Nutrition Archives - Fairhaven Veterinary Hospital

HPAI – Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

September 12, 2025February 3, 2025 by Practice Manager- Kate

Updated April 2025 AVIAN INFLUENZA (BIRD FLU) RISK TO CATS BEING FED RAW OR FREEZE-DRIED DIETS HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza), due to infection with the virus, H5N1, is a steadily increasing concern across the world. Since its discovery in the United States in February 2022, it has caused deaths in many wild birds, and has required the destruction of many commercial and backyard flocks to help limit spread. Infection in birds is usually caused by direct exposure to other infected birds and is often spread by migrating wild birds. Spread of H5N1 to other species is much less … Read more »

FDA Warning- “Grain Free” Diets Linked to Heart Disease?

July 12, 2023July 2, 2019 by Dr. Mark Kummer, Medical Director

Potential Link Between Grain-Free Diets and Heart Disease in Dogs- Diet Change Recommended for Safety The FDA published an article late last week highlighting a potential link between certain brands of food (producing mostly grain-free diets) and a significant increase in reported cases of “Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy”, particularly in medium and large-breed dogs. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/news-events/fda-investigation-potential-link-between-certain-diets-and-canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy Currently, the cause of the problem is unknown, and is likely to be quite complex. Taurine and other amino-acid levels, the grains being used, manufacturing practices, and ingredient sourcing are all being investigated. It will be quite some time before we have a clearer understanding of … Read more »

FVH Puppy and Kitten Care Recommendations

June 21, 2021June 13, 2017 by Dr. Mark Kummer, Medical Director

Dr. Kummer, medical director and owner of the Fairhaven Veterinary Hospital, has recently updated the recommendations for care of your new puppy or kitten. Kitten Care Recommendations Puppy Care Recommendations

The Pet Food Dilemma

December 16, 2020May 30, 2013 by Dr. Kris Johnson

Contributed by Dr. Kris Johnson There’s no doubt about it, people are passionate about pet food! Opinions on feeding strategies get as heated as some political or religious discussions. This is because people love their pets and desperately want what’s best for them. It is also because there is a LOT of information out there, and wading through it all can be difficult and confusing. With this article I hope to shed some light on this topic. I recently went to a local store that sells pet supplies to peruse the aisles of dog and cat food. I was amazed … Read more »

Biggest Loser…Dogs and Cats?

June 13, 2017May 1, 2013 by Nursing Staff

When you hear of medical conditions like heart disease, type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and osteoarthritis do you immediately think of diseases primarily faced by overweight people? Did you know that excess weight is one of the leading causes of these same medical conditions in cats and dogs?! Worse yet, nearly 55% of all pets in America today are overweight, with 1 in 5 pets considered obese. This excessive weight trend worsened in American dogs and cats throughout the past decade, mirroring the human obesity epidemic. As a result many weight related diseases are now showing up in our … Read more »