Are you one of those people who can’t wait for winter and the holidays? There’s lots of outdoor fun and good times to be had with your favorite furry companion, but it’s important that you’re aware of some seasonal hazards for pets: When it’s snowy and icy, remove ice, moisture, salt, and chemicals from your … Read moreWinterize Your Pet
Most folks are aware of the dangers of foxtails, but cheatgrass is another plant with seed awns that can attach and then burrow into our pets’ bodies, causing serious problems. This invasive species grows throughout central Oregon and can also harbor bacteria that cause infections. If your pet goes wandering through fields or overgrown areas … Read moreBeware of Cheatgrass
By now you’ve probably heard the warnings about the link between grain-free diets and the development of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. DCM is a heart condition that can result in abnormal cardiac rhythms, congestive heart failure and even sudden death. Veterinary cardiologists, nutritionists and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have found evidence … Read moreUpdate: Grain Free Pet Foods and Heart Disease
August is National Immunization Awareness Month, created to remind people how important it is to keep their vaccinations up to date. But that advice isn’t just for humans—it’s vital for pets as well. Vaccinating your pet is a relatively inexpensive but very important way to protect his or her health. Here are answers to some … Read moreYour Questions About Vaccinations—Answered!
It can be tempting to purchase your pet’s parasite preventives from an online retailer, but we’d like to encourage you to purchase directly from the clinic or our online Vets First Choice pharmacy, and here’s why: When you purchase from us, the manufacturer’s guarantees stay intact You can rest assured that the product has been handled … Read moreA Better Way To Get Your Parasite Preventatives
April is Heartworm Awareness Month, and yes—your pet can get heartworm here in central Oregon. Dr. Merideth recommends that your pet be on heartworm preventive between the months of May and October, and you should consider year-round preventive if your pet travels to areas where heartworm is more prevalent, such as western or southern Oregon. It … Read moreWould You Know If Your Pet Had Heartworm?
One of the benefits of using Interceptor Plus heartworm prevention for your dog is that it also protects your pet from other common intestinal parasites. Hookworm, roundworm, whipworm and tapeworm aren’t just dangers for your dog—they can be transmitted to humans as well (ewww!). There are several other non-worm parasites that can affect humans, and … Read moreParasites Aren’t Just a Pet Problem…
One of the worst feelings to experience as a pet owner is realizing a pet has gone missing. And considering only 17% of lost dogs and 2% of lost cats make it back to their owners, it can often feel impossible to get a pet back. This is why microchipping a pet is so important. … Read more“March” On in for a Microchip!
Your pets are much more likely to encounter fleas and ticks around this time of the year. Don’t overlook the problems these pests cause: fleas can trigger dermatitis and hot spots and one tick bite can transmit numerous dangerous diseases. It’s always a good idea to constantly check your pets for fleas and ticks on … Read moreFlea & Tick Season . . . is Coming
National Poison Prevention Week, which was enacted by Congress in 1961, always occurs on the third week in March. This year for 2019, it falls from March 18 to March 24th. So, what exactly is the purpose of National Poison Prevention Week? This specific week has been set aside to highlight awareness and prevention of … Read morePet Poison Prevention
