Zoonotic Diseases, Your Pet, and You

There has been some discussion around the topic of animal-borne illnesses since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. How animals can transmit diseases to humans (also called zoonoses) is a conversation that cannot be ignored, considering Rabies, Salmonella, SARS, Ebola, and now the coronavirus. There have been zoonotic diseases in our midst for a long time, some of which can be contracted by interacting with our pet companions.

To help protect you and your furry loved one from zoonotic diseases, the team at the Whole Pet Vet Hospital and Wellness Center is here to provide information for pet owners on this potentially deadly topic. 

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Gone But Not Forgotten: Coping With Pet Loss

When we bring a pet into our homes to share our lives, we know it isn’t going to last forever. Regardless of how long we’ve had our pets or whether their passing was expected, saying goodbye is never easy.

The empty space left behind when a beloved pet passes away can feel vast and insurmountable; it’s common for pet owners, children, and other pets to experience some or all the stages of grief. Your friends at The Whole Pet Vet hope that our guidance and resources are helpful as you navigate the path toward healing after pet loss.

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Spaying and Neutering: The Ultimate Act of Love

Studies show that the majority of pet owners in the United States choose to have their pets spayed or neutered, and at The Whole Pet Vet we couldn’t be happier about this statistic. Spaying or neutering your pet has many health benefits, and goes a long way toward reducing the homeless pet population.

Aside from cases of professional, humane breeding, having a pet spayed or neutered just makes sense. We’re excited to share with you the reasons why!

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Soothing Sounds: Pet Music Therapy Has Calming Benefits

Dog portrait with headphonesFor many years, we have been fascinated by the impact music can have on memory, emotional state, and even healing from physical injuries and illnesses. Amazingly, the more we learn about music therapy and its benefits to humankind, the more we find that this same knowledge can be applied to our four-legged friends.

How Does Pet Music Therapy Work?

Thanks to the initial psychoacoustic research conducted on the effects of sound on shelter dogs (Kogan, Schoenfeld-Tacher & Simon, 2012), we have learned that certain types of music can help reduce anxiety, lower heart rate and respiration, and alleviate certain behavioral challenges in pets (such as chronic barking). Continue…