The Newest Word on Heartworms
At Alpine Animal Hospital we pride ourselves on providing you, our clients, with the most up to date and relevant medical information for your feline and canine family members. With that goal in mind, new studies on the increasing prevalence of heartworm in Colorado, including the Western Slope, has lead us to adjust our recommendations for testing and prevention of this potentially fatal and easily preventable disease.
January is National Train Your Dog Month
Keep reading to learn about how you can help your dog become a cool, calm, & confident canine in any situation. Training your dog may seem like a time-consuming, daunting, or sometimes even unnecessary task, however, it is a crucial component to your dog’s ability to live a happy, fulfilling life. One of the most important aspects of training is socialization. Socialization is the process of preparing your dog to enjoy and be comfortable with various people, places, activities, other animals, etc.
Three Reasons Why your Pet Might be Having Allergic Reactions
The first and easiest one to rule out is flea allergy dermatitis. Fleas aren’t as common in our valley but can still be present. Even if you don’t see fleas on your pet, it doesn’t mean they aren’t allergic to them. When a flea bites your pet, the saliva from the flea can trigger an immune reaction. This causes your pet to scratch and itch a lot, sometimes leading to painful hot spots. Flea allergy dermatitis is the most common dermatologic disease in dogs in the US.
March Is Pet Poison Prevention Month
March is Pet Poison Prevention Month, and it is the time to think about how to keep your pet safe from toxic substances. One topic that has gotten more attention in recent years, yet still seems like an unknown, is Marijuana. What is the deal with pets and marijuana? How about CBD? Hemp? What is the difference anyway, and is it really a big deal if your pet gets exposed to marijuana? In this blog, we are going to discuss the differences between marijuana, hemp, and CBD and go over some of the potential threats they may pose to your animal companion.
Understanding Pet Allergies: Symptoms, Behavior Changes, and Relief Tips
At Alpine Animal Hospital, we believe in compassionate care and understanding the “why” behind pet behavior. As we transition into spring, many pets experience allergy symptoms that can impact their health and even their mood. This month, we’re diving into common allergy symptoms, how allergies can affect behavior, and simple ways to help your pet feel better.
National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month. Should your pet be injured it is a good idea to see a veterinarian but in case you are in a remote area, out camping or enjoying the outdoors it is a good idea to be prepared to handle basic first aid issues for your pet and know how to best handle them without causing further injury to your pet or yourself.
We Do House Calls
Do you dread taking your dog or cat to the vet? Many people do! The experience can be exhausting for both you and your critter! Here, at Alpine Animal Hospital, we have many options to help provide the best medical care with low stress handling, a Fear Free environment, and we even do HOUSE CALLS!
Navigating Canine and Feline Vaccines
This month Alpine Animal Hospital is offering 20% off vaccines. So we figured we would provide a refresher on the recommended vaccinations for our furry friends. Just like with humans, vaccines are essential to maintaining good health and preventing the spread of disease. Our practice follows the vaccination guidelines published by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). These guidelines are kept up to date with the most recent developments regarding vaccines schedules and recommendations for cats and dogs.
What Quality Means to Me as a Veterinary Nurse
Quality veterinary care is extremely important and essential to the health and wellbeing of companion animals. Not only does this benefit pets, but it also aids in caregivers’ mental wellbeing knowing that their pet is receiving quality care that will insure a long and lasting relationship with their companion. Alpine Animal Hospital strives to provide exceptional quality veterinary care to the animals of the Roaring Fork Valley by keeping our facility and equipment updated and our team educated.
November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month
Cancer in pets has become more common, and this month we are going to discuss what cancer is, signs of cancer, diagnosis, and some treatment options should you be faced with a cancer diagnosis in your pet. Neoplasia is defined as the uncontrolled or abnormal growth of cells in the body that can be benign or malignant, in other words, a tumor. Benign tumors often grow slowly and don’t tend to invade neighboring tissues. Malignant tumors can be unpredictable and often grow rapidly and spread to other tissues or systems in the body.