Posts in Category: Pet Health & Wellness

The great outdoors can be invigorating, but also creates a lot of potential hazards for pets. 

Winter pet safety at home is a critical topic. Without a careful approach to items stored or displayed inside the home, pets can be at risk in a place they should feel absolutely safe from harm. With a little bit of attention, you can keep your pets safe all season long.

Frigid temps and low humidity collide in the winter for a combination that wreaks havoc on the hair and skin of humans along with our pets! And when the wind picks up, winter’s icy chill cuts even deeper, so it’s important to take extra measures to protect your pet’s skin and coat.

At Volunteer Veterinary Hospital, we love caring for your pets from head to toe, and our team has put together some helpful tips for keeping your pet’s skin and coat healthy this winter.

Most pets enjoy a good neck scratching from time to time, but if your cat or dog is spending more time than usual clawing and gnawing at his own skin, he could be feeling the effects of seasonal allergies. Animals can be sensitive to the same allergens that plague people, but there are plenty of ways to help. 

At Volunteer Veterinary Hospital, we want your pets to be comfortable in their own skin, and that includes finding ways to ease their discomfort from seasonal allergies. Read on to learn more about seasonal allergies and how they impact pet health.

As we head into the cooler months of the year, many pet owners make the choice to save a little money on flea and tick control. Skipping your pet’s parasite preventions isn’t always the smartest choice, though, and Volunteer Veterinary Hospital is here to help explain why. 

Summer temperatures are here, and many of us are enjoying the great outdoors with our family and friends. Often these seasonal outings include our pets. The heat can be dangerous, though, especially for those wearing a fur coat. Volunteer Veterinary Hospital knows how important summer pet safety can be. Please have a great time outside, but take a few of our pointers along to prevent heat stroke in pets.

No one likes an unwelcome house guest, and external parasites like fleas and ticks are no exception. Volunteer Veterinary Hospital has the information you need to kick flea and tick issues to the curb, and keep your pet health habits up to par. 

The new year is the time for new beginnings, and while you’re making a list of New Year’s resolutions, make sure you include ways to enrich the lives of your pets as well. 

At Volunteer Veterinary Hospital, we want to help you make 2023 your pet’s healthiest and happiest year yet. Here are our team’s top wellness tips for the new year. 

Just as it is with our ever-expanding waistlines, extra pounds on a pet don’t appear overnight. Successive weeks or months of a few extra treats a day, or a little less exercise, create the perfect storm for weight gain. The fact is, pet obesity is on the rise. Knowing what’s at stake for an overweight pet can help turn the tide and with a proactive, consistent approach, pet owners can have a direct impact on a pet’s overall health and longevity. 

One of the best parts of modern pet ownership is that so much is now known about caring for them. No longer forced to simply accept things we wish were different, we can affect change in our pet’s behavior, appearance, and overall health. Instead of shrugging off, say, bad breath, we can design an approach that not only works for owners, but also helps pets in the long run. If your pet’s bad breath clears the room, it’s time to help them through.

Cat owners are typically looped into the common potential health issues facing modern felines. In addition to heartworm disease, diabetes, feline leukemia virus (FelV), and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), hyperthyroidism in cats is increasingly prevalent. Characterized by weight loss, increased appetite/thirst, and vomiting or diarrhea, this condition must be promptly addressed. The good news is that once hyperthyroidism in cats is properly managed, a high quality of life is attainable.

Anatomy Details

Located within the neck, the thyroid gland produces a hormone that regulates metabolism. When too much hormone is produced, metabolism increases which explains why cats lose weight despite a voracious appetite. While this symptom is a red flag, many owners don’t automatically realize that it’s tied to something serious. 

Cats between the ages of 10-13 are commonly diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Blood tests and other diagnostics can help diagnose hyperthyroidism in cats, and rule out a series of other common conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, and cancer (all share similar clinical symptoms). We may also need to perform an electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, ultrasound, and blood pressure to gain a better understanding of a cat’s condition. 

Since a vast majority of cases are linked to a benign tumor on one or both lobes of the thyroid gland, it is critical to move quickly toward effective treatment. Prognosis is usually very good if caught early. 

Next Steps

Depending on the severity, hyperthyroidism in cats may be properly managed with medical treatment, close monitoring, and prescription diet. Medication taken twice a day for life can decrease the production of thyroid hormone. 

Injections of radioactive iodine can also decrease thyroid hormone levels in a shorter amount of time, but require a hospital stay. This is often the fastest and safest method to lower thyroid hormone levels. 

Surgical removal of the thyroid gland may be necessary in extreme cases. However, the elimination of the thyroid gland may result in serious health complications.

Every Step of the Way

Your team at Volunteer Veterinary Hospital understands that hyperthyroidism in cats can be very challenging to face. Due to its effect on feline blood pressure, heart health, eye health, neurologic functions, and the kidneys, this condition must be closely observed. If we’re able to catch the disease early on, hyperthyroidism in cats can be effectively treated. 

Hyperthyroidism in Cats

Your cat’s annual wellness exam creates the opportunity to catch health problems before they get out of hand. Early detection can lead to a better prognosis, affecting your cat’s overall health and lifespan. 

Remember, if you see any changes to your cat’s eating/drinking behavior, vomiting and/or diarrhea, poor coat quality, and weight loss, please don’t hesitate to call us at (865) 609‑0311.