Articles and pet-care insights from Dr. Ezra Ameis, DVM. Originally written for local newspapers, now published every other week on pawpriority.vet.
Dr. Ameis’s Picks
Mention acupuncture and most people think of humans. But for animals, veterinary acupuncture is grounded in real neurology and emerging research — and it’s quietly transforming pain management.
Read article →
Ever wonder how your dog or cat sees the world? A look at how pets perceive color, depth, and motion — and what it means for play and behavior.
Read article →
If you’ve been going to the same vet clinic for years, you might assume it’s still independently vet-owned. But behind the scenes these days, things are often not as they seem. Increasingly, veterinar
Read article →
All articles
When a cat starts peeing outside the box, it’s rarely just behavior. A vet’s read on medical causes, the male cat emergency, and how to fix it.
Read article →
Dog dental cleanings in Los Angeles run anywhere from $500 to over $2,400, depending on where you go. That range is not because some clinics do it better. It is because there is no standard, and most
Read article →
Most of the panicked calls I get after hours are not emergencies. They are urgent problems that could wait until morning, but the owner does not know that. So they drive to an ER, pay $200 to $400 jus
Read article →
Short answer: yes, sooner than you think. Cats are not small dogs. When a dog skips a meal, it is usually nothing. When a cat skips meals, they can slide into a real problem called hepatic lipidosis (
Read article →
You just got a puppy. Congratulations. Now you are trying to figure out when to bring them in, what to bring, and how much this is going to cost. Here is what to expect at your puppy’s first vet
Read article →
Dogs do not whimper when they hurt. They adapt. That is the cruelest part of aging in a species that cannot tell you what is wrong. Most senior dogs I see for “acting weird” are in chronic
Read article →
Most vet clinics make a significant portion of their revenue from selling you products at markup. Prescription food, joint supplements, monthly parasite preventives, dental chews. It is such a common
Read article →
I spent four years working overnight in veterinary emergency rooms. One thing ER teaches you quickly: many crises aren’t sudden. They’re the result of slow, silent processes that weren’t caught in tim
Read article →
When people think of keeping pets healthy, they often think of food, exercise, and regular vet visits. But there’s another key ingredient to a happy, balanced animal: mental stimulation.
Read article →
Each Passover, we retell the story of the ten plagues — blood, frogs, lice, and more. But to me, they read like the unraveling of a fragile ecological world. Whether set in motion by divine design or
Read article →
Raw food diets have recently gained popularity among health-conscious pet owners. I’m going to cut to the chase here—raw pet diets are foolish. These diets carry unnecessary risks that outweigh any pe
Read article →
It’s easy to love a chubby pup or a round little cat—those big eyes and soft bellies seem extra cuddly. But what we often call “cute” can actually be unhealthy. Pet obesity is one of the most common a
Read article →
In veterinary medicine, our understanding of vaccines has come a long way. What used to be an automatic, annual routine is now being reconsidered through a more evidence-based lens. Many vets—myself i
Read article →
One of the most heartbreaking—but ultimately humane—decisions a pet owner may face is when to start thinking about quality of life. It’s never easy. But when a beloved animal is suffering, choosing to
Read article →
In a city where your dog might have their own chef, therapist, and Instagram account, it’s no surprise that veterinary care is evolving to match the lifestyle. One of the fastest-growing trends in the
Read article →
I have a deep confession to make. I love my profession. I have dreamed about being a veterinarian since I was a little boy pretending to do exams on my less than appreciative Wheaten Terrier. I feel i
Read article →
The cases that stick with you aren’t always the most dramatic. Sometimes they’re the quiet ones. The ones that felt routine—until they weren’t.
Read article →
I’ve wanted to be a veterinarian since I was a little boy pretending to examine my Wheaten Terrier on the living room floor. And now that I own a vet clinic in Los Angeles, I still believe I have the
Read article →
Reflections on the MASH closure announcement, burnout in 24/7 veterinary medicine, and why urgent care is emerging as a healthier model — for pets and people.
Read article →
Let me start by saying this—if you’re looking for an article about how turmeric will keep your pet living longer, you’re in the wrong place. With headlines touting anti-aging treatments for pets, it’s
Read article →
We all know dogs have remarkable noses—but could they actually smell time? While it sounds like science fiction, emerging research suggests they can sense the passage of time by following changes in s
Read article →
If you’ve ever watched your dog twitch, wag, or softly bark in their sleep—or your cat’s whiskers flicker as if stalking invisible prey—you’ve probably wondered: are they dreaming? Science says yes. D
Read article →
At my practice, we see it daily—pups who are licking their paws obsessively or sporting bald patches. There’s a good chance they’re dealing with a skin allergy.
Read article →
In over a decade as an ER veterinarian, I’ve seen many thankful clients able to accept expensive care due to their pet insurance. However, I’ve also witnessed clients who paid high premium
Read article →
Here are the most common toxic items I see pets get into and their possible effects:
Read article →
When most people think of a vet’s office, they picture rubbing alcohol, barking dogs, and the low buzz of anxiety—and that’s just the humans.
Read article →
Independence Day may be a celebration of freedom, fireworks, and full plates—but for veterinarians, it marks the beginning of something far less festive: pancreatitis season.
Read article →
I’m not going to make many friends in my profession with this article—but pet owners deserve to know the truth.
Read article →
If Maimonides were alive today—and, say, living in Pico-Robertson with a rescue tabby named Chatool—would he schedule a neuter appointment at the local vet?
Read article →
For many of us, pets are more than companions—they’re family. But beyond wagging tails and comforting purrs, science shows that pets can quite literally heal us. Their impact on human health is more p
Read article →
