Columbia Pike Animal Hospital

04/10/2024

If your pet’s habits, energy level, or overall health changes, you are likely to feel concerned. In the best cases, health changes can be nothing to worry about, but at other times, changes can indicate serious problems. Check out our latest blog post to learn about pet health signs you shouldn’t ignore.

You strive to keep your pet healthy and happy. Being vigilant about changes in your pet's health is paramount to their overall well-being. Illness signs in your cat or dog may be subtle or minor at first, but this is precisely the time to take action and schedule a veterinary visit because early

03/18/2024

Did you know that pets are commonly poisoned by taking human medications? Our latest blog post describes human medications that are toxic to pets and how you can prevent your furry pal from accidentally ingesting them.

When your pet is in pain or has seasonal allergies, you may be tempted to give them medications you use for these ailments. However, many human medications are toxic to cats and dogs. Toxicity from accidental medication ingestion is a common reason for pet poisoning. These poisonings can also occur....

03/12/2024

Not all behavior issues in pets are as easy to identify as we think!

🐾 Separation anxiety can be hard to differentiate from other behaviors, making early identification crucial.

💪 Watch out for signs like vocalizing, panting in dogs, and pacing/restlessness before you leave home. If your pet is showing these signs, it's important to seek professional help for effective treatment. 🐶🐱

03/08/2024

Since your four-legged friend can’t tell us what’s wrong when they’re ill or injured, we rely on diagnostic equipment to pinpoint the problem. Learn about the many diagnostic tools, from digital X-rays to CT scans, that we use in our hospital in our latest blog post.

Veterinary diagnostic equipment has made massive advancements and now rivals the equipment in human medical laboratories and diagnostic centers. With cutting-edge veterinary diagnostic equipment, veterinary teams can do more than ever for pet owners to ensure their pets receive high-quality care. Le...

03/07/2024

🐾🌡️ Is your furry friend having trouble shedding those extra pounds? If you've been struggling with their diet and exercise plan, it's time for a veterinary visit.

🏥🩺 Call our team to schedule your pet's workup and determine why they're not losing weight. We'll work with you to find a solution that works for your pet's unique needs. Call (703) 256-8414 to book an appointment.

03/05/2024

🦊 Canine distemper is a viral infection that can be deadly for dogs, particularly puppies and unvaccinated dogs. The virus can also infect foxes, wolves, coyotes, skunks, and raccoons.

Distemper is spread through aerosolized droplets from an infected animal or contaminated objects. The virus can attack the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems, leading to symptoms such as fever, nasal discharge, coughing, lethargy, and vomiting.

If your pet displays any of these symptoms, or if you're concerned about their risk of infection, call (703) 256-8414 to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced Veterinarians. We're here to help keep your pet healthy and happy! 🩺

02/29/2024

🦟 Beware pet owners! Heartworms can be a serious threat to your furry friend's health.

😢 When a mosquito bites an infected dog, they ingest heartworm larvae, which can mature in the mosquito before being transmitted to the next pet the insect bites. In dogs, heartworms can mature to adulthood, mate, and produce offspring in their heart, causing significant health problems. While cats are atypical hosts, immature heartworms can still cause them health problems. 🐾

Providing year-round heartworm prevention is an important part of your pet’s health care plan.

If you would like to discuss the various preventives, contact our team by calling (703) 256-8414, so we can determine what protocol would best fit you and your pet’s lifestyle.

02/27/2024

👉🙅‍♀️ Hey there, pet lovers! Here's a quick tip for you: Avoid feeding your furry friends onions, garlic, and chives!

🚫 Although you may love these herbs, they can cause red blood cell damage and lead to vomiting, weakness, nausea, and collapse in your pets. Be cautious and keep these ingredients away from your pets to prevent a health emergency!🙏

02/22/2024

🏋️‍♂️ Did you know that more than half the pet population is classified as overweight or obese? Don't let your furry friend fall into this category!

🦴👎 Overweight pets are more likely to suffer from osteoarthritis, cranial cruciate ligament tears, soft tissue sprains and strains, and other musculoskeletal issues related to excess weight.

💪👍 Help your pet maintain their ideal body weight by incorporating regular exercise into their routine. Call (703) 256-8414 to talk to your veterinarian for tips on how to keep your furry friend happy and healthy.

02/20/2024

🌳🐶 Pet-proofing your lawn and garden is crucial if you want to keep your furry friend safe and healthy!

🐾 Choose pet-safe fertilizers, pesticides, and garden additives, and make sure your curious pet cannot access bags of fertilizer or chew bottles of repellents. Also, be mindful of poisonous plants, like lilies, azaleas, sago palms, and tulips, and consider transplanting them to a safer area your pet cannot access.🚫

02/19/2024

Did you know that periodontal disease is one of the most common conditions that veterinarians diagnose in cats and dogs? Gum disease, which affects almost all pets by age 3, can lead to oral pain and infection and can also potentially harm your pet’s organs. Learn how to spot and treat periodontal disease in your pet in our latest blog post.

If your pet is 3 years of age or older, there’s an excellent chance they have periodontal disease. Up to 90% of all cats and dogs have some level of gum disease by this age, so if your furry pal is no longer a young puppy or kitten, they likely have stinky breath

02/15/2024

🍇🐕 Grapevines may be a beautiful addition to your yard, but they can be toxic to your dog.

😕 If ingested, they can cause kidney failure. But don't worry, there's a solution!

👀 Try trimming the budding grapes before they turn into fruit to preserve the aesthetic value of the vines while keeping your furry friend safe.

🌱 As always, it's important to be aware of potential toxins and hazards to keep your pets healthy and happy.

02/13/2024

🍗🥦 Your pet's diet is crucial to their overall health and well-being. Even though they're not chowing down on junk food like we do, what they eat and how much of it can impact their weight and risk for health problems like diabetes, hypertension, and osteoarthritis. As a pet owner, it's important to ensure that your furry friend is getting the right nutrition.

If you're unsure what the best nutritional plan is for your pet, give us a call at (703) 256-8414 today!

02/08/2024

Separation anxiety isn't just a dog thing! Cats can also experience the same distress and anxiety when left alone. If you notice your cat exhibiting signs like destructive behavior, excessive grooming, or vocalizations, it's important to address the issue and provide the support they need.

02/06/2024

🦟 Ticks are more resilient than we think, and they can emerge from hiding any time the temperature climbs above freezing—even in winter! Pets are at an ever-increasing risk for Lyme disease.

Because only a single tick bite can transmit Lyme disease, we recommend continuous parasite prevention for year-round protection and peace of mind. Learn how to protect your pet and yourself from this debilitating condition by contacting us at (703) 256-8414.

Stay informed, stay safe, and keep your pet healthy! 🐾

02/02/2024

Routine wellness care and screening tests are proven to extend a pet’s healthy years, but many pet owners forgo routine exams because of their pet’s stress level during visits. Check out our latest blog post for tips on reducing veterinary visit stress and helping your furry pal feel comfortable and safe in our care.

Veterinary care is essential to keep your furry pal healthy, but most pets feel anxious, fearful, or stressed in the veterinarian’s office. Feeling fear in an unfamiliar or uncomfortable situation is natural, but this response can make providing needed veterinary care more difficult and adversely ...

02/01/2024

🌿🐾 Pet owners, be cautious when using w**d killers in your lawn or garden!

👀 While most w**d killers are safe when used correctly, your pet can experience myotonia, vomiting, and weakness if they consume an extreme quantity of certain products. Roundup® is not particularly dangerous, but ingesting large quantities of undiluted product can be harmful. If your pet is presenting these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

👍 Keep your pets safe and healthy by using w**d killers responsibly!🙏

01/30/2024

🐾🩺 Your furry friend's health is important to us! Preventative measures like vaccines can save you from the expenses of costly medications and treatment.

Protect your pet and (703) 256-8414 to schedule a consultation with a Veterinarian.