Summertime is a time for fun and frolicking; however, here are some key tips to help keep your pets cool and safe… BE VIGILANT ABOUT VET CARE – When it starts getting warm outside, take your pet to the vet for a full checkup including a heartworm test and a flea and tick protection plan. These … Read moreHot Tips For A Pet-Safe Summer
If your pet is always itching, licking their paws, chewing on their coat or scratching their ears; there’s a good chance they have skin allergies. Skin allergies are often caused by flea, food and environmental conditions. To alleviate your pet of this problem, we must first figure out the cause. Start by looking for fleas. … Read moreTreating Skin Allergies
Lyme Disease is one of the most common tick-transmitted diseases in the world. While only 5-10% of affected dogs will have symptoms, the most dominant clinical feature is inflammation of the joints which causes lameness. Lethargy and lack of appetite may be apparent plus other critical scenarios including kidney and heart damage or nervous system … Read moreMay is Lyme Disease Awareness Month
April is Heartworm Awareness Month, and according to the American Heartworm Society, incidence of this potentially fatal disease is up. The southeastern U.S., including parts of Virginia, has the highest number of reported cases in the country. As you may already know, heartworm is spread by mosquitoes—and it only takes one bite to infect a dog. … Read moreHeartworm Awareness Month
It’s been a long winter, but it appears that spring is finally on the way. Here are a few tips to make sure your pet stays safe as the weather changes and you start getting out more. Avoid mushrooms. Many poisonous mushrooms look like edible mushrooms and can make your pet very ill. Make sure … Read moreSpring into the Season—Safely!
What’s lurking in your house that could make your pet sick? Turns out, lots of things. National Animal Poison Prevention Week is March 17—23, and we want you to be aware of substances that should stay out of paw’s reach! Human medications. Keep them in sealed containers and locked away as pets might see loose pills … Read moreProtect Your Pet From Poisons
Spring Flea and Tick Prevention Know who else loves to be on the move when it’s warmer? Fleas and ticks! Problem is, their favorite vacation spot is your pet…and you if they get close enough. These pests are more than just annoying: fleas can transmit tapeworm and cause anemia, while ticks are well-known carriers of … Read moreParasites Gone Wild
It’s not uncommon for a pet to be infected with a dangerous tick-transmitted disease. These parasites attach themselves to animals before feeding on blood, which ultimately spreads the disease directly into the pet’s system. Except for the Gulf Coast tick, all these diseases—and the tick varieties that carry them—are found in Virginia: Canine ehrlichiosis – … Read moreYes, Virginia—We Have Tick-Borne Diseases!
Looks like this winter isn’t going to pull any punches—so here are a few suggestions for keeping your animal companions healthy and happy during the icy months to come. Keep up with grooming. While you don’t want to shave long-haired dogs, you do want to keep the coat and paws trimmed to minimize clinging ice … Read moreFrozen Felines & Pup-cicles: Winter Safety Tips
At Animal Medical Center of Cascades, we take pet dental health very seriously. Did you know that by age three, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have some evidence of periodontal disease? This ailment can cause mouth pain and tooth loss and make eating difficult. At advanced stages, bacteria from the mouth … Read moreDental Promo
