Kanab Vet Hospital

07/31/2025

When was the last time your pet experienced a fresh, healthy smile? A 10% Oral Health discount begins tomorrow (August 1st). Call Kanab Veterinary Hospital to schedule your pet's dental health appointment now - 435-644-2400.

07/28/2025

10% ORAL HEALTH DISCOUNT
Elevating your pets' oral health unlocks a treasure trove of other health benefits.

Invest in the future of your pets overall health and embrace the spirit of dental health this August 2025! Enjoy a 10% discount for your beloved dogs, cats, and horses. Call our friendly staff today and make your appointment: 435-644-2400.

07/23/2025

AUGUST 2025 – Pet Dental Health Month
10% Discount on Pet Dentals
(Additional non-dental services are not subject to the 10% discount)
Mention CODE: August2025

DENTAL HEALTH is a very important part of your pet’s overall health, and dental problems can cause, or be caused by, other health problems.

Your pet’s teeth and gums should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian for early signs of problems and to keep your pet’s mouth healthy.

06/26/2025

🎉 **Important Notice from Kanab Veterinary Hospital!** 🎉

In honor of Independence Day, we will be closed on Friday, July 4th. We encourage everyone to celebrate this special day with joy and safety! Here are some essential safety tips to keep in mind for your furry family 🇺🇸✨

NEVER LEAVE alcoholic drinks unattended where pets can reach them. If ingested, the animal could become intoxicated and weak, severely depressed or could go into a coma. Death from respiratory failure is also a possibility in severe cases.

DO NOT APPLY any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.

ALWAYS KEEP matches and lighter fluid out of pets’ reach. Certain types of matches contain chlorates, which could potentially damage blood cells and result in difficulty breathing—or even kidney disease in severe cases. Lighter fluid can be irritating to skin, and if ingested can produce gastrointestinal irritation and central nervous system depression. If lighter fluid is inhaled, aspiration pneumonia and breathing problems could develop.

KEEP YOUR PETS ON A NORMAL DIET. Any change, even for one meal, can give your pet severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals who have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements. And keep in mind that foods such as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes, raisins, salt and yeast dough can all be potentially toxic to companion animals.

DO NOT PUT GLOW JEWELRY ON YOUR PETS or allow them to play with it. While the luminescent substance contained in these products is not highly toxic, excessive drooling and gastrointestinal irritation could still result from ingestions, and intestinal blockage could occur from swallowing large pieces of the plastic containers.

KEEP PRODUCTS OUT OF REACH such as citronella candles, insect coils and tiki torch oil. Ingestion can produce stomach irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression. If inhaled, the oils could cause aspiration pneumonia in pets.

SOME PETS WILL EAT ANYTHING, regardless of how it tastes—including fireworks! Never underestimate your pet’s level of curiosity and keep them far away from any fireworks. Keep any fireworks securely locked away until you’re ready to light them, then be sure to keep pets out of the area as you set off your fireworks.

FIREWORKS contain several types of chemicals and heavy metals. If you set off fireworks at home, make sure you thoroughly clean up the area, gathering any trash or remaining materials, before letting your dog have access again.

INCASE OF EMERGENCY
If you have any reason to suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.

06/26/2025

KEEP YOUR PETS SAFE THIS FIREWORK SEASON
July 4th is approaching quickly! Fireworks may start as early as July 1st. Are you prepared for the safety and security of your pets?

🎇FIREWORK SEASON SAFETY🎇 – CONSULT YOUR VETERINARIAN NOW!

Fireworks can cause stress and anxiety for pets. Here are some key precautions to help keep them calm:

1. Create a Safe Space: Designate a quiet area in your home away from windows and doors.

2. Use Calming Aids: Consider anxiety wraps, pheromone diffusers, or calming treats to ease their anxiety.

3. Keep Pets Indoors: Close windows and doors during fireworks to block out noise and prevent escapes.

4. Provide Distractions: Engage your pet with toys or soothing music to divert their attention from the noise.

5. Exercise Beforehand: A long walk or play session earlier in the day can help tire them out.

6. Identification: Ensure your pet has a collar with tags and a microchip for safe return if they escape.

7. Stay Calm: Your demeanor affects your pet; remain calm and relaxed.

8. Consult Your Veterinarian: For pets with severe anxiety, seek professional advice for potential medication or strategies.

9. Plan for Fireworks Events: Stay home with your pet or find a quiet location if fireworks are planned.

10. Monitor Your Pet: Watch for signs of distress and provide comfort as needed.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR NEW UTAH RESIDENTS:
In July, there are two firework celebrations: Independence Day on July 4th and Pioneer Day on July 24th. Fireworks can be set off for three days before and after both dates. For specific details and to help you plan for your pets' safety, be sure to check the Kanab City Fire Department's page.
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06/23/2025

06/21/2025

Why You Should Never Leave Your Dog in a Hot Car-Even For Just a Few Minutes

Just five minutes of your time RIGHT NOW could be the difference between life and death for your beloved dog(s)!

Veterinarian, Dr. Ernie Ward, undertakes a sizzling experiment to see what it feels like to a dog to be left in a parked car for thirty minutes during warm weather. As the the mercury rises, it becomes quickly evident that a hot car can be a fatal place for a dog.

Dr. Ernie Ward undertakes a sizzling experiment to see what it feels like to a dog to be left in a parked car for thirty minutes during warm weather. As the ...

06/19/2025

🎇FIREWORK SEASON SAFETY🎇 – CONSULT YOUR VETERINARIAN NOW!

Fireworks can cause stress and anxiety for pets. Here are some key precautions to help keep them calm:

1. Create a Safe Space: Designate a quiet area in your home away from windows and doors.

2. Use Calming Aids: Consider anxiety wraps, pheromone diffusers, or calming treats to ease their anxiety.

3. Keep Pets Indoors: Close windows and doors during fireworks to block out noise and prevent escapes.

4. Provide Distractions: Engage your pet with toys or soothing music to divert their attention from the noise.

5. Exercise Beforehand: A long walk or play session earlier in the day can help tire them out.

6. Identification: Ensure your pet has a collar with tags and a microchip for safe return if they escape.

7. Stay Calm: Your demeanor affects your pet; remain calm and relaxed.

8. Consult Your Veterinarian: For pets with severe anxiety, seek professional advice for potential medication or strategies.

9. Plan for Fireworks Events: Stay home with your pet or find a quiet location if fireworks are planned.

10. Monitor Your Pet: Watch for signs of distress and provide comfort as needed.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR NEW UTAH RESIDENTS:
In July, there are two firework celebrations: Independence Day on July 4th and Pioneer Day on July 24th. Fireworks can be set off for three days before and after both dates. For specific details and to help you plan for your pets' safety, be sure to check the Kanab City Fire Department's page.
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06/18/2025

🔥HOT TIP🔥
If it's too hot for you to walk barefoot, it’s a reminder to protect your furry friend as well.

Let's embrace the joy of summer while keeping it safe for our pets. Watch this inspiring video for vital summer safety tips that will protect our beloved companions.

06/13/2025

HEAT STRESS – SUMMER RISKS FOR YOUR PETS
As the temperature rises and summer arrives, it is important to take extra steps in protecting your pets against the heat to prevent heatstroke, heat exhaustion, and other hot-weather ailments. Whether you are out for a walk, riding in the car, or letting them play in the yard, the heat can take a toll on your pet’s health.

DO WHAT IS BEST FOR YOUR DOG
Dogs don't sweat like humans, causing their body temperature to rise quickly, which can lead to heat stroke or death. Senior dogs, puppies, and brachycephalic breeds (such as a pug) are especially vulnerable in hot weather. It's best to keep them at home in a shady spot with access to cool water.

RAPIDLY RISING TEMPERATURE CAN KILL!
Never leave pets alone in vehicles! On a 70-degree day, temperatures can reach 116 degrees in just 10 minutes, even with windows cracked. Air conditioning isn't a reliable solution, as it can fail. Instead, leave your pet at home in a cool, comfortable space with plenty of water.

WALKS AND HIKING
• Carry enough water for you and your dog.
• Do not take your pets on hot, exposed hikes during the heat of the day.
• Hot Sandy Trails can burn your dog’s paws. If it is too hot for you to walk barefoot, it is too hot for your dog.
• Hot Pavement - Dogs can burn their paws on the sidewalk in the summer. If the pavement is too hot for you to walk barefoot, it is too hot for your dog. To be safe, walk your dog early in the morning or later in the evening. Leave your pets at home when heading to festivals or farmer’s markets.
• Check pets for ticks, foxtails, and grass seeds following outdoor activity.

SIGNS OF PET HEATSTROKE
• Exaggerated panting (or the sudden stopping of panting).
• Rapid or erratic pulse.
• Salivation, anxious or staring expression.
• Weakness and muscle tremors or lack of coordination.
• Convulsions or vomiting, and collapse.

If you notice these signs, here are some steps that may help your pet:
• Move your pet to a cool, shady place.
• Wet the animal with cool water, such as laying them in a stream or a tub.
• Do not apply ice as this will constrict blood flow and discourage cooling.
• Fan your pet to promote evaporation. This cools the blood, helping to reduce the animal’s core temperature.
• Allow your pet to drink some cool water.
• Take your pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible for further treatment.

06/02/2025

WARNING – FOXTAIL SEASON IS HERE!!!

What are Foxtails?
Foxtails contain razor-sharp seeds that can embed themselves into your dog’s body. They can enter your dog’s mouth, nose, eyes, ears, paws, ge****ls, and fur.

Where do foxtails grow in the U.S.?
You can find foxtails in grasslands, parks, and meadows throughout the U.S.

What kind of grass produces foxtails?
Foxtails are part of the Poaceae grass family. There are three major types of foxtail plants. They are Giant foxtail, Green foxtail, and Yellow foxtail.

FOXTAILS AND YOUR DOGS – RISKS AND SYMPTOMS
Foxtails can dig through your dog’s skin or be inhaled through its nose or mouth. The spiked seeds then travel through your dog's body and can move to its brain, lungs, and other organs. If your dog shows signs of distress, such as limping or trouble breathing, or if you notice any of the following symptoms, check for foxtails or see your veterinarian:

• PAWS: Foxtail seeds fall to the ground, and your dog can easily step on them.
Once that happens, the seeds can embed themselves between your dog’s toes.
Check for foxtails if you notice swelling or limping or if your dog is constantly
licking their feet.

• EARS: If you notice your dog shaking his head, tilting it to the side, or scratching
nonstop at their ear, it could be a sign of an embedded foxtail. The seed can
move deep inside your dog’s ear canal making it impossible to detect without
your vet's help.

• EYES: Look for redness, discharge, swelling, and your dog squinting and pawing
the area. It may mean that a seed has lodged itself inside your dog’s eye.

• NOSE: If you see any discharge from your dog’s nose, or if your dog is intensely
and frequently sneezing, a foxtail may be lodged in your dog’s nasal passage.

• GE****LS: Foxtails can find their way inside your dog’s ge****ls, too. If your dog
is persistently licking the area, it could be a result of foxtails.

• SKIN: If you notice any wounds or abscesses on your dog’s skin, it could be from
a foxtail seed.

CATS CAN GET FOXTAILS TOO!
• If you have an outdoor cat, check them when they come inside. Foxtails aren’t
usually found in a cat’s nasal cavity because they're too small. However, cats can
step on foxtails, which can be found on other parts of your cat’s body.

TIPS FOR PREVENTING FOXTAIL PROBLEMS
Any dog can get foxtails in the ears, nose, eyes, or mouth. But dogs with long ears and curly hair can be especially prone to foxtail problems. Be sure to:

• Avoid walking your pet in areas where you know foxtails grow; keep your dog
out of overgrown, grassy areas.

• If you find yourself unexpectedly around foxtail plants, keep your dog on a leash
away from the foxtails.

• Just like with ticks, after a walk, check your dog’s entire body to make sure you
don’t find any foxtail seeds. This includes the usual places such as your dog’s
legs, paws, pads of their paws, ears, eyes, nose, mouth, gums, and ge****ls. If you
notice any foxtails, gently pull them out with a pair of tweezers.

• Check your yard for foxtail plants and completely remove them, roots and all.

• Keep your dog’s coat short during the summer and fall, especially on its legs and
feet, because foxtails can get caught in your dog’s fur.

HOW TO REMOVE FOXTAILS FROM YOUR DOG
If you notice a foxtail seed on your dog, remove it using tweezers in the same manner as removing a tick, BEFORE it burrows in. If you don’t know how to do this or if you suspect the foxtail is already embedded inside your dog’s body, take them to the veterinarian asap.

IDENTIFYING FOXTAILS
Foxtails exist in several varieties, with three main types: Giant, Green, and Yellow foxtails. Sizes of these foxtail plants vary:

• Giant foxtails grow 2-4 feet tall and have the largest seed head, about 1.5-8
inches long, which tends to droop downward.
• Green foxtails grow 1-2 feet tall and may have a seed head as large as the giant
foxtail, but it stays upright.
• Yellow foxtails grow 1-3 feet tall and have the smallest seed head of these three
species, about 0.75-6 inches long, which stays upright.

Wishing you and your beloved pets a joyful and safe summer filled with unforgettable moments.

05/27/2025

Why Are Foxtails Dangerous for Dogs and Cats?
Foxtail seeds can lead to serious infection once inside your pet’s body because they don’t break down. Embedded foxtails can cause discharge, abscesses, swelling, pain, and even death.

The most dangerous exposure is when pets inhale a barbed seed. This can happen if your pet runs with its mouth wide open in a field of foxtails. Inhaled foxtail seeds can wind up in the lower airways of your pet's lungs. Fortunately, this is rare.

The seeds can also enter your pet's body through their skin since they’re hard to find in your their fur. Your pet can step on the seeds or even brush by the plant without you realizing it. The seeds must be removed to prevent any pain or injury to your pet.