Did you know that your canine companion can get the flu? In fact, there’s an outbreak going on now. Fido’s version, canine influenza virus (CIV)–also often called the dog flu—is an influenza A virus. There are several strains, but the two that are most common in the US are H3N8 and H3N2. These strains are both extremely contagious, and are the culprits behind the current outbreak. A local vet offers some information on this below. … Read More
As you know, your dog is susceptible to various diseases and infections. Have you ever wondered whether or not you could potentially catch any of those illnesses from your pooch? It’s a scary thought. And it’s true—it is possible for dogs to transmit certain illnesses to humans. The diseases in question are known as zoonotic diseases. Read on as your local veterinarian tells you more about zoonotic diseases and how to make sure both your … Read More
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month! Lyme disease is a serious disease that can afflict both people and pets. As you may know, the disease is spread through ticks, which are unfortunately spreading throughout North America. Left untreated, Lyme disease can cause some very serious—and potentially life-threatening—issues, such as kidney failure and heart trouble. A veterinarian offers some prevention tips below. Landscaping Ticks love to lurk in long grasses, leaf litter, and piles of debris, … Read More
Did you know that our feline friends can get their own version of colds or flus? In many cases, cats just feel a bit stuffy and tired for a few days, and then recover on their own. However, kitty colds can develop into upper respiratory infections, or URIs. These can be extremely dangerous! Senior cats and kittens are especially at risk, because of their weaker immune systems. A vet discusses cat colds below. Warning Signs … Read More
One very important part of dog ownership is making sure your dog stays up to date on his vaccinations. This is actually required by law in many places, and with good reason. Vaccinations help build your pup’s immune system, protecting him from dangerous and deadly diseases. They also help curb the spread of infectious disease. Because some diseases—such as rabies—can be transmitted to people, human safety is also a factor. In this article, a vet … Read More
Kennel Cough is the common name for Infectious Canine Tracheobronchitis. It’s a contagious respiratory infection that can easily be spread between dogs in close contact, hence the slang name. We at South Rhea Animal Hospital want to make sure our clients have the most up-to-date information on this illness. How Dogs Contract Kennel Cough Kennel cough is spread between dogs via airborne viruses and bacteria that are expelled when an infected dog coughs. It can … Read More
Have you ever heard that handling litterboxes is dangerous for pregnant women? It’s true that everyone, especially pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems, should take precautions against toxoplasmosis, which can be transmitted by cats. A local vet discusses toxoplasmosis below. What Is Toxoplasmosis? First, it’s important to understand that not all cats have toxoplasmosis. Cats can contract it by eating rodents, birds, or other small animals infected by the parasite Toxoplasma. The parasite … Read More
As you may have noticed, cats are very, very good at getting comfortable. However, while Fluffy can certainly manage to sleep in some very awkward positions, she isn’t quite as good at cooling herself off. In fact, hot weather can be very dangerous to our feline buddies! Fluffy has a fur coat on, and really doesn’t have any effective ways to cool herself down if she overheats. Read on as a local vet lists some … Read More
Did you know that April is Heartworm Awareness Month? We’re guessing probably not. Heartworms definitely aren’t something to celebrate! However, it is very important to understand what they are, and why they are so dangerous to pets. A Sale Creek, TN vet discusses heartworms below. What Are Heartworms? Heartworms are parasitic worms that infest dogs’ hearts, lungs, and blood vessels. (Note: cats can also get heartworms. However, unlike Fido, Fluffy isn’t an ideal host, so … Read More