Posts in Category: Pet Health & Wellness

Pet laser therapy is an exciting healing modality used by veterinarians to treat injuries, expedite surgical recoveries, and reduce pain. Also called photobiomodulation, laser therapy has been embraced as an effective, noninvasive, painless treatment option. Keep reading to learn more about this complement therapy and its benefits.

What is Pet Laser Therapy?

Laser therapy is the use of wavelengths of light to stimulate cells and increase blood flow to a targeted area. This has many therapeutic benefits. As circulation is increased, so too are oxygen levels, endorphins, and nutrients, all of which aid in reducing inflammation and pain. It also promotes faster healing and recovery.

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For a holiday that’s all about love, Valentine’s Day can also be about inadvertently exposing your pet to dangerous chemical compounds. Not at all romantic or dreamy, a pet poisoning can have dire consequences. But if you remain vigilant and invite your pet to play or snuggle (instead of check out your candy stash), the love fest can stay on schedule. Continue…

This is the time of year when we reflect on changes we would like to make to improve our health and general wellbeing. As a pet owner, don’t forget to include your furry companion in your New Year’s resolutions.

Many pets struggle with similar issues of weight gain and age-related conditions, which is why including your pet is a great way to bolster energy, manage weight, and increase overall quality of life. Continue…

 As the days grow colder, it’s sometimes hard to motivate ourselves to get out of bed, much less grab the leash for a quick walk. Many times, our dogs are also more than happy to sleep in, but coming up with ways to keep your pet active is essential to good health and wellness. Continue…

Have you ever seen a guinea pig demonstrate his or her popcorn moves, or a ferret show off their instinctual war dance? These animals – among others in the aptly named group known as “pocket pets” – may be small, but their charming personalities are anything but.

While pocket pets are certainly entertaining, each animal deserves to have their individual health needs recognized and met. Responsible pocket pet care should be fun for both you and your pet, and when it comes down to providing a safe, healthy, and comfortable life for whichever pint-sized pet you choose, we’ve got you covered.

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We are proud of Knoxville’s status as America’s most pet-friendly community and, to properly enjoy our animal friends, we feel it’s absolutely critical to protect them every day of the year. Weather-related risks occur throughout the year, but summer’s heat is a top offender.

As we head into the long days of summer, we’ve listed the following summer safety tips to keep your pet as cool and comfy as the day is long!

Ideas for Pet Summer Safety

Forecasters are predicting that this summer will be hotter than previous years, so your pet will require consistent monitoring for his or her wellbeing. You probably do that already, but to make sure your pet doesn’t suffer from heat-related injuries, we offer the following ideas for pet summer safety: Continue…

Talk about bad houseguests: Ctenocephalides felix, the cat flea, is a parasite found on both domestic and wild animals almost everywhere on earth. It’s hard to believe a creature smaller than the “a” on this page causes so much misery in animals and humans, but they do. Besides their “vampirism”, sustaining their life by drinking the host animal’s blood, the cat flea can carry everything from tapeworm to the plague. Continue…

At some point or another, you may have had some experience with an itchy, miserable pet. Unlike allergies in people, pet allergies most often result in skin problems, such as red, smelly ears or skin rashes and intense scratching.

Before you can battle allergies in your pet, though, you must understand their cause. Read on to learn what causes pet allergies and what you can do about them.

Flea Allergies in Pets

Flea Allergic Dermatitis (FAD) is the leading cause of allergies in both dogs and cats. Just as some people can an extreme reaction to a mosquito bite, some pets are very allergic to flea saliva.

For these pets, even one flea bite can set off a severe itchy allergic response. In these patients, it is essential to provide comprehensive flea control to prevent flare ups. Continue…

Getting to the bottom of a pet’s ailment can often be as easy as looking inside the mouth. Painful oral infections can lead to serious health issues; however, with regular dental maintenance, your pet may avoid certain problems related to poor dental hygiene and even lead a longer life.

Let’s explore how pet owners, through easy pet dental care habits, can help bolster increased pet health and longevity. Continue…

If the word “laser” brings to mind images of Star Trek, light sabers, and the movie Independence Day, Volunteer Veterinary Hospital is about to change your world. Just as in human medicine, lasers are being used with increasing frequency in veterinary medicine, too; and we are happy to be able to help our pet patients with our state-of-the-art K-Laser.
So, what is laser therapy for pets and what exactly does it do? Look no further for the answers… Continue…