Posts in Category: Pet Health & Wellness

Hearing that your pet has cancer is a frightening experience, but according to the National Canine Cancer Foundation, 1 out of 3 dogs will receive a diagnosis of cancer in their lifetime. For cats, the statistic is 1 out of every 5 according to the Animal Cancer Foundation.

There is good news, however. Some pet cancers are treatable, especially if caught early and treated aggressively. There’s also ongoing research for the development of new treatments, as well as cures for some forms of cancer.  At Volunteer Veterinary Hospital, we honor Cancer Awareness Month by exploring common forms of pet cancer and some possible treatment options.

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When it comes to choosing a veterinarian, we know you have a lot of options, which is why we’d like to let you know what you can expect from our team of veterinarians and support staff. Besides our strong knowledge base, focus on keeping up with the latest research, and state-of-the-art facility, our staff takes a caring and individualized approach with each patient.

Our commitment to healing and prevention, combined with the importance we place on the relationships we form with you and your pet, is what makes our team at Volunteer Veterinary Hospital so special.

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When we’re in the dentist’s chair, we’re at the mercy of the technician measuring the pockets between our teeth and gums. Sometimes, a single pocket can be large enough to create painful problems for us, and the same is true for our pets. A normal depth in dogs is about 3 mm; in cats, it’s 1mm. When pockets measure between 4-5mm, it’s really important to get on the ball. Without routine pet dental care, your pet could be in for a world of hurt.

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While you’re busy writing your 2018 resolutions or working off those holiday pounds, the start of a new year is also a great opportunity to focus on your pet’s health and wellbeing. When we launched our pet blog in 2014, our goal was to provide top-notch information regarding all things pets.

Whether the topic is something health related, such as pet dental care, or something fun like exploring the great outdoors with your best friend, we hope you’re looking forward to another great year of pet health and wellness blogging!

Now, on to the blogs!

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A fluffy pet is super cute, but what about a fat one? Despite the adorable images of roly poly cats and dogs, there really is nothing cute about an overweight pet.

Pet obesity is a huge factor in the health and quality of life of our animal friends. At Volunteer Veterinary Hospital, helping your pet maintain a healthy weight is a top goal.

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If your pet is urinating frequently, straining to urinate, or having accidents, there are many possible culprits. At Volunteer Veterinary Hospital, the most frequent reason we find for these symptoms is a urinary tract infection. Urinary tract infections in pets are a common (and painful) problem that is very important to treat right away.

UTIs Explained

Normally the bladder is a sterile place where bacteria are not found. Urinary tract infections in pets start when rouge bacteria from the environment breach the normal defenses of the body and take up residence within the urinary tract.

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There are few worse sounds to wake up to than your pet getting ready to toss his or her cookies on your bed. However, pets experience all sorts of tummy trouble, and for many different reasons. If your furry family friend is plagued by gastrointestinal issues, it can be a tough problem to get a handle on.

Lucky for you, your expert veterinarians at Volunteer Veterinary Hospital know just how to help with pet gastroenterology.

Signs of Tummy Trouble

That rumble in your pet’s belly might just be digestion, but it could also be a sign of trouble on the horizon. Pets can experience acute (sudden) gastrointestinal issues or more chronic problems. There are several indications that your four-legged family member may need to be examined.
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It is probably the most common reason for pets to come visit us, and it isn’t what you might think. Pet skin problems top the list of reasons that people make appointments for their furry family members here at Volunteer Veterinary Hospital. Read on to learn all you ever wanted to know about this problem in pets.

Pet Skin Problems

Pet skin problems can present in many ways. They can happen any time of year, but we do tend to see seasonal fluctuations in issues. It is often hard to miss if your pet is having trouble, but common symptoms of skin trouble can include:

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For humans, heart disease is the leading cause of death. We’re told to eat more kale, practice yoga, and reduce stress in order to minimize the risk of cardiac arrest or stroke. Cats and dogs, on the other hand, can share a similar diagnosis—but their symptoms are not easily managed or prevented in the same ways. From congenital heart defects to cardiomyopathy, it’s important to learn about heart disease in pets so we can help early on.

The Scope

During your pet’s routine wellness exam, we listen to his or her heart with a stethoscope. To be sure, this is one of the best tools we have to identify heart problems. If we hear a heart murmur or suspect the valves aren’t functioning properly, we use digital diagnostics such as x-rays, EKG, or an echocardiogram to verify heart disease in pets.
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Pets are living longer, healthier lives than ever before thanks to advances in veterinary care and pet owner education. This makes choosing a trusted veterinarian one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a pet owner.

When choosing a veterinarian for your family, we recommend using the same criteria you would in selecting a primary care physician, pediatrician, or dentist. Not only are you looking for a doctor and staff who can meet your pet’s medical needs, but also with whom you can develop a relationship based on trust and mutual respect.
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