Pet-Safe Pest Control: Is It Possible?

A black cat rests in a grassy yard. Pet-safe-pest-control is very important for outdoor cats.

No one wants to share the yard, garden or house with uninvited guests. While insects and rodents may be fine from afar, the minute they cross our threshold or create problems in our yard, we humans usually decide to take charge. 

For some, the easiest approach to pest control involves the use of chemical treatments. Pet owners, on the other hand, have the added responsibility of using pet-safe pest control methods, both inside and outside of the home.

Continue…

Kidney Disease in Pets 

A grey cat sitting in the outdoors

As in humans, the kidneys play an important role in the overall health of our pets. Apart from making urine, kidneys are responsible for regulating the balance of electrolytes in the body, keeping blood pressure in check, and the production of hormones that aid in calcium metabolism and red blood cell production. 

While a diagnosis of kidney disease in our pet is understandably alarming, with proper care, this disease is usually manageable over the long term.

Continue…

Help! Why Does My Dog Have Stinky Fur? 

A black and white pup eating from its bowl

Do you have an adorable, furry, four-legged stinker on your hands? While some level of ‘doggy smell’ is to be expected from our canine companions, truly stinky fur may be cause for concern.

Our team at Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center doesn’t shy away from malodorous topics and can help you get to the bottom of your pup’s smelly situation!

Common Causes of Stinky Fur

Regular bathing and brushing will go a long way toward cutting down on normal doggy odors. Check with your veterinarian to see how often your dog should be bathed (we carry hypoallergenic pet shampoos for home bathing in our lobby retail store).

Continue…

How to Keep Your Pet Fit During the Holidays

A dog wearing a santa outfit

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

Pet pain management is key to your pet living a long lifeWhen 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.

At Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center, 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.

Assessing Pet Pain

Identifying a pet’s pain is the first step towards treatment. Most animals will hide signs of pain and discomfort because this would convey weakness and vulnerability. Consequently, knowing when a pet is hurting is not always easy.

Interestingly, there are different types of pain and different types of causes. Since pain is a sensory response to a painful stimulus, there are often situations where the source of a pet’s pain is not obvious, as it would be if the pet had a visible wound or injury.    Continue…

The Heat Is On: Learning to Spot and Prevent Dehydration in Pets

pet dehydrationIt’s no secret that water is vital to the existence of humans and animals, as well as  most other living creatures. Water makes up about 70-80% of a pet’s total body mass and is critical for the proper functioning of each and every cell and system.

Even a small loss of a pet’s fluids can disrupt the body’s delicate balance and result in dehydration. If not corrected, dehydration will impair the body’s functioning and quickly become a medical emergency.

Continue…

Canned vs. Dry: The Pet Food Debate

A retriever dog eating from a bowlFeeding your pet seems like it should be a relatively simple task; simply buy some food and pour it in your pet’s bowl, right? Of course, most pet owners realize that selecting and feeding our pets is more complicated than that, and many of us struggle with the conflicting information surrounding pet food.

One of the biggest questions when it comes to feeding our pets is whether to choose canned or dry food.  At Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center, we understand that your pet’s health and wellness begins with a high quality diet, and we want to help you make informed choices in selecting the right pet food for your furry friend.

Continue…

The Marvelous Mutt: Why Mixed-Breed Dogs Make Great Pets

A white pup laying on their human's lap being sillyThe Westminster Dog Show (February 14–15) never fails to showcase the most exceptional of the purebred dogs. Dog enthusiasts everywhere have much to admire in the many beautiful, top notch qualities showcased in this fur-filled pageant.

There’s one breed you won’t find competing for Best in Show, and that is the mutt. Although mixed-breed dogs make an appearance in agility competitions, they won’t be winning the big award at the end of the night.

Indeed, humble mutts are rarely in the spotlight, but that hasn’t stopped them from becoming popular pets. There is much to love about mutts and so many reasons why they make wonderful pets!

Continue…

Fancy Feet: The Importance of Pet Nail Trimming

A dog's claws being trimmedHave 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.

Continue…

Essential Elements: A Spotlight on the Veterinary Technician

Veterinarian stroking bichon puppyWhen you make an appointment for your pet here at Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center, whether it’s for a wellness exam or an ongoing health issue, your goal is to see your veterinarian and have him or her examine your pet.

But, before your trusted veterinarian enters the examination room, there is someone else who has already greeted you, asked you questions about your pet and taken notes on your pet’s history, and also checked his or her vital signs. That person is a veterinary technician, and without him or her, no veterinary hospital or clinic could function effectively. Continue…