Posts in Category: Pet Health & Wellness
Meow-Wow! The New Cat Lodge at Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center
When people see our new, beautiful Cat Lodge, they’re pretty impressed! With its sleek condo spaces, stunning wall murals reflecting Colorado mountainscapes, custom built cat trees made from real aspen and spruce, and a colorful and entertaining fish tank, we couldn’t be happier to show it off!
The Four Stages of Pet Dental Disease
Pet dental disease, also called periodontal disease, is one of the most common clinical conditions seen by our veterinarians. This comes as no surprise when we consider that most adult dogs and cats show some signs of the disease by the time they reach 3 years of age. If left untreated, pet dental disease can lead to pain, tooth loss, infection, and even damage to the vital organs, such as the heart, liver, and kidneys.
The dental health of our patients is important to us at Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center. In recognition of National Pet Dental Health Month, which is observed every February, we’d like to place the spotlight on periodontal disease and what pet owners can do to prevent and treat this serious condition.
New Year, New Pet Wellness Resolutions!
It’s hard to believe another year has come and gone, but here we are in 2018! Facing a brand new year is both exciting and daunting, offering us the possibility of starting over in many areas of our lives, such as health and wellness and work habits.
Along with upgrading our personal lifestyles, pet wellness can and should be on the forefront of our New Year’s resolutions. Our list of ideas are designed to be simple and effective ways to give your pet a healthy boost in 2018!
Lone Tree Veterinary Hospital’s Top 10 Blogs Of 2017!
Whether you’re gearing up for a big end-of-the-year celebration, or you’re planning a quiet evening at home, you’re likely using some of this time to reflect on the past year and set goals for the future. At Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center, we are doing the same; our year has been busy, challenging, and absolutely rewarding thanks to our wonderful patients and their families!
With meaningful topics such as pet dental care, traveling with a pet, and rattlesnake safety, we do our best to bring you information you can use to improve the daily lives of your amazing pets. Whether you are a newcomer to the website or a seasoned reader of our blogs, we invite you to enjoy the most popular 10 blogs of 2017:
To Tree or Not to Tree? Holiday Reminders for Pet Owners
‘Tis the season for family gatherings, decking the halls, and enjoying all of the wonders of Christmas. It is important to remember, however, that among the decorations, decor, and abundant feasts, our holiday essentials can pique the interest of our pets and expose them to toxic or unsafe situations.
In order to help you and your pets safely enjoy this festive season, the team at Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center has a few important reminders for pet owners and avoiding that unexpected visit to the overnight animal ER!
Beneath The Surface: The Lowdown On Anesthesia-Free Pet Dental Cleanings
We are frequently asked about anesthesia-free pet dental cleanings, which have grown in popularity in recent years. This is the practice of performing a dental cleaning on a pet, which involves scaling (cleaning and scraping) the pet’s teeth to the gumline, without the use of general anesthesia.
The popularity of anesthesia-free dentals is mostly due to marketing campaigns that promote the anesthesia-free method as a less expensive alternative to a dental cleaning that is performed while the pet is under general anesthesia. Unfortunately, it is also based on misinformation regarding what is really involved in cleaning a pet’s teeth. Marketers for anesthesia-free dental cleanings also fail to mention that these dentals often make a pet’s oral problems worse and, in many cases, involve abuse and cruelty.
For pet owners seeking to minimize the number of times a pet has to be “put under” with general anesthesia, the anesthesia-free idea may seem like a great option, but the procedure is wrought with many risks and problems that, in our opinion, outweigh any perception of benefit.
You Hold The Key: The Link Between Kindness And Pet Well-Being
Gertrude Weaver of Arkansas was 116 years old when she died in 2015. As the oldest living person at the time of her death, she attributed her longevity to a healthy lifestyle and a good dose of kindness and compassion toward others. Weaver’s motto was “Treat people right and be nice to other people the way you want them to be nice to you.”
Plenty of studies back up Ms. Weaver’s claim that kindness is a key to well-being, and for most of us, our kindness and considerations extend beyond our two-legged friends and toward the four-legged friends also in our lives.
We know that the pet well-being is improved with good medical care, disease prevention and proper diet, but can it be enhanced by kindness? We certainly think so, because kindness offers the emotional support that pets also need, including, compassion and empathy. These, in turn, provide security and a sense of belonging, which ultimately leads to contentment.
Beyond Sight: Life With A Blind Pet
Being told that your pet is losing its sight can be a devastating blow for any pet owner. How will this affect your pet’s quality of life? Will you be able to properly care for your pet? What are the long-term consequences of life with a blind pet?
Your friends at Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center want to assure you that caring for a blind pet doesn’t have to be difficult. Providing your blind pet with a happy and fulfilling life is still possible, and doesn’t have to negatively impact the wonderful relationship you have with your furry friend.
Deciphering Pet Food Labels: What You Need To Know
At first glance, feeding your dog or cat appears to be the easiest aspect of pet ownership. You simply grab a bag of pet food off the shelf at your local grocery store, pour some in a bowl, and place it on the floor. Right?
Well, not exactly. Today’s discerning pet owner is quite aware of the overwhelming array of pet food choices available, and sifting through the options can be downright overwhelming. Grain-free, gluten-free, corn-free, organic, raw – the list of potential “best” diets for a given pet seems to be never-ending.
Snug As A Bug In A Rug: The Best Pet Beds
A recent survey conducted by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association found that 42 % of dog owners allow their pups to sleep on their beds. Given that, and our own experience to boot, we also feel that it’s safe to say that at least that many American dogs are making themselves at home on couches, chairs, and other furnishings, as well rather than pet beds.
