The winter holidays may look a little different this year, but masked guests, decorations, and festive foods can put our pets at risk. Here are a few tips for keeping your animal companion happy this season: Try wearing a mask at home from time to time to get your pet used to humans who may be wearing them in your home this year. Give treats whenever you are wearing the mask to create a positive association. Put your pet in another room with toys, treats, water, and a bed when having a party or gathering. This way your dog (and […]

Summer time means adventure time! If you have a dog that loves going on fun expeditions and playing in the water, then it’s important to be aware of leptospirosis, which is transmitted through direct contact with contaminated urine, water or soil. The bacteria in leptospirosis can survive in water or moist soil for a long time, sometimes for many months, and infected dogs can continue to shed bacteria in their urine for years. Dogs don’t even need to make contact with wildlife to get the disease—simply drinking water or ingesting dirt that’s contaminated with infected urine is enough to make […]

If you’re headed back to work after staying home for COVID-19 precautions, your dog may have some trouble adjusting. After spending long periods of time together, being on their own may be difficult for some pets. Watch for signs of stress and anxiety and try these tips to help them adjust to being alone again: Exercise. With less time for long walks with you, your pup may appreciate doggie daycare or visits from a dog walker to provide stimulation while you’re at work. Dogs need to be up to date on all vaccines and parasite preventive for doggie daycare, so […]

Do you have a new puppy or kitten? Congratulations! A new furry friend is always cause for celebration. Make sure your new family member starts off on the right paw with these helpful pet care reminders:  A wellness visit for your new puppy or kitten is extremely important as it helps catch common treatable problems before they develop into larger medical issues. At your puppy or kitten’s first exam, your AMC Cascades veterinarian will also discuss other critical care points like proper nutrition, training and behavior to help your pet grow into a healthy, well-adjusted member of the family.  Vaccinations and […]

Summer may be a bit low-key this year, but as we venture outside more it’s important to keep your pet safe. Here are a few tips to help: Heat kills! Never leave your pet in a car, even for a quick trip. On a sunny 70-degree day, your car can heat up to over 100 degrees in minutes. Hot asphalt will scorch your pet’s paws—so if it’s too hot for your bare feet, it’s too hot for your pooch. We know that there may not be many large-scale July 4th celebrations this summer, but people still love fireworks and will likely be […]