October is National Pet Obesity Awareness Month. Pet obesity rates have skyrocketed in recent years. More than half of our four-legged buddies are overweight. Diet of course plays a large role here. Another factor in Fido’s expanding waistline? His love of snacks. A local Roanoke, VA vet goes over some do’s and don’ts of giving your pup treats below. Store-Bought Treats Store-bought treats are fine … as long as you choose wisely. Pick things that … Read More
Have you recently adopted a kitten? You’ve just welcomed an adorable, furry, meowing bundle of chaos into your home. Little Fluffy will be a pretty easy keeper once she’s all grown up, but she can be a bit of a handful during that super-cute toddler stage. Read on as a local Roanoke, VA vet lists some things you can do to keep your little buddy safe. Petproofing First things first. You’ll need to do some … Read More
September 10th is Hug Your Hound Day! Hounds have their own AKC group, which includes popular pups like the Beagle and Basset hounds, as well as lesser-known ones such as the Borzoi and Cirneco dell’Etna. We think they all deserve hugs! (And bacon … and belly rubs.) A Roanoke, VA vet offers some insight into hounds below. Hound Dog Characteristics There are over 30 types of hounds. While they vary in size, shape, and color, … Read More
August 23rd is Blind Dog Day. This is a very important topic. Blindness isn’t the most common medical issue we see in our canine buddies, but it isn’t out of the ordinary, either. Roughly 300,000 American pups have impaired vision, according to data from 2010. Fido can still be as loyal, loving, and adorable as any other pooch, even if he can’t see well, though he will need some extra TLC. A local Roanoke, VA … Read More
August is Itchy Pet Awareness Month! Feeling itchy is just as miserable for our furry companions as it is for us … perhaps more so, as they have a hard time reaching certain spots, and can’t exactly use a back scratcher. A local Roanoke, VA vet discusses skin problems in this article. Common Issues Skin problems can be particularly challenging because there are so many potential causes. Environmental allergies are one of the most common … Read More
Summer is officially upon us! For many people, this time of year means lots of camping trips. Dogs can make great camping buddies. However, they can be prone to mischief. You’ll need to keep a close eye on Fido. A Troutville, VA vet discusses taking your furry pal camping in this article. Check Pet Policies Pet policies can vary wildly from state to state, city to city, and even among different campgrounds. Do your research! … Read More
July is Pet Hydration Awareness Month! Summer can be a dangerous time for our feline pals. Fluffy has a fur coat on, and she really isn’t equipped to deal with heat. Cats can’t cool themselves down by sweating, as we can, and panting isn’t very helpful for them. One of the most important things you can do for your furry little pal is make sure that she is staying properly hydrated. A local Troutville, VA … Read More
“Summer means happy times and good sunshine.” At least, that’s what Beach Boy Brian Wilson has to say about it. We really can’t argue. The next few months are perfect for enjoying seasonal activities, like grilling, swimming, and going to the beach. Many of our canine pals also love going to the shore. Just put Fido’s safety first. A local Roanoke, VA vet offers some beach safety tips in this article. Doggy Bag … Read More
June is a pretty important month for kitties: it’s Adopt A Shelter Cat Month! Getting Fluffy from a shelter isn’t just a purrfect way to adopt your new kitty, it’s also something you can do to promote good animal welfare. Getting adopted is a big deal for our feline pals, though, so you’ll want to make sure to get your new buddy started out on the right paw in her new life. A Troutville, VA … Read More
Do you have big summer plans? It’s probably safe to say that our canine patients are looking forward to things like barbecues and possibly camping trips. Fido may also have a few things of his own planned for the warmer months. Here, a Roanoke, VA vet lists some things to do with your dog this summer. Visit Somewhere New Many of our canine pals love exploring new places. Take Fido to a new dog park. … Read More
