Pet Allergies
by Meggie Garvey, DVM It’s that time of year again – allergy season! With warmer weather and grasses and trees growing again, many of our pets become very itchy. Why does this happen and what can we do about it?
Pet Insurance
One of the most common questions people ask about pet insurance: Is it worth it? This is a valid question that you must find the answer to on your own. Purchasing pet insurance is not only a financial decision, but an emotional one too. You must consider what you are truly willing to pay for your pet’s care in the event of an accident or unexpected illness. Can you afford the initial out of pocket expense while you wait for the pet insurance company to reimburse you for covered expenses? What other treatment options are out there and what do they cost?
2021 Holiday Hazards
Holiday Hazards By Dr. Caroline Frank As we approach the time of the year to deck the halls and spread yule tide cheer, our 4-legged friends must be watched with a close eye as to not end up on the Veterinarian’s naughty list. Not only do we need to worry about the wonderful food we humans celebrate with during this time, but also our decor. Decorations and trimmings can be hazardous to our beloved 4-legged friends too. The 3 main groups of holiday hazards are food, plants, and decor.
Protect Your Pets From Parasites This Spring
April is many things; Heartworm Awareness month, Pet First Aid Awareness Month, and most obvious to us, the beginning of spring. As it gets warmer and the snow melts, we begin to get out more with our pets. With the longer days and nicer temperatures, we begin seeing more pests, including fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. If you protect your pet from these pests year-round, you are ahead of the curve. If your pet does not receive preventative therapy, it is time to get back on schedule, so your pet doesn’t suffer the consequences of an internal or external parasite infection.
Annual Exams
Why does my pet need a yearly exam? This is a great time to assess your animal. How do the teeth look- is there gingivitis, plaque or any broken teeth? Any lumps or bumps? How is the heart, do we hear any murmurs? Do the lungs sound clear? Is the Doctor able to palpate any masses in the abdomen? Are all the lymph nodes normal size? What about the pet’s weight? Weight is commonly overlooked but just like people, plays a huge role in health.
Spring and Flea and Tick Prevention – They Go Hand In Hand!
Happy Spring everyone! What a better way to celebrate the return of warm weather than chatting about parasites, specifically fleas and ticks! Well, as a veterinarian and pet owner myself, I’m not a fan of blood sucking fleas and ticks and will do anything to keep them away from my pets and myself.
Diabetes In Pets
Diabetes affects both dogs and cats. It is a condition where for one reason or another, the body is unable to control blood sugar levels throughout the day. With people, Diabetes is often classified as Type I or Type II diabetes. Type I diabetes happens with the body (pancreas) in unable to produce to amount of insulin needed by the body to take in glucose (sugar).
Ten New Year’s Resolutions for your pet
Happy New Year! I think I speak for everyone when I say I couldn’t be happier for a fresh start and hopefully a bit of normalcy in the upcoming year. New Year’s resolutions aren’t just for people, they are a fantastic idea for your pet too! While you are thinking of personal improvement, consider what improvements you can make for your pet too. Making New Year’s resolutions with your pet is a fun way to bond and just may help you stick to your own resolutions. If you got a Christmas puppy, these are a great way to start training and encourage positive learning.
Happy National Pet Week
Happy National Pet Week! Here in the veterinary world, pets are our lives! We do what we do because we love our pets (and yours)! What is it about pets that make our worlds go round?! There is something special in this thing we call the human-animal bond. They (pets) make us better! Pets truly can be therapy or even as beneficial as a prescription for your health!
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.