Learn

• Heartworms live in the hearts and lungs of dogs and cats.
• Mosquitoes transmit heartworm larvae from infected to healthy dogs.
• Left untreated, heartworm disease may be fatal to your dog.

Heartworms are a serious threat! Ask for more information about testing and preventive medications that are inexpensive and easy to give!

Visit our Veterinary Services page and learn why we are the best veterinary option in Galesburg and its surrounding areas

There’s a new, easy-to-use arthritis pain reliever that could help you find your dog again. If your dog is in pain, you need to be able to recognize the signs and alert us so diagnosis and proper treatment can begin. A dog’s age often has no bearing on pain. In fact, arthritis affects an estimated 12% of all dogs, regardless of age. Dogs feel pain much like humans do, but they express chronic pain differently. Here are some signs to look for:

1. Reluctance to engage in normal play activity.
2. Stops short of usual physical activities.
3. Soreness or stiffness after physical activity.
4. Consistently limps or moves with an altered gait.
5. Joints that pop when rising or walking.
6. Constant licking of a joint or leg.
7. Less interest in family interaction.

If you have noticed any of these signs, there is a new treatment that could change both of your lives. METACAM is a tasty liquid medication for dogs that’s used to control pain and inflammation due to osteoarthritis. It’s easy to administer and only needed once a day! You should have your dog tested for pre-existing medical conditions before beginning treatment. Need more information? Call us to set up an appointment for your dog today!

• Work closely with us to evaluate your pet’s general health and to monitor the physical effects aging has had on his or her mind and body.
• Schedule routine check-ups.
• Speak up for your pet. Tell us about any changes you’ve observed, including:
  1. Weight, appetite or elimination
  2. Behavior
  3. Skin and coat
  4. Mobility
• Ask us about nutrition and exercise and the role they play in your pet’s health.
• Know your pet’s condition. Ask us about testing options that can identify health risks before they become evident, including:
  1. Routine blood testing
  2. Urinalysis
  3. Hormone testing
  4. Electrocardiograph (ECG)
  5. X-Rays

Because pets age so rapidly, major health changes can occur in as little as three months. The risk of cancer, diabetes, obesity, arthritis, heart disease and other serious conditions all increase with age. And because today’s pets are living longer than ever, chances are many can experience a potentially serious illness during their lifetime.

Most of us don’t need a medical checkup more than once a year. But dogs and cats are different. Pets, on average, age up to seven times faster than humans. By age two, most pets have already reached adulthood. At age four, many are entering middle age. And by age seven, many dogs, particularly larger breeds, are entering their senior years.

Twice-a-year wellness exams can help us diagnose, treat or even prevent problems before they become life-threatening. They’re also a great opportunity to ask us about nutrition, behavior, and other issues. Give your best friend every opportunity to live a long, healthy and happy life.

Ask us to schedule your pet’s six-month wellness visit today!

If you plan on going away, be it one day or a couple of weeks, we can help. Our boarding facilities are clean, climate controlled and odor free. Our kennel staff are animal lovers who enjoy caring for your fur-babies. They pay attention to detail if your pet needs a medication given or fed a specialty diet during their stay. Potty breaks happen at least four times daily, morning, noon, afternoon and evening. Cleanliness is a priority! Staff members are also trained to watch for distress and alert one of the veterinary nurses or doctors if they notice a medical issue.

Daytime boarding is also available.

Feel free to call us for additional information. We have the largest boarding facility in the area, but we do book up at times. If your pet needs to board with us during the summer or holiday seasons, make sure you call ahead well in advance to reserve a spot.

They can chew through plastic. They can chew through rubber. They can chew through your new pair of leather shoes. But that doesn’t mean your pet’s teeth are indestructible. Just like you, your cat or dog needs regular dental care. Without it, they can suffer from bad breath, bleeding gums and tooth decay or loss. Aside from being very painful, infections from severe gum disease can even lead to death.

To keep your pet’s smile healthy, practice good dental hygiene every day. Examine his mouth – normal teeth should be clean, white and smooth with firm, pink gum tissue. It’s also important that you schedule an annual visit with us for a thorough exam and professional cleaning.

1. One flea can produce 2,000 eggs in its lifetime.
2. 95% of flea stages are present in the environment rather than on the pet.
3. Fleas can reproduce indoors in many climates year-round.
4. All animals in a household must be treated, not just the flea allergy dermatitis individual.
5. Immature fleas are hard to see, and can be found anywhere the pet has been.
6. The adult fleas on your pet are only the tip of the infestation iceberg.

1. Your pet deserves the best care. We monitor your pet’s health to ensure greater success in treating a condition. We can test your pet in just a few minutes and you’ll have answers during your visit.
2. Monitoring your pet helps us prescribe the proper medication for your pet’s age, size, breed and physical condition.
3. Pharmaceutical manufacturers recommend monitoring. Monitoring schedules ensure safe medication administration, guiding us as we evaluate your pet for any side effects, potential complications and/or interactions with other drugs.
4. Monitoring helps us establish a baseline picture of your pet’s vital organs, so we know when changes indicate areas of concern. This helps us evaluate the treatment plan and make adjustments as necessary.