Winter Pet Paw Care
Winter boots are essential wear for people to provide traction and protection on snow and ice. Likewise, our pets need special care and attention for their feet during harsh weather too. Those fancy pet booties are not just a fashion statement! They can be very protective if your pet will keep them on, that is. Here at Ash Veterinary Clinic and Emergency Center, we want to discuss with owners how to minimize injury and discomfort for your pets’ paws and be aware of other winter dangers that may be harmful to them....
Read MorePets Need Immediate Care When Exposed to Marijuana
Marijuana, known by many names, needs very little introduction. We all know it is a popular recreational drug smoked by millions of people worldwide. We also know that many states are now legalizing the use of it with a medical marijuana card. Its psychoactive ingredient is delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol, more commonly called THC. Regular marijuana is typically 1-8% THC while hashish, made from the flowering tops of the plant and their resins, can contain up to 10% THC. Other properties of THC give it controversial medicinal...
Read MoreCoping With Itchy Pets is Frustrating!
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...
Read MoreTruth About Ticks
Tick populations are increasing and there are not just more of them. They are being found in more places than in the past. Milder winters; more white-tailed deer, which carry the bugs; and increasing development in formerly rural areas are among the factors in the ticks’ spread. Some people have never worried about ticks before, but now is a good time to talk to your veterinarian about their prevalence in your area or places you visit. Many tick species have moved out of their original habitats, carried...
Read MoreTreat Ear Infections Early!
Last week we touched on the importance of cleaning ears to prevent ear infections. Most people know that the common signs of an ear infection in your pet are head shaking and ear scratching. Do you know what can happen if an ear infection is not treated, though? If your pet has an ear infection that is not treated, they will continue to scratch at their ears and shake their head. Doing so can break blood vessels in the ear which can cause an aural (or ear) hematoma. A hematoma can happen in anywhere in the body....
Read MoreCleaning Ears Helps Prevent Infections
Last week, the topic of our article discussed trimming your pet’s toenails at home. This week, I will discuss another important part of at-home pet care. Cleaning your pet’s ears at home is not only vital to the successful treatment of ear infections, but it can also help prevent ear infections. Some breeds will need routine ear maintenance more often than others, depending on their lifestyle and the amount of wax their ears produce. Pets that enjoy water sports or frequent baths will need their ears cleaned...
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