’s also a disease that is highly preventable. Thanks to effective monthly preventatives, dogs are suffering from heartworm disease far less frequently and enjoying a high quality of life. However, no preventative measure is 100 percent effective; therefore, dog owners must know the signs and symptoms of heartworm so quick action can be taken when suspected.

The ultimate goal of pet ownership is a well-trained pet that follows commands easily, can be trusted to stay home alone, and engages with humans of all ages without incident. However, obedience to this degree isn’t instinctual for most pets. When pets are young, proper training is essential to teach basic commands to make your life easier. In addition, pets adopted from shelters sometimes come from unfortunate circumstances and must be retrained due to neglect or abuse.

Ahh do you smell that sweet scent in the air? The First Day of Spring is almost here! With the warmer weather and seasonal blooms, there are many wonderful things that come with the season. However, there are also a variety of Spring toxins that can pose a risk for your precious canine. Here are the top Spring toxins, from plants to food to cleaning products, your dog needs to avoid.