Posts about Pet Wellness Clinic (2)

April is Heartworm Awareness Month, and so for the theme of this month, we wanted to go over what heartworm is, how it is transmitted, and what we can do to protect our pets. 

A considerable number of people know the joys of having a dog in their life. Whether it was childhood, newlyweds getting a pet together, or adopting a canine after kids come into the picture, interactions between dogs and their humans are quite remarkable.  

Just like humans shed hair, dogs shed their fur throughout their lives, even hypoallergenic dogs. Shedding is a good thing; it’s a dog’s way of getting rid of old and damaged hair. It can be overwhelming in the springtime when some dogs “blow” their winter coat, but overall most dogs lose their fur evenly over their body.

When it comes to our pets, Americans will spend whatever it takes to make sure they have the best quality of life. It's estimated that in 2019, U.S. families spent 95.7 billion dollars on pets. Out of that 95.7 billion, 29.3 billion was for veterinary care. That number is estimated to increase by 3% in 2020. 

Over the past few months, the coronavirus, or Covid-19, has been blasted all over the news, almost as much as the upcoming 2020 presidential elections. At first it was mainly over in Asia and Europe, but now that confirmed cases and related deaths have started to appear closer to home, we are starting to get the question, can my pet get, or be a carrier of the coronavirus? 

Below Dr. Hunt talks about what Covid-19 is, how it spreads, and how your pet does or does not play a role in the spread of the virus.

We’ve already had a couple of scorching days here in Boise, and more of those hot temps are coming. Remember our record-breaking 110 degrees in 2018? That was a scorcher for sure.

Your Pet and Thanksgiving Food

It's time to indulge at the Thanksgiving table and eat until we all have to let out a few notches in our belts. During the festive meals of the holidays, it can be tempting to get Fido or Fluffy in on the fun and give your dog or cat a plate full of leftovers. Pause before loading up their food bowl with turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes, though. What looks harmless to you could spell gastrointestinal distress—or worse—for your pet. Here’s what you need to know before giving your pet any Thanksgiving leftovers.

Did you know that your cat has evolved to keep information from you? That might seem a little strange, but it's true; natural selection has made sure that cats have a strong urge to hide their pain from possible predators who could take advantage of a sick or injured feline. That's why you might not know if your cat isn't feeling well, or worse is seriously injured or ill.

Have you ever watched your dog nap and laughed at his or her small twitchy movements? Have you seen Fido apparently chasing a squirrel or whimpering for a treat while snoozing? This may have led you to believe that your dog is dreaming vividly. But—do dogs actually dream?

As cat owners become more aware of their pets' health, cats are living longer than ever. Thanks to sophisticated veterinarian tactics and rigorous vaccination, cats are enjoying longer and healthier lives—just like people. Studies show that the "graying" cat population has nearly doubled over the past decade, and there's no reason to think that this trend will end soon.