South Cape Veterinary Clinic

09/22/2024

09/05/2024

Kidney (or renal) disease is very common in dogs and cats, and it may be reversible or permanent based on underlying causes. The disease could be a result of age-related changes to the kidneys, acute injury or toxin ingestion, congenital defects present from birth, or in rare cases, a side effect of some medications. To prevent kidney disease or slow its progression, it's vital to stay regular with wellness visits so that together, we can monitor renal levels with blood work and urinalysis and catch any changes ASAP.

To learn more, visit: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/thrive-guide/kidney-disease-in-cats

08/22/2024

Pets can’t advocate for their needs like us humans can, and many owners fail to recognize signs of osteoarthritis (OA), often chalking it up to pets “slowing down with age.” OA is common in dogs and cats ages six and up, so to help champion their health, we’re sharing the key signs of this degenerative joint disease so that you know when it’s time to seek veterinary support. If your pet is . . .

• Struggling to climb up or down stairs
• Having trouble jumping up or down
• Slow to rise from a resting position
• Lagging behind on walks or during play
. . you should discuss these concerns with us. The good news is highly effective treatments exist to help manage the chronic pain associated with OA and increase their mobility. With the right pain management, your pet can get back to being themselves again! To learn more about OA and treatment options, visit: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/be-their-champion

08/13/2024

We get it: when your pet is itchy, you start to scratch, too! The good news is your pet doesn’t have to live with incessant itchiness. Learn to spot the signs, then book a visit so that together, we can discover the cause and explore options for long-lasting relief, like:

Cyptopoint®: an injectable therapy that provides 4 to 8 weeks of allergy relief with a single in-office dose. ¹ Plus, for a limited time, get $25 off when you buy 2 doses of Cytopoint. ²

Or Apoquel®: an oral medicine that can be given at home for fast relief of allergic itch.³

To learn more about how allergic itch is diagnosed and treated, visit: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/be-their-champion

¹ Data on file, Study No. C863R-US-12-018, 2014, Zoetis Inc. Data on file, Study No. C166RUS-17-180, 2018, Zoetis Inc. ² Valid 7/15/24-9/30/24. Terms apply see thrivepetcare.com/be-their-champion. ³ Apoquel® (oclacitinib tablet) and Apoquel® Chewable (oclacitinib chewable tablet) IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Do not use Apoquel or Apoquel Chewable in dogs less than 12 months of age or those with serious infections. Apoquel and Apoquel Chewable may increase the chances of developing serious infections and may cause existing parasitic skin infestations or pre-existing cancers to get worse. Consider the risks and benefits of treatment in dogs with a history of recurrence of these conditions. New neoplastic conditions (benign and malignant) were observed in clinical studies and postapproval. Apoquel and Apoquel Chewable have not been tested in dogs receiving some medications including some commonly used to treat skin conditions such as corticosteroids and cyclosporines. Do not use in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs. Most common side effects are vomiting and diarrhea. Apoquel and Apoquel Chewable have been used safely with many common medications including parasiticides, antibiotics and vaccines. See full Prescribing Information at ApoquelPI.com and ApoquelChewablePI.com.

07/31/2024

Staying active is essential to both the physical and mental well-being of your dog. As a busy pet owner, ensuring your companion is getting enough exercise can sometimes fall to the wayside, but we’re here to offer some ideas on how to implement regular activity into their life – and yours! 🏃

Age, breed, size, and additional health considerations will all influence how much exercise your dog should be receiving each day. Also important to consider are weather conditions. If it’s too hot or cold out for you, it’s likely the case for them, as well, in which case outdoor time should be limited. If you are ever unsure about your pet’s exercise needs, we’re more than happy to provide honest, professional advice during your next visit.

Click here to learn more about the unique health benefits of each of these activities: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/thrive-guide/the-ultimate-list-of-exercise-ideas-for-dogs-and-cats

07/26/2024

Did you know that a 2022 study conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention found that 61% of U.S. cats are classified as overweight or obese? Between visits, here are some clear signs you can look for to get an idea of whether your cat is overweight:

✋ By Feel: If you feel your cat's rib cage, the padding on healthy cats will be about as thick as that on the back of your hand. If you can’t feel your cat's ribs at all, or if you can only feel them when pressing firmly, then they may be obese or overweight.
🔎 By Sight: Begin by looking down at your cat when they are standing. There should be a slight indentation above the hips resembling a waist (remember that this may be difficult if your cat has long hair). If the waist area bulges out instead, they may be overweight.

Save this diagram for easy reference, and to learn more, visit: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/thrive-guide/is-my-cat-overweight

07/19/2024

Here’s an eye-popping fact: Just ONE burger patty given to your dog as a snack is like you eating FIVE cupcakes in one sitting! 🧁 😱

If we eat a few cupcakes in one day on occasion, it is not going to have a large impact on our overall health. However, when consumed in those quantities regularly, in additional to regular meals, weight gain is very likely. The same is true for our pets. A burger patty given to your pet for a special meal on their gotcha day isn’t going to be very harmful – but used regularly as a training aid or treat could lead to sizable weight gain. Check out our article for mindful treat giving strategies and more: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/thrive-guide/human-snacks-and-weight-gain-in-pets

07/15/2024

Your pet deserves all the love—and a big part of that love includes championing their health! Here at Thrive, we're passionate about helping pet owners learn how to give their pet the best care, whether it's providing an individualized diet, grooming and exercise advice, or screening for health concerns regularly. By working together, you and your vet can prevent illness down the road or manage an ongoing chronic condition today, ensuring your pet lives their best life at every stage. 💚

Learn more about how we can help you keep your pet thriving here: thrivepetcare.com/be-their-champion

07/12/2024

The best way to know your dog is at a healthy weight? Staying up-to-date on their routine wellness appointments, where we will monitor your pet’s weight and provide a professional diagnosis. Between visits, here are some clear signs you can look for to get an idea of whether your dog is overweight:

✋ By Feel: You should be able to feel their ribs and there should not be a thick layer of fat covering these bones.
🔎 By Sight: The chest should be wider than the abdomen, and you'll notice a significant tuck-up from chest to stomach.
😴 Behavior: Overweight dogs may also walk a bit slower than before, take more naps than usual, and may pant on your daily walks.

Save this diagram for easy reference, and to learn more, visit: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/thrive-guide/is-my-dog-overweight

06/27/2024

A microchip may just be the size of a grain of sand under your pet’s skin, but it has the power to hold all their important information for life, which can be accessed via a national database in the event a lost pet is found and brought to a shelter or vet.

Before comes to a close, we want to take a moment to remind pet owners that just because a pet has been chipped doesn't mean their information is registered is up-to-date! We can check their chip easily during your next visit, and if you haven't chipped your pet yet, there's never been a better time.

To learn more about how microchips work, visit: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/service/microchipping

06/25/2024

Warning:️ this post is about p**p! 💩 If you’ve ever wondered why you’re asked to bring in a f***l sample as part of your pet’s annual wellness exam, the answer is to check for intestinal parasites.

There are a variety of parasites that thrive inside of otherwise healthy pets, so having them routinely tested is essential to their well-being. Your pet's p**p will be checked for evidence of hookworms, roundworms, giardia, and more. 🔬
These parasites can not only make pets uncomfortable and irritable but can also lead to many more serious issues if left untreated. Several parasites can even be transmitted to people, so by having your pet’s f***s examined, you are protecting humans in your household, too!

To learn more about what intestinal parasites we test for in f***l exams, visit:

06/25/2024

Penny and Cleo became fast friends yesterday at South Cape Veterinary Clinic! A play date may be around the corner!

06/20/2024

With many celebrations including , here are some quick reminders on how to help prepare and calm your pet ahead of the upcoming holiday weekend. 🎆

If you know your pet is sensitive to fireworks, do reach out to us for help! We can provide guidance and may be able to prescribe anti-anxiety medication to help your pet ride out the festivities as comfortably as possible.

For more tips on how to prepare and comfort pets who are fearful of fireworks, visit our website: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/thrive-guide/how-to-calm-pets-during-fireworks

06/17/2024

Check your pet for ticks every day, especially after they spend time outdoors. Run your fingers through your pet's fur with gentle pressure to feel for any small bumps. If you find a tick, it’s important to act quickly and safely. You can either try to remove the tick yourself or take your dog to your nearest pet urgent care or an emergency pet hospital for help.

If you choose to remove the tick from your dog, follow the steps below:

1) Use tweezers (or a tick remover instrument like a Tick Key) to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, removing the whole head and body.
2) Pull the tick straight out with slow and steady pressure. (If the head of the tick is left in the skin, it can cause an infection and still transmit disease, so make sure the whole body is removed!)
3) Once the tick is removed, you can place it in a sealed container in case your vet wants to test it for diseases.
4) Clean the area of your dog’s skin with soap and water then apply a pet-safe antiseptic.
5) Contact us for advice on next steps. We may ask you to bring the tick in for testing.

06/12/2024

Many of the diseases that parasites cause can spread from your pet to you and your family, too. Pests like and can crawl or hitch a ride into your home on shoes, clothing, or even on the fur of another pet. Itchy yet? Let’s talk pests:

🕷️ Ticks 🕷️
Not only are ticks a threat to our pets, but an estimated 476K Americans are diagnosed with Lyme disease each year.* They aren’t just a warm weather issue, either: contrary to popular belief, ticks don’t die in the winter and do not hibernate, either. If you or your pet spend time in grassy or wooded areas, get in the habit of spot-checking yourself and them for these small, spider-like creatures after every outing. If you find one, pull it off carefully and intact, then call us.

🐜 Fleas 🐜
These teeny-tiny jumping parasites aren’t just annoying for the itchy rashes they cause in pets and people. Studies have shown that the plague is once again on the rise and that fleas are one of the culprits. Fleas can multiply and jump from host to host alarmingly fast, so if you catch your pet itching more than usual, have them checked for fleas ASAP.

To learn more about these pesky pests, visit: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/protect-against-pests

*source: www.CDC.gov
**source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

06/11/2024

Don’t be scared! It’s not a real lion . . . But Penny’s E-collar certainly has some “Big Cat” appeal! Roar!

05/31/2024

May 31 is , and as temperatures rise, it’s important to know the signs of overheating in pets. can happen faster than you think, and action needs to be taken quickly! Learn what to watch out for and get more tips on keeping your pets safe this summer by visiting our website: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/thrive-guide/protecting-you-pet-from-heat-risks

05/23/2024

that xylitol (aka birch sugar) a common sweetener found in sugar-free gum, candies, and some peanut butter brands, can be toxic to pets? Eating even a small amount of xylitol can cause a sudden release of insulin in dogs, leading to low blood sugar, seizures, and even liver failure. Keep your pets safe by double-checking ingredient labels and avoiding feeding them human snacks and desserts. If you suspect your pet has ingested a sugar substitute, take them to an emergency vet ASAP.