It’s generally agreed that Memorial Day is the unofficial beginning of summer. And who better to celebrate the start of the season with than your dog? When bringing your four-legged best friend along for some Memorial Day festivities, be sure to avoid any possible dog emergencies with the following summertime safety tips.

Foxtails may look like harmless tall grasses to the untrained eye, but they’re actually devils-in-disguise. Common in the Western United States, this fast-growing weed can grow 4 feet tall and proliferate easily, spreading their seeds everywhere.

This is bad news for dog lovers as they’re downright dangerous to our sweet pups.

Most people think of bleach or rat poison when they think of household toxins. If that’s you, you’re right. Yet, there are many other less obvious items that could pose a hazard.

Take sugar-free gum for instance. Did you know that it contains xylitol, which can cause liver failure in your dog? The popular sugar substitute is also in certain brands of toothpaste and sweetener packets for coffee and tea. Yet, it can be deadly to your dog.

The recent outbreak of canine influenza virus (CIV) in the Midwestern region of the United States has affected more than 1,000 dogs. Should you be worried?

As with all infectious and parasitic disease trends, our doctors have been closely following this issue and its possible indications for our clients and patients.