Caitlin Johnson | Source | Veterinarian at Lovet Pet Health Care
Caitlin Johnson
I was born and raised in the Valley of the Sun, Phoenix, AZ. I attended the University of Arizona (Bear Down), where I completed my undergraduate degree in Veterinary Science in 2015. Then, I moved to the Caribbean island of St. Kitts, earning my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Ross University in 2019. My senior clinical year was spent at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Right after graduation, I moved back home to the desert and worked for Lovet for five and a half years, before deciding it was time to make a change and moved back to Illinois. I am interested in all aspects of small animal medicine including (but not excluding) soft tissue surgery, endoscopy, and Internal Medicine. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, exploring my new home, and spending time near the water. While at home, I enjoy watching TV with my cat JD and dog Stella.
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Lovet Pet Health Care
Veterinarian
started Jul 2019
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The best budget-friendly cat foods in 2025
The best budget-friendly cat foods are healthy for kittens, adult cats, and seniors. Dr. Johnson weighs in on the right ingredients and credentials to look out for when selecting food for your cat.
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Wet vs. dry cat food: Which is better?
Dr. Johnson weighs in food brands you can trust for your cat.
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The best budget-friendly dog foods in 2025
You can feed your dog a healthy diet with one of the best budget-friendly dog foods. Dr. Johnson shares the nutrients to look out for when selecting the right food source.
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Veterinarian Insights: Air Purifiers for Pet Owners
Dr. Caitlin Johnson is ready to provide insights on air purifiers' benefits and risks for pets and allergy sufferers. Caitlin's expertise will guide pet owners in choosing the right air purifier without endorsing specific models. -
Veterinarian Offers Tips for Choosing Affordable, Nutritious Pet Food
Dr. Johnson emphasizes focusing on nutrient profiles over ingredient lists, noting that byproducts can be nutritious. She advises checking for AAFCO or WSAVA labels for balanced diets. For budget-friendly options, she recommends brands like Hills, Royal Canin, and Purina Pro Plan. Transition pets gradually to new diets to avoid digestive issues. Consult veterinarians for tailored advice.
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With bird flu (HPAI) making headlines, pet owners may be wondering how it could impact their animals. Dr. Caitlin Johnson at Lovet Pet Health Care, is available for expert commentary on the risks, symptoms, and steps to keep pets safe. Below are some tips from Dr. Johnson which you are free to source in any future stories that you may be working on related to bird flu and companion animals.
Here’s what pet parents should know:
📌 Clinical Signs to Watch For: Fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, respiratory symptoms (coughing, sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, difficulty breathing), red and/or runny eyes, diarrhea, neurological conditions (tremors, seizures, incoordination).
📌 How It Spreads: Bird flu, most commonly found in cattle and birds, can spread between humans and animals. While most dogs recover well, the disease poses a greater risk to cats and immunocompromised humans, with severe cases potentially being fatal. Transmission can occur through contact or ingestion of infected animals, including exposure to fecal matter, bodily secretions (such as nasal or oral fluids and unpasteurized milk), or raw meat. A recent source of spread in domestic cats has been raw food.
📌 Minimizing Risk:
*Keep cats indoors only to prevent exposure.
*Do not feed pets raw or unpasteurized milk, raw meat, or raw eggs—including in treats or kibble.
*Practice good hygiene- wash/sanitize hands and pets' food and water dishes frequently.
*If you own chickens, keep them separate from other pets, housed in an enclosed area away from wild animals, and clean their living space frequently. Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when cleaning their enclosure to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
📌 When to Seek Veterinary Care:
*If a pet shows any of the listed symptoms.
*If other pets in the home show similar signs.
*If a human in the household has been sick within 10 days of the pet showing symptoms.
*If any known exposure to a positive Avian Influenza case.🩺 What to Expect at the Vet:
*Staff may wear infectious disease gear—don’t be alarmed, this is a precaution to protect everyone.
*An influenza test may be recommended; while costly, it’s crucial for diagnosing and managing this contagious disease.
*Some clinics may refer potential HPAI cases to facilities with specialized ventilation systems for safety reasons.
*Your veterinary staff will need to report any suspected or positive cases to their state USDA authority.