Nikki Wardle

In July 2015  all of the Treasure Valley news outlets reported a bat was found in South West Boise that tested positive for rabies. This is the first report of an Idaho wild animal with the disease in 2015. A total of 11 bats and one skunk tested positive for rabies in 2014, two of those were from Ada County and two in Canyon County.

If your pet has just gone through a tissue injury, surgery or some other life-changing event, you want to find the best care you can possibly find. There are vets near you and me that can offer that high-quality care you've been searching for.

Canine rehabilitation is important. Primary care vets are awesome, and while they may be able to tell you that the x-ray reveals a soft tissue injury, a rehab vet (someone who specializes in neuromuscular and musculoskeletal conditions) would be able to pinpoint exactly what it is (like a bicep strain, medial shoulder instability, etc.) They know how to treat each individual condition with expert care.

It's not a good sight. It's not a good sound. Your dog scratching himself is simply just not a good thing. Do you know what's causing those extra itches? Are you seeing little to no improvement despite trips to your local vet?

Skin issues are in the top 10 health concerns of pet owners. Because of the wide variety of problems (like mites, skin allergies, breed-related genetic problems, hair loss, hormone issues, ear infections), your local vet may not have the experience you need to tackle this one.

It's June here in the lovely Treasure Valley and it's about to hit 100+ degrees.

Wait. What?

It's true, the heat is coming early and in full force. Now is the time to take a few extra steps to ensuring you and your furry friend have an enjoyable summer.

A Pet Vaccination Clinic probably doesn't sound like the most fun place to visit, but it is one of the most necessary places to visit. Why? Because it is YOUR job to protect your pet from diseases. Vaccines are a tool to help you do just that.

1. Gerbils are social.

It's a good idea to get gerbils in 2s or 3s because of their social nature. Introduce them to each other through a split cage so they can make friends slowly. Your gerbil also loves attention from you. Handle him frequently so he is tame. That way you can enjoy his companionship and inspect him for health needs so you'll know when to get pet care.

Does your doggy to-do list just add to the stress and busyness of your day? In the hassle of day-to-day life, it's hard to stop and take joy in the little things (like pet care).

Don't forget that proper pet care is good for BOTH of you! This summer do a mental makeover and remind yourself of all the wonderful benefits that spring from simply taking good care of your pet!

It's inevitable: at some point your pet will experience a health issue beyond your ability to cure. The Pet Wellness Center is here to help you deal with your dog's issues, such as chronic pain, arthritis, degenerative joint disease, stiffness, anxiety, recovery from injury and surgical recovery. Just when you need it the most, the clinic staff can be there to help your pet.

Have you considered the benefits of a holistic approach for pet illnesses? For example, even though it's a 2,000-year-old method from China, acupuncture still works wonders today.

Our Pet Wellness Clinic can help you perform this healing art on your dog.

Your dog is man's best friend and you know he'd like nothing better than to tail you to work and back. However, in reality, your dog spends the 8-5 at home alone with only his water dish and a rug for company. That's why Doggy Daycare can be a dream come true for you and your pet.

Socialization

With daycare, your pup can have the valuable experience and comfort of the companionship of other dogs. Not only this, he can bask in the attention of the staff. He'll thank you for this extra dose of socialization.

Just like you love a schedule, your pet does too. His internal alarm clock can easily be upset, thus disturbing the ebb and flow of your day-to-day routine.

Pets need a consistent schedule for:

• Exercise
• Playtime
• Eating
• Rest/Alone Time