Posts in Category: Seasonal Pet Care

As much as we all love pets, none of us want to unintentionally add a few hundred non-human houseguests to our family. Fleas can quickly and quietly hit this mark before you even know what’s going on.

At Blue Valley Animal Hospital, we firmly believe that when it comes to fleas and other external parasites, a good defense is the best offense. This time of year, these pesky ectoparasites are at their peak. No worries, though, because we are here to share our best fall flea control strategies.

Do you suffer from a runny nose, sneezing, and a scratchy throat when spring arrives? Chances are, you aren’t alone – your pet may experience spring allergy symptoms, as well. Allergies are relatively common in animals, but you may not know what to look for or how to help.

Although spring pet allergies may be a challenge, the team at Blue Valley Animal Hospital can help you develop a plan to support your pet through whatever the season brings!

We can all easily recall the stuffy nose, watery eyes, scratchy throat, and more that comes with having a cold. If we’re lucky, the virus only hangs on for a couple days before moving on to the next unsuspecting victim, but in some cases, colds can last for a week or more.

Dogs and cats are also susceptible to a variety of contagious illnesses. But as cold and flu season drags on, pet owners may be wondering: Can pets catch colds from humans?

Many of us anticipate the celebration of Halloween all year long. For children and adults alike, the costumes, treats, and parties surrounding Halloween can be great fun. But this holiday can be particularly spooky for our pets. Blue Valley Animal Hospital looks at some ways to make “Fright Night” both safe and fun for pets as well as the entire family.

Pet Safety on Halloween

Here are a few tips and tricks to think about when it comes to pet safety on Halloween.

Just like humans, pets can suffer from seasonal allergies or allergies that persist throughout the year. In fact, allergies in pets is one of the most common issues we see in our patients. The symptoms can be intense and can severely impact your pet’s quality of life (and yours).

Pet allergies can be overwhelming, but armed with a little knowledge and support, they don’t have to be. Let the team at Blue Valley Animal Hospital help you every step of the way!

Summertime, and the livin’ is easy… Or, so the old song goes. Summer fun is right around the corner, but along with the good times come things that can hurt your pet and spoil that easy- living feeling. Here’s what you need to know about summer pet safety, so you can both enjoy the good life from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and beyond!

Sun Seekers

Pets may love basking in the warm sunshine, but sun can cause damage to their skin just as it can to ours. Especially if you have a light colored, thin-skinned, or white dog or cat, take care to protect them from sunburn. You may consider a PABA-free zinc oxide pet sunscreen, and apply it to their ear tips, top of the nose, and their face.  Make sure that you don’t get it in their eyes, of course.

Summer pet safety also means considering outside surfaces that your pet might encounter. The sun cooks concrete, metal, and asphalt, and sensitive paws can burn on hot surfaces. Avoid walking over asphalt and always give pets a way to get out of the sun by providing access to shade at all times. Driving with your dog in the bed of a truck is a bad idea. Continue…

Each year, it’s likely you get a notice from your doctor to come in for a check-up that probably includes blood work and other tests to ensure you’re in tip-top shape. After all, annual exams are important to your health. Maintaining annual wellness exams for our pets is equally important.

We no longer take a treatment-only approach to health care, and we now view prevention as the key to good health. Veterinary medicine also focuses on preventive care as the best way to increase well-being, decrease the likelihood of certain diseases, and extend quality of life and longevity.

Keep reading to learn more about the merits of good pet wellness care for your four-legged companion!

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