Highlands Veterinary Center

06/22/2024

🌴💦🐒🐍 World Rainforest Day! 🐸🦥💦🌴

A Rainforest is classified as a tropical woodland with an annual rainfall of at least 100 inches (254 centimeters) and marked by lofty broad-leaved evergreen trees forming a continuous canopy. Rainforests are important in regulating the Earth's temperature as well as our atmospheric gases. In fact, the Amazon rain forest absorbs one-fourth of the carbon dioxide (CO2) absorbed by all the land on Earth. However, due to deforestation that amount is down 30% since the 1900s.

☔️ 🐢 🐜 🐆 🌾 🦋 🐍 🕷 🦥 🐁 🌿 ☀️ 💦

Some interesting facts about rainforests include:

🌎 Rainforests cover about 6% of the land surface on Earth.
🌿 In modern medicines, a quarter of ingredients come from rainforest plants.
🌳 Rainforest canopies are so thick that it can take ten minutes for a falling raindrop to reach the floor.
🦎 Rainforests are known for their warm, moist environments, making them ideal habitats for a plethora of reptiles and amphibians; many different species of frogs, salamanders, snakes and lizards can be found in almost every layer of the forest!
🐆Did you know there are many mammals that call the rainforest home as well? These mammals include sloths, tapirs, jaguars, ocelots, kinkajous, lemurs and agouti (a distant cousin of capybaras.)

06/22/2024

😱 Pet Choking Prevention Day 😱

While it's exciting to give our pets new treats and toys, it is important to make sure the treat or toy does not present a choking hazard. Choose a toy that cannot be easily swallowed or compressed, such as squeaky balls as they can be collapsed while chewing and shoot backward into the throat causing asphyxiation. Select toys, balls, or chews that are slightly larger than the size of your pet's mouth and always monitor your pet while they are playing with any object.

06/21/2024

"Seatbelts everyone!" 🚌 🦎
"Please let it be another summer trip." 🤓
"With the fam? OK!" 😎

We know a lot of people travel for vacations in summer. Don't forget your pets are part of the family too. Whether you're planning on taking them with you, or boarding them, make sure you plan accordingly. Vaccines & identification (tags and microchips) should be up to date, and make sure you have plenty of their medication in stock before travel or boarding. Give us a call today to help get your pet up to date on any veterinary services!

06/19/2024

"When it is finally ours, this freedom, this liberty, this beautiful
and terrible thing, needful to man as air,
usable as earth; when it belongs at last to all,
when it is truly instinct, brain matter, diastole, systole,
reflex action; when it is finally won...."
- a quote from Robert Hayden's "Frederick Douglas" poem

Highlands Veterinary Center wishes you and yours a Happy Juneteenth!

06/18/2024

HAPPY VETERINARY APPRECIATION DAY! 🐾🐱🐶

Shout out a big thank you to our veterinarians Dr. Springer & Dr. Hood and the rest of our amazing Veterinary Staff!

06/18/2024

Vet Tip Tuesday!

🌤☀️Summer Lovin' ☀️🌤

With the season changing there may be an increase in allergies. Did you know that the majority of allergies pets suffer from are environmental, while only a small percentage are food related? Keeping your pet clean, wiping down their paws, and regularly cleaning their eyes and ears are just a few ways to help cut down on potential allergies.

06/17/2024

Fourth of July Tips: Take A Chill Pill!

Fireworks can be scary, especially for our furry friends. Keeping your pet calm doesn't have to be a challenge. Let us help you!

Here are a few tips and tricks that will help keep your furry companion feeling calm, cool, & collected:

*** EXERCISE! *** Take you pet for a extended walk earlier in the cool of the day to help burn off excess energy or anxiety. Walking releases endorphins and helps stimulate the brain, the nose, and the muscles. As a result this allows your pet to feel fulfilled, relieves stress, and helps tire them out.

***WHO ARE YOU?! *** Identification is going to be your saving grace if the worst case scenario occurs. Make sure your pets have your current contact info on their collars/tags, and if they are microchipped please ensure it is registered and your information is up to date. Please note a microchip is not a GPS, but allows your pet to be identified when found and scanned by local vets, shelters, & animal control. If you would like to go the extra step GPS collars are available online.

*** DISTRACTIONS! *** Offer your pet something tasty with licki-mats and puzzle feeders. You can feed an entire meal with either of these options or as an after dinner snack. By feeding this way it engages your pets mind and promotes mental stimulation which can tire your pet out and provide distraction during a stressful time.

***SNUGGLE UP! *** Thundershirts and pheromone sprays may aid in comforting an anxious pet. Keeping your pet in an interior room or crate can offer comfort and turning on some soothing music or the television may also be beneficial in helping to drown out the noise.

*** MEDS STAT! *** In more severe cases medications may be more effective. Don't wait until the night before, contact your veterinarian at least 10-14 days prior to the festivities.

*** DESENSITIZE! *** While it won't be as earth-shakingly loud as the real thing, playing sounds of fireworks a few weeks prior to get your pet used to the noise may help in desensitizing them.

We hope these tips and tricks help! Be safe out there!

06/16/2024

World Sea Turtle Day!
Did you know that four out of the seven species of sea turtles can be found here in southeastern Virginia? The Loggerhead, Green, Kemps Ridley, & the more rare Leatherback sea turtles have been seen gracing our waters.
Can you name the other three species of sea turtles? 🌊🐢

*Photos Courtesy of one of our staff members while on Sea Turtle Safari with Rudee Tours in Virginia Beach

06/16/2024

A very happy Father's Day to all you Pet Papas!
🐶🐱🐭🐹🐰🦜🐴

06/14/2024

Here comes double trouble! Just Kidding! It's Princess Peach and Bowser, our dogs of the day! They're so happy to visit us and we're just as excited to see them too! 🩷👑 🔥💚

06/14/2024

FUN WITH FLAGS!!!

It's Flag Day! Do you know what that means? It's getting closer to the Fourth of July!

Are you and your pet prepared?

Stay tuned for some tips and tricks to help make this Fourth of July as stress free as possible for your pet!

06/13/2024

😎☀ Bathing Beauties ☀😎

We've all seen those pets & people that just love to lounge in the sun, but it's important to protect them from the negative effects of those gorgeous sun rays. Animals are also susceptible to skin cancer and can quickly overheat. Make it a point to give them frequent breaks - they may not think they need it, but they do.

06/12/2024

Asphalt Awareness
🔥 OUCH! 🔥
Before taking your pet out for a walk use the 7 second rule: place your hand on the asphalt and hold for 7 seconds. If it is too hot for your hand, then it is too hot to go for a walk.
AIR TEMP vs. ASPHALT TEMP
80°F = 115°F
85°F = 130°F
90°F = 140°F
95°F = 135°F

06/11/2024

Just a reminder, you can win a FREE NAIL TRIM just by playing! Stop on in and submit your answer before closing hours on June 29! The winner will be contacted in early July.

06/11/2024

Vet Tip Tuesday!

💦💧 Splish Splash! 💧💦

Does your dog love the water? It is important to clean your dogs ears after bathing or swimming to prevent ear infections; especially if your pooch has floppy ears as they make a cool, dark, & moist environment for yeast and bacteria to grow.

06/11/2024

What is HEAT STROKE? 🔥🥵🔥
Stemming from yesterday's discussion about heat exhaustion, heat stroke is a progression of heat exhaustion and is more serious and life threatening, especially for those Brachycephalic, flat-faced breeds, such as Pugs, Frenchies, & Bulldogs.
If you suspect your pet is experiencing heat stroke you MUST get them into a cool, shaded area and straight to the vet!

06/10/2024

What is HEAT EXHAUSTION? 🥵
Heat exhaustion occurs when your pet's body temperature rises over the healthy range and your pet can no longer regulate their own body heat. This condition can range from mild heat exhaustion to severe & life threatening heat stroke, at which point your pet needs immediate medical attention as they can lose consciousness, experience organ failure or even death.
While all breeds are susceptible to heat exhaustion & heat stroke, Brachycephalic, or flat-faced breeds such as Pugs, Frenchies and Bulldogs, are at an even higher risk due to the conformation of their skulls that does not allow them to pant as efficiently. Since dogs don't sweat like humans do, they rely primarily on panting to cool themselves down.

Signs of heat exhaustion include:
1. Excessive panting or difficulty breathing
2. Excessive drooling that appears thick or stickier than usual
3. Dehydration -- sunken eyes, tacky gums, dry nose, & visible tiredness
4. Bright red, gray, purple, or bluish gums. If your dog’s gums are a different color than normal, they could be dehydrated.
5. Lack of urine
6. Rapid Pulse -- you can feel for your pet's pulse by placing your hand on their chest near their front elbow joint. Normal pulse rates vary between size and breeds (i.e. a Great Dane is going to have a slower heart rate than a chihuahua; or an active Greyhound vs a lazy Basset Hound)
7. Muscle tremors or dizziness -- if your pet is wobbly or having any difficulty walking or standing, they might be lightheaded from dehydration
8. Lethargy or weakness
9. Vomiting and/or diarrhea. Abnormally soft stool or any blood noted in their f***s is a big warning sign for heat exhaustion

These are the most common and easily detectable symptoms of heat exhaustion, but there are many more. If your dog is acting sick, tired, or otherwise abnormal during the hot summer months, don’t ignore it!

When in doubt, call your local vet. Keeping your dog safe and healthy is the most important thing.

Steps to take if you suspect your pet is suffering from heat exhaustion:
1. Get out of the sun. Move them to a cool and shaded area; returning indoors with air conditioning is most ideal.
2. Cool them down. Do not use ice water to cool your pet as this can result in shock or cool them too rapidly which can lead to hypothermia (too low body temperature) Use lukewarm water on their paws, abdomen, & back of neck/skull.
3. Check their temperature every 5-7 minutes. A re**al thermometer is most accurate, but an ear thermometer will work in a pinch. Once your pets temperature reaches 103 degrees, stop applying water and begin to towel dry them off. Do not use a hairdryer, instead you can have them sit in front of a fan. Continue to check their temperature for the next 30-40 minutes to make sure their temp doesn't plummet or begin to rise again. A dog's normal body temperature ranges 100°F - 102.5°F. A body temperature over 104°F is life threatening.
4. Contact your vet as soon as possible. Even if your pet seems to be recovering, they may need medical management for shock, dehydration, kidney failure, or other possible complications of heat exhaustion. Your vet will be able to advise you about next steps.

06/08/2024

“I just want to cuddle!” 🥰
Chia is so snuggly and sweet, making her our Puppy of the Day!

06/08/2024

"A true friend leaves paw prints on your heart." - George Eliot

Today is National Best Friend's Day! We want to lift up our non-human best friends, whether they are a dog, a cat, a turtle, or even a fish! Share some photos of your best friend with us today!

"A dog is a good friend of man and perhaps better than many of his best friends." - Anuj Somany

06/07/2024

🍩🍩 Time to make the donuts! 🍩🍩

It's Donut Day! Whether they're from Krispy Kreme, Duck Donuts, Oh Mochi Donuts, or Dunkin', everybody loves these scrumptious treats. While we don't recommend sharing these delectable delights with your pets, we here at Highlands Veterinary Center believe noone should go without a donut today. Here is a link to a pet safe and friendly recipe:
https://www.ifyougiveablondeakitchen.com/dog-donuts/
***We have no affiliation with this chef. Beware of any peanut butter containing the ingredients xylitol or birch sugar as these are toxic to your pet. If you have an allergy to any of these ingredients we do not recommend using this recipe!***

As an alternative, for those who don't have time or for pets with dietary restrictions, you can use your pet's regular diet, mixed in a donut pan with either canned pumkin or bone broth (sodium free) for a fun and cool treat!

06/06/2024

Say hey to Tucker, our Pet of the Day!

06/05/2024

✨Congratulations Glitter, our Dog of the Day!!!✨

06/05/2024

Let’s play a game!
Throughout the month of June, stop on by and “Guess the Movie Quote” for a chance to win a FREE NAIL TRIM!
The winner will be contacted at the end of the month.

06/04/2024

Vet Tip Tuesday!

🐾 Time to strut your stuff! 🐾

Taking your dog on walks regularly is not only healthy for them, but also for you! This applies to all breeds and is recommended for a minimum of thirty minutes.
In addition, daily walks can aid in filing your pup's nails which in turn will help keep their quicks short for nail trims. 🐕🚶‍♀️

06/03/2024

Say hello to Matilda, our Pet of the Day!!! Isn’t she just the cutest?! 🥰🐈

05/30/2024

What to do when you have two cuties to choose from? Feature them both! Say hello to the luxurious Lola as Pet of the Day; and lovely Lucy as Dog of the Day! 🐾 🐱❤ 🐶 🐾

05/28/2024

Indy is happy to be here and excited that she is the Dog of the Day!!!!! 🥰🐶

05/28/2024

Vet Tip Tuesday!

It's Getting Hot in Here... 🥵

With summer temperatures rising, cars will heat up to deadly degrees within a matter of minutes. Do not leave your pet in an unattended vehicle and always be sure to check the temperature before walking your pet. The asphalt heats up quickly, and while our feet are protected, our pets are not.

05/27/2024

05/25/2024

Meet Prince, our handsome and cuddly Pet of the Day! You can hear his purrs from across the room! He is such a sweetheart!
❤ 🐾 🥰