Happier at Home Mobile Veterinary Hospital

03/08/2025

Happy International Akita Day🐶❤️

We absolutely adore our Akita patients! In honor of the dedicated day to this amazing breed, here are some facts from the American Kennel Club. They are known as dignified, courageous, and profoundly loyal.

The average height of an adult male is 26-28 inches and an adult female is 24-26 inches at the shoulder. They typically weigh anywhere from 70-130 pounds once full-grown depending on genetics and confirmation. The typical life expectancy is 10-14 years old.

Akitas are very family oriented and have strong protection instincts. While they can be a wonderful family dog, it's important to socialize them as puppies. Finding a reputable breeder and knowing the parents' demeanor is crucial. They are not the easiest breed to train, but not the most difficult. Snoozing on the couch all day is not for them. They require a good amount of exercise and stimulation.

These guys have a thick double coat that requires regular grooming. Daily brushing and professional grooming every 3-4 weeks is important to prevent matting. They are moderate shedders, so they will leave their hair glitter everywhere.

Akitas are not for the first-time dog owner. They are a moderately difficult breed to own and need an experienced person. If you have one of these gorgeous dogs at home we would love to see pictures in the comments!🥰

(Photo courtesy of AKC)

03/07/2025

Happy Fear Free Friday!

March is Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month ❤️

There are so many Guinea Pigs in local rescues looking for new homes. Fear Free Happy Homes has a wonderful article on how to make a welcoming environment for pets coming into the home. The article is called "Small Pets Count Too" and it has bits of information on how to welcome small pets into your home.

Some rescues that have Guinea Pigs for adoption are listed below. It is very important to do your research on the specific needs for these guys. They are definitely not for everyone and are not a beginner pet.

- The Humane Society of Harford County (Fallston)
- Luna's House, Inc. (Edgewood)
- Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue (Baltimore)
- Southern Maryland Guinea Pig Rescue (Hughesville)

If you have a guinea pig at home, we would love to see their picture in the comments!🥰

Link to the article:

Reading Time: 3 minutes Share onDogs and cats get a lot of attention in our homes and from the manufacturers of pet products. There are many pampered pooches and spoiled kittens. But what about our small furry and scaly friends? They have the same need for a safe, Fear Free Happy Home. When planning...

03/03/2025

Happy National Tripawd Day!

Whether it's a dog, cat, bunny, or reptile, having only 3 legs makes them even more adorable! Some pets need a little extra help with mobility due to their missing limb. A custom wheelchair can be used to make things a bit easier. Others don't skip a beat and get around just fine!

We would love to see your adorable three-legged fur-babies😊

(Photo courtesy of Eddie's Wheels Custom Dog Wheelchairs)

02/28/2025

Happy Fear Free Friday!

Today we wanted to share a happy success story😊

Dougie is a super sweet little boy who struggled with nail trims a bit. His Mom has worked very hard on desensitizing him to each step of a nail trim using tips and tricks from the Fear Free Happy Homes website. Dougie recently had his first nail trim where we wasn't worried and didn't feel the need to run away.

We are so excited for Dougie and his Mom! Hard work really pays off and we can't wait to see him continue to gain confidence. Please help us congratulate Dougie on being a super brave boy!🥳

(Permission to post from Dougie's Mom)

02/14/2025

Happy Fear Free Friday!

Since February is Pet Dental Health Month, we wanted to talk about ways to mitigate Fear, Anxiety, and Stress when it comes to your pet's dental care.

The article, "How to Overcome Fear, Anxiety & Stress About Your Pets’ Dental Care", discusses ways to help your pet feel more comfortable when receiving vet care. It is very important for owners to work on looking their pet's mouth and checking their teeth. This will help desensitize them so that when the veterinary staff needs to check their teeth/mouth, they are not worried.

There are several things that we look for when doing dental exams, but many things can be hidden under the surface. Dental radiographs are very important to evaluate the roots and tissue under the gum line. General anesthesia is also required for appropriate dental care as it aids in pain management, prevents movement, and eliminates any undue FAS.

Annual exams with thorough dental checks are very important in preventing complications from periodontal disease. Please check out the rest of the article (linked below) for more information!

Reading Time: 3 minutes Share onEven though periodontal disease is the most common disease in both cats and dogs1, many pets don’t get the dental care they need due to the fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) they experience when going to the veterinarian. And that stress affects not only the cat or do...

02/07/2025

For today's Fear Free Friday post, we want to share the article "Dog Bites: 6 Ways to Prevent Them".

It is so important to be your dog's advocate when it comes to their personal space and boundaries. Your job as the human is to know what your dog's body language means. You can mitigate increased Fear, Anxiety, and Stress (FAS) in your home, too! Knowing if your dog is a "people person" and loves when you get visitors or if they are more introverted and need space to adjust can make a world of difference.

The article explains different ways to prevent unnecessary stress that can lead to a bite. In some cases this is a reaction out of self defense and the dog (or cat) has given multiple signals to back off and they were ignored. Some signs of increased stress in dogs are pinning their ears back, yawning, giving you a "side-eye", moving away, and growling. It is very important to respect a growl. That is the clearest sign a dog (or cat) can give you that they have had enough and need space.

Pets should be able to have a safe space in their home where they don't have to worry about being bothered. In some cases this is a crate or playpen, or in other cases it's an area of the house like a basement or bedroom. We should never push our pets past the boundary they have set. If they are stressed enough to show signs of increased FAS, then something needs to change.

We hope you find this information helpful and make your home a safe place for all members of the family - even ones with fur!

Fear Free Happy Homes Fear Free Pets

Reading Time: 3 minutes Share onNo one knows how many dog bites occur each year, but the Centers for Disease Control and the American Veterinary Medical Association estimate the number is between 4.5 and 4.7 million. More than 800,000 of the people bitten receive medical attention for dog bites, and...

02/04/2025

Good morning H@H Family!

We would like to officially welcome the newest member of our team😊 Ally has been with us for a couple of months and we are so happy to have her! She has recently become Fear Free Certified and is excited to grow her knowledge in Fear Free medicine.

Please help us welcome Ally!❤️🐾

02/01/2025

🚨Back to 24/7 starting today!🚨

01/31/2025

Happy Fear Free Friday!

Today we are focusing on geriatric patients - specifically dogs. We will be referencing the article, "Why Is My Dog Panting? Reasons Include Injury, Disease, And Anxiety", found on the Fear Free Happy Homes website.

😱Panting is a something we see as a result of things like increased FAS, disease, pain, etc. This is where we rely on pet parents to help figure out the root cause. Some dogs pant more when they are nervous and can be accompanied by shaking, excessive drooling, and other signs of stress.

🤕When dogs are in pain, one of the main things we see is panting. Limping, inability to move, shying away from being touched, etc. are more obvious signs of pain. It's not always easy to tell if your dog is painful if they are more stoic. Panting from pain can be caused by an acute injury like a sprain, or a chronic issue like arthritis. However if they are panting more than usual, being painful is one of the things we check for.

🤒Some disease processes can cause increased panting. One of the most common diseases is Cushing's Disease. Cushing's disease, also known as Hyperadrenocorticism, is an endocrine disorder in dogs where the adrenal glands produce excessive amounts of Cortisol. Other disease that can cause excessive panting is Laryngeal Paralysis, Heart Disease, and Obesity. As dogs get older, it is even more important to be on top of their veterinary care to ensure any disease process is addressed as soon as possible.

If you notice that your dog is panting more than usual or is panting all the time, it would be a great idea to have them seen and evaluated for potential issues❤️

Link to the article:

Reading Time: 3 minutes Share onTank, my Lab, and I returned from our weekly agility class and plopped down in the living room to relax. Two hours later, I noticed that Tank was still panting as if he had just exercised. That didn’t seem right. I watched him carefully the next day and saw he was p...

01/24/2025

Happy Fear Free Friday!

Today we want to touch on how Fear, Anxiety, and Stress (FAS) can effect our exotic pets, specifically rats 🐀

Below, you can see the FAS Scale for rats and what each score entails. Just like with our dog and cat patients, our goal is to keep their FAS score at 0-1. Owners can help condition their rats by creating a positive relationship with their carrier, being held, and finding what their favorite treats are.

If at any point during a veterinary visit we notice that they are reaching a level 3 or higher, we will discontinue what we are doing and reevaluate. Some rats also need pre-visit pharmaceuticals (PVPs) to help with their FAS level. Thankfully, we utilize a compounding pharmacy that can make the appropriate medication in a flavor they will love.

As always, we want to make each visit a positive one for all pets. If you have questions about how to help your rat be more comfortable with veterinary care, please don't hesitate to reach out!

01/18/2025

Everyone please help us wish Ethel a very happy 18th birthday!! She is such a special girl and we love her very much 💜

We love spoiling her and she definitely reminds us she’s in charge! Despite her kidney disease and severe arthritis, she is doing amazing. Happy birthday sweet girl 🥰

01/17/2025

Happy Fear Free Friday!

Today we want to talk about making the carrier a fun and safe place for our feline friends😺

On the Fear Free Happy Homes website, there is an amazing article called "Teach Your Cat To Go Into A Carrier—Without A Struggle". It details ways to help teach your cat that the carrier is not scary.

It is so important for cats to be comfortable in their carrier. While we hope to never have a situation where we need to get our cat in a carrier quickly, things happen. If your cat is comfortable with the carrier, their FAS will be significantly lower compared to if they have a negative association the carrier. We recommend having a carrier that opens in the front as well as on the top. It is also nice when the top half of the carrier comes off so that if your cat wants to stay in there for their visit, they can. It's also very important to have a carrier that is an appropriate size for your cat. It should not be so big that they can jump around, but not so small that they barely fit.

We will see you next week for another Fear Free Friday!

Link to the article:

Reading Time: 4 minutes Share onThere’s probably nothing a cat owner dreads more than a trip to the vet–even if the cat isn’t sick. Most dogs will happily jump into the car, but for cats the ordeal starts with a struggle to get into a carrier that’s stressful for both of you. It doesn’t ha...

01/10/2025

Happy Fear Free Friday!

Today we want to talk about sedated veterinary visits🩺
"Sedation for Your Pet is Safer Than You Think" is an amazing article found on the Fear Free Happy Homes website that outlines the positive side of sedated exams/treatments.

Pets can become stressed for different reasons. In a traditional hospital setting, it may be entering the reception area or being around other animals. Thankfully, with in-home veterinary care those things are not components that add to a pet's Fear, Anxiety, and Stress (FAS). Some pets can have increased FAS with things like nail trims, blood draws, and different parts of the physical exam.

Sedation is not a one-size-fits-all for every pet. We use specific protocols based on the pet and what level their FAS is. The pet's medical history is always taken into consideration and protocols are adjusted as necessary. We utilize pre-visit pharmaceuticals (PVPs) to lessen the amount of sedation we need to use.

Here is an excerpt from the article: "Once pets approach or reach a level three out of five on the scale, they can become a danger to themselves or veterinary team members. If the procedure or task causing the pet to reach this level is non-essential, vet staff can abort the mission and try again on another day, this time with additional fear-alleviating techniques. However, if the task is necessary to maintain or restore your pet’s health, sedation is the next step."

It is of utmost importance for the Happier At Home team to make every vet visit a positive experience. When the recommendation is made for PVPs and/or sedation, it is not made lightly and is in the best interest of your pet.

We are more than happy to answer any questions that you may have about sedation for veterinary visits ❤️

01/06/2025

Good morning H@H Family!

We will be closed for appointments today, January 6th, due to the weather. Staff members are still available by phone, text, or email. We will be open tomorrow, January 7th, as long as weather permits.

In case of medical emergency, please refer to the following facilities:

Animal Emergency Hospital (Bel Air, MD): 410-420-7297 **no longer open 24/7**
Mason Dixon Animal Emergency Hospital (Shrewsbury, PA): 717-432-6030 *sees some exotics*
Pet+ER (Hunt Valley, MD): 410-252-8387
Pinnacle Veterinary Specialists (Glen Mills, PA): 610-477-8797
Stahl Exotic Animal Veterinary Services (Fairfax, VA): 703-281-3750
Windcrest Animal Hospital (Willmington, DE): 302-998-2995 *sees some exotics*
Veterinary Emergency Group (Pikesville, MD): 410-793-4910 *sees some exotics*

Stay safe and warm!

H@H Team

01/03/2025

Happy Fear Free Friday!

Today we wanted to talk about the Fear, Anxiety, and Stress (FAS) Scale.

In many previous posts, we mention the FAS Scale. But, what is it and how do we use it?🤔

💚Low FAS: The goal for every pet we see is to keep them at an FAS score of 0-1. This means that they are comfortable and consenting to everything we are doing (i.e. exams, nail trims, blood draws, ear cleanings, etc.) They may have a moment when they are unsure, but are easily redirected with treats or playing with a favorite toy.

💛Moderate FAS: For pets that are at an FAS score of 2-3, we are looking at more signs of them being worried about what is going on. They are not as easily redirected by treats/toys, and are in need of different techniques like PVPs/PVNs (pre-visit pharmaceuticals/nutraceuticals).

❤️High FAS: The pets that reach an FAS score of 4-5, we are not pursuing any exams, treatments, etc. These pets are in need of PVPs/PVNs and sedation. In some cases, PVPs/PVNs are enough on their own and they are down to a level 1 or 2 and we can work on positive conditioning at that point. However, most pets still need sedation for their visits. When they reach a level 4 or 5, they are in a constant state of fight or flight and it is not fair to them to pursue anything without sedation.

We want to add that just because your pet may be an FAS of 3 or higher doesn't make them "bad". Their level of FAS could stem from previous trauma (i.e. physical abuse), dysregulated brain chemistry, a negative veterinary experience, or any combination of these. This just means that we need to work extra hard to make sure they are comfortable and feel safe.

We highly recommend checking out the Fear Free Happy Homes website for tips and tricks on how you can help your pets be more comfortable with veterinary visits.

12/27/2024

Happy Fear Free Friday!

We wanted to touch on Cooperative Care techniques that you can use both at home and in the hospital. One of the most helpful things you could teach your dog is the "chin rest". If you visit the Fear Free Happy Homes website, there is a great article with tips on how to work on this with your dog at home among other things.

This can be helpful when needing to do things from cleaning ears or trimming nails to blood draws or vaccines. Some pets prefer to rest their chin on something like a stool or chair while others like to stick their nose in something. In some cases, dogs do well with placing their nose in a muzzle. It does not need to be clipped behind their ears, but is just something to put their nose in to feel comfortable. The video below is a great example of an owner and vet staff member working together with cooperative care to draw blood on a dog. *Disclaimer: We do not know these people or have a relationship with the hospital, but it is a great example!*

Using this technique is helpful to help your dog consent to things that need to be done. For example, most dogs (and pets in general) dislike having eye drops put in. The "chin rest" can be used to make the process easier by allowing them to consent to having them put in and willingly holding still. This can strengthen the human-animal bond which is so important for the pet and owner relationship.

We highly recommend working on this with your dogs especially as puppies to give them the confidence they need as they get older. If your pet knows this technique or is working on it, we would love to see pictures and/or videos! Happy training!
Fear Free Pets