Our Blog
Fear Free Senior Pet Care
Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice is proud to be a part of a new initiative sweeping veterinary medicine designed to ease the stress, fear, and anxiety so many pets experience while seeing the veterinarian. Known as Fear Free™, the training and certification...
The Benefits of Acupuncture for Senior Pets
Senior pets typically have more than one ailment or injury that requires extra attention. As pets age, they also tend to become more anxious, their appetite decreases, and they may not respond as well to previously effective medications. Acupuncture can be a...
The Benefits of Cranberries for Pets
Western Benefits: Cranberries contain a variety of anti-oxidants, including Anthocyanins, which are thought to be some of the strongest antioxidants of those that have been tested. Anthocyanins are also known to have anti-inflammatory properties. Cranberries also...
The Benefits of Pumpkin for Pets
Western Benefits: Many times holiday posts warn dog owners of potential hazards of holiday table foods or commonly used decorations. We wanted to call your attention to beneficial holiday treats that are super healthy for dogs and Thanksgiving is less than a week away...
Dr. Carmack is now one of the first Certified Veterinary Hospice and Palliative Care Veterinarians in the world!
Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice is proud to announce that the company’s founder, Dr. Tyler Carmack, has become one of the first Certified Veterinary Hospice and Palliative Care Veterinarians in the world. The specialized veterinary practice has been...
Home Cooked Pet Food
Why do we recommend home-cooking your pet's food? We recommend home-cooking for your pet for the same reason healthy food is recommended for people. Fresh, real food from reputable sources is the best way to give our pets the nutrients their bodies need. Freshly...
Cognitive Dysfunction in Pets
Cognitive dysfunction is a syndrome of brain changes which affect dogs and cats "of a certain age". It can be a very challenging disease to treat because often cognitive dysfunction does not shorten a pet's life expectancy, but it can significantly interrupt the pets'...
What To Expect at an In-Home Pet Euthanasia Appointment
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is heart-wrenching. Oh, how we wish our furry companions could forever greet us at the door. Or snuggle next to us on the couch after a long day and ultimately provide us unconditional love when we need it most. Our pets will forever...
Healing Soup for Pets
Soups have long been used for their nourishing properties. Just think back to your childhood when you were sick, was there anything better than a hot bowl of soup to make you feel better? This tradition has extended down through cultures and time because it...
Herbal Cupcakes for Dogs
Chinese herbal medication can be used to treat a wide variety of medical conditions in dogs and cats. These medications are concentrated formations of plant material that have been shown through the centuries to benefit certain conditions. Chinese herbs are...
Yunnan Baiyao for bleeding disorders
What is Yunnan Baiyao? Yunnan Baiyao (also known as Yunnan Paiyao, Yun Nan Bai Yao) is a Chinese herbal medication that originated in the Yunnan province of China. “Bai” means white and “Yao” means medicine. This “white medicine” has been used for over 100 years in...
Full Circle Pain Management for Arthritis in Dogs & Cats
Arthritis is a very common condition in pets, but the pain arthritis can cause is often overlooked by families or misinterpreted as their pet "just slowing down" as they age. The underlying disease process is slightly different in dogs (Osteoarthritis) and cats...
Medicinal Mushrooms for Pets with Cancer
Studies are ongoing at the University of Pennsylvania regarding the use of the Coriolus versicolor (Yunzhi) mushroom in dog patients who are being treated for hemangiosarcoma. The initial study in 2012 showed promising results, an increase in the survival time (199...
Golden Paste: Tumeric for Dog Health
You probably know turmeric as a common cooking spice used in curries. The herbaceous plant, also known as Curcuma longa, has many uses that go far beyond your kitchen! Numerous clinical trials in dogs have shown the potential health benefits of turmeric. It has shown...
National Animal Hospice Day
In recent years, the field of animal hospice has grown, as an increasing number of people seek to provide a peaceful end-of-life experience for their companions. However, too often, pet parents are still forced to make difficult decisions about their pets’ final days...
Introducing our new Hospice Center!
We are very excited to announce the opening of our brand new Hospice Center in Virginia Beach! This center will allow us to add additional services for our wonderful patients and clients while continuing to provide compassionate in-home hospice services. We will now...
Pet Cancer Awareness Month: A Veterinarian’s Story with Their Beloved Pet
Pet cancer visited our home for the first time the summer between my second and third years of vet school. My husband and I had just gotten back from dinner and our 5-year-old cat, Tuna, who normally greeted us at the door, was nowhere to be seen. We checked her usual...
Early Care and Planning for your Aging Pet
As an end-of-life mobile veterinarian who is also of a certain age (forty one...derful to be precise,) I can tell you that I'm definitely beginning to appreciate wear and tear on my body. I need to take my vitamin I (ibuprofen) more frequently for aches and pains and...
Heart Disease in Dogs and Cats
Heart Disease in Dogs What are some of the common heart diseases in dogs? Mitral valve disease- This is when the mitral valve becomes thickened and cannot close correctly. This causes an improper flow of the blood through the heart, making the heart work harder and...
Last Moments: Capturing the Final Goodbye with Our Beloved Pets
From Ross Taylor, "I'm an assistant professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, and have been a photojournalist for more than 20 years. My website is: www.rosstaylor.net and Instagram is: @rosstaylorphoto. "Last Moments," is a photo essay that explores the...
Holiday Craft Keepsakes for Pets
As a gentle reminder, particularly if attempting a DIY paw print, remember that many pets are sensitive about their paws and may be wary if you're asking them to dip their paws in paint, salt dough or other medium. Be sure to give lots of treats, take breaks, or forgo...
Tips for Keeping Your Senior Pets Healthy and Happy
Did you know that November is National Senior Pet Month? It is also Pet Cancer Awareness month. With this in mind, here are some tips for keeping your senior pets healthy and happy. Tip #1: Be proactive in your senior pet's health In our senior pets, the "wait and...
Black Cat Appreciation Day!
August 17th, 2022 Black cat appreciation day is here! Time to celebrate all things black cat and learn a little more about the wonderful world of "house panthers". Dr. Kerry's black cat, Snowball Black cats are among the most common color of cats seen in the U.S....
Black Cat Appreciation Day
August 17th, 2020 Black cat appreciation day is here! Time to celebrate all things black cat and learn a little more about the wonderful world of "house panthers". Dr. Kerry's black cat, Snowball Black cats are among the most common color of cats seen in the U.S....
Social Distancing with Senior Pets
It is no doubt that the cancelled concerts, travel plans, and other summer adventures are a disappointment from this pandemic. There has also been quite a bit of generalized stress and anxiety in this time. However, I find myself grateful for all of the time I have to...
Tips for Keeping Your Senior Pet Cool in the Summer Heat
On a recent camping trip to Salida, CO we decided to visit the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. It was an anxiety-filled day for me, and not simply because I was traversing a suspension bridge thousands of feet above the Arkansas river. It was 100 degrees, and I was...
Saying Goodbye During a Pandemic: A Letter From Our Veterinarian Team
We understand that this is one of the most difficult decisions you will ever make. And in these unprecedented and uncertain times, the reality is that our current situation makes this whole experience even more unexpected and stressful than it "typically" should be....
Self Care Practices for Social Distancing
Written by: Grief Support Specialist, Mandi Browning I hope this message finds you safe and healthy! What a time we are living in. Many of us have never seen anything like this pandemic in our lifetime. We are working from home, schooling our children from home and...
Benefits of Walking your Dog
January is National Walk Your Pet Month. It's not to late to celebrate with your dog and explore the benefits of this healthy activity. Your cat would likely politely decline the offer, but keep an eye on the Caring Pathways blog for at home cat enrichment ideas in...
The Second Annual Pet Memorial Day Event
There is nothing quite like being in a space that is full of grief and love. There is something in the air that cannot be present in any other place. There is a heaviness yet a lightness. There is sadness yet laughter and love. Grief is simply the reaction we have to...