This is a topic that I hold near and true to my heart and one that I hope will capture your attention because this is an extremely valuable concept that will have a direct impact on your dog’s quality of life. Betsy James is a patient of mine whom I love dearly. She is a…
Before we start, I, Dr. James St.Clair, 100% believe in a balanced nutritious diet for dogs. I also believe that there are very high-quality comprehensive diets available on the market to consumers. In no way am I advocating discontinuing your dog’s normal diet. It is a fact that certain foods are potentially very dangerous to…
So once a year you get that notice in the mail that your dog is due for a physical exam or yearly check-up and annual vaccinations. And every year you march into the chaos of the animal hospital with your dog in tow for your whole 15 minutes with the doctor. Let’s face it, 15…
Not too long ago, veterinarians had to be proficient in all aspects of veterinary medicine and animal health. For example, my father, a veterinarian whom I still practice with today, will soon be crossing the 50-year mark in veterinary practice. When he began his career there was no such thing as a board-certified veterinary surgeon.…
Why is it that an ACL injury in dogs is the most common orthopedic injury in all veterinary medicine? Did nature not make this ligament strong enough in dogs? Is it due to bad breeding or are there other factors in play here? This question comes up a lot in discussions with my clients. At…
Every day in practice I encounter overweight pets. And year after year these dogs and their owners return for their health & wellness checks with me. They have either never lost a pound or in most cases, they have gained even more weight. Most of the time, the client says “I know what you are…
I often get asked, “What were your reasons for wanting to become a veterinarian?” Though a simple and direct question, my answer to this now addresses more the question of, “Why do I love being a veterinarian?” As many of you know, my father is also a veterinarian. Come next year he will have devoted…
When it comes to the joint health of your dog, I will tell you right off the bat that you need to take this into your own hands because there is no better advocate for your dog than you. With that being said, you first need to have a broad understanding of all the pieces…
If you know anything about me, you know that this is a topic that I am extremely passionate about. If you do not know me, then hold onto your britches because this ride is going to get a little bumpy. First, let me tell you a brief story: In my last year of veterinary school,…
