Search Results for ‘obesity’
Battle of the Bulge: Pet Obesity
Small Dogs Have Small Dog Needs
An endearing characteristic of small dogs is that they often come with big dog attitudes. Convincing as their “big dog” behavior may be, our small dogs still have some unique small dog needs.
At Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center, we see a lot of small dogs at our facility and are happy to share some interesting observations on what makes them different from their larger canine counterparts, and how this affects their behavior and care.
Continue…Working From Home? A New Look At Your Pet’s Behavior
For many pet owners, working from home has become more commonplace. While this new dynamic may present many challenges for human families, there’s one family member that probably likes it—your pet, of course!
It’s no mystery that pet ownership sometimes has its challenges, but being around our pets 24 hours a day, every day, may provide new perspective on this relationship. Not only is there the unique companionship that a pet adds to the workday, you might be gaining new insight into your pet’s behavior and needs. You may also discover that you now have to strike a balance between showing your pet attention and getting your work done.
Continue…Ins and Outs of Anal Sacs
Does your dog regularly scoot its cute backside across the living room floor?
Do you occasionally notice an unpleasant, musky odor in the air or spot a brown streak on the carpet?
Have you noticed your pet obsessively licking its rear end?
If you’ve answered “yes” to any of these questions, your pet’s anal sacs may be to blame.
While not the most exciting topic, knowing what the anal sacs are and how to properly care for them is an important component of your pet’s care.
Continue…How to Keep Your Pet Fit During the Holidays
It probably comes as no surprise that “get healthier” is the most popular New Year’s resolution among Americans. Holiday meals and parties, cookies at the office and at Grandma’s house, and extra treats from friends and neighbors can add up over time, causing a run on gym memberships and diet cookbooks come January 2nd.
Pets, too, can suffer the ill effects of overindulgence, including the health and mobility consequences that go along with extra weight. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be difficult to keep your furry friend fit and trim during the holidays.
A little bit of planning, a commitment to your pet’s well being, and the support of your Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center team will go a long way toward making sure your best pal feels and looks its best all year long.
Continue…When a Kiss Won’t Cut it: A Spotlight on Pet Pain Management
When it comes to pet pain management, veterinary medicine has made tremendous strides in the past century. It’s now common knowledge that pets feel pain in much the same way as humans and that chronic pain can impair the healing process by interfering with immune function, decreasing appetite, and increasing anxiety.
Improving the quality and longevity of our patients’ lives is one of our top priorities. Let’s take a moment to focus on a pet’s pain and the various ways we can help manage it.
Recognizing Pet Pain
Recognizing signs of pain in pets is crucial for their care and comfort. Our pets can’t verbally communicate their discomfort, so it’s up to us as owners to observe and interpret changes in their behavior. Common signs that your pet might be in pain include:
- Sudden limping
- Pacing
- Crying out or growling
- Excessive licking
- Loss of appetite
- Lack of grooming
- Lethargy or decreased activity
New Year, New Pet Wellness Resolutions!
It’s hard to believe another year has come and gone, but here we are in 2018! Facing a brand new year is both exciting and daunting, offering us the possibility of starting over in many areas of our lives, such as health and wellness and work habits.
Along with upgrading our personal lifestyles, pet wellness can and should be on the forefront of our New Year’s resolutions. Our list of ideas are designed to be simple and effective ways to give your pet a healthy boost in 2018!
Fancy Feet: The Importance of Pet Nail Trimming
Have you been hearing the telltale click of Fido’s nails on your kitchen floor lately? Has Whiskers taken to shredding the corner of the leather sofa again? If so, it may be time to trim your pet’s nails.
For many pets and their owners, pet nail trimming can be a task that invokes fear and dread. Your friends at Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center understand your apprehension and want to help you get started on this important health and wellness task.
Question of the Day: Why Do Some People Look like Their Pets?
We’ve all seen the funny memes about pet owners and their four-legged best pals who so closely resemble each other, that it’s hard to ignore the reality of it. Spend enough time in dog parks and you’ll start to see it for yourself; the woman whose hairstyle matches her poodle’s fluffy fur, or the man whose thin face and narrow nose are eerily reminiscent of his purebred greyhound’s features.
Since every pet owner knows that his or her pet is the cutest one in the world, it’s certainly not an insult to consider that we may resemble our best pals somewhat. As it turns out, there is actual science behind why some people look like their pets.
Beware of the Scoot: All You Ever Wanted to Know about Anal Sacs in Pets
You probably weren’t thrilled when your pet did the “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” across the carpet, just as you were serving the main course to your boss who happened to be over for dinner that evening. Your pet’s timely scoot is more than just an embarrassing situation, however, and may be an indication that he or she is having anal sac issues.
Anal sacs in pets are an important part of the anatomy, and must be functioning for your pet’s comfort and safety. Even if your pet has never had issues in this particular area, knowing how to care for the anal sacs is an important component of responsible pet ownership.
What Are Anal Sacs in Pets?
Anal sacs, also sometimes called anal glands, are two small, bag-like structures located just inside the rectum in both dogs and cats. These little pockets are lined with glands that produce a strongly scented fluid. Normally, as a dog or cat defecates, the fluid contained inside the sacs is transferred to the stool.
