Summer fun with your Pet Video Blog

Episode 3: Keeping your Pet Safe this Summer

July 31, 2012 2 Comments

Keeping your Pet Safe this Summer

We are in the middle of summer, the sun is out and the temperature is hotter than ever. With summer comes nicer weather, which means more time outdoors for you and your pet. At the first sign of sunshine, you might want to rush out the door with your furry friend.

There’s nothing wrong with a little spontaneity, but you might be able to avoid an uncomfortable or even dangerous situation for your pet with a little preemptive planning.

Today’s topic is about the things you should keep in mind as you set out for some summertime fun with your pet. By the end of this video, I promise that you will have useful information that you can put into action today in order to improve your pet’s quality of life this summer.

Summer time fun with your Pet

Share with friends!

If you found this video helpful, please do not hesitate to share it with friends and family that may benefit from learning more about keeping their pets safe. Summer time can be an exciting time for our furry companions, but it can also present itself with certain dangers if we don’t take the right precautions. I also look forward to reading your comments here on my website or on our facebook page.

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Episode 2: Heartworm Prevention

July 3, 2012 0 Comments

Episode 2: Heartworm Prevention

Hi everyone! I’m happy to share with you the second installment in my video series about pet health. Today, I will be exploring a very important topic: Heartworm prevention. Heartworms are parasites that can really compromise and threaten your pet’s health; prevention is the best (and most cost-effective) medicine.

After watching the video, I invite you to please share your comments below and if you feel that someone you know may benefit from the video, please share it and pass the website along.

Episode 1: 5 Healthy Tips for a Happy Pet

June 20, 2012 2 Comments

Episode 1: Five Healthy Tips for a Happy Pet

Hi Everyone! I wanted to share with you our first instalment of what will be a bi-weekly video series on all things related to our furry friends! Today I’m going to share five essential tips that will help you to ensure your pet’s happiness and health. By the end of this video, I promise that you will have useful information that you can put into action today in order to improve your pet’s quality of life.

After watching the video, I invite you to please share your comments below and if you feel that someone you know may benefit from the video, please share it and pass the website along.

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Do you have questions about your pet’s health? Ask us in the comments section below and we may even address your questions in upcoming videos! This is your opportunity to interact with me and my staff outside of your regular visits. We want to be proactive in providing the most comprehensive health care for you and your pets.

Heartworm and Wellness Testing Promotion

Don’t forget about our current promotion which is good until July 1, 2012. Preparing your pet for the allergy season is key to their happiness as well as yours. If you haven’t seen the promotion, you can click here for more information. If you would like to make an appointment, please use this form or give us a call. We are always happy to share our knowledge and expertise as we take good care of your pets.

 

 

 

Preventative Healthcare

June 9, 2012 One Comment

Why Preventative Healthcare is as Important For Pets as it is For Humans

Preventative medicine in humans is key to a happy and prolonged life. This is also true for pets. People wouldn’t dream of letting years lapse without a check up at their doctor, yet we prolong preventative vet visits for our pets all the time. As pet owners and guardians, it is our responsibility to know our pets and their breed-specific needs. Some of those needs are common sense, like food, water, and exercise. There are other needs that can only be identified by a trained professional. That’s why a good veterinary clinic is a critical partner in your pet’s welfare.

Our clinic can help you put your pet on the path to good health. We can teach you about your pet’s needs and help you develop a plan to meet them. Here are four simple steps to help your pet live a healthy, happy, and prolonged life:

1. Know your breed

Each breed comes with its own set of health concerns of which you need to be mindful. Unfortunately, many owners aren’t in tune with what their particular breed requires. They think all pets are the same! This simply isn’t true. What is good for one breed may be terrible for another. One breed may have degenerative issues that others do not.

This is where the help of our clinic can be invaluable. Not only can we alert you to the potential risks of your particular breed, but we can also perform laboratory and diagnostic testing to make sure those issues are kept at bay.

2. Dental care is key

We have all encountered a pet with stinky breath.

Clean teeth are not only important in resolving your pet’s bad breath, but can also prevent gum disease and pain. For example, a dog’s teeth should be brushed twice a day. There is also a range of dental supplements that can enhance your pet’s dental hygiene.

Give us a call – we would be more than happy to walk you through all of your pet’s dental options!

3. Your pet’s weight is important

Just as in humans, obesity in animals can have a severe impact on their health. Luckily, there are a few easy things to keep in mind when it comes to pets and food:

  • Human food should never be given to animals
  • Keep cooked bones away from dogs. They can damage their internal organs as they are digested.
  • Know which foods can produce allergies or pose serious risks to your pet. For example, chocolate can be deadly for dogs and cats.

4. Understand the needs of a senior pet

Senior pets need extra care to preserve their quality of life. Ensuring that they stay active and maintain a proper diet is even more critical for your older pet. Keep in mind that health-related problems tend to present more suddenly in older animals. You will want to visit the vet more often for preventative checkups to catch little issues before they become bigger challenges.

As we all know, pets cannot tell us when something is wrong. It’s up to us to be attentive to changes in their condition, such as:

  • Lack of energy
  • Lack of appetite
  • Infrequent urination
  • Excessive coughing
  • Hair loss or itchy skin
  • Stiffness, lameness, or difficulty rising

If your pet shows any of these signs, please call the clinic to make an appointment as soon as possible.

Your turn

There are many preventative measures that you can undertake to make sure your pet lives a long and happy life. If you have any questions about what was discussed, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section below and I will be sure to respond promptly.

If you found this post useful, please share it with your friends on your social media networks!

Also, feel free to make an appointment today for your pet, or just come by and visit. We’ll be happy to see you!!

 

Diarrhea in Dogs

April 1, 2012 0 Comments

What causes diarrhea?

Diarrhea is not a disease; rather, it is a symptom of many different diseases. Many mild cases of diarrhea can be resolved quickly with simple treatments. Others are the result of fatal illnesses, such as cancer. Even diarrhea caused by mild illnesses may become fatal if treatment is not begun early enough to prevent severe fluid and nutrient losses.

How serious is diarrhea in dogs?

We attempt to determine how sick the dog has become as a consequence of the diarrhea. When the dog is systemically ill (i.e., more than one body system is involved), some of the following may be noted:

  • Vomiting
  • Dehydration
  • Loss of appetite
  • Abdominal pain
  • High fever
  • Lethargy
  • Bloody and/or watery diarrhea

What types of tests are performed to find the cause?

If diarrhea is associated with several of the above signs, we perform a series of tests in the hope that a diagnosis can be made. This permits more specific treatment. Diagnostic tests may include radiography (x-rays) with or without barium, blood tests, stool cultures, biopsies of the intestinal tract, and exploratory abdominal surgery. Once the diagnosis is known, treatment may include special medications and/or diets, or surgery.

If your dog does not appear systemically ill from diarrhea, the cause may be less serious. Some of the minor causes of diarrhea include stomach or intestinal viruses, intestinal parasites, and dietary indiscretions (such as eating garbage or other offensive or irritating materials). A minimum number of tests are performed to rule out certain parasites and infections. These cases may be treated with drugs to control the motility of the intestinal tract, drugs that relieve inflammation in the intestinal tract, and, often, a special diet for a few days. This approach allows the body’s healing mechanisms to correct the problem. We expect improvement within 2-4 days; if this does not occur, a change in medication or further tests are done to better understand the problem. Please keep us informed of lack of expected improvement so that we may manage the situation properly.