Tag Archives: pet care

Cat Care

Fluffy’s Goals For 2023

Happy New Year, Everyone! 2023 is officially in the rearview, and we’re forging ahead into 2023. The start of a new year is a traditional time for people to pause, take stock of things, and set some goals for themselves.  Of course, your feline pal will be supervising you throughout the year, and perhaps even helping a bit. As it turns out, Fluffy even has a few things on her own kitty agenda for the coming year. A Roanoke, VA veterinarian lists some of them below.

Get In Shape

Fitness is always a very popular New Year’s goal for people. Fluffy may also be interested in getting in shape. She may want to increase her sprint speed for those random dashes down the hall, jump higher, or work on her pounces.

Catch The Red Dot

Kitties have been chasing after laser pointers for several years now, which is always cute to watch. Fluffy probably won’t fare any better at this than she did last year, but she’ll still have fun trying.

Supervise The Humans

Our feline overlords like to keep close tabs on where their humans are. (Fluffy may completely ignore you when you call her, but that’s another topic.) Your little buddy will keep a close eye on you. She may even follow you around from room to room! 

Be Helpful

We may poke fun at Fluffy for doing basically nothing all day, but cats actually do try to help us out here and there. Your furball may offer her ‘assistance’ with things like changing sheets, or she may try to clear your coffee table by knocking things off it.

Read More

Have you ever tried reading something, only to find your furry little buddy sprawled out on your book or computer keyboard? Fluffy may be able to read using osmosis!

Be Grateful

It’s important to remember to appreciate the good things in our lives. Cats do this, too! Actually, Fluffy is very thankful for the love and care we offer her. She also appreciates the catnip, toys, lap space, and furniture. She may show her gratitude in odd ways, but that’s just purr for the course.

Enjoy Life

Fluffy really just wants to relax, play, and spend time with her loved ones. Those are all worthy goals!

As your Roanoke, VA animal clinic, we wish you all a wonderful new year. Contact us anytime!

Cat Care, Dog Care, General Care, General Health

Signs That Your Pet Is Overheating

Summer is here! At this time of year, overheating is a big concern for those of us in the animal care industries. Fluffy and Fido are already wearing fur coats, and they can’t cool down by sweating. Pets can become dangerously hot in just a few minutes in scorching weather, so you’ll need to pay close attention to the potential warning signs. A local Roanoke, VA vet lists some of them below.

Panting

This is usually the first thing you’ll notice. It’s not unusual for Fido to pant a bit if it’s warm, or if he just chased a squirrel around the yard, but he shouldn’t continually be panting. This is also a red flag in kitties. With brachycephalic pets, who can easily go into respiratory distress, panting should be treated as an immediate concern.

Drool

While some pups are a bit slobbery, you should take note any time Fido is drooling heavily. Thick or ropy drool is also a cause for concern. Drooling in cats is also a red flag.

Reduced Urine Output

This is a sign of dehydration, as it clearly indicates that your pet needs more water. Dark urine is another warning sign.

Vomiting/Diarrhea

These things can be indicative of many different health conditions, but they are also potential indications that a pet is dehydrated or has heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Disorientation

If Fido seems to be dizzy, or is stumbling around, you’ll need to act quickly. This is a huge red flag!

Dehydration

Dehydration goes hand-in-paw with overheating in pets. Some things to look for would be dry eyes, fatigue, sunken eyes, and the dark or reduced urine output we mentioned earlier. Skin pinch tests can help with some animals, but it really depends on their skin and coat type.

Discolored Gums

Your fuzzy pal’s gums are an indication of their overall condition, and can signal heat exhaustion and dehydration. Dark, bright, gray, purple, or pale gums are all red flags.

Trembling

Heat exhaustion can also cause pets to have muscle tremors. This may just look like shivering or shaking, but is another sign that your furry friend is in trouble.

Lethargy

This is another serious indication that something is wrong. If your four-legged friend seems weak and/or listless, they need medical attention immediately.

As your Roanoke, VA animal clinic, we’re here for you. Call us anytime!

Cat Care, General Care

Everything You Need to Know About Pet Microchips

Is your pet properly identified? For many years, ID tags on the collar worked well—and they still do. Now, though, another type of pet identification is extremely helpful for your pet: the microchip.

Learn more about microchips in this article from a Roanoke, VA veterinarian.

What is a Microchip, and How Does it Work?

A microchip is a tiny computer chip. A unique identification number is implanted electronically on this chip, and that number corresponds to the chip manufacturer’s database where your pet’s name and contact information is stored. The chip itself is implanted under your pet’s skin, and specialized scanning devices at veterinary offices and shelters can read the chip’s number when a lost pet is relinquished to these facilities. That allows the professionals to quickly find out exactly who the lost pet belongs to!

Why Should I Get My Pet Microchipped?

The benefits of microchips are numerous. For one, they’re secure—there’s no need to worry about your pet removing it, either accidentally or on purpose. The chip remains secure under your pet’s skin, so even if he escapes unexpectedly without a collar on, you don’t have to worry.

Another benefit of the microchip is that it’s cost-effective for pet owners. You only have to purchase it once, and then your pet can continue to wear it for their entire lifetime. Even if you change addresses or get a new phone number, all you’ll have to do is contact the chip manufacturer to have your contact information updated. Your pet keeps the same chip the whole time!

What’s the Implant Procedure Like? Is There Any Risk?

The microchip itself is housed in a small glass capsule. This capsule is inserted under your pet’s skin using a specialized hypodermic needle-like device, and it only takes a few minutes. All your pet feels is a momentary pinch, just like a regular vaccination.

The microchipping procedure is virtually risk-free. Some pets develop minor swelling or irritation around the injection site, but it usually subsides on its own after only a day or two. If your pet has recently been microchipped and you think they’re reacting poorly, let your veterinarian know.

How Do I Get Started?

Do you want to know more about pet microchips? Ready to have your pet outfitted with a chip for a lifetime of quality identification? Contact your Roanoke, VA vet clinic to set up an appointment.