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Preventive Care & Wellness

  • Regular wellness exams and laboratory testing are designed to detect hidden disease in older cats, allowing earlier intervention to manage or slow the progress of the disease. Typical testing in senior and geriatric cats includes complete blood count (CBC) that assesses the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets; a biochemistry panel that provides information about the organs, electrolytes, blood sugar, and proteins; urinalysis that assesses kidney function and can identify inflammation or infection in the urinary tract; thyroid testing to identify hyperthyroidism; and blood pressure assessment to identify hypertension.

  • Regular wellness exams and laboratory testing are designed to detect hidden disease in senior dogs, allowing earlier intervention to manage or slow the progress of the disease. Typical testing in senior and geriatric dogs includes complete blood count (CBC) that assesses the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets; a biochemistry panel that provides information about the organs, electrolytes, blood sugar, and proteins; urinalysis that assesses kidney function and can identify inflammation or infection in the urinary tract; and a thyroid test to screen for hypothyroidism.

  • The Welsh Springer is a hunter at heart, and thrives on days spent in the field. But he's equally at home playing with the kids or snoozing by the fire. He's an easygoing, affectionate fellow that is more of a one-family dog than are most spaniels, steady with his family but aloof, even a bit shy, around strangers.

  • These sociable, merry dogs are curious, spunky and – like most terriers – utterly fearless. Owners with a good sense of humor - and, perhaps, earplugs - are in the best position to appreciate the virtues of this talkative canine clown.

  • Cats can have misalignment of the teeth much like people. In people, orthodontic care can be used to perfect a pleasing smile or create a functional bite. In cats, the goal is to make the mouth functional and pain free. Often, this involves moving, reducing the height of teeth, or extracting teeth.

  • Dogs can have misalignment of the teeth much like people. In people, orthodontic care can be used to perfect a pleasing smile or create a functional bite. In dogs, the goal is to make the mouth functional and pain free. Often this involves moving teeth, reducing the height of teeth, or extracting teeth.

  • Most Whippets are quiet, gentle, and well-behaved inside the house, and love to join their people on the couch (and to keep the couch warm when their people aren't sitting on it!). They're friendly to visitors – no watchdog here – and aren't afraid to show how much they adore their owners.

  • It is a myth that dogs need to chew bones. While dogs want to chew, and most would love to chew on bones, bones are dangerous and can cause serious injuries. This handout outlines the top reasons bones are bad, and what your dog should chew instead.

  • Cats will always lick, but it is sometimes embarrassing when they lick their private parts. Licking after eliminating is normal; however, if your cat licks more frequently, or you notice other signs such as discharge; swollen or red penis, vulva, or anus; pustules; discoloration of the skin; or if your cat strains to urinate, see your veterinarian for help. Appropriate medical therapy can reduce your cat's discomfort.

  • Burying of toys or food items by dogs goes back thousands of years as a means of preserving food and storing valuable or scarce food resources. Dogs today do it out of ancestral habit and as a means of resource protection. If you notice that your dog seems to be digging compulsively, contact your veterinarian.