Dr. Alex Lesniak, CPEV

08/05/2026

😆my coworkers crack me up

07/31/2026

Grapes, raisins, and even currants can be more dangerous to dogs than most pet parents realize. Even only a few grapes have been linked to sudden kidney failure that may not show up for days, and homegrown or organic grapes carry the same risk.

Veterinary medicine hasn't pinpointed why some dogs react and others don't, or confirmed what makes grapes so toxic, which is exactly why any known ingestion is treated as a potential emergency, not just the large ones.

If your dog gets into grapes, raisins, currants, or anything made with them, call or chat with our veterinary professionals at 800-213-6680.

07/23/2026

Have such a cute new patient! He’s a sassy little dude!

07/23/2026

Turn Your Harrison's Mash into Homemade Bird Bread!

Did you know you can transform Harrison's Adult Lifetime Mash or High Potency Mash into a delicious, nutritious homemade bird bread?

Whether you're looking to add a little variety to your bird's routine or provide a fun enrichment activity, it's easy to make with just a few simple ingredients:

🥚 2 organic eggs
🥥 1 Tbsp organic coconut oil (or another high-quality organic oil)
🥄 1 tsp baking powder
💧 1 cup of water (adjust as needed—every batch is unique, so you may need a little more or a little less water)

Mix everything together, pour into a bread pan or muffin tin, and bake at 350°F for 25–35 minutes.

⚠️ A very important reminder: Never use non-stick cookware when preparing food for your bird. Non-stick coatings, such as PTFE (Teflon), can release fumes that are extremely dangerous—even fatal—to birds when heated. This includes not only baking pans but also cookware used for your own meals.

Have you ever baked bird bread for your flock? We'd love to see your creations! Share a photo in the comments—you never know, we may randomly select a favorite and surprise you with a cash prize! PS- you have to follow us in order to comment :)

07/23/2026

Fly strike is a serious, potentially fatal condition where fly larvae (maggots) eat away at your chicken's flesh while they are still alive.

Who is at risk?

👉 Birds with ‘pasty butt’, open wounds and mite infestations.
👉Stationary birds such as those with mobility issues and broody hens.
Prevention Tips:
👉 Inspect your birds daily, especially the area below the vent.
👉 Promptly treat any open wounds. Do not leave them uncovered.
👉 Keep feathers clean and free of f***s. Trim vent feathers if needed.
👉 Control fly populations.
Fly strike should be addressed immediately and considered urgent. Fly eggs can hatch into maggots within a matter of hours. One female fly lays eggs in batches of 150 or more.
For additional information on fly strike please refer to PoultryDVM.com.

07/17/2026

🚨 Air Quality Alert 🚨 New York City’s Air Quality Index (AQI) is at Level Red this morning, which means the air is unhealthy for everyone, including pets. Keep pets indoors as much as possible. Take dogs outside only briefly to relieve themselves, and avoid walks, exercise, and other strenuous outdoor activity.

Flat-faced breeds, senior pets, birds, and animals with heart or lung conditions may be especially vulnerable. Watch for coughing, gagging, wheezing, difficulty breathing, unusual fatigue, or eye irritation, and contact your veterinarian if symptoms occur. Seek emergency veterinary care for breathing distress.

Air quality can vary by location and change throughout the day. Check the latest AQI for your area at AirNow.gov.

🦮 Our Director of Pet Health Information spoke with USA Today about how pet owners should respond to air quality alerts due to the Canada fires. Click the link in our comments to read the article!

07/04/2026

One of several accidental ways chickens can die is from getting trapped underneath objects such as buckets, large rubber feed dishes, boxes, and similar type items. When these items are empty or filled with lightweight material, they can easily flip over when a bird stands along the edge. Depending on the weather conditions and length of time the bird is trapped, they can die from suffocation, heat stress or dehydration.
It's best to avoid using these objects in chicken runs or find a way to secure them so they can't be flipped over.

06/29/2026

Big week for pets! Keep them safe!

06/29/2026