Blog | Ash Veterinary Clinic

New Year Equals New Beginnings

Posted by Roni Coatley on Jan 8, 2014 in Blog | 0 comments

As I say goodbye to 2013 and prepare to usher in 2014, I look back at the past year and think about things I would have liked to change and things that I am so blessed to be a part of. When I reflect on events or situations I am not so pleased about, I try to design a plan to remodel the incident so it becomes a learning experience. I like to then immediately reflect upon things that I am so proud of, personally and professionally, which gives me motivation to change other things for the better. Sometimes we do not realize that something...

No Pets for Christmas!

Posted by Roni Coatley on Dec 23, 2013 in Blog | 0 comments

Should you give a pet as a present for Christmas? Contrary to the warm, fuzzy feeling it gives you inside to think of giving a gift of a puppy, kitty, bunny, or hamster, the answer is NO. I know all too well how it is when your children are begging you for a pet because one of their friends got one. They promise to do everything the pet needs and to love it until the end of time. Then there is reality! The 10 year old grows to be 16 and now has basketball, girls and friends to take up all of his time and the once adored puppy is left...

New Year’s Eve Is Not For Pets

Posted by Roni Coatley on Dec 20, 2013 in Blog | 0 comments

In the past few articles, you may have noticed there was a theme with all of the holiday festivities being celebrated. I see so many illnesses, foreign body ingestions, food ingestions and many injuries during this time of the year. In an effort to remind you about the safety precautions you should take during the holidays concerning your pets, I really hope everyone has a peaceful and uneventful season. As much as I love to see all of your furry angels, I would much rather they visit for a simple spa day or for hugs and...

Christmas Dangers For Pets

Posted by Roni Coatley on Dec 16, 2013 in Blog | 0 comments

The Christmas season brings many fun times, festivities, family and friend parties, and presents. It is also a time of the year that many pets encounter holiday objects that are dangerous or fatal. It is a time when we see many more night and weekend emergencies at Ash Veterinary Clinic and Emergency Center in Carleton, MI because of ingestion or contact with dangerous substances. Here is a list of things so you can be aware of what is harmful to pets and what to keep them away from. Food and beverage ingestion is by far...

Thankful!

Posted by Roni Coatley on Dec 4, 2013 in Blog | 0 comments

Thanksgiving has to be one of my favorite holidays of the year. This is the day when we get to spend time with our family, friends, pets, and sometimes family and friend’s pets too. This is a time when we get to eat, without restrictions, pretty much anything and everything we want, and go back for seconds and thirds. This is also a time when our pets have to make friends with many strange people and their pets in some cases. Lastly, this a favorite of many pets too because they purposely or inadvertently get many treats,...

How well do you know your cat?

Posted by Roni Coatley on Nov 25, 2013 in Blog | 0 comments

Test Your Cat Knowledge! Cats have been known to be mysterious creatures, but sometimes their mysteries are not so hard to figure out. How well do you know cats? Check out your knowledge on cats with these quick questions. You can find the answers toward the end. No fair asking your cat for answers! 1. When did the first domestic cat turn up in history? a) 600 years ago b) 2500 years ago c) 7000 years ago d) 15000 years ago 2. Which of these is not a reason why cats claw things? a) To keep claws sharp and help remove worn claw...

Barking Up the Wrong Tree?

Posted by Roni Coatley on Nov 20, 2013 in Blog | 0 comments

Last week in our article, we covered the different reasons why dogs bark. This week, we are going to focus on how to prevent your dog from barking. Here at Ash Veterinary Clinic we believe that your dog should not be silent; however, they should know when the appropriate time is to bark. By following a few suggestions, your dog can learn when barking is appropriate. When you are with your dog, the most effective way to handle problem barking is by using the “come-when-called” behavior. This training may save your dog’s life in other...

Why Does Your Dog Bark?

Posted by Roni Coatley on Nov 12, 2013 in Blog | 0 comments

Unfortunately (and fortunately at the same time) dogs bark! Sometimes we consider barking a benefit when the dog alerts to danger or intruders in the home. Too often the barking becomes excessive and can cost dogs their homes or even their life. We at Ash Veterinary Clinic want you to know that there are different reasons why your dog barks so there is no one set solution. Solutions to barking problems come from how you manage and train your dog. The earlier you change the barking behavior, the better chance you have to prevent it from...

Interpreting Signs of Feline Aggression

Posted by Roni Coatley on Nov 6, 2013 in Blog | 0 comments

Are you aware that a cat bite can land you in the burn unit of your hospital? It absolutely can! This happened to Dr. Broschay from Ash Veterinary Clinic when she spent 7 days in the burn unit of the hospital trying to save her hand after an average cat bite. A cat bite is one of the worst animal bites to get. They have hearty bacteria in their mouths, so it is one you want to avoid. Cats can be aggressive and bite for many different reasons. We at Ash Veterinary Clinic want to educate you so you can watch for signals of aggression so you...

Forgetting Our Feline Friends

Posted by Roni Coatley on Oct 8, 2013 in Blog | 0 comments

Cats, cats and more cats! Why is it that cats make up the majority of household pet in America, but dogs are the most seen patients at veterinary clinics? Many people have the misconception that cats can take care of themselves, but the cats rely on us for more than just food, water and shelter. Their emotional and physical needs are just as important. Many people consider their cats as a member of the family. Some go as far as to call them their “furry children.” In our area, however, we do have cats that are strictly barn cats and live...