Alton Animal Clinic

06/18/2026

🐾 Ralphie’s Waiting Room Thoughts... 🐾

*"I was told there would be treats. I have patiently waited. I have posed for pictures. I have been a very good boy. The treats should be arriving any minute now..."* 👀🍪

Meet Ralphie, the handsome, scruffy gentleman with a beard worthy of its own fan club! While he may look serious, we have a feeling he's just carefully evaluating the treat situation and deciding whether he should ask for seconds.

We loved getting to spend time with this sweet boy during his visit. His soulful eyes, adorable whiskers, and calm personality made him an instant favorite with our team. ❤️

📸 Drop a comment below and tell Ralphie how handsome he is—we think he already knows, but a little extra reassurance never hurts!

🐶❤️

06/17/2026

🏆 Meet Jazz! 🐾

Jazz competes in IGP, a challenging 3-phase canine sport that tests a dog’s abilities in tracking, obedience, and protection. These incredible athletes rely on strength, precision, and conditioning to perform at their best.

Recently, Jazz began showing some discomfort while performing dumbbell retrieves over the hurdle. During her rehabilitation evaluation, trigger points were identified in both triceps muscles, which can affect comfort and performance.

Dry needling was performed on both triceps to help release muscle tension, improve mobility, and support recovery so Jazz can get back to doing what she loves most.

Of course, no rehab session is complete without a little reward—Jazz happily accepted some peanut butter treats for being the best patient! 🥜🐾

Working dogs are true athletes, and just like human athletes, they benefit from specialized care to keep them feeling and performing their best! 💪🐕✨

06/13/2026

🦟 Mosquitoes are laughing at your fence…
❤️ But they stop laughing at heartworm prevention.

Protect your pets before mosquitoes turn a simple bite into a serious problem. Heartworm disease is preventable—and prevention is much easier than treatment!

Call Alton Animal Clinic to keep your pets protected all season long. 🐾

06/13/2026

"Everybody wants to be a cat"

💜 Matching scrubs ✔️
😎 Matching shades ✔️
🐾 Passion for pets ✔️

Just another stylish day at Alton Animal Clinic!

06/12/2026

🚨 Pet Owners: Have You Heard About New World Screwworm? 🚨

A flesh-feeding parasite called New World Screwworm has recently been detected closer to the U.S. than it has been in decades. While the risk remains very low, awareness and prevention are key to protecting our pets.

At Alton Animal Clinic, we want pet owners to know what to watch for:

🐾 Keep flea and tick prevention up to date
🐾 Check your pet after spending time outdoors—especially ears, paws, and skin folds
🐾 Monitor cuts or wounds closely to ensure they are healing properly
🐾 Seek veterinary care for wounds that worsen, smell bad, or do not heal

⚠️ Never attempt to treat maggots or suspicious wounds at home. Early veterinary care can make all the difference.

If you notice any unusual wounds or have concerns about your pet, give us a call. We’re here to help keep your furry family members safe and healthy. ❤️🐶🐱

📞 618-462-8000

06/05/2026

🚨 CAT OWNERS: HAVE YOU HEARD OF BOBCAT FEVER? 🚨

As the weather warms up and ticks become more active, we're already hearing reports of bobcat fever cases in our region. This serious disease can affect both outdoor and indoor cats, making awareness and prevention more important than ever.

🐾 WHAT IS BOBCAT FEVER?

Bobcat fever (Cytauxzoonosis) is a potentially fatal disease caused by a parasite that is spread through tick bites. While bobcats naturally carry the parasite with few problems, domestic cats can become critically ill after infection.

🕷️ HOW DOES IT SPREAD?

The disease is most commonly transmitted by the Lone Star tick.

A common misconception is that cats get the disease from contact with bobcats or other infected cats. In reality, ticks are responsible for spreading the parasite.

Even indoor cats can be at risk because ticks can hitch a ride indoors on people, dogs, or clothing.

⚠️ EARLY WARNING SIGNS

Cats with bobcat fever often become sick very quickly. Watch for:

• Sudden lethargy
• Decreased appetite
• Fever
• Hiding or acting differently
• Difficulty breathing
• Pale, yellow, or white gums
• Dehydration

If your cat develops these signs, contact your veterinarian immediately. Time matters.

🔎 HOW DO WE DIAGNOSE IT?

Your veterinarian may recommend bloodwork and additional testing to evaluate your cat's condition and look for evidence of infection.

💊 IS THERE TREATMENT?

Yes. While bobcat fever was once considered almost universally fatal, advances in treatment have improved outcomes significantly.

Successful treatment often requires:
✔ Hospitalization
✔ Intensive supportive care
✔ Specialized medications
✔ Close monitoring

Earlier diagnosis generally leads to a better chance of survival.

🛡️ PROTECTING YOUR CAT

The best defense is consistent, year-round tick prevention.

Cats that spend time outdoors, hunt, or live near wooded areas face the greatest risk, but indoor cats are not completely protected.

For cats with outdoor exposure, some veterinarians recommend combining products with different active ingredients to maximize tick protection. Talk with us about the safest and most effective options for your cat's lifestyle.

❤️ WHEN IN DOUBT, CALL

Bobcat fever can progress in a matter of days. If your cat suddenly seems "off," don't wait to see if things improve on their own.

Our team is happy to discuss tick prevention strategies and help you determine the best protection plan for your feline family member.

📞 Have questions? Contact us anytime.

05/29/2026

05/27/2026

Everyone meet Birdie Sue 🐾💙
This sweet little girl is 11 weeks old and already stealing hearts everywhere she goes. Between the tiny paws, curious eyes, and playful personality, we’re pretty sure she knows just how adorable she is. 🦴✨

Any guesses on what breed she is? 👀❓️

05/22/2026

“We loved having sibling duo Biscuits and Gravy stay with us! 🐾 Their names are just as fun and unforgettable as their personalities. Whether they were climbing the cat tree or relaxing together, these two brought so much joy during their visit. 💛

And a big congratulations to their amazing cat mom, who will soon be graduating from dental school! 🦷🎓 Such an exciting accomplishment — Biscuits and Gravy must be so proud of her too!

05/22/2026

Meet Winston 🐶💙

A few weeks ago, this sweet pup came to see us after injuring his knee. X-rays showed a fracture (tibial crest avulsion fracture) where the tendon attaches to the front of the shin bone — a painful injury that can make it very difficult to walk comfortably.

Because injuries like this often need specialized surgical care, we immediately contacted our traveling DVM who performs orthopedic surgery. Winston did wonderfully through surgery, and his post-op X-rays show everything healing beautifully! 🩻✨

To help support his recovery and speed up healing, Winston has also been coming to our clinic weekly for laser therapy treatments, TENS and Passive Range of Motion exercises. These treatments help reduce inflammation, ease discomfort, and promote healing so he can get back to being a happy, playful puppy as soon as possible. 🐾

We’re so proud of Winston and thankful we could be part of his recovery journey!