Posts in Category: For The Dogs

It may be a little like asking why is the sky blue, but it’s perfectly natural to wonder why dogs slobber all over the place. Sure, some breeds are less likely to visibly salivate, whereas others seem to be characterized by a high drool factor. What causes thick, ropy streams of spit to dangle from certain canine lips? And, perhaps more importantly, what can owners do about slobbering?

Sometimes a dog sneeze is his way of showing his excitement. But sometimes he’s reacting to an allergen. Dog allergies are real and can cause intense discomfort.

You’re grooming your pet and you feel a lump. You run your hand through the fur until you locate the lump, part the hair, and gasp! It’s a tick! You know it’s a tick because the mouth is stuck in your pet’s skin. Ticks and other parasites can harm your pet and cause some unexpected health issues. At Clairmont Animal Hospital, we want to help you keep your household animals healthy by learning to identify parasites that may be thriving on your animals:

If you have never heard a reverse sneeze, you might be alarmingly triggered by its signature sounds. Generally speaking, a dog that suddenly begins to honk, wheeze, and snort might require emergency veterinary help. However, a reverse sneeze isn’t usually a cause for concern. Sure, it’s weird and uncharacteristic for many animals, but this mechanism is employed for specific reasons. What’s more, if you know what it is, you can help your dog regulate their breathing and interrupt this strange breathing.

Our pets are the joy of our lives, but sometimes they can present some challenging behaviors we’d like to avoid. Most cats and dogs have behavior problems here and there, but if your pet is engaging in destructive behaviors like chewing, scratching, or having accidents in the home it may be time to take action.

There are a number of common pet behavioral problems we hear about at Clairmont Animal Hospital. Let’s take a closer look at what you can do to help redirect your sweet fur friend.

We all know how important water is to our survival, and the same goes for our pets. Because dogs and cats don’t regulate their body temperatures as efficiently as humans, it’s easy for them to become dehydrated – especially during the warmer months. With Pet Hydration Month occurring, it is the perfect time to discuss proper hydration for our furry friends.

The lives of college students can be very busy and full. From internships to thesis presentations to study abroad experiences, their calendars are seemingly bursting with never ending appointment reminders. This is why many college students consider adopting a pet a great goal for the very distant future. However, despite the time constraints and financial concerns, some soon-to-be grads can’t quite curb their desire to bring home a fluffy ball of fur.

While it’s true that pets can offer comfort, security, and stress relief to young adults away from home, prospective owners must seriously consider whether they can handle all the responsibilities that come with owning an animal companion.

During the summer, many of us are on the go. We’re outdoors playing, hiking, boating, or just hanging out in the backyard with friends and family. For pet owners, this also means including our pets in all the fun.  

However, the summer heat and humidity can cause problems for our furry loved ones. That’s why Clairmont Animal Hospital wants to take a moment to review some tips for summer heat safety for pets.

The Basics

Temperatures are rising all over the Decatur area, and it’s important to know that pets don’t sweat the same way that humans do. Imagine wearing a fur coat all summer long! It’s easy to see why preventing overheating in our pets is so important. If you think it’s hot outside (or inside!), it’s even hotter for your pet. Continue…

Dogs are famous for their incredible sense of smell. Not only do they have more receptors in their noses than we do, but the part of a dog’s brain that processes scent is much larger than ours. Of course, this gives them an edge when tracking or detecting, but when used in tandem with their equally phenomenal sense of hearing, dogs are an absolute boon to military operations.

In large part, their skills are a result of formal training by – and recognition of – the military in war efforts since World War II. Canine veterans have bravely served and sacrificed for our country and, like their human handlers, have earned a highly regarded place in history.

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The pets we know and love have profound reactions to the world around them. We can make the case that pets respond positively to various stimuli (think walks in the woods, laser pointers, snuggles on a cold night), so it only makes sense that they react in kind to stressful or traumatic events.

Fortunately, the national trend that honors an animal’s emotional state is growing – and fast! With a fear free vet, your pet no longer endures those “red light” moments of acute stress or anxiety when traveling to our practice. Indeed, your pet may even look forward to routine visits.

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