Posts in Category: Pet Health & Wellness

A well-behaved dog can make it seem like they were simply born with the ability to remain calm and polite. They appear distinctly aware of their owner’s desires and seem to fall in line before requests are even made. In other words, they become a prime example for other dog owners who may be struggling with a less-than-cooperative pet at home.

So why does it seem that some dogs behave in truly unruly ways while others are the cat’s meow? The answer is simple: dog training and early socialization.

If you have a pet, chances are they give you many hours of laughter, joy, and fun. Whatever your pet’s personality, giving them the best care is top priority. But when was the last time you thought about your dog or cat’s dental health? What starts out as a little bad breath can quickly progress to full blown periodontal disease, if left untreated.

Periodontal disease is the progressive inflammation of the supporting structures of the teeth. It causes bad breath, gingivitis, and tooth loss. Even worse, bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream and travel to your pet’s internal organs, causing liver, heart, and kidney problems.

Most of us would rather not look inside our pet’s mouths to see what’s really going on in there. So let The Whole Pet Vet Hospital and Wellness Center show you the hidden dangers of pet dental disease, and how we treat and prevent it.

Pet ownership is a big responsibility, but we sign up for the opportunity because of the enormous payoffs we receive from this special relationship. Indeed, owning a pet is a type of insurance against loneliness, isolation, and possible boredom. They keep us engaged, connected, and best of all, active. Walking with your pet is one of the best assets of the relationship – for both you and your pet!

Here at The Whole Pet Vet Hospital and Wellness Center, we’re so grateful that our community of dedicated, loving pet owners continues to grow. Each day, we’re reminded that we have the best jobs in the world, and we have you and your pets to thank for that!

Part of our mission is to help pet owners become the best possible guardians of their pet’s health and wellness. That’s why every month, we try to highlight topics on our pet care blog that are useful and relevant. We know today’s pet owners face many questions, and we hope our pet care blogs continue to be a helpful resource for you!

The vets and staff at The Whole Pet Vet are absolutely committed to bring the best care to you and your furry friends. Beyond traditional veterinary medicine, we are able to help more animals in different ways with the alternative and adjunctive therapies we offer.

While most of our clients are familiar with things like acupuncture, chiropractic care, and medicinal herbs and supplements, we find that less people are familiar with the term ‘canine rehabilitation’. This doesn’t make it any less important, though – in fact canine rehabilitation is a cornerstone in treating many of our four-legged patients.

Cats are cool creatures. From their gravity-defying jumps to their strange little hunting noises, domestic felines command everyone’s attention. Part of what makes them so interesting, though, is their relative weirdness. Yes, their sleek appearance and debonair stare come first, but they definitely come equipped with a few odd – and yet universally feline – behaviors. Which cat behavior is your favorite? Continue…

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and endless tasks that accompany a new school year. Shopping, schedules, and snacks are on the agenda, but where does the family pet fit into the new routine? Frustration, anxiety, and even depression are common among pets once the summer ends and their best buds return to school.

Fortunately, the start of another school year doesn’t have to lead to separation anxiety in pets. We’ve outlined some simple strategies any family can use to help their pet stay calm and focused during this time of transition.

Recognizing Separation Anxiety in Pets

Separation anxiety in pets can manifest in a variety of ways, ranging from obvious (destructive chewing, scratching, or vocalizations) to subtle (sleeping more, eating less, loss of interest in toys or favorite activities). Give us a call right away to schedule an appointment if you notice any changes in behavior. Continue…

For anyone who has had or currently has cats, you know that they are special creatures. They are clever, independent, can be amazingly sweet, and have the athletic prowess of Olympic athletes. It’s no surprise that we love our cats and want to keep them well. But cats are masters at hiding signs of illness, pain, and discomfort from us. That’s why The Whole Pet Vet is focusing on our unique approach to cat health and wellness.

Basic Instincts

In the wild, cats who show weakness are a target for predators. A survival instinct from long ago causes our cats to disguise any sign of illness or discomfort as a way to protect themselves. This means that you may not notice anything is wrong until disease is well advanced.

Here’s why a regular program of cat health and wellness care is so important. Simply put, wellness care means regularly scheduled and timely veterinary visits for seemingly healthy and well cats. Continue…

Have you recently decided to bring a new pet into your family? If so, congratulations! You might feel excitement coupled with a mounting sense of dread as you peruse the internet, get unsolicited advice from friends and family, and look around your house thinking – what am I getting myself into?

If so, fear not! The Whole Pet Veterinary Hospital and Wellness Center is by your side, with some ideas on how to pick a wonderful companion, what to ask before bringing them home, and where to look for the very best addition to your family. Welcome to our tips for adopting a new pet!

Continue…

Does the jingling of Fido’s collar, as he scratches his ears in the middle of the night, keep you awake? Have you noticed that your normally calm pet is obsessively licking her paws? Do those red sores on your pet’s skin give you cause for concern? If any of these scenarios sound like you, your pet may be suffering from allergies.

Allergies in pets is one of the most common problems we diagnose in our patients. Just as for humans allergy symptoms can cause significant discomfort for our pets, and wreak havoc on their quality of life. The team at the Whole Pet Vet Hospital and Wellness Center wants to increase awareness of allergies in pets and make sure pet owners have the information they need to make their pets more comfortable.

Continue…