Audubon Animal Medical Center

Audubon Animal Medical Center We love our pets, and caring for them and so do you. We are here to help you keep your furry and feathered best friends healthy, active and happy.

🐾🚗 Summer Travel Season Is Here. Is Your Dog Protected From Dog Flu? 🚗🐾Summer means road trips, family vacations, boardi...
06/24/2026

🐾🚗 Summer Travel Season Is Here. Is Your Dog Protected From Dog Flu? 🚗🐾

Summer means road trips, family vacations, boarding stays, daycare visits, and more opportunities for dogs to meet other dogs. While Kentucky is not currently experiencing a major canine influenza (dog flu) outbreak, increased travel can help contagious illnesses spread quickly.

Dog flu is highly contagious and spreads through coughing, sneezing, shared water bowls, toys, kennels, and even on clothing and hands.

Signs of Canine Influenza

Keep an eye out for:
🤧 Persistent cough

👃 Runny nose

😴 Lethargy

🌡️ Fever

🍽️ Loss of appetite

👁️ Eye discharge

If your dog develops symptoms, contact your veterinarian and avoid exposing them to other dogs until they have been evaluated.

Road Trip Safety Tips

🚙 Pack your dog's own water bowl and fresh water.

🚙 Avoid communal water bowls at rest stops and travel centers.

🚙 Choose potty breaks in less crowded areas whenever possible.

🚙 Keep your dog leashed and limit nose-to-nose greetings with unfamiliar dogs.

🚙 Wash or sanitize your hands after handling other animals.

Boarding and Daycare Tips

🏡 Ask about vaccination requirements and illness screening protocols.

🏡 Confirm staff separate dogs showing signs of respiratory illness.

🏡 Make sure your dog's vaccinations are current, including canine influenza if recommended by your veterinarian.

🏡 Monitor your dog for coughing or nasal discharge when they return home.

Prevention Matters

The risk of exposure increases anywhere dogs gather, including boarding facilities, daycare centers, grooming salons, training classes, dog parks, and pet-friendly hotels.

A little planning before your trip can help keep your dog healthy and your vacation worry-free.

🐾 Traveling with your dog this summer? Tell us where your adventures are taking you!

AUDUBON ANIMAL HOSPITAL: 502-361-2611 / CHEROKEE: 502-451-2442

🐾☀️🚗

Does Exercise Really Help My Senior Pet?As dogs age they naturally become less active and energetic, and there are many ...
06/23/2026

Does Exercise Really Help My Senior Pet?

As dogs age they naturally become less active and energetic, and there are many reasons for this....

Weight gain, arthritis, anxiety, even something seemingly unrelated to the ability to move (such as failing eyesight) can make your dog reluctant to get out and about.

But a body that doesn't move isn't healthy, and immobility increases the risks of all sorts of conditions including heart problems, joint issues such as arthritis, obesity and more.

As with older people, keeping older pets mobile through appropriate exercise helps keep them healthier and more mobile, but it can be difficult to know how much is enough - or too much.

Always check with your veterinarian before embarking on a new, or increased, exercise with your old dog.

For humans of all ages, walking is considered to be one of the very best exercise options.... and this holds true for dogs too.

The vast majority of dogs love to walk. They like to sniff everything, greet everyone, wander here and there and generally enjoy the great outdoors.

Most senior dogs will still enjoy, and benefit from a daily walk.

But rather than a full-out hike or even a brisk walk, your older dogs' outings need to be taken at a slower pace, and you'll need to give more thought to where, and when, you take your daily 'constitutional'.

Pay attention to the temperature outside - skip extremely cold and extremely hot days.

Make sure the walking surface is suitable and allows good traction. Older dogs may have mobility issues or joint problems which make them a little less steady on their feet than they used to be.

Avoid parks or open grassy areas which have hills, ditches or pot-holes/gopher holes. Any of these could cause your older dog to damage cartilage, tendons or even break bones.

Also stay away from slick floors such as those in stores, malls or painted/treated concrete which can be very slippery.

Keep to familiar routes. With age many of a dog's senses deteriorate and lots of older dogs have reduced eyesight, hearing or smell. This can make them anxious in new surroundings, so seniors generally feel more relaxed and happy on routes that are familiar to them.

Follow his signals & use common sense.

Most of the time your dogs' body will give him the right advice. With one important exception... when he feels the need to keep up with YOU!

Follow your seniors' lead and watch him closely for signs of pain, distress, overheating or a chill.

ARE YOU A HAPPY CAMPER?In spite of all the recent rain, we have had some lovely camping and hiking weather with cooler t...
06/22/2026

ARE YOU A HAPPY CAMPER?

In spite of all the recent rain, we have had some lovely camping and hiking weather with cooler temps.

Before you hit the trail, remember not all canines are created equal where hiking is concerned.

If you enjoy the great outdoors and take challenging hikes, these breeds are among your best companions for adventures in the Kentuckiana area.

Labrador Retriever
America’s most popular dog is also a great hiking partner due to its friendly temperament and strong desire to explore. Labrador's in general like to stay with their humans, so they won't tend to run off on their own.

Vizsla
Originally bred as a hunting dog in central Europe, the Vizsla requires plenty of physical exercise and attention. They can handle strenuous labor as long as they are in good health.

German Short-haired Pointer
Make an excellent hiking companion. The breed was developed as a hunting dog and still performs this task today across the world. They enjoy long hours of strenuous activity in various climates, making them suitable for long hikes and adventures. They are social and willing to please, eager to work with their owners and make new friends.

Weimaraner
This hunting dog was bred to work long hours outdoors, an activity it still enjoys today. Weimaraners are loyal, affectionate, and fun-loving dogs that make excellent hiking partners. Built for speed and stamina, they do well on short and long excursions.

Australian Shepherd
Originally bred as an all-purpose herder and farm dog, the Australian Shepherd is nearly unmatched when it comes to obedience, high energy and agility – all of which are essential on the hiking trail. The Australian Shepherd is especially adept at traversing tough terrain with steep inclines and jutting rock formations.

Border Collie
Known for its high energy, incredible agility and superb intelligence, the Border Collie is adept at many outdoor activities, including hiking. The dog breed also follows directions well, which is extremely important on a trail.

Heinz 57 - Mixed Breed
Mixed-breed dogs are great at so many things, why not hiking too? In fact, many mixed-breed dogs share the same qualities and characteristics with the dogs on this list. Look for behavioral cues which indicate your lovable mutt might be up for a hike in the woods.

Stressed Out? If so, odds are, so is your dog.Most pet owners will tell you their furry friends have an uncanny knack fo...
06/19/2026

Stressed Out? If so, odds are, so is your dog.

Most pet owners will tell you their furry friends have an uncanny knack for reading their mood and emotions.

A recent study in Sweden, however, indicates your mood may have more of an affect on your pet than you think.

The researchers determined stress levels over several months by measuring the concentration of a stress hormone, cortisol, in a few centimeters of hair from the dog and from its owner.

Levels of long-term cortisol in the dog and its owner were synchronized, such that owners with high cortisol levels have dogs with high cortisol levels, while owners with low cortisol levels have dogs with low levels.

More research is needed to determine if all dogs are susceptible to their owner's stress or just certain breeds.

As working dogs, the border collies and shetland sheepdogs used in this study were trained to be in-snyc with their owners.

In turn, they may have been more deeply affected by their owner's stress level

UNTIL WE KNOW MORE......IT'S TIME TO RELAX.

(Photo courtesy of 'A Dog's Purpose')

🥪🐾 Pack the Picnic Basket, Don't Forget the Dog! 🐾🥪June 18 is International Picnic Day, and there's no better picnic com...
06/18/2026

🥪🐾 Pack the Picnic Basket, Don't Forget the Dog! 🐾🥪

June 18 is International Picnic Day, and there's no better picnic companion than a happy dog ready for a day of sunshine, fresh air, and adventure.

Whether you're heading to a Louisville-area park, enjoying your backyard, or gathering with family and friends, a little planning can make the day fun and safe for everyone—including your four-legged guest of honor.

🍉 Dog-Friendly Picnic Menu

Not all picnic foods are pet-safe, but your pup can still enjoy a special treat:

✅ Plain cooked chicken or turkey
✅ Carrot sticks
✅ Cucumber slices
✅ Seedless watermelon (no rind)
✅ Blueberries
✅ Apple slices (without seeds)
✅ Dog treats packed just for them

🚫 Skip the picnic table temptations:

Grapes and raisins
Onions and garlic
Chocolate
Xylitol-sweetened foods
Corn cobs
Alcohol
🎾 Picnic Games Your Dog Will Love

🐕 Fetch in an open area
👃 "Find It" scent games with treats
📸 A family photo session
🚶 A nature walk before lunch
🦴 A chew toy or enrichment puzzle for relaxing after play

☀️ Picnic Safety Tips

💧 Bring plenty of fresh water and a travel bowl

🌳 Choose a shaded spot whenever possible

🔥 Be mindful of hot pavement before and after your picnic

🦟 Keep up with flea, tick, and heartworm prevention

🦮 Use a leash unless you're in a designated off-leash area

🗑️ Secure trash and food scraps to prevent accidental snacking

🐾 Fun Picnic Trivia

The word "picnic" comes from the French term pique-nique, describing a meal enjoyed outdoors where everyone contributes food. We think dogs have been happily contributing enthusiasm ever since!

This International Picnic Day, grab a blanket, pack a basket, and make some memories with your favorite furry friend.

❤️ After all, every picnic is better when someone is excited about every single sandwich.

📸 Share a photo of your picnic partner in the comments!

🐾☀️🥪🍉

June 16 is World Sea Turtle Day, a day we honor these incredible creatures worldwide.These beautiful reptiles have neste...
06/17/2026

June 16 is World Sea Turtle Day, a day we honor these incredible creatures worldwide.

These beautiful reptiles have nested on our beaches for millions of years. So of course they deserve their own day dedicated to their magnificence!

The day brings attention to turtles, tortoises and encourages you to learn more and help them survive and thrive. Around the globe, countries celebrate World Sea Turtle Day in a variety of ways.

In the summertime when the weather is warm, pregnant female sea turtles return to the beaches where they hatched. They swim through crashing surf and crawl up the beach searching for a nesting spot above the high water mark. Using her back flippers, this impressive reptile digs a nest in the sand. Digging the nest and laying her eggs usually takes between one to three hours, after which the mother turtle slowly drags her way back to the ocean.

Female turtles lay up to 100 eggs, which incubate around 60 days in warm sand. An interesting sea turtle fact is that the temperature of the sand determines the gender of the sea turtle with cooler sand producing more males and warmer sand producing more females. Watch the babies emerge fro the sand.

https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=5ABCCFEE-1DD8-B71C-079DC2B827360E23

🌙🐈⚡ The Midnight Kitty Berserkers Are Back! ⚡🐈🌙If your peaceful housecat suddenly transforms into a furry tornado at 2 a...
06/16/2026

🌙🐈⚡ The Midnight Kitty Berserkers Are Back! ⚡🐈🌙

If your peaceful housecat suddenly transforms into a furry tornado at 2 a.m., racing through the hallway, launching off furniture, attacking invisible enemies, and skidding across hardwood floors, you’re not alone.

Veterinarians and cat owners lovingly call these episodes “zoomies” or “kitty berserker mode.”

And believe it or not, the term berserker actually has Viking roots!

⚔️ The original Norse Berserkers were legendary Viking warriors said to enter a wild, energetic battle frenzy. Historians believe the word may come from “bear-shirt,” referring to warriors who wore animal pelts and fought with seemingly unstoppable intensity.

Sound familiar, cat owners? 😹

Today’s feline berserkers aren’t preparing for battle, they’re usually burning off energy and acting on natural hunting instincts.

🐾 Common reasons cats go full Viking at night include:

🌙 Cats are naturally crepuscular, meaning they’re most active at dawn and dusk
🎯 Pent-up energy from sleeping all day
🧠 Mental stimulation and play instincts
🐭 Natural “hunt-catch-pounce” behaviors
🍽 Anticipation of meals or attention

Those dramatic midnight sprints are often completely normal, especially in kittens and younger cats.

Want to reduce nighttime chaos?

✔ Schedule interactive play before bedtime
✔ Use puzzle feeders or enrichment toys
✔ Keep a consistent feeding routine
✔ Provide climbing trees and scratching posts
✔ Give indoor cats plenty of daytime stimulation

Of course, if your cat suddenly develops frantic behavior, excessive vocalization, aggression, or disorientation - especially in older cats - it’s always worth discussing with your veterinarian.

Until then… may your tiny Viking warrior spare your ankles tonight. ⚔️🐈💨

🐾

AN ALERT TO OUR AUDUBON AND CHEROKEE CLIENTS: Copperheads and other snakes are very active this time of the year.This is...
06/15/2026

AN ALERT TO OUR AUDUBON AND CHEROKEE CLIENTS: Copperheads and other snakes are very active this time of the year.

This is just a reminder to our clients to be wary of venomous snakes - particularly the Copperhead - during outdoor activities.

This snake was killed by a Louisville-area dog (unfortunately AFTER being bitten) when the snake entered their outdoor pen area.

Copperhead snakes are some of the more commonly seen North American snakes. They're also the most likely to bite,

Copperheads prefer transitional areas - that is areas with both sun and shade. They like rocky, wooded areas and thickets near streams - almost any habitat with both sunlight and covered, shaded areas,

Although their bites are rarely fatal for humans or dogs, a copperhead bite is still serious and requires immediate attention.

If your dog is bitten, do not try to remove the venom and do not apply ice.

Try to keep your pet as calm as possible.

Since bites to dogs typically occur around the face, swelling may interfere with normal breathing and swallowing.

An immediate call to Poison Control and a trip to your Vet is warranted.

Call the Poison Control Center hotline for all poison emergencies: 1-800-222-1222

🌞🐾 Feel-Good Friday: The Heroes of Summer 🐝🦇🦋As we head into the weekend, here's a little wildlife appreciation for June...
06/12/2026

🌞🐾 Feel-Good Friday: The Heroes of Summer 🐝🦇🦋

As we head into the weekend, here's a little wildlife appreciation for June 12!

Did you know that some of nature's hardest-working animals are also some of the most misunderstood?

🐝 Bees pollinate about one-third of the food we eat.

🦋 Butterflies help pollinate flowers while serving as important indicators of a healthy environment.

🦇 Bats can eat thousands of insects in a single night—including mosquitoes that can bother both people and pets.

Right here in Kentucky, these amazing creatures are busy all summer long, helping gardens bloom, supporting local ecosystems, and keeping nature in balance.

Want to make a difference? Consider planting native flowers, reducing pesticide use, and leaving a small area of your yard a little "wild." Your local pollinators will thank you!

And while we're celebrating wildlife, don't forget our pets. Dogs and cats benefit from spending time outdoors safely, enjoying fresh air, new scents, and the sights and sounds of nature. Just remember to keep pets up to date on flea, tick, and heartworm prevention during the warmer months.

💚 This Feel-Good Friday, we're grateful for all the animals—wild and domesticated—that make our world a little brighter.

🐾 What's your favorite Kentucky wildlife sighting? A butterfly in the garden? A hummingbird at the feeder? A bat at dusk? Share your photos in the comments!

🐝🦋🦇🐾

06/11/2026

If your dog needs relief, Apoquel® (oclacitinib tablet) may be able to help them like it helped Biff! Make an appointment to come in and see us so we can talk about options.

Remember, this content is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please talk to a veterinarian if you have any questions. They are always the best resource for medical information.

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1311 Durrett Lane
Louisville, KY
40213

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 7pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 6pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 6pm
Thursday 8:30am - 6pm
Friday 8:30am - 6pm
Saturday 8:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+15023612611

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