Huge news for owners/breeders of Ragdolls, Maine Coons, and Sphynxes! Opal, my beloved Sphynx girl. In case you missed it last year, NC State came out with a genetic test for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. HCM is a deadly form of heart disease that certain breeds are genetically prone to. NC State now offers genetic tests for … Continue reading Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Genetic Test for HCM!
Meet Sunny: Sunny is a 13-year-old cream point Balinese male. A Balinese is essentially a long-haired Siamese, and is considered a distinct breed among most cat registries. CFA specifically classifies red/cream pointed Balinese (along with lynx points and tortie points) as a sub-breed called "Javanese", but the color is the only difference. TICA recognizes red, … Continue reading Judge, Jury, and Social Executioner: Mob Mentality in the Digital Age
When beginning the search for a purebred dog, one can get overwhelmed by the sheer number of people out there who breed and sell everything ranging from Chihuahuas to Great Danes to the more rare Dogue de Bordeaux and Tosa. Yet there is a MAJOR difference between a "breeder" who just pairs two dogs and … Continue reading Responsible, Ethical Breeders: Why They Matter and What You Should Look For
This will be long, so please bear with me. The topic of veterinary bills and what goes into pricing is one that really needs to be discussed with every pet owner, but veterinary professionals rarely get the opportunity as it's a sensitive subject on both sides...and can be complicated. *cue foreboding music* Before I get … Continue reading Dachshunds, Doctors, and Dollars: The Rundown on Veterinary Costs
Vibes from a Veterinary Nurse 