Staten Island Veterinary Group

Here’s Why Dogs Constantly Lick Their Paws and What You Can Do About It

Paw licking is a normal part of a dog’s self-grooming process. However, it can be a problem if your pet does it too frequently and with more intensity. If this happens with your dog, you’ll want to take him to a trusted veterinarian near you and have him checked for injuries or any other problems.

It can be quite alarming when our pets vomit or have diarrhea. There are many possible causes for vomiting and diarrhea, ranging from something as simple as a hairball in cats to bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

Even if you feel the issue isn’t serious, you should always contact your vet and let them know what’s going on, so they are better prepared to work with your furry family member if it does become more serious.
 

When your dog suddenly starts limping noticeably, it's important that you call us right away to schedule an appointment. Because dogs are good at compensating for low-grade chronic pain, you may not become aware of the limping until the underlying condition has progressed to a more acutely painful stage. Serious limping and lameness indicates an animal in real distress, and we need to determine what's creating it and alleviate the discomfort. Contrary to popular belief, pets rarely cry when in pain. The most common signs of pain in pets are limping or stiffness, decreased energy/activity, decreased social behavior, and decreased appetite. Shaking, aggression, and excessive licking or scratching of a specific area are other common signs.

Allergic dermatitis is consistently one of the major reasons dogs and cats are seen by veterinarians. The itchiness and scratching can have a number of causes, and the sooner the exact reason for your pet's discomfort can be determined, the better.

If there is a change in your pet’s appetite due to some kind of health issue, your pet has no way to tell you what’s going on. That’s why it’s important to measure your pet’s food, and pay attention to how often and how much your pet is eating.

A change in appetite, especially for more than a day or two, may be a reason for concern in pets, and could be caused by a variety of medical conditions. Determining what the cause is and what needs to be done will require a trip to your veterinarian.

About Ear Infections in Pets

Ear infections are a common concern at Staten Island Veterinary Group. Many pets will experience this type of infection at some point during their lifetime. Otitis externa is an infection of the external ear canal or more commonly, an outer ear infection. This is one of the most common types of infections seen in dogs. Infections may occur in any breed, but are most common in breeds with large, floppy ears or hairy ears such as poodles or beagles. Dogs with allergies are also predisposed to ear infections.

Pet care is always important, but as your pet ages, that importance only grows. Caring for an elderly animal has many complications and many joys. Where they were once active companions who could run across the yard in a second flat, they now have stiff joints, making them move more slowly.

As pet owners ourselves, we at Staten Island Veterinary Group want your pets to be as healthy as possible. Their wellbeing is what helps them bring us joy and companionship. Making certain that every aspect of their health is taken care of is vital for their longevity and comfort.

If you have pets, it’s likely you’ve heard of giardia, but may not know much more than its name and the fact that it tends to cause diarrhea in your pets (and in people as well, if they are contaminated).

As the weather warms, the ticks come out. Those pesky little eight-legged menaces are looking for warm, furry bodies to dig their little mandibles into and potentially spread diseases like Lyme.

Now is the time to start making certain your animals are protected from diseases carried by ticks.

Read on to learn how to prevent ticks and protect from disease.

The Green Iguana, once one of the most popular reptiles to own, is still a popular pet in the US.

This reptile's natural habitat consists of rain forests in areas of South America, and some areas of North America, and a select few Caribbean Islands.  

As we roll out our new hospital app, clients are sharing stories about how the app simplifies providing top-notch care for their pets, and that makes us smile every time. We love partnering with you to keep your best friend healthy. We want to make your pet’s care as easy as possible, and our new app is helping us do exactly that—check out these five features you will love as much as we do.

In addition to collecting all the puppy snuggles we can, our goal is to help make caring for your pet as easy as possible. We know your life is busy, and between juggling work and home responsibilities, it’s easy to forget to give your pet their monthly heartworm preventive, or schedule their annual wellness exam. Well, worry not—we have an app for that.

WHERE do we see skin problems, and WHAT might they look like?

WHAT: Skin problems can look like ANYTHING, because there are so many different kinds of skin issues! And because there's just so much of it...

Even well-controlled allergy patients are expected to have occasional flares of their itching when they are inevitably exposed to suddenly higher levels of some of their triggers (pollen or grass in Spring/Fall, fleas, household cleaners causing contact dermatitis, foods the pet is allergic to, etc).

Now that you know allergies are an issue, how do you know if your pet is itching?! Tell-tale signs of an itchy dog aren't all as obvious as you may think! Most pet owners think that if their dog isn't scratching themselves, they're not itchy.

We see itchy dogs COUNTLESS times a day, and itchy kitties about a few times a week. Itchy pets, just like itchy people, need some diagnostic tests and some trial-and-error to get their treatments right.

Exotic animals like rabbits, reptiles, guinea pigs, and mice require special veterinary care that's somewhat different from the care your dog or cat receives. For example, lizards and iguanas are susceptible to fungal infections and parasites, as well as many husbandry-related illnesses.

Intestinal parasites in pets include roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and other even smaller organisms such as protozoa. These can be transmitted via contaminated water or food or when a pet eats an infested flea.

The incidence of heartworm infection is rising in the United States, according to the American Heartworm Society. Heartworm is a parasitic worm, transmitted by mosquitoes, that can affect your dog, ferret, and even cat.

Vaccinations are an important part of keeping your pet healthy and living a long life. It starts with early shots. Puppies and kittens are particularly susceptible to some dangerous diseases once they are weaned from their mothers. However, good wellness vaccines don't end there. 

Keeping your pet healthy and prepared for a long life takes a community and dedication. Just getting your pet neutered or spayed and having them vaccinated against common feline or canine diseases isn't enough... although it's a really good start!

The majority of reptile illnesses stem from poor husbandry. It is very important to know exactly how to care for a reptile before taking the leap of purchasing one.

Dr. DiGiuseppi grew up on Staten Island and received his Bachelor's degree in Biology at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. He earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University completing his clinical year at University of Florida.

As a pet owner, you and your furry friend will experience many firsts: some experiences will be exciting and fun; and some may be stressful.

App & Client Loyalty Program

Our app allows us to extend even further the care and service we provide to our clients and their pets. We know your pets are an important part of your family and being able to manage their care and veterinary needs more efficiently would make your life easier.

Now offering a surgery-free, drug-free noninvasive treatment for pain relief and inflammation
We offer the latest technology in health care for your pet. Our Companion Therapy Laser is an FDA-cleared deep penetrating light that allows relief of pain through the release of endorphins and stimulates the injured cells to heal at a faster rate.

What is canine flu?
Canine influenza is a newly identified respiratory illness of dogs. It is caused by a virus which is closely related to the horse flu virus. Because canine flu is an emerging disease, dogs have no natural immunity to it.