Blog | Ash Veterinary Clinic

Fall into preparation for Winter

Posted by Roni Coatley on Dec 14, 2018 in Blog | 0 comments

It is time to think about any danger that may present itself to your furry family members during the fall and winter seasons. The most common thing pet owners think about is the weather. When the weather begins to change and we see lower temperatures, it is important to provide your pets with a safe and comfortable place to wait out the winter months. Whether your pets are indoor only, outdoor only, or a little of both, they all need some of the basic requirements for survival. First, food and shelter rank highest when...

How to Identify Pain in Pets

Posted by Roni Coatley on Nov 26, 2018 in Blog | 0 comments

If you ask someone if they are empathetic, most people will say yes. Most of us have been brought up to value empathy and consider it a good thing. We like to think that we can imagine and feel the discomfort and pain of another, which is the definition of empathy. When push comes to shove though, it is often tough to be empathetic to another person’s troubles. Veterinarians are often frustrated when they see a patient that they believe is in pain and recommend a treatment, only to have the client flatly deny that the animal is in pain and/or...

Seasonal Safety

Posted by Roni Coatley on Nov 19, 2018 in Blog | 0 comments

Keeping pets safe this holiday season can be trying. With all the different types of food and decorations that pets can get into, some people spend good parts of many holidays in after-hours veterinary clinics. Often times those trips could have been prevented by some holiday awareness. Here at Ash Veterinary Clinic, we want to remind you of what to look out for in the weeks to come. The first holiday of the season is fast approaching and here is a handy tip for Thanksgiving Day. Don’t share the goodies! We love to share food with our...

Dr. Google

Posted by Roni Coatley on Nov 12, 2018 in Blog | 0 comments

As a veterinarian in a semi-rural part of the state, I see some pretty creative home remedies from clients. Some folks around here do not like to take their pets (or themselves) to the doctor unless it is something that causes them genuine alarm. Because of that mindset, some people tend to try to treat problems themselves. Here at Ash Veterinary Clinic, there are home treatments, remedies, and medications that we hear often which are not only untrue but can be dangerous to the pet. Some start like this: “He’s been limping for about a month...

BACK TO SCHOOL

Posted by Roni Coatley on Sep 10, 2018 in Blog | 0 comments

By Dr. Toinette Strusinski-Broschay For Digital First Media Do you know what your dog and cat are going to do when you go back to school? It happens every year. It is time for school – new teachers, new friends, and lots of homework. Are you ready? Are your pets ready for you to go back to school? Your pets have been used to you being home all summer and will miss you when you are gone all day. We want to make the back to school adjustment easier for both you and your pets! Let’s start with the beginning of the day. Because it...

Choosing to End an Animal’s Suffering is a Final Act of Love

Posted by Roni Coatley on Aug 15, 2018 in Blog | 0 comments

It is the question every pet lover dreads, “When is the right time to say goodbye?” There is never an easy answer to this question. Choosing to euthanize your pet is the hardest decision to make and we can tell you from decades of experience that it is a decision that never gets easier. We at Ash Veterinary Clinic and Emergency Center can offer you advice and support, and friends and family can offer you sympathy, but no one can make the decision for you. When you live with an elderly or terminally ill pet, you look in your...

4th of July Hazards

Posted by Roni Coatley on Jul 6, 2018 in Blog | 0 comments

If there is one holiday that is unpopular at veterinary hospitals, it is the Fourth of July because the fireworks and other celebrations of can trigger pet care tragedies, which means a flow of lost, sick or injured pets. Loud noises startle and distress pets, because they have very sensitive hearing. Scared pets have been known to jump out of apartment windows, leap over or dig under fences, or chew their skin until it is raw. They may also bolt out an open door to become lost or hit by a car. Even the ones who just tremble...

WHY IS MY PET ITCHY?

Posted by Roni Coatley on Jun 29, 2018 in Blog | 0 comments

Coping with an itchy pet can be an extremely frustrating experience that can truly test the limits of the human-animal bond. Persistent scratching and chewing by the pet can also result in injury and open wounds. Here at Ash Veterinary Clinic and Emergency Center, we want to provide you, the pet owner, with a basic understanding of the most common underlying causes of itching and allergies in your pets. The most common cause of itching in pets falls into two groups: external parasites and allergies. The external parasite that most commonly...

Summer Hazards

Posted by Roni Coatley on Jun 13, 2018 in Blog | 0 comments

The long days of summer are a great time to have — or be — a pet. But this glorious season for outdoor activities is not without its hazards. Knowing what to look out for is half the battle. We at Ash Veterinary Clinic want to make sure that pet owners are aware of some of the basic heat hazards. Cats have enough sense to nap on warm afternoons, but dogs do not. If you let them, they will go where you do, even if it is too hot. Dogs are not good at keeping themselves cool, and they rely on us to keep them out of trouble. The...

Dog Bite Prevention

Posted by Roni Coatley on May 18, 2018 in Blog | 0 comments

Recently, we honored dog bite prevention week because dog bites pose a serious health risk to our communities. More than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States, and more than 800,000 receive medical attention for dog bites, according to the Centers for Disease Control. At least half of those bitten are children. Why do dogs bite? Dogs bite for a variety of reasons, but most commonly as a reaction to something. It is important to remember that any dog can bite: big or small, male or female, young or old....