Articles
Wicomico Veterinary Hospital offers a substantial discount for all dental cleanings scheduled in February. Please schedule your pet’s dental today. If the schedule is already full for February, we will honor the discount through March!!
Cold, damp weather aggravates arthritis in dogs and cats. Arthritis can appear in young pets, but is most common in the middle age and geriatric pets. A fracture can also make the bone susceptible to arthritis after the injury is healed. Overweight pets suffer from arthritis more than their normal-weight counterparts.
Don't forget that holidays and visitors can pose a special challenge to your pets. Discourage well-meaning guests from spoiling pets with extra treats and scraps from the dinner table. Fatty, rich or spicy foods can cause vomiting and diarrhea and lead to inflammation of the pancreas.
Most pet owners love to share food with their pets, and what better time to do it than on Thanksgiving, right?
The problem with this philosophy is, foods that are too rich, too fatty or too spicy, or anything your pet's not accustomed to, can trigger a bout of intestinal upset. For some animals, the treat can trigger serious inflammation of the pancreas or intestine, and that could mean a life-threatening illness.
National Pet Wellness Month is an educational initiative designed to raise awareness about the pet aging process, disease prevention and the importance of twice-a-year wellness exams for all cats and dogs.
There are 82 million pet cats in the U.S., compared with 72 million dogs(1), making cats the most popular pet. Yet studies show the number of feline veterinary visits is declining steadily each year. For example, a recent industry survey revealed that compared with dogs, almost three times as many cats hadn’t received veterinary care in the past year(2).
Wicomico Veterinary Hospital has partnered up with The Tim Kennard River Run to help those pets and pet owners in need. This program will be offered on a case dependent basis. Those interested can submit an application to Wicomico Veterinary Hospital.
Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is a fairly large worm up to 14 inches long that, in adulthood, lives in the heart and pulmonary arteries of an infected dog. The infection is acquired through mosquito bites as mosquitoes readily pick up larval heartworms from infected dogs and carry them to new dogs.
Many owners are lulled into a false sense of security because they don’t see visible signs of fleas on their pets. They may think that they can afford to forgo preventive treatment. However, fleas are good at hiding in your pet’s hair coat and in the environment. Their bodies sleek and thin, are extremely well adapted for scurrying and disappearing in dense fur, especially near the ears, tail, head, and groin.
Can you imagine what your teeth would be like if you didn’t brush them for a year? Talk about bad breath! Considering your pet can’t brush his own teeth, this is kind of what he experiences. February is National Pet Dental Health Month and a great reminder that dental health is more than just teeth; your pet’s oral hygiene affects his overall health.
As winter settles in, here are a few tips to remember to ensure a healthy season. As most pet lovers know, winter can be a challenge for our pets. This article will explore some common dangers to watch for, and what to do to avoid problems.
"Grady Banana" Our costume contest winner is Grady Gibson, a Boston Terrier with a great personality and loving family. His owner has shared a little about Grady's beginnings and his wonderful life now. Congratulations Grady!
You know it’s good for you. You know that exercise can give you energy, help you maintain a healthy weight, keep your muscles and joints flexible, help you live longer, and above all, make you feel better. For all the same reasons, your pets need to get up and get moving. Not only can exercise extend your furry friends’ lives; it may also expend some of their nervous energy and make them a little less likely to chew on the living room drapes.
Pets are extremely susceptible to heatstroke during these hot summer days. Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean your pet wants to be outdoors all day. Pets should not be exercised during extreme heat and certain breeds should not be exercised at all during the summer months. If your pet is outside make sure they have access to fresh, cold water at all times. Also, make sure your pet has access to a shady area at all times while outside.
After long anticipation our hospital now offers Digital Radiography. This technology will identify, capture, digitize and process diagnostic x-ray images. The Fuji unit is designed to scan an x-ray image formed on an imaging plate (IP) and processed for reading on designated workstations throughout the hospital. The IP records the image information captured by an actual x-ray exposure. The image plates (IP) also have moisture resistant protective covers for that unexpected accident. As with any radiology, only trained professionals are performing these procedures on your furry family members.
We are proud to announce the addition of a Reichert TONO-PEN. A TONO-PEN is a hand-held instrument that provides an Intra Ocular Pressure (IOP) reading. IOP readings are very important in the screening and monitoring for Glaucoma. The increased pressures associated with Glaucoma can damage numerous ocular structures, including ganglion cells. A ganglion cell is a type of neuron located near the inner surface of the retina that receives visual information. You’re asking yourself why a TONO-PEN is important to have. Well, catching Glaucoma early can save the eyesight of your beloved pet if the proper steps are taken.
