Greg Martinez DVM

Dog Dish Diet is “On The Air”

by Dr Greg on January 2, 2010

Call-in Number: 646-595-4478

Call-in Number: 646-595-4478

April Robins of the Red River Writers has invited me to appear on her radio show Robin Falls Kids–Chirp with April & Katy the Dog. April is starting the year off with a tribute to animals. It’s going to be great to talk about Dog Dish Diet: Sensible Nutrition for Your Dog’s Health and answer callers’ questions. [click to continue…]

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Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?

by Dr Greg on December 12, 2009

restroomWhy do dogs eat poop?

That is one of the grossest things our pets do! Dogs seem to relish getting in the cat box, then breathing poop breath on us and licking us with poop tongues.  Why would any living thing eat poop? Some living creatures like insects [click to continue…]

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Hurtin’ Ears

by Dr Greg on October 23, 2009

ear infectionear infectionDoes your dog hold his or her head to one side? Scratch at his ears? Shake her head from side to side? Have a moist yeasty smell and grayish yellow gunk coming out of the ear? ear  infection

These symptoms are some of the most common ones that veterinarians see daily, and they can be the hardest to [click to continue…]

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It’s National Pet Obesity Awareness Day

by Dr Greg on October 14, 2009

Here I am with the first copy of Dog Dish Diet. I'll soon have books for sale here on the site

Here I am with the first copy of Dog Dish Diet. I'll soon have books for sale here on the site

I suppose one doesn’t actually CELEBRATE National Pet Obesity Awareness Day. Overweight dogs and cats are becoming as common as overweight people. And that’s not a good thing. Furthermore, we’re seeing increases in diseases that are related to obesity–most particularly diabetes and joint injury/arthritis. [click to continue…]

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As I wrote in my Thursday post, I’m recently returned from a trek up California’s Mt. Whitney. To my backpackingthinking, every day spent in nature is to be treasured. I told you too about the portly little marmot that’s a Poster Rodent for my fight to cut carbohydrates and calories in the diets of our pets–both dogs and cats. I lay out a path to better nutrition and dog [click to continue…]

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dog teethMy clients are always asking questions about their pets’ teeth and how to keep them healthy. It’s an important issue that I want to address today. Dogs’ and cats’ teeth usually start life bright and white, then slowly turn yellowish brown with age. The reason is because daily use and tartar can turn them pastel [click to continue…]

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10-for-a-Dollar Kipper Snacks for Your Dog

by Dr Greg on September 2, 2009

I was in the supermarket buying provisions for my hike to the top of Mount Whitney, located east of Bakersfield, California. This year we are taking a more leisurely trip to the top, so that my two buddies that had altitude–and attitude–problems won’t be affected. I love strolling through nature’s beauty and am glad we do not have to push through the remnants of a late August snowstorm or traverse icy, slippery rocks near the top at 14,000 feet.

"Fresh," smoked kippered herring

"Fresh," smoked kippered herring

So I’m in the store, and when I walked past the tunafish aisle, I spotted kipper snacks and remembered eating those as a kid. This produced an instant craving, and I bought a few for the trip up. Then I realized that these little oily sardines may make a pretty good and economical treat for my dogs…and cats. So I bought a few more [click to continue…]

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Merlin, Tequila and Toe Surgery

by Dr Greg on August 31, 2009

gregtoemerlin

Doctor and patient discuss the surgery.

This last Sunday–a hot summer day here in Gilroy, California–my nephew invited me to a BBQ at his home. I love enjoying a pool on these late August and September; it actually makes the heat okay. Just as I walked in the door, and before I could even grab a beer and go sit by the pool, Steve called me over to check out his 40-year-old parrot, Merlin.

Merlin’s rear toe was hanging by a thread of skin, but there was little to no bleeding. In fact, this was the joint he had [click to continue…]

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How Do Vaccines Work?

by Dr Greg on August 29, 2009

vaccinationVaccines are an important part of good pet healthcare. My clients regularly ask me questions about vaccinating their dogs and puppies. And actually there are some common themes, so I thought I’d share my answers with my Dog Dish Diet readers.

What is a vaccine and how does it work? Vaccines are made of millions of “inactivated” or changed viruses that prepare the immune system for the “real thing” and chemicals (adjuvants) that further stimulate the immune system to react. The more the body reacts, the better the protection. However, in [click to continue…]

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Smelling Like a Dog

by Dr Greg on August 22, 2009

noseyWouldn’t it be great to have a sense of smell like dogs do?  You could tell where family members have been, and who they have been with by the odors left on their clothes. In fact, if you were lost you might be able to “smell” your way home by the odors of plants, trees, or activities present in your neighborhood. Dogs rely on their sense of smell as much as their owners rely on vision for [click to continue…]

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