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Does Your Pet Suffer from Allergies?
Posted on 2012-04-05 08:02:39
Like humans, pets can develop allergies that can cause minor or severe reactions. Those allergies can persist from birth and last for a lifetime, or they may not develop until later in life and last only a short period of time. Here at our Arlington veterinary clinic, we have many pet owners who bring their dogs or cats in for treatment of an illness or disease, only to find out that the cause of the vomiting, rashes or other symptoms are pet allergies.A pet can be allergic to thousands of household and outdoor stimuli -- many of which are similar to the types of allergens that can affect humans. Seasonal allergies, for example, are common in both outdoor and indoor pets, and may include sensitivity to certain inhalants like mold, grass, dust, pollen and certain trees. Likewise, food allergies are not uncommon in pets, and certain dietary components can trigger mild or severe reactions. You will know that your pet's allergy is food-related rather than seasonal if the symptoms are chronic throughout the year.
How Our Veterinarian Can Help
When sick animals first visit our Arlington office, a friendly veterinarian does a complete and thorough health examination to detect the underlying cause of the symptoms. If allergies are suspected, our clinic will ask you about the onset, severity and frequency of your pet's symptoms to attempt to determine the source of the problem.
Have you ever had a pet that suffered from frequent or seasonal allergies?
Animal Vet Clinic Helps Keep Fleas Away
Posted on 2012-02-07 13:35:51
If you look closely at your pet's fur and notice small, brown spots scurrying across it, it most likely means your pet has fleas. At All Creatures Veterinary Service, Arlington pet care provider, Dr. Tim Cavanagh, treats dogs and cats who are suffering from a flea infestation. While fleas love the warm and moist conditions a dog or cat's body provides, there are ways you can keep fleas away.During the warmer months of the year, your dog or cat is likely to show signs of a flea infestation, such as scratching and itching. Depending on your pet's reaction to the flea bites, he may itch all over or in one area. Some pets have such severe reactions to fleas that their skin becomes inflamed and their fur falls out. Occasionally, a dog may have changes in behavior due to a neurological reaction to fleas. If you notice any of these symptoms, bring your pet to our animal vet clinic for an examination. Our veterinarian Dr. Cavanagh can make a recommendation and design a treatment plan specifically for your pet.
Flea Prevention Tips From All Creatures Veterinary
Our veterinary clinic can also help you prevent fleas from attacking your pet in the first place. Topical medications applied to your pet's skin once a month can keep fleas away. Vacuuming carpeted areas of your home will remove any flea eggs or larvae that could later infest your pet. Also, wash your pet's bedding in hot water regularly to eliminate fleas.
Has your pet suffered from fleas?
Arlington Pet Care: What to Do When Your Pet is Sick
Posted on 2012-01-09 09:23:51
One of the most stressful parts of pet care is figuring out what to do for your beloved animal when he or she is sick. Unfortunately, when they are listless or vomiting, or showing other symptoms of illness, sick animals can't tell us what is wrong. We are left to determine what is going on using the physical signs that your pet is unwell.How to Care for Sick Animals
Some illnesses can be handled at home, but others require treatment by a veterinarian in our office. For instance, occasional bouts of vomiting are normal in cats. However, if your animal vomits repeatedly, or if the vomit is black, filled with mucus, or has blood in it, your pet needs to come to our clinic for treatment. Throwing up can be caused by an infection, a metabolic problem, a digestive problem, or more serious maladies such as heart worms or cancer.
If your pet seems unusually clumsy, or seems disoriented, this can be a sign of an ear infection, neurological problems or liver problems. Bring your pet to our veterinary office so we can determine what is wrong and start treatment.
Changes in urination are also signs that something is wrong with your pet. Urinating more frequently can be a sign of kidney problems or crystals in the urine. If your pet is having trouble urinating, this is a reason to come to our veterinarian office right away. There may be crystals, a tumor or something else blocking the urethra. An inability to void urine is a serious problem that can cause serious or deadly complications if not treated promptly.
In any case, if your animal is ill, it's best to visit our office right away. Diagnosing a problem early is one of the best ways to help your pet get well again.
How did our clinic help you and your furry friend the last time your pet was feeling sick?
Obesity in Pets: Tips from Your Arlington Veterinary Resource
Posted on 2011-11-29 14:33:45
Pet Care Includes Weight Management
Rotund pets may seem cute or funny to casual observers, but pet obesity is no laughing matter. More than half of all U.S. pets carry more weight than they should, and this extra weight can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Here at All Creatures Vet Service we regard weight management as an essential aspect of pet care, so here are some tips from your friendly Arlington veterinarian.
When Pet Obesity Requires a Veterinarian
Why do pets become obese? Contrary to popular myth, it is not due to spaying or neutering, which can both be done at our veterinary center. Some cases of obesity indicate a medical problem. A hypoactive thyroid, for example, can lower your pet’s metabolism so that it packs on the pounds without overeating, while a kidney or heart disorder can lead to water retention and bloating.
We can check your pet for any underlying condition that might be causing obesity. More commonly, however, your pet is either eating the wrong food or eating too much of the right food. "Human food" usually contains more fat than a pet needs, and the bad habit of handing out table scraps encourages overeating as well. Owners must choose what foods to give their pets and enforce those choices until the pet accepts the situation without whining or begging.
Sometimes we humans assume that pets have to eat on a regular timetable simply because we do. While your pet may have trained itself to expect dinner at exactly the same time every day, pets only need to eat when they are hungry. You should not try to force your pet to eat if it would rather skip a given meal -- when it gets hungry, it will eat. Sick animals, however, may keep refusing meals and may require a visit to our animal vet clinic.
Does your pet have an unusual food preference? Tell us about it here!
Arlington Pet Surgery Procedures
Posted on 2011-11-11 14:35:07
No matter how healthy your pet may be, the time may come when you need to arrange for a surgical procedure at an animal hospital. While some pet surgeries address routine or preventative health issues, others may be necessary to preserve your dog or cat’s quality of life -- or possibly even save that life. If you are looking for an Arlington veterinarian, we hope you will consider the caring professionals here at All Creatures Veterinary Service.Some surgeries are aimed at preserving good health. Spaying or neutering, for instance, not only helps to control the puppy and kitten population but also offers other significant benefits. Sterilized pets have less chance of developing cancerous tumors, experience less anxiety and exhibit fewer behavioral problems.
Other types of surgery correct chronic conditions that may endanger your pet’s life, such as a twisted stomach that makes normal digestion impossible or a short airway that obstructs breathing. If your dog or cat has suffered from a torn ligament, arthritis or other joint damage, surgical reconstruction can restore functionality and freedom of motion while relieving pain.
Malignant cancers or other threats to your pet’s health can also be dealt with surgically. The most obvious need for surgery stems from an emergency situation such as a car impact or other traumatic injury. This is a frightening time for pet and pet owner alike, so we encourage you to keep our number and address handy just in case an emergency occurs.
The Right Animal Vet Clinic for the Job
Your pet is in good hands at our animal vet clinic. Our own Dr. Cavanagh and his dedicated staff offer advanced diagnostic techniques, from traditional x-ray to pet ultrasound, to determine exactly what the problem is and how to fix it. Whether your pet needs a routine procedure, urgent care or full-blown emergency surgery, we have the tools, expertise and bedside manner for the job.
Has surgery ever saved the life of one of your pets? Tell us your story!
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All Creatures
Veterinary Services
720 West Ave
Arlington, WA 98223
360-386-4656