That moment during your pet’s check-up when we mention a pet heart murmur can understandably cause a flutter of worry. But take a deep breath — it’s not always a sign of serious trouble. A heart murmur is simply the sound of turbulent blood flow within the heart. While some of these “whooshing” sounds are […]
That moment you discover a lump on your furry friend can cause huge worry. We understand completely at Summer Hill Village Vet. We take lumps and cancer in senior pets very seriously. Many are thankfully benign. However, some are unfortunately not. It’s a truth in veterinary medicine: cancer is a common health concern in our […]
As our beloved pets gracefully age, we often notice subtle changes. Perhaps that morning stretch takes longer. Maybe once enthusiastic leaps onto the sofa are now hesitant pauses. It’s easy to dismiss these as “just getting old.” However, they could indicate discomfort from arthritis in pets. At Summer Hill Village Vet, we understand your deep […]
Common eye conditions and symptoms CONJUNCTIVITIS is an inflammation of the membrane that covers both the inner lining of the eyelid and the white of the eye. It may be caused by infections, allergies, inadequate tear production or irritation. KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS SICCA (DRY EYE) occurs when the tear glands cannot provide a dog’s eyes with enough […]
What is diabetes? Diabetes mellitus is a disease in which your pet’s pancreas can no longer produce enough of the hormoneinsulin and/or for some reason their body has become resistant to the effects of insulin. What does insulin do? Every time your pet eats a meal, glucose is absorbed from the intestines and enters the […]
With major advances in treating serious infectious and other pet diseases, oral disease – most importantly periodontal or gum disease caused by the buildup of plaque and tartar – has become a major health problem for both dogs and cats. Without proper dental care, a significant number of dogs and cats may show signs of oral disease by age three. With your help, your pets can have healthy teeth and gums throughout their lives.
Like people, dogs and cats can suffer from allergies As in the human population, the incidence of allergies in pets seems to be increasing. While allergic humans may often sneeze, wheeze or even have serious respiratory difficulties, allergic reactions in pets are characterized by skin problems, exacerbated by their primary symptom – itching and scratching...
Protecting your best friend One of the most important things you can do to give your dog a long and healthy life is to ensure that he or she is vaccinated against common canine diseases. Your dog’s mother gave her puppy immunity from disease for the first few weeks of existence by providing disease fighting […]
Starting off your dog’s life with good nutrition, regular exercise, scheduled veterinary appointments and a happy home life sets the blueprint for a high quality of life in their older years. However, as your dog ages, much like in humans, changes to the metabolism will occur. Whether you have a new puppy or an older friend, learn how to best look after them.
Just as they are between people, good relationships between dogs and their owners are based on good communication. Dogs communicate with each other by means of body signals. It’s only natural then that they’ll use the same method to communicate with people. Your responsibility as a pet owner is to learn to interpret such signals. Doing so will enable you to teach your puppy or dog the appropriate way of telling you what he or she needs or would like, whether it’s food, to be let out, to play or to receive some loving attention from you!
