Arlington Animal Hospital

01/22/2025

If you see the ingredient ”Xylitol”, “Birch Sugar”, "Birch Sap" or "Wood Sugar" on a label, keep it out of your pet’s reach! Always check the list of ingredients and know that any time a product lists “Sugar-free” or “Diabetic Friendly”, “Non-fat” or “Skinny”, then it’s most likely harmful to your pet. A few of these products could be; Sugar-free peanut or nut butters, Sugar-free desserts (ice cream, pastries or candy), Sugar-Free gum or mints, jams, syrups, condiments, chocolates, medications, like cough drops and vitamins. Additionally, some dental care and beauty products like toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoos contain it.

If consumed, xylitol can lead to a sudden release of insulin, followed by a sharp drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Depending on the amount, symptoms could appear as early as 10min or delayed up to 18hrs after ingestion.

Symptoms include: tremors, vomiting, loss of consciousness, difficulty walking, weakness and seizures in dogs (cats appear less sensitive).

01/16/2025

*** Resolved***
Please be patient as our phone system is currently offline. Repair is in the process and we will be back in touch within a few moments. So sorry for any inconvenience.

01/02/2025

What can we do to enhance the longevity of our canine companions? Here is a list of our top seven recommendations, all of which I think are easier than you might expect.

1. Keep your dog trim
Keep your dog at a slim, trim body weight. Obesity dramatically contributes to ever so many age-related, debilitating issues such as arthritis (a huge problem for way too many dogs), diabetes and heart disease. Feed your dog as little as it takes to maintain an ideal body condition score. Remember, in general, older dogs require approximately 30 percent fewer calories to maintain a healthy body weight. If your dog is overweight, ask us as we can help you devise a plan to tackle this problem.

2. Feed your dog a complete diet
Speaking of feeding your dog, be sure to choose diets that are:

- Nutritionally complete

- Of very high quality

- Appropriate for your dog’s stage of life

Once you have a senior citizen on your hands (7 years and older), a diet that is higher in fiber and less calorically dense is usually the best choice. Multiple small meals may be better suited to your dog than feeding a larger meal once daily.

3. Exercise with your dog
Get out there and exercise with your dog! Not only will exercise help burn calories, but it will also strengthen muscles, enhance circulation and improve your dog’s heart and brain function. The activity you choose should be appropriate for your dog’s level of strength and stamina. No weekend warriors allowed. Shorter, more frequent walks may be better than going for a five-mile run. Gradually build up the duration and exertion of your dog’s activity level.

4. Keep your dog pain free
Speaking of exercise, be sure to take the steps necessary to allow your dog to be active. If arthritis pain is getting in the way, work with your veterinarian to find the right combination of remedies to allow your dog to be comfortable enough to exercise. There are a myriad of treatment modalities to choose from:

- Acupuncture

- Massage

Underwater treadmill therapy

- Supplements

- Anti-inflammatory medications

The list goes on and on. Inactivity promotes a downhill cascade of events that is just about guaranteed to negatively impact your dog’s longevity. Do what it takes to keep your favorite pooch from becoming a couch potato.

5. Consider the changes your dog is going through
As your aged dog experiences loss of hearing and/or vision, leash walks and closer supervision become a necessity. Prevent your canine senior citizen from encountering physical harm because of changes. Teaching hand signals at an early age will pay off as your dog begins to experience age-related hearing loss. Doublecheck the whereabouts of your older dog before pulling into or backing out of your driveway. Older dogs are less agile. Add to this deeper sleep and diminished hearing or vision and, without extra caution, a driveway tragedy can happen. (Unfortunately, such tragic accidents occur all too often.) Whereas youngsters can recover from broken body parts lickety split, such is not the case for older dogs.

6. Act fast when your dog seems sick
Act sooner rather than later when your dog isn’t feeling well. Compared to young and middle-aged dogs, seniors have less physical reserve and are more prone to becoming compromised following a spate of symptoms, including:

- Lethargy

- Not eating

- Vomiting

- Diarrhea

Whereas a 24-hour “wait and watch” approach might be reasonable for the youngster with such symptoms, waiting this long with an older dog before contacting your veterinarian may have dire consequences.

7. Schedule more regular checkups with your veterinarian
Even if you think your dog is perfectly healthy. Once a year is ideal for young and middle-aged dogs. Switch to twice yearly exams for seniors. A head-to-toe physical examination, discussing how your dog is faring, and blood and urine testing (particularly if your dog is elderly) will allow your veterinarian to detect abnormalities early, prevent minor issues from becoming major issues, and outline a preventive health care plan for your beloved best friend.

Post by: Dr. Nancy Kay, DVM, DACVIM

01/01/2025

12/28/2024

Did you know that Canine Parvovirus was first isolated in 1978, and in the first year of its emergence, infected at least 80% of the world's dogs? 😱🐶

Canine Parvovirus (CPV) remains a serious concern in veterinary care, but understanding how it works can help in managing and treating affected patients. The new Canine Parvovirus Update booklet from Elanco offers veterinary professionals valuable insights into how this virus attacks the body, from targeting rapidly dividing cells to disrupting nutrient absorption in the intestines.

Key points covered in the booklet include:
🔬 The virus's impact on the bone marrow and intestines
💉 The importance of vaccination and titer testing
💊 Advancements in therapies like monoclonal antibodies

This comprehensive resource also sheds light on the emotional and financial toll of CPV, helping practices navigate these challenges while improving patient care. To learn more, check out the booklet, and stay informed on best practices for diagnosing and treating CPV. 📚✨

Download the booklet here: https://hubs.li/Q0302XsF0

12/24/2024

Happy Holidays from all of us at AAH!

12/02/2024

All pets can achieve and maintain a healthy weight ;)

11/25/2024

6 Reasons Why My Cat Might Drool

Unlike some dogs, cats do not drool a great deal, and in fact, it sometimes goes unnoticed (unless we scratch their chins or find a small damp spot where they have been lying down).

There are a number of reasons why your cat might drool, and they tend to fall into three major categories:

Pathologic conditions that result in inflammation, pain or an inability to swallow.
Irritations that the cat is trying to “wash away”
Emotional stimuli
Most drooling is intermittent and only involves a small amount of saliva. If your cat is drooling excessively it is a good time to have her examined by your veterinarian. Some of these causes can be very serious, and early detection is always best.

1. Dental disease and cat drool
There are some conditions, like dental disease, that produce irritation of the mouth. In those cases drooling is an effort to remove or sooth the irritation in the mouth or throat. Dental disease is a common cause of excess drooling. As many as 85% of cats over 3 years of age have tooth or gum disease. The saliva that results may be blood tinged or smell unpleasant.

Check out, "10 Reasons Why You Should Take Care of Your Pet's Teeth."

2. Respiratory conditions and cat drool
Some cats that develop viral respiratory conditions develop ulcerations in their mouth, resulting in increased saliva flow.

3. Oral cancer and cat drool
Although much less common than dental or viral inflammation, some cats do develop oral cancers that can occur anywhere from the tip of the tongue to the back of the throat. These conditions result in excessive and ongoing drooling. This is an indication that your cat should have a complete examination from your veterinarian with particular emphasis on oral conditions.

4. Foreign bodies and cat drool
Less frequently, excessive drooling may be due to a foreign body. Cats may swallow a blade of grass, a sewing needle or a small fish bone and this object can become lodged in the mouth or esophagus. They may paw at their mouth or try to vomit but the bottom line is swallowing is uncomfortable and the cat will not swallow normally.

5. Fear and cat drool
Some cats drool when they are very excited, upset or fearful. Nausea and the apprehension that precedes vomiting often result in drooling. Motion sickness may be a result of driving in a car or apprehension. In either event, it generally stops at the end of the ride. If your cat drools out of apprehension it will not persist.

6. Joy and cat drool
Some cats may drool when they are extremely relaxed and enjoying being petted or cuddled. This is not uncommon and merely indicates a physiologic response to happiness. Similarly some cats may drool when they are asleep, probably because they are so relaxed. Think of it like that small wet spot you find on your pillow after a sound sleep. This type of drooling is often an indication of a happy cat.

11/08/2024

Tips for preventing feline intestinal parasites.

10/25/2024

The hospital will be closed tomorrow, Saturday 10/26.

10/25/2024

AAH has achieved the highest level of veterinary excellence following our re-evaluation by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) yesterday. Earning AAHA accreditation is a rigorous review of the hospital’s practice protocols, medical equipment, facility, and client service. Congratulations to our staff for continually striving for excellence!

10/22/2024

Here is a sneak peek of Dr. Dowd's first couple of days in Cambodia working with Mission Rabies. Cambodia has one of the highest rabies death rates per capita in the world. It is estimated that 600,000 people are bitten by dogs every year in Cambodia but not all can receive post-bite treatment and over 99% of human rabies cases are caused by an infected dog bite. Once symptoms of the disease develop, it is fatal.

Canine rabies vaccination is the most cost-efficient method of preventing human deaths from rabies. Mission Rabies heads to rabies hotspots and runs mass vaccination and education programs that protect both the human and canine populations. Thankfully, it's working. Human deaths in key project sites have all but been eliminated and Mission Rabies will keep going until it's zero all around the world.

Over 2 weeks, Dr. Dowd will work with the Mission Rabies team going door to door giving canine rabies vaccinations. To ensure that they reach the 70% vaccination coverage needed to create herd immunity from rabies in the dog population, she will be trained to use Mission Rabies state-of the art epidemiological WVS Data Collection App. This allows collection of vital vaccination and dog population data, ensuring that the work is scientifically robust. Working alongside an experienced local team, Dr. Dowd has the unique opportunity to use her veterinary skills right within the heart of the local communities.

10/17/2024

We've been having all sorts of fun honoring all staff this week. John from Hill's came by today with lunch and goodies. Thanks a bunch! Hill’s Pet Nutrition

10/09/2024

Thank you Darlene and Peter for this amazing cake and all the sweet treats on Saturday

10/08/2024

10/02/2024

10/01/2024

THIS SATURDAY is our 30th Anniversary Party and you're invited!!! 10/5/24 from 2-5pm we will have live music, snacks, raffles and free giveaways. Bring your friends and family (friendly, furry friends) :) Parking is available across the street at the Bank of Bennington, next door or along Twin Brooks Lane. Hope to see you there and Thank You for your continued support!

09/25/2024

Petco had some concerns about this lovely little lady today- a female Panther Chameleon. She was acting abnormally, spending a lot of time in the substrate rather than high up in her enclosure. Turns out, she is pregnant!