While veterinarians can perform quite a few procedures in their offices, they will need to refer you to an animal hospital for more extensive care. Major surgeries for instance, for instance, may require specialized skills.
Did you know that Dalmatians are pure white when they are born? The spots don’t appear until they’re at least four weeks of age. More interestingly, these spots can also be blue, brindle, or lemon in color!
According to the 2019-2020 survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA), 67% of US households own a pet. This translates to about 85 million households, 63.4 million of which own a dog.
The word veterinarian was derived from the Latin “veterinae”, meaning ‘working animals’. The term veterinarian was coined by Thomas Browne in 1646 and is cited by the Oxford English Dictionary as the source of the word.
Did you know that of all animal hospital visits for dogs, 25% stem from a skin or coat problem? The other visits are due to illness, immunization, abrasions, and cuts.
Those working at animal hospitals are some of the most compassionate people you’ll ever meet. Not only do they care about animals, but they also empathize with pet owners during their most difficult periods.
Microchipping makes it easier for you to reunite with your pet if ever they got lost. It’s a simple procedure that is no more invasive than a vaccination and can be done at any animal hospital.
The job of a vet is just as tough as that of a physician, if not tougher. Because animals can’t talk, vets have to rely heavily on animal behavior and are required to have keen observation skills.
While most vets cater to companion animals such as dogs and cats, 16 percent of vet services are dedicated to farm animals and wildlife. Six percent of vet services are dedicated to horses.
Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that is characterized by fever, cough, eye and nasal discharge, lethargy, vomiting, and even seizures in more serious cases. The disease has a 50% fatality rate.
Did you know that the parvovirus can live in the environment for as long as a year? Despite aggressive treatment, some dogs aren’t able to survive the disease. Vaccination can save you from the expense and the pain of losing a beloved pet.
If your pet is injured in an accident, take it to an animal hospital right away for the immediate attention it needs in order to help it make it full recovery.
Spaying or neutering your pets not only help prevent unwanted litters but could also save your pet’s life. Neutering male animals helps prevent prostate and testicular cancer while spaying female pets helps prevent breast and uterine tumors.
The most owned pet in the US is neither dog nor cat, but fish! According to APPA, there are 139.3 million freshwater fish kept as pets. In comparison, there are 94.2 million pet cats and 89.7 million pet dogs.
An MRI is considered the gold standard when it comes to advanced diagnosing animals like dogs and cats. However, since subjects have to remain completely still, the animal being imaged will have to be sedated for the duration of the procedure.
A 2009 study reported that micro-chipped cats were 20 times more likely to be returned home than cats that aren't, while micro-chipped dogs were 2.5 times more likely to be found than dogs without.
Cats with heart disease are more vulnerable to dangerous blood clots that can break off and cause paralysis of the legs. Thus, it’s important to get your pet’s heart health screened regularly by a vet.
Do you know that cats have better memories than dogs? Studies conducted by the University of Michigan have found that while a dog's memory lasts just 5 minutes, a cat's memory can last as long as 16 hours.
What factors can cause a dog to have a heart attack? They include a tumor of the heart, nephrotic syndrome, vasculitis, and parasitic disease. Diagnosis of these conditions requires a heart scan and blood tests.
It has been found that as many as 3% of cats seen by vets have feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). It describes a group of diseases that affect the bladder and urethra of cats.
Heartworm is a parasitic roundworm that is spread by infected mosquitos. It can result in severe lung disease in cats. Contact your cat’s vet to discuss its prevention.
Do you know that puppies grow to half their body weight in the first 4 to 5 months? Small dog breeds, such as Chihuahuas, can reach their full size by 10 months to 1 year of age.
