“I don’t know how you do this. It must be so hard.” Inevitably, a client will say this to me when I come to their home to euthanize their pet. My stock answer (which is completely true) is that I’m a basket case when it comes to losing my own pets, so if I can make...

Originally published on DrAndyRoark.com If there’s one thing I’ve learned being in hospice practice it’s that every grief journey is different. That’s why it pains me when I hear people pass judgment on a person who can’t or won’t stay with their pet during...

Originally published on DrAndyRoark.com Being a caretaker is difficult. Managing a pet with multiple illnesses and multiple medications or treatments is difficult. If you have been doing this, there’s something you should know: once your pet is gone, it will be...

We all know that there are people who don’t enjoy the holidays.  But did you know that veterinary staff members often dread the holiday season? Why? Well, there’s an odd phenomenon that starts anywhere between Halloween and Thanksgiving and sometimes drags on through...

Originally published on DrAndyRoark.com “Sometimes I really hate you!” I said to the writhing Dachshund in my arms.  He didn’t care. He kept wiggling madly as is his habit when I catch him trying to take off from the yard. Because of his cognitive dysfunction, he...

Originally published on DrAndyRoark.com I hate osteosarcoma. This bone cancer is a cause of major pain for pets and heartbreak for their owners. Many pets with osteosarcoma have a greatly improved prognosis with limb amputation, however, the word “amputation” sends...