Piper Glen Animal Hospital Blog

Veterinary Technicians play a vital role in your pet’s health. Without Veterinary Technicians, veterinary practices would not function as they do today. Veterinary Technicians and Nurses undergo rigorous training in animal care and handling, laboratory testing, radiography, surgical and anesthetic procedures, nursing care, and many other technical procedures and practices. But what exactly does a Veterinary Technician or Nurse do in the practice?  They perform many of the same tasks that nurses, laboratory technicians, and other specialized technologists provide to people. Check out this list below of just some ( not all! ) of a Veterinary Technician's daily duties:  Often, Veterinary Technicians are the first point of contact with the patient or client, discussing the medical issue that has brought the client to the practice. They collect a patient’s medical history by carefully asking all the right questions, obtain vital signs, and collect blood or urine sam...

Ensuring your pet maintains a healthy weight is one way to help keep Fido or Kitty in your life for a long time. This week included the National Pet Obesity Awareness Day. Many us spend countless hours worrying about the health of our pets, but many of our pets are overweight or obese. “What’s one more treat?” The reality is those extra treats add up and can lead to some serious health issues for your dog or cat. Those extra treats, too much food at mealtimes, and lack of exercise all contribute to obesity. It is so easy to over-feed your pet without even realizing it.   A decrease in exercise due to poor weather conditions (snow, ice, or persistent rain storms) without a corresponding reduction in the amount of kibble in your dog’s bowl can quickly lead to a gain of a few extra pounds. Even using an inaccurate measuring cup can be a source of overfeeding. Weighing your pet’s food with a kitchen scale, or using a measuring cup specifically designed for your pet’s br...

We share ideas from  Dr. Nancy Kay, DVM, DACVIM   on how to care for your senior dog with hearing loss.  The most common form of deafness in dogs is age-related hearing loss (ARHL). Most dogs experience some degree of ARHL, beginning sometime during their “third trimester” of life. ARHL begins by impairing perception of middle to high frequency sounds, but encompasses the entire range of sound frequencies as it progresses.  It is suspected that most people don’t recognize their dog’s hearing loss until it is almost, if not fully, complete. They may mistakenly interpret their dog’s partial hearing loss as a behavioral issue, sometimes referred to as “selective hearing.”  How you can help your dog with hearing loss? Observing your beloved dog become less responsive because of hearing loss can evoke a laundry list of emotions such as sadness, frustration, and discouragement. While there may not be a good way to restore your dog’s ...

In honor of National Senior Pet Month,  P iper Glen Animal Hospital   would like to take a moment to celebrate the  benefits of adopting and owning an older pet. While most of us can’t help but dote on a new puppy or kitten, the reality is that caring for a young pet requires a lot of time and energy. Obedience training and curbing behavioral problems is hard work, which is why you might consider adopting a more mature or senior pet. Unfortunately, senior pets often get overlooked. At shelters and rescues, they are the ones who have the hardest time getting adopted. Many people assume younger is better, and their prejudices (which are often rooted in misinformation) keep stellar seniors from finding their forever homes. What Makes a Senior Pet Incredible If you’re considering adopting a pet, seniors make wonderful companions. Especially if you’re looking for a chill couch buddy or a low-maintenance friend who won’t chew on your designer shoes. Here are so...

We want to explain why we recommend routine annual check-ups  for your indoor only cat.  People who share their homes with cats are definitely a lucky bunch, but not because they have to visit the vet less. Alarmingly, however, the prevailing perception is that indoor cats require less veterinary attention. Sure, certain risk factors associated with outdoor exploration are significantly reduced, but indoor cat care should still include disease prevention on numerous fronts. Reasons Why We know well that cats generally dislike the travel kennel, driving in the car, and leaving their territory. It can be extremely threatening for cats to smell, hear, and see other cats and/or dogs in the waiting room. Now add to this the cost of wellness visits – especially when cats are otherwise healthy – and the draw of the internet to diagnose possible problems. What’s the result? Fewer cats receiving the support and care necessary to sustain lifelong health ...

We've put together this list of cool things to do with  your dog this colorful season. GO TO A PUMPKIN PATCH  It’s decorative gourd season and your dog can help you find the perfect pumpkin to carve. Many pumpkin patches allow dogs — provided they are on  leashes  and their owners  clean up  after them. Be sure to check the rules at your local pumpkin patch before you head out. ENTER A COSTUME CONTEST Help your dog get into the Halloween spirit by dressing him up and entering a dog  costume  contest, either in your community or online. Just be sure your dog is comfortable and  safe  in whatever costume you choose. Then remove the costume to make sure he doesn't get overheated and never leave him in costume without your supervision. GO APPLE PICKING  Your dog can enjoy the outdoors while you pick fruit, provided he’s on a leash and is well-behaved. Many orchards are dog-friendly; check the policies of location...

We've put together this list of tips to keep your cat, dog, or other pets safe during this haunted holiday. DO  protect pets from pranks.   Don’t leave animals unattended outdoors on Halloween, the day before, or the day after. Cruel pranksters can hurt  your animals, especially black cats. DON’T  feed candy to animals.  Treats that are delicious for children and adults can be harmful or fatal to pets. They can choke on the wrappers, and c hocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for cats and dogs, and sugar-free candies containing the sugar substitute xylitol can cause serious problems in pets.  If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veteri narian or the  ASPCA Poison Control Center  at (888) 426-4435 immediately. DO  keep pets away from lit pumpkins.  Spooky colored candles and jack o’ lanterns can singe pets’ noses and light fur on fire. Kee...