Like people, pets can have seasonal allergies caused by allergens in the air, such as pollen, mold and dust.

Several treatment options are available, including medications, shampoos and allergy shots. Ask your vet about the  best course of treatment. 

Here are some ways you may be able to limit allergen exposure in your home for you and your pet.

• Wash your dog's bedding weekly in hot, soapy water and dry on a hot dryer cycle to kill dust mites.
• Vacuum soft surfaces, such as carpeting and couches, often/weekly.
• If possible use hardwood of linoleum flooring and washable area rugs.
• Use a vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency air filter
• If possible use air conditioning rather than open windows during pollen season.
• Give your dog hard, washable chew toys rather than plush toys.
• If plush toys are the favorite, wash them weekly in hot and soapy water. Rinse and dry well.
• Use dehumidifiers to prevent mold in damp spots such as bathrooms and kitchens.

While you may not like to think about taking your pet to the vet, you will have to be seen by a veterinarian multiple time in your pet's life. In order for this to be a good experience for everyone, you need to have a good relationship with the entire staff of your veterinarian.
Here are some things that you can do to make sure you have a good relationship with your vet.

1. Make sure that you have a veterinarian BEFORE you have an Emergency. You should have your pet seen by a vet before anything happens. This way you know who to call when you need to have your animal seen. You would be amazed at how many people wait to call, until their animal is sick.
2. Be Kind. In a world where we deal with so many clients who are struggling(and/or unhappy with us), a friendly face can go a long way to make our day brighter! Wither it is a difficult client before you or a euthanasia of a favorite pet, it is hard to smile through all the heartbreak that we see.
3. Learn about us. Ask any veterinarian or technician, and they will tell you we all have favorite clients. They are the ones that know our name and ask about our interests outside of work. Learning a little about us can make us feel special, and we will do the same for you. We may even go above and beyond to help you.​
4. Be respectful of our time. We know that your time is valuable, but so is ours. Please show up for your appointment on time. Please make sure you have an appointment, Don't just show up with your pet. You also should not show up with another animal just hoping we can squeeze it in. This is incredibly rude and puts us behind in our schedule for the day.
5. Be understanding when we can't fit you in. The number of veterinarians and technicians is dwindling, even as the number of pets is on the rise. This means that we simply can't see everyone! Most clinics are booked out for weeks or months.
6. Or if we don't have the ability to handle your emergency. We can't just drop everything to help your pet in an emergency, especially if your pet needs to have surgery. Most clinics don't have overnight staff to watch your animal. For these reasons we may recommend going to another clinic or an emergency clinic in a bigger town. 
7. Always let us know beforehand is finances are a concern. We understand how money can affect the decisions that you make when it comes to care. However, just let us know what we are working with. That is much easier then agreeing to everything and then realizing that you can't pay for the bloodwork and x-rays that are all ready done.
8. You should never make your irresponsibility our problem. If your pet doesn't have their shots up to date, and they need to go to the kennel tomorrow, this isn't our problem! You have probably been planning your vacation for months, so you should have looked into that at the same time. Besides, we probably sent you a vaccine reminder so that you would schedule an appointment to keep your pet up-to-date on vaccines. We will try to help you but we just might not have any room in the schedule.
9. This also includes any sickness that you now feel is an emergency. If your pet has had an ear infection for five days, don't expect us to squeeze you in the day that you decide it is an emergency. If you pet has been vomiting, call right away and schedule something as soon as possible. Don't get mad when we can't fit you in because you waited to call!
10. Also, make sure that you listen to our advice (not your friends on FB, the breeder or the groomer).  When one's pet is sick, the first thing that people do is ask for advice form their friends, or strangers on the internet. They will take anyone's strange advice, before consulting professionals. It also amazes us how many people trust the opinions of their breeders and groomers over the people that went to veterinary school. Now, many of them are very knowledgeable, but if something is wrong, you really need to talk to a professional.​

It also helps to put yourself in our shoes. When we say that we don't have time to see your pet, we don't have the time or staff to see them. We have probably overbooked ourselves, and simply do not have the time. At other times we may not have the staff to properly care for your animal.

Article written by Shelley Wenger CVT in The Dog Journal OCT/NOV 23

Your pet's dental health is a very important part of their overall health. Dental problems can cause or be caused by other heath problems. Their teeth and gums should be checked at least once a year by your vet for early signs of issues. 
Reasons to visit the clinic before your annual exam.

• Bad Breath
• Broken or loose teeth
• Retained baby teeth
• Teeth that are discolored or covered in tarter
• Abnormal chewing, drooling or dropping of food from the mouth
• Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
• Pain in or around the mouth
• Bleeding or swelling in and around the mouth

Always be careful when evaluating you pet's mouth, a painful animal may bite.
CAUSES OF DENTAL PROBLEMS ​
Periodontal disease is the most common dental condition in dogs and cats. By the time you pet is 3 years old, they will very likely have some early evidence of the disease, which will worsen as they age if effective preventive measures aren't taken. Advanced periodontal disease can cause severe problems and pain for your pet. Other health problems found in association with the disease include kidney, liver and heart changes.
While cavities are less common in pets here are some other problems they can have.

• Broken teeth or roots
• Abscesses of the roots
• Cysts or tumors in the mouth
• Misalignment of the teeth and bite
• Broken jaw
• Palate defects​

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Learn How to Improve Your Pet's Oral Health
How healthy are your pet's pearly whites? Without proper dental care, your furry friend may develop painful infections and even lose teeth. These tips will help you protect your pet's teeth and gums.
Brush Your Pet's Teeth.
Brushing removes plaque, a clear bacterial film that constantly coats the teeth. Plaque is a factor in tooth decay, but unlike humans, dogs and cats rarely develop cavities.
Unfortunately, that doesn't mean that it's safe for plaque to remain on their teeth. Plaque turns into tartar if it's not removed within a week or two. Tartar, a hard, yellow deposit, irritates the gums and can cause inflammation and periodontal (gum) disease.
Daily brushing gets rid of plaque, preventing it from ever transforming into tartar. It's never too late to start brushing your cat or dog's teeth. Although it's easier to start brushing when your pet is a puppy or kitten, many older animals will eventually permit you to brush their teeth if you start the process gradually.
You may find brushing is easier if you:

• Let Your Furry Friend Lick or Smell the Toothpaste. Place a dab of pet toothpaste on your finger or a pet toothbrush and let your cat or dog sniff or lick it. Never use human toothpaste, as the ingredients can be toxic to animals. Pet toothpaste is a much better choice. The toothpaste contains flavors pets find appealing, like chicken, beef, seafood, and peanut.
• Rub Your Pet's Teeth. Once you've found a toothpaste flavor your pet likes, place a tiny amount on your finger and briefly rub the paste across the gums. Offering a treat when you're through may make teeth cleaning more acceptable to your pet. Keep in mind that you're not actually trying to clean your pet's teeth at this point. Rubbing the gums with the paste helps your furry friend adjust to the sensation of brushing.
• Try Brushing When Your Pet Is Comfortable. Squirt a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on a pet toothbrush or a finger brush, and gently brush your pet's teeth and gum line using a circular motion. Although both types of brushes remove plaque, a traditional toothbrush may be more effective in removing plaque at the gum line.

Patience is a must when you're starting an oral hygiene routine. It may take a week or two until you can progress from one step to another.
Choose Tooth-Friendly Foods and Treats
Some types of foods, treats, gels, sprays, and additives are specially formulated to prevent plaque and tartar build-up. Talk to your pet's veterinarian about the best foods and products for good oral health.
Schedule Checkups and Teeth Cleanings
Your oral health would suffer if you never saw the dentist or had your teeth cleaned. Pets need checkups and cleanings too. During your pet's exam, the veterinarian will look for signs of trouble, such as broken teeth, swollen or receding gums, bleeding, or loose teeth. Your vet may also recommend X-rays, as some tooth problems may not be obvious.
Teeth cleaning, recommended at least once a year, reduces your pet's risk of developing periodontal disease. The disease can cause bad breath, make chewing painful, and may infect or damage gum tissue, bones, ligaments, and teeth. If gum disease isn't treated, your pet's teeth may even fall out.
Periodontal disease may also increase the likelihood that your dog or cat will develop diabetes, or kidney, liver, or heart disease. According to an article in Today's Veterinary Practice, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have some form of periodontal disease by age 2. Among dogs, toy and small breeds are most likely to develop the disease.
Although brushing your pet's teeth removes plaque above the gum line, plaque and tartar may still be present below the gums. A dental cleaning is the only way to remove the substances from under the gums.
Dental cleanings are performed under anesthesia. Blood tests are required before cleanings to ensure that your pet is in good health and can tolerate the anesthesia. Cleanings offer a simple, safe way to protect your pet's oral and general health.
Oral care is an essential aspect of good health. Let us know if your pet is due for a cleaning or you're concerned about tooth or gum problems.

In 2023, veterinarians saw an increase in canine respiratory disease spread across the U.S. Regular treatment methods have no impact on the illness, and the cause is unknown. Affected dogs suffer from a more severe and longer respiratory disease than what is typical of other canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD) complex, a common type of kennel cough.
Causes: How Does a Dog Get the Flu?Dog influenza can also be transmitted between dogs via contaminated objects such as food and water bowls, collars, leashes, toys, bedding, and nose-to-nose contact.
The virus is able to live on surfaces for up to 48 hours, on clothing for 24 hours, and on hands for up to 12 hours.

Symptoms may include:

• Persistent cough
• Nasal discharge – not just your dog’s normal wet nose
• Fever
• Eye discharge – look for goopy, mucus-like discharge or a noticeable increase if your dog normally has eye discharge.
• Reduced appetite
• Reduced activity, lethargy

Dog Flu Facts

1. Dog flu is not usually fatal. The death rate is reported to be less than 10% among flu-infected dogs.
2. There is now a vaccine for both the H3N2 and the older H3N8 strains. Talk to your vet about the best option for you and your pup, especially if they spend a lot of time around other dogs.
3. You can’t catch the flu from your dog. According to the CDC, this is highly unlikely since it would take a sizable cell mutation for human infection from a dog CIV to infect you.

 We do currently have the flu vaccine on hand. Call to make an appointment if you would like your dog to get the vaccine.