Cleaning Pet Toys

Your dog's favorite toy doesn't have to be thrown away when it's dirty. Make sure that the toy is still safe to play with and then try cleaning it. Never use bleach or harsh cleaning chemicals. If the toy has a foul smell or does not get clean after washing, it IS time to throw away. Nylon and rubber toys can be cleaned by hand with soap and water and can even go in your dishwasher for cleaning, but run them through on the hot cycle with no detergent. Softer toys, like ropes, can become breeding grounds for bacteria, so consider sanitizing them by wetting the toy and microwaving it for a full minute. For stuffed animal toys, try throwing them in the washing machine when they are dirty. Throw away any toys with dangling parts, stuffed animal eyes, etc. and any toys that your pet is actually eating...unless it is a treat toy, your dog should not be eating it.

We are proud to highlight Rescue, a 5 week old kitten who is owned by our very own Dr. Barnes!

Pet Beach Safety

Taking your dog to the beach can be a fun adventure, but it can also be dangerous if the proper precautions are not taken. Before you go, be sure to check the local ordinances to make sure you are going to a dog-friendly beach. Make sure to pack fresh drinking water, food, a blanket, and a sun-shelter that your pet can relax under on the hot sand. Don’t forget, being safe is the key to having fun!

Fishing Safety

Fishing is a great summertime activity for you and your dog, but don’t forget to take every precaution for your pet’s safety before you go! Be mindful of fish hooks around your pet as they may get curious and hook their skin or even ingest the hook! Be sure you equip your pet with a life jacket too! We want your fun fishing experiences with your pet this summer season to be a happy one!

World Pet Memorial Day

Today is World Pet Memorial Day. The benefits of having pets are too numerous to count. They are our companions, our friends, and to some they are even considered family, but the one downfall of being a pet owner is that a vast majority of pets have a much shorter lifespan than their human companions. Today is a day to remember those departed pets and celebrate the time you had with them. What is the happiest memory you have of a departed pet?

Pets & Heatstroke

Working up a good sweat in the hot summer months may be good for you, but it can lead to heat stroke in your pet. Brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds, such as Pugs, Lhasa Apsos, Boston Terriers and Bulldogs are at a highly increased risk of heat stroke because their facial structure can make panting, the body’s way of cooling off, ineffective. This increased panting can actually interfere with their breathing, which may develop into respiratory distress. Protect your pet and keep them cool as the weather gets warmer this summer.

Snake Story

As a veterinarian, I have the privilege to hear all the wonderful animal hero stories. Such as, dog's waking the family when someone has a seizure, dogs going to the phone when it is ringing in a deaf person's house, but I had never heard a snake story before.

One day a client relayed this harrowing story to me. "One night, my family and I were camping with our Hound dog. I got up early, about 5am, because she was barking and wouldn't stop. I got out my flashlight, and aimed it where she was pointing. There, with it's mouth completely open, was a Cottonmouth Snake, coiled around the bottom of the picnic table. If I would have gone over innocently to make coffee, and sat down, I would be a dead man. That Hound dog saved my life."