How To Do a Social Distancing Vet Visit

The coronavirus pandemic has made common errands more difficult, including your pet’s regular visit to the vet. Fortunately, it is possible to enjoy a socially distanced vet visit and get your pup or cat the care she needs. 

Ask About Curbside Care

Just like clothing retailers and grocery stores, veterinarians have adapted to the times by offering curbside services during the pandemic. You may be able to drive up to the clinic at the time of your appointment and wait for a staff member to examine your pet from the comfort of your vehicle.  Read more

Common Minor Pet Health Issues That Can Be Addressed During Telemedicine

Telemedicine has been a standing practice amongst general medical providers, but most people don’t think about using the service for their pets. Some health conditions can be diagnosed and treated with discussion and observation of symptoms without an exam, just as telemedicine for humans. Often, the routine visits you make to your vet can be handled over the phone or by video chat. Here are a few of the most common health issues that can be addressed during veterinary telemedicine appointments.

Chronic health management

If your pet requires ongoing treatment for a medical condition, it may be possible to handle follow ups and prescription refills without a physical examination. The vet will ask you a series of questions to determine effectiveness of current treatment and may make additional recommendations. Read more

The Future of Telemedicine in Veterinary Practices

Let’s face it. There has long been a need for telemedicine in veterinary practices. There are a lot of pet owners out there who are unable to get out easily or at all, and telemedicine when possible can be a huge blessing for such home-bound people. Unfortunately, it took the pandemic to make it clear that telemedicine definitely has its place in veterinary medicine, just as it does in other types of medicine being offered to patients across the country.

But will these telemedicine trends stick around? Probably, but some things are going to have to be ironed out first. Read more

Behavioral Changes that Point to Physical Health Issues

Did you know that your pet is talking to you all the time? You may not always be able to understand them, but your pet knows what they need, and they will try to tell you as their caregiver. If you write off their behavior as quirkiness, you might be putting off an important health issue. Here are some behavioral changes that will tell you that you need to take your pet to the vet.

Changes in eating habits

Is your pet suddenly refusing to eat? Pets do get bored with their food, and sometimes they will refuse to eat because they miss one of their humans or other emotional distress. But often your pet’s refusal to eat their food has more to do with their stomach and potential digestive problems. You should get your pet checked out any time their appetite changes. Read more

Your Pet’s Wellness and Vaccination Schedule

You love your pet, and you want them to lead a long, healthy life. If you want to keep your dog or cat around as long as possible, you should make their health and wellness one of your top priorities, but how often does your pet really need to go to the vet? What shots do they need and when? Here’s what you need to know.

The First Year of Life

During the first year of your pet’s life, they should be seen by the vet about once a month. The vet will be able to use these frequent visits to track your pet’s growth and progress and address any concerns quickly as they arise. Read more

How to Protect Your Pet from Ticks While Camping

If you like to take your pet camping with you, you need to take some additional precautions against fleas and ticks. The methods you use for flea and tick prevention at home may not be sufficient to prevent ticks while camping in the woods, where ticks are everywhere. There are some very good ways that you can help protect your pet from ticks.

Flea Collars

Even if you normally use an oral medication or once-a-month topical application, it doesn’t hurt to throw a flea and tick collar on your pet when you go camping. This can give them an extra layer of protection and discourage ticks from going to the most common places — like inside ears. Read more

How to Naturally Cut Down on Fleas in the Home

More and more people are becoming eco-conscious and looking for ways to cut chemicals out of their lives. The truth is that fleas have been a problem for millennia, and the chemical combinations most often used today are less than a century old. Do you think the people of the past just put up with them? There are a lot of natural home remedies for fleas, but thanks to eco-friendly manufacturers there are also some great products that take out the guesswork. Here are some options.

Dawn and Vinegar

Bathe your pet in Dawn dish soap and rinse with apple cider vinegar. This will kill the fleas on your pet, but it will not repel them. This is only the first step. You’ll have about a day, maybe two, to get the rest of your home treated. Although Dawn is not necessarily “all natural,” it is well established as an eco-friendly product. Read more

What You Need to Know About Heartworm Protection

Most pet parents know that they need to worry about making sure that their pet is healthy, including being worm free, yet many pets are unprotected against heartworms. There are some important things that you should know about heartworm disease, which should open your eyes as to how necessary heartworm prevention is.

What Is Heartworm Disease?

Heartworm disease is the condition that results from the long-term residence of heartworms. Heartworms cause lasting, lifelong, and life-shortening damage to the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels. Heartworm disease can exist in dogs, cats, ferrets, and some wild animals, but dogs are their most desired and appropriate host for growth and propagation. If a dog gets heartworms and it goes untreated, it could lead to the dog harboring over a hundred worms at once. Read more

Preparing for Spring: Most Common Flea Preventatives

Spring is here, and with the warmer weather comes the fleas. It happens every year, and it will continue to do so. If you want to be able to protect your pet from fleas, you’ll need to make sure that you are using a reliable flea preventative treatment.

There are several different types of flea control solutions. Which type you use may be based on several factors, such as your pet’s health, type of pet, age of pet, and other factors. It is best to get the advice of your veterinarian before starting a flea treatment, even if you are looking at a non-prescription option. Read more

Top Three Benefits of Boarding with a Vet

One of the big fears that people have at this scary time is who will care for their pet if they become ill and have to go to the hospital. One option that you have in these times, or anytime you will be away from home, is to board your pet. While there are many places where you can leave your pet, leaving them in the care of a vet is your best option. Here are the top benefits of boarding with a vet.

Healthy Diet

Some kennels do not allow for special diets. They also may use very cheap pet food to take care of your pet. A vet will honor your pet’s special dietary needs. They will make sure that your pet gets all of the nutrition that they need in a healthy, balanced diet. Read more