Tag Archives: veterinarian Troutville VA

Cat Care, Dog Care, General Health

5 Ways to Keep Your Senior Pet Healthy This Year

Happy New Year! 2019 is a great time to make a resolution for your senior pet: to keep them healthy and happy all year long! Below, your Roanoke, VA veterinarian shares five tips to make sure your older companion stays in tip-top shape throughout 2019.

Feed a Great Diet

A great diet is one of the best ways to make sure your senior companion stays healthy. Choose a food that is formulated specifically for the nutritional needs of aging pets—your companion’s dietary needs have changed drastically since they were a puppy or kitten! Consult your veterinarian for help choosing the proper diet, and be sure to ask about the right portion size.

Provide Regular Exercise

Exercising your senior pet on a regular basis is another key part of maintaining a healthy body, not to mention a stimulated mind. Don’t allow your pet to fall prey to obesity in their later years—it can quickly lead to other serious health problems. Give your companion light exercise via walks around the neighborhood or gentle play sessions at home.

Practice Dental Care

Did you know that dental health issues are some of the most common problems that veterinarians treat in pets? It’s all too easy to overlook your pet’s dental health, and oral issues can sideline a senior pet very easily. Provide your pet with plenty of chew toys, which help work out the teeth and gums and scrape away loose plaque; brush the teeth at home using a canine- or feline-formulated toothpaste and a pet toothbrush.

Keep Up With Preventatives

A pest infestation or a serious disease can wreak havoc on an aging pet, especially if their immune system isn’t as strong as it used to be. That’s why keeping up with preventative medications is so important! Make sure your senior pet stays up-to-date with vaccinations against distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, rabies, and others. Have them wear year-round preventative medications to fend off fleas, ticks, and worms. If your pet is in need of these medications, call your vet’s office today.

See the Vet

There’s just no substitute for regular examinations at the vet’s office. When your vet sees Fido or Fluffy several times per year, their health can be monitored and any concerns can be addressed right away.

Is your pet due for their next veterinary appointment? Contact your Roanoke, VA animal hospital. We’re here to help throughout 2019 and beyond!

Cat Care, Dog Care, General Health

Lengthen Your Pet’s Life With These 5 Tips

Who wouldn’t want to spend as many joyful years as possible with their beloved pet? By following a few basic healthcare essentials, you’ll be able to lengthen your companion’s life and enjoy their company for as long as possible. Below, your Roanoke, VA veterinarian offers five tips for lengthening your pet’s lifespan.

Practice Preventative Care

Preventative medicine is one of the best ways to keep your pet healthy long-term and avoid dangerous diseases, infections, infestations, and other problems. Keep your pet up-to-date on essential vaccinations to ward off diseases like parvovirus, distemper, rabies, hepatitis, and others. Make sure they’re wearing seasonal or year-round preventative medicines to get rid of fleas, ticks, and worms.

Feed a Great Diet

Feeding your dog or cat a high-quality, well-balanced diet in the proper portion size is one of the easiest ways to make sure they stay healthy and happy for a lifetime. This way, they receive all the essential nutrients that they require for good health and weight. If your pet’s diet could use an upgrade, talk to your veterinarian to get a recommendation that suits your pet’s needs.

Exercise Regularly

Coupled with a great diet, regular exercise is essential to your pet’s lifelong health and fitness. Set aside time on a daily basis to get your pet moving—jog around the backyard, go on a brisk walk around the block, or romp around at home with a favorite toy. This will allow your pet to burn off excess calories and get a good workout every day.

Spay and Neuter

Having your companion spayed or neutered early on in life will set them up for a lifetime of good health. Spaying and neutering doesn’t just prevent unplanned litters; it eliminates various cancer risks and even makes relatively common ailments like urinary tract infections far less likely. It’s a cost-effective way to avoid major health problems in the future, and it’s sure to help lengthen your pet’s lifespan!

See Your Veterinarian

Don’t forget: regular veterinary check-ups are another essential part of keeping your pet healthy for years to come. When your vet examines your companion regularly, any health concerns can be caught early and treated as necessary. Your vet can also monitor your pet’s health over time and make recommendations for the future.

Does your pet need spayed or neutered? Have questions about vaccinations, pest-control products, or diet choice? Contact your Roanoke, VA veterinarian today!

Dog Care, General Care, General Health

Allergies in Dogs

Spring is a peak time for allergens, both for people and pets. Just like people, dogs can have allergic reactions to many different substances. Allergies can make your cute pet quite uncomfortable! A local Roanoke, VA vet discusses doggy allergies in this article.

Common Allergens

Man’s Best Friend can be allergic to many of the same things people can. As mentioned above, mold, mildew, plants, and pollen are common ones. Some dogs also react to ingredients in their food or treats. Your canine pal may also be allergic to strong fumes, like cigarette smoke or perfume, or specific types of fiber. Dogs can also be allergic to ingredients in their pet shampoo.

Symptoms

The signs of allergies vary from pup to pup, depending on what the allergen is. Sneezing, snoring, burping, and flatulence can all be indicative of allergies. Allergies can also cause red, runny eyes and stubborn ear infections, and can be the cause of many skin problems. Vomiting and diarrhea are more possible symptoms. Though fortunately this is rare, allergies can cause Fido to have more serious reactions, such as fainting, seizures, or swelling. In extreme cases, they can cause comas or even death.

Treatment

There are some treatment options available for allergies. These may range from medication to specific diets to home care regimens. Before treatment options can be discussed, your vet will need to run some tests to find out exactly what is disagreeing with your pooch. If food allergies are suspected, this may mean a dietary change. Fido may need to be put on a very basic, bland diet for a while. Items will be reintroduced slowly, to see what causes him to react. Ask your vet for more information.

Home Care Tips

There are a few simple things you can do to help keep your canine buddy comfortable. Vacuum and dust regularly, and change your air filters out frequently. Keeping an eye on pollen counts can also be helpful. Limit your pet’s outdoor time when they are high. You may also want to get some doggy wipes, and wipe down Fido’s paws and belly when you bring him back in. This will remove pollen from his fur. Ask your vet for specific advice.

Do you know or suspect that your pet has allergies? Call us, your local Roanoke, VA pet hospital, anytime. We are dedicated to keeping your beloved pet healthy!

Cat Care, General Care

4 Cute Ways to Spoil Your Cat

Kitties are very popular pets, and with good reason. Fluffy is not only super cute, she’s also very lovable and cuddly, not to mention entertaining. She’s also quite an easy keeper! Giving your feline buddy good food, a clean litterbox, and regular veterinary care will see to her most essential needs. But what does it take to really pamper a cat? Read on as a Troutville, VA vet lists some super cute ways to spoil your feline friend.

Kitty Garden

We recommend that cats live indoors, as they are both safer and healthier as indoor pets. However, you can still give your furball a taste of nature. Set out some pet-safe plants for Fluffy, so she can peek out at you from behind green leaves and pretend she is a ferocious predator. Just be sure to only choose non-toxic plants. You can find a full list at the ASPCA website here.

Vertical Space

Kitties can’t see very much from floor level, so they often like to climb to higher vantage points to get a better look at their kingdoms. Consider getting Fluffy a cat tower, so she can peer down at her domain. This will also provide Fluffy with a napping spot, a jungle gym, and a manicure station. Your furry friend may also enjoy some wall-mounted furniture, like kitty shelves or a catwalk.

Playthings

Playing is very important to your kitty’s health and well-being. A fun play session will not only get Fluffy off the couch and moving, it will also provide her with beneficial mental stimulation. Classic pet toys, like catnip mice, are fine, but you can also offer your furball a cute modern toy, like a robotic mouse. Offer Fluffy a variety of playthings, and see what she likes best. We also recommend playing with your cat regularly. It will be fun for you both!

Love and Cuddles

We may like to joke about how Fluffy is cold and calculating, but the truth is, kitties are really very emotional, and form very strong bonds with their human pals. Spend time with your feline buddy every day, and pay lots of attention to her. Purrs and kitty kisses are both truly precious gifts in our book!

Please contact us, your Troutville, VA veterinary clinic, with any questions or concerns about your cat’s health or care. We’re dedicated to providing excellent care!