Posts Tagged: Clairmont Animal Hospital

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…

A safe pet is a happy pet, and a happy pet is what pet owners strive for. It can be difficult to keep some pets from getting into trouble, though; and during the holiday season that task can be even more difficult than usual…

Keep Your Pets Safe in the Kitchen This Holiday Season

Many people’s kitchens are a bustling place this time of year. However, the kitchen can be a dangerous place for pet. In addition to dangers of sharp, hot, and “coming through!”, it is important to keep food items that can be hazardous to pets out of reach. Tasty holiday treats are often tempting to the four-legged members of our household and should be stored with care. Continue…

If you are like more than half of the pet guardians out there, you are probably looking for ways to help your pet lose some weight and be more active. Pet obesity is a major problem in the United States, with roughly over 55% of all household pets considered overweight or obese.

Before we were aware of some of the direct correlations between certain diseases and weight, we might have considered a slightly rotund kitty cute, or even funny. However, now that we have a greater understanding of the perils of obesity and the many health challenges that impact our pet’s quality of life when a healthy weight isn’t maintained, we realize fat pets aren’t so funny after all.

And, now we are entering into the most challenging season for weight management (for pets and people, alike)! Since Thanksgiving brings with it loads of food and just as many distractions, this might be the ideal time to talk, um, well, turkey. Continue…

One of the most important factors determining your pet’s quality and quantity of life is dental health. Unfortunately, dental care is one of the most overlooked areas of pet care. According to the American Veterinary Dental Association, up to 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some form of dental disease by the age of three.

Just like us, when saliva and food combine with bacteria on your pet’s teeth, a substance called plaque forms. Eventually this becomes mineralized, forming tartar. Tartar accumulation can lead to inflammation in the gingival tissues and eventually destroy the tissues that support the tooth, leading to periodontal disease.

If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to oral pain and the loss of teeth. Even more importantly, however, the presence of bacteria in continued dental disease can lead to the invasion of infection into the bloodstream. Bacteria in the bloodstream can cause damage to major organs including the kidneys, liver, and heart. Continue…

When it comes to veterinary surgery, you don’t want anything but the best. And Clairmont Animal Hospital is proud to offer you and your pets just that. Our skilled veterinarians and high-end capabilities ensure you and your furry family members the best surgical experience possible.

Minimally Invasive Pet Surgery

Just as in human medicine, more and more veterinary surgeries are being done laparoscopically. During this type of procedure a small incision is made, which allows us to insert a small camera called a laparoscope into the area that we are doing surgery. Many types of surgeries can be done using this type of technique including: Continue…

When we think of pet toxins, we often refer to the usual suspects: chocolate, poisonous plants (such as oleander), and automobile additives, like antifreeze.  But, in regions like ours, where lush lawns, gardens, and agriculture are plentiful, there is an increased risk of exposure to harmful or carcinogenic herbicides, pesticides, and other chemicals.

Because we enjoy such a temperate climate in Georgia, we are also more prone to spending quite a bit of time outdoors with our family and pets. Whether we are entertaining on the deck or going for a jog through the park with our pooch, there are numerous possible pet toxins to be aware of and avoid. Continue…

We live in a mobile culture. For many of us, relocation to new cities or countries is required for our career or lifestyle. Likewise, our friends and family are generally spread across the country, making travel a necessity. And, let’s not forget those family vacations… Because we are such a traveling bunch, it’s no surprise the issue of safe pet travel is on our minds.

Thankfully, gone are the days when we had to rely solely on scant few airlines to provide only substandard travel care for our pets. Now there are more options that place the health and well-being of our pets as the priority. Many new companies are responding to the demand for better, safer options by tailoring travel to the specific needs of the pet or animal.

In the past decade, a new industry of specialists has emerged that focus on the safe transport of pets. Referred to as Pet Travel Specialists, or Pet Travel Agents, these service providers are equipped to handle every aspect of pet transportation, from ensuring you have the right pre-trip health documentation, to safe and minimal stress transfers, to comfortable flight arrangements. Continue…