Clarendon Animal Care

08/29/2024

We will be CLOSED this holiday weekend, Saturday 8/31 through Monday 9/2, for Labor Day. We will reopen as usual on Tuesday 9/3!

08/10/2024

08/08/2024

TikTok famous dog trainers are taking over, and unfortunately that's not always a good thing. Does having 1 million Instagram followers make you a good dog trainer? Some of the information getting shared on social media is incorrect, ineffective, or downright dangerous. So how do you figure out who's who?

🐶 Look for credentials listed in the trainer bio. Don't see any? It's likely they don't have any. This is not a good thing. "I've had dogs for 20 years" is not a qualification.
🐶 Beware of sneaky marketing. Guarantees of behavior, promises to fix a problem in only a few minutes, or telling you that you "HAVE" to follow these rules are all red flags.
🐶 Impressive before and after videos that show massive behavior change in "only one session"? You may actually be seeing behavior suppression instead of actual behavior modification.
🐶 Pay attention to body language. We share A LOT about body language, and if you have a dog, you likely have some idea of what a relaxed dog looks like. Apply your knowledge to social media videos! Is the dog in the video panting heavily? Are their lips pulled back? Are their ears back? Do they look tense? Those are all signs of stress, anxiety, and fear...

Questions about behavior or training? You know how to reach us! Check out our stories for more info!

07/29/2024

Everyone envisions their children and dogs coexisting peacefully, but how do you ensure everyone is comfortable and safe? Children can often be frightening to dogs - they're small, loud, fast-moving, and unpredictable! Do your prep work before bringing baby home, in order to make sure everyone is set up for success! Check our stories for more info!

🐾 Before baby - set up baby gates, leave out baby items for dog to get used to, practice movements like pacing and rocking so they're used to it.
🐾 Newborns - there's actually no reason your dog needs to meet your newborn. Really. The goal is for them to coexist peacefully, so this stage is all about reinforcing calm behavior and supervising carefully if dog and baby are in close proximity.
🐾 Infants - make sure dog and baby are never unsupervised together, and that a parent is always in between!
🐾 Toddlers - your baby who once just lay around on the floor is now walking, and that can be SCARY! Supervise interactions and utilize baby gates to keep everyone safe.
🐾 Older kids - introduce safe ways to interact! Older kids can help prep meals, toss tennis balls or toys for calm dogs, or learn some basic training skills!

07/18/2024

We've been harping on heat safety recently, since our area has been under a severe heat advisory, but what do you do if your dog DOES get heat stroke?

🔥 GO TO THE VET. It doesn't matter which one. Go to whatever veterinary facility is closest. This is a medical emergency, and your dog needs to be seen immediately.
🔥 Begin cooling them on the way to the vet. Crank the AC as high as it will go, put your dog directly in front of it. You can put cool water on their paws, and offer them water to drink.
🔥 Don't spend time at home trying to dunk them in cold water or waiting to see if they recover on their own. Seriously, getting them medical care is the best thing you can do for them.
🔥 Prevention is key. Don't leave them in your car unattended. Don't do anything strenuous outside during the hot parts of the day. When they are outside make sure they have access to shade and cool water.
🔥 Know if your pet is at risk. Brachycephalic dogs, double-coated dogs, geriatric dogs, overweight dogs, and dogs who have cardiac or respiratory disorders are all at higher risk of heat stroke.

Check out our stories for more info!

07/12/2024

Our current vet tech extern, Owen, is learning the ropes of dental cleanings with our lead LVT, Leslie! Did you know Leslie used to teach at a veterinary technology program? No wonder our treatment team is so talented - we learned from the best!

07/11/2024

It has been HOT recently, with temperatures in the DC area getting up to the 100's this week and next week. Please, please, please take precautions with your dogs during the heat wave. Read our tips below, and if you suspect your dog is suffering from heat stroke, please take them to the closest veterinary facility ASAP.

🔥 Just leave them inside. Seriously, even if you crack a window, your car is still going to turn into an oven within minutes. Let them snooze on the couch in the AC while you go out and about.
🔥 Be extra careful with walks and playtime outside. Dogs don't know when to stop, and some dogs may be so happy chasing a tennis ball that they don't realize they're getting overheated.
🔥 Go to the nearest veterinary facility if you notice any of the following after being outside: heavy panting, drooling, brick red gums or tongue, sudden vomiting, diarrhea, collapse, seizure.
🔥 Be extra careful if you have: brachycephalic breeds (Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Shih Tzus), heavy coated or double coated breeds (Huskies, Malamutes, Shelties, Collies, Akitas, Chow Chows, Samoyeds), senior dogs (over 8 years of age). But really, any dog can suffer from heat stroke - these are just extra risk factors.
🔥 Go for walks early in the morning or at night after the sun goes down. Keep outside time to a minimum during the hottest parts of the day, and make sure they have access to shade and fresh water.
🔥 Skip the farmer's market and street festivals. There's usually minimal shade, minimal or no access to water, and the asphalt is HOT. We do see burns to paw pads during the summer, and it's no fun for anyone. If you can't hold your hand to the ground for more than a few seconds, then it is way too hot for your dog to be walking on.

07/04/2024

We hope everyone has a safe and happy Independence Day! Please remember that bustling crowds and loud, bright fireworks can be incredibly terrifying for pets, so please leave them out of the festivities if they get nervous!

07/01/2024

We will be CLOSED this coming Thursday, July 4th. We will reopen as usual on July 5th.

06/27/2024

At the age of 20, Kensington has decided that she enjoys walking down the street to the clinic and lounging in the lobby before her appointments. She also took herself on a tour of the rest of the hospital today. We hope we passed her impromptu inspection!

06/24/2024

🚨 REMINDER: July 4th is NEXT WEEK. If your pet needs sedatives or anti-anxiety medication to help them stay calm and relaxed during fireworks, PLEASE request your refills now. We try our best to accommodate last minute refill requests, but it is not always possible, and we are closed on July 4th.

06/20/2024

Today is officially the 1st day of summer, which means it's time for our SUMMER SAFETY TIPS!

🌞 Watch out for heatstroke! Seriously, the summers are only getting hotter, and heatstroke is very real and very deadly. Keep your pet inside during the hottest part of the day, ensure they always have access to fresh water and shade when they are outdoors, and go to a vet IMMEDIATELY if you notice any of the following: heavy panting, drooling, sudden vomiting or diarrhea, brick red gums, sudden collapse, seizures.
🌞 If your pet is going to be out on the boat with you, or even just near a large body of water, ensure they have a well-fitted life jacket (especially for those breeds who weren't bred for swimming - looking at you, bulldogs). Monitor them closely if they're in and out of the water, and if it seems like they're getting tired, make sure you give them a break and allow them to rest before getting back in.
🌞 Be careful at BBQs! Summertime is prime foreign body season due to all of the fun things pets get into at summer cookouts! Corn cobs, skewers, bones (especially ribs), onions, booze, chocolate... these are all things that can either be toxic or cause an obstruction.
🌞 Watch where you're walking! Hot pavement and asphalt can very quickly cause burns to paw pads! A good way to test how hot things are is to place the back of your hand on the ground. If you can't leave your hand there for more than a few seconds without being burned, it is certainly way to hot for your dog to be walking on! Stick to shaded areas, or better yet, grass or dirt trails.

06/19/2024

Happy Juneteenth! Today we celebrate freedom and unity for EVERYONE.

06/16/2024

Happy Father's Day! Whether you're a father figure to a human or an animal, we appreciate you.

06/14/2024

July 4th is only a few weeks away, and while most of us are probably planning our BBQ menus and figuring out where we're going to get the best view of fireworks from, our pets are going to just go about their lives until July 4th evening, when many of them will assume the sky is falling and the world is ending... and many of them will panic. What should you do, you ask?

💥 DRUGS. It's okay to drug your pets the night of the fireworks. Drugs will help them stay calm, and hopefully even settle them enough so they can curl up in a safe spot and snooze through the festivities. However, and this is important, if you need a refill on your sedatives or anti-anxiety meds, please request that refill *NOW*.
💥 Create a safe space for them. Build your pet a makeshift panic room. A closet or bathroom works well, especially if they're not a fan of being crated. Offer them a soft spot to settle with a bed, blankets, some toys, and maybe something to chew on.
💥 Block out the noise. White noise machines, radios, or speakers playing soft classical music can be helpful to block out the sound of fireworks.
💥 Comfort them. It is okay to comfort your pets if they are anxious or scared. Fear and anxiety are emotions, and you cannot reinforce an emotion, so feel free to speak softly to them, reassure them the world is not actually ending, or offer gentle pets or snuggles if they are okay with it.
💥 Other things to keep in mind - make sure your pet is wearing a collar with tags that have up to date contact information on them. If your pet is microchipped (which we HIGHLY recommend), make sure that contact information is up to date. A large number of pets go missing on July 4th after being spooked by loud noises, and it can be difficult to reunite them with their families if they don't have any identification on them!

Need a refill on your scary firework medications? Call or email us, and we'll get things sorted out for you!

06/01/2024

Today marks the first day of Pride month, which we happily celebrate every year (we'll see you at the parade, DC)! Truthfully, at CAC we celebrate Pride every day. We strive to be a safe space for our clients and employees to live as their authentic selves, with no judgement or hate.

Happy Pride, CAC family - today and every day!

06/01/2024

Come say hi to our friends at Urgent Animal Care of Arlington this weekend!

05/30/2024

Many dogs will roll over to show you their belly, however it's not always a request for a belly rub! Exposing their belly is sometimes what's called an appeasement behavior, which can be a sign of fear or anxiety. They're trying to let you know that they're not a threat! So how do you know if your dog actually wants a belly rub or not? Look at their overall body language!

Dogs who are exhibiting other stress signals, such as lip licking, yawning, hunching over, "creeping" along the ground, showing the whites of their eyes, or squinting likely don't actually want you to touch them.

On the other hand, dogs who have loose body language, with loose wagging tails and soft eyes, may actually be requesting a nice tummy massage. Check out our stories for a little more info!

05/29/2024

‼️ IMPORTANT POST - look at this cute kitten! 😭

05/28/2024

IMPORTANT! The elevator from the parking garage to CAC South is currently out of order! We are unsure when it will be back up and running, but in the meantime, you can use the elevator by Harris Teeter instead, which will let you out on the other side of the building. If you get lost, or have any questions please call us!

05/24/2024

We will be CLOSED this weekend May 25th-27th for Memorial Day Weekend. We will be open as usual Tuesday, May 28th. If you have any urgent or emergency pet needs, please go to the nearest animal urgent care or 24 hour emergency center.

Have a safe and happy weekend!

05/23/2024

Did you know there’s no regulation in dog training? Any one can build a website, call themselves a dog trainer, and start charging money to train your dog. Unfortunately, this means that the level of education and skill varies wildly in the dog training field. We recommend doing your research, asking LOTS of questions, and looking closely at the methods your trainer uses.

Need a dog trainer? We have a list of recommended trainers on our website!

05/22/2024

Here is our annual reminder that summer is coming and heat stroke is VERY REAL. It can come on quickly, and can be fatal if not addressed immediately. While any dog can be affected, there are certain breeds that are at a much higher risk due to their conformation. Read on for our summer tips!

🔥 Try not to go for long walks or keep your dog out during the hottest parts of the day. Consider early morning or evening walks when there's not full sun exposure.
🔥 Ensure your pet has access to shade and cool water at all times when outdoors. Avoid having them walk on hot surfaces such as asphalt. This may mean leaving them home when you go to the farmers market or other outdoor street festivals.
🔥 Monitor for heavy panting, drooling, red gums, sudden vomiting and diarrhea, or collapse. If you note any of those things, take them to the nearest vet clinic.
🔥At risk dogs include brachycephalic breeds (pugs, bulldogs, shih tsus, anything else with a flat face), double coated breeds (huskies, malamutes, collies, shelties, shepherds), senior dogs, and young puppies.

As always, if you have questions or concerns, let us know!

05/20/2024

Did you know that technically, only 3 types of people can call themselves a behaviorist?

🐾 Veterinarians who have completed a residency and are board certified are veterinary behaviorists or DACVB
🐾 People who have completed a PhD in Animal Behavior and have been certified through the Animal Behavior Society are Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists or CAAB
🐾 People who have completed a Masters in Animal Behavior and have been certified through the Animal Behavior Society are Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists or ACAAB - we currently have two LVT's working on this!

The term "behavioralist" is actually made up, and doesn't hold any sort of meaning as far as education or credentials.

Unfortunately, there are no legal restrictions as to who can call themselves a behaviorist (or behavioralist), so if you are planning on working with someone who uses that title, please ensure that you're doing your due diligence and asking lots of questions about their credentials and training or behavior methods!

05/18/2024

See ya later, Arlington! A small crew from CAC is on their way to Honduras to do some volunteer veterinary care, which will include exams, vaccines, and deworming, among other things. 💉 💊 🐶

05/15/2024

Just a reminder of a few things happening TODAY:
CAC North is undergoing a small renovation in our treatment area. This should only take a few hours, and will hopefully be minimally invasive.
The parking garage at CAC South will be closing the Columbia Pike entrance indefinitely due to construction. You will need to use the garage entrance on George Mason Drive (right be the front doors of the clinic).

Please don't hesitate to call us if you have questions about anything!

05/14/2024

ATTENTION! Starting tomorrow, the Columbia Pike entrance to the parking garage at CAC South will be CLOSED. We do not know when this entrance will reopen. Please enter the garage from George Mason Drive, and follow the signs for Clarendon Animal Care. We know this parking garage is a bit of a labyrinth, so if you have any questions or get lost, please look at the maps posted on our website, or give us a call!

05/13/2024

ATTENTION CAC North clients! This coming Wednesday morning there will be a little bit of renovation happening going on in the clinic! It should only be for a few hours in the morning, and will hopefully be pretty minimally intrusive, however if you have patients who are particularly noise sensitive or have noise phobias, PLEASE let us know in advance so we can make things as low stress as possible for them!

05/12/2024

Happy Mother's Day to all of the dog, cat, horse, guinea pig, bird, hamster, rat, chicken, human, bearded dragon moms out there! Did we miss any?

*And to those who struggle on Mother's Day, we see you and love you too. ❤️

05/09/2024

Imagine you have a chronic headache that just won’t go away. It’s not bad enough that you can’t go about you day, but it’s a constant ache in the side of your head. You’d probably be kind of irritable, right? More likely to snap at someone who gets on your nerves? You wouldn’t consider that a behavioral concern, though - your irritability is clearly caused by pain!

This can often be the case for our pets, too! Studies have shown clear links between pain (everything from arthritis to allergies) to behavior (including increased reactivity and aggression). If you notice a behavior change that seems to have come on quickly, we’ll often recommend a full physical exam in order to rule out any underlying medical cause. We can see behavior changes with arthritis pain, GI illness, ear pain, and even dermatological concerns.

It’s important to first rule out any physical causes before jumping to training or behavior modification. Can you imagine someone trying to tell you to change your attitude when you’re dealing with constant pain?