Articles: Featured

Mirtazapine is an antidepressant when used in people, and it turns out that this drug also possesses appetite-stimulating properties. And someone, somewhere then had an “Ah Ha moment” wondering if the drug would work as an appetite stimulant in cats, and to be delivered as a transdermal rather than a pill. Brilliant! Cats can be famously finicky…

Flying with comfort animals/service animals has become very complicated in recent years. In part, because some abuse the system. However, in my view, the airlines themselves are also responsible as are ignorant pet caretakers. Delta Airlines said Monday that it will ban all emotional support animals on flights longer than eight hours and will ban…

Keeping pets safe in winter can be a challenge. Some dogs delight romping in the snow and appear as impervious to frigid temperatures as snow is to polar bears. Malamutes, Great Pyrenees, Huskies and many other large dogs seem friskier in weather that chills us to the bone. On the other paw, Toy Poodles and…

Veterinary oncologist Dr. Sue Ettinger talks about canine lymphoma on my national Steve Dale’s Pet World national radio show. Here are two interesting bullet points which she offers far more detail on: At least half the dogs diagnosed with canine lymphoma are asymptomatic. We want to ideally treat fast. Without treatment, most dogs succumb at about…

Filmmaker/actor Paul Castro Jr. with actress Aly Miller produced a movie called “Aeris.”  The short award-winning short film is about a very unusual topic for a movie: a kitten with a presumed fatal disease called feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). We talk a bit about what FIP. Paul says he made the movie because he and…

Debbie Martin is five stars. The nearly all perfect reviews are for veterinary nurse Debbie Martin and her husband veterinary behaviorist Dr. Ken Martin’s book “Puppy Start Right.” Overwhelming positive reviews is unprecedented, albeit appropriate for this book. Debbie is one of very few veterinary nurses (or technicians) board certified in behavior. I talk with…

Unlike some actors, Lucille Ball never minded working with animals, as long as the laughs still came And Lucy especially loved dogs. Just before her “I Love Lucy” days Lucy and Desi lived on a farm (outside Los Angeles) where they had a cow who was more like a rooster. I don’t recall the cow’s…

I hesitate to write about this – but it really is that time of year. The temperatures have fallen, the snow is falling, and people and dogs in winter are slipping on the ice. For small dogs, sight hounds, and very elderly dogs a sweater or coat is a good idea. It’s funny how this…

Turkey Day may be fun for us to gather with family, but it’s one of those days when veterinary emergency clinics are most busy. Thanksgiving pet safety is important. Dumpster diving and counter surfing is dangerous sport for dogs – as turkey, and also chicken bones can be a choking hazard. Mostly these bones can…

He is legendary, classic, legendary, heroic, mythical and the dean of all dog show broadcasters, my pal, the great David Frei on Steve Dale’s Pet World national radio. We talk here about the National Dog Show Presented by Purina, on Thanksgiving Day following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC. We discuss how this show…