Owen's Ark Veterinary Clinic

06/21/2024

Protecting all nine lives. 🐈 💙

06/18/2024

Stay cool out there!

06/14/2024

Happy Friday! 🤎

06/11/2024

Today, June 11th, is World Pet Memorial Day. 🐾

World Pet Memorial Day is a day to remember our beloved pets who have passed away. It gives us a chance to honor the special bond that we share with them and recognize the impact they had on our lives. Pets hold a special place in our hearts and are part of the family for most people. Losing a pet is difficult, no matter how long you had them. The AVMA wanted to create a holiday to remember all of our pets that have crossed the Rainbow Bridge.🌈

05/31/2024

Warmer weather means more time outdoors and a higher risk of encountering ticks. Your dog’s fur is a paradise for these parasites, which may carry dangerous diseases that can also infect humans.

Your veterinarian can recommend a preventative product to use year-round as a first line of defense against tick-borne diseases, but it’s still important to check your dog—and yourself—for ticks. If your dog has a tick, you may feel a bump that's as small as a pinhead or as large as a pea, depending on how long it has been feeding on your dog.

To learn more about tick prevention and Lyme Disease, visit: https://www.amcny.org/pet_health_library/lyme-disease-in-pets/

05/31/2024

Macie Grace 💙

05/25/2024

Riley is almost as big as Keston! 🐶

05/21/2024

Dr. Kelly getting all the cuddles 🐶

05/12/2024

Happy Mother’s Day♥️🐴

05/11/2024

Calling all of the dog moms!
Share a photo of you and your doggo with us.♥️

05/08/2024

Did someone say peanut butter?

05/03/2024

Miss Ruby 🩷👑🎀

04/29/2024

Help us wish Jan a very happy birthday!

04/27/2024

🐾 Honoring Our Vets at Owen's Ark! 🐾

On this World Veterinary Day, we want to extend a heartfelt shoutout to the amazing team we have at Owen's Ark Veterinary Clinic: Dr. Nissen, Dr. Boyk, Dr. Riedeman, Dr. Ehrmin, and Dr. Schiavone!

Your dedication, expertise, and compassion make a world of difference in the lives of our furry friends and their families. From routine check-ups to emergency care, you go above and beyond to ensure the health and happiness of every animal that walks through the doors.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to providing top-notch veterinary care and for being true champions for our beloved clients. 🌟🐶🐱

04/24/2024

Banks being the best boy for his puppy vaccines today 🩵

04/15/2024

We hope everyone had a great weekend!

04/12/2024

Check out our helpful Blog post on our website: Hidden Toxins in Your Home.

Hidden Toxins in Your Home by admin | Mar 11, 2022 | Blog Is your home a safe space for your pet? Unfortunately, many everyday items in your home can pose a significant risk to your pet’s health. Here are a few dangers that may be lurking in your home and steps you can take to help keep your pet s...

03/31/2024

Happy Easter! 🐇 🐣

03/29/2024

Happy Good Friday! ♥️ 🐈

03/23/2024

03/19/2024

The latest consensus statement on leptospirosis in dogs from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine features the latest understanding about the zoonotic disease to help veterinarians care for their canine patients.

03/15/2024

Scratching is a cat’s way of communicating and keeping their nails well-groomed. It’s important to have an acceptable place (or places) for your cats to scratch. Learn more about scratching behavior at https://bit.ly/38lHe2O.

03/04/2024

This is why vaccinating your dog for Leptospirosis is important!

02/20/2024

Happy National Love Your Pet Day! ♥️
Share a photo of your pets below.

02/12/2024

Acne in Dogs

What is canine acne?
Canine acne is an inflammatory disorder of the lips and the skin of the muzzle. Dogs with mild cases of acne often have red bumps or pustules (pimples) on their skin. This can, in more severe cases, lead to generalized swelling of the lips and muzzle, bleeding wounds, or scabs on the face. Left untreated, severe cases of canine acne can result in permanent scarring.

Why do dogs develop acne?
The underlying cause of canine acne is not fully understood. Genetic predisposition, however, is thought to play an important role. Commonly affected breeds include Boxers, English Bulldogs, Great Danes, German Shorthaired Pointers, Weimaraners, Mastiffs, Rottweilers, and Doberman Pinschers. Other breeds can also be affected, though at lower rates than these predisposed breeds.

Many cases of canine acne are thought to be triggered by trauma to the skin of the chin or muzzle. This trauma can cause hairs to break off near the skin’s surface, leading to inflammation within the hair follicle and its eventual rupture. When the hair follicle ruptures, its contents are released into the surrounding skin. This creates further inflammation, as the contents of the hair follicles are recognized as foreign by the surrounding tissues. Although the inflammation associated with canine acne is often sterile (non-infected) in the early stages, bacteria can easily colonize this damaged skin and lead to infection.

In some cases, acne may be associated with underlying skin conditions. Your veterinarian will assess your dog for possible food allergies or environmental allergies. If these allergies are suspected, managing the allergies may decrease acne. Additionally, your veterinarian will perform a physical exam and/or laboratory tests to rule out parasites (e.g., Demodex mites) as a factor contributing to the acne.

How is canine acne diagnosed?
In most cases, your veterinarian can diagnose acne based on clinical appearance. The characteristic skin lesions, distributed around the lips and muzzle, are typical of this condition. In some cases, however, further diagnostics may be required to confirm the diagnosis. Your veterinarian may recommend a biopsy of the skin to confirm the diagnosis of acne and to rule out other skin disorders. Additionally, your veterinarian may recommend bacterial culture and sensitivity in the case of infection, which can help identify the bacteria responsible and the appropriate antibiotics for treatment. Cytology, which looks for evidence of infectious organisms or unusual cell types, may also be helpful.

What can I do at home to help decrease my dog's acne?
One of the most beneficial things that you can do at home is to resist the temptation to "pop” the pimples. Squeezing the lesions on your dog's face will increase the likelihood of hair follicles rupturing under the skin, leading to worsening inflammation. If you can identify a cause of trauma to your dog's muzzle or chin, preventing this trauma can decrease acne. Possible causes of trauma include using the muzzle to root around in the dirt, eating from a plastic bowl that may have rough edges, or scratching at the face.

02/08/2024

01/31/2024

Tanner is enjoying his mouse! 🐭

Does your cat want a FREE mouse toy?
When you purchase 12 months of Nexgard Combo, you will receive a free mouse toy!

01/29/2024

01/26/2024

Ms. Sadie at her 4 month checkup 🥰

01/18/2024

Parasites are pesky and harmful to your pet. To ensure your pet doesn't have to endure the trouble these little creatures can cause, make sure your pet is on preventatives that is best suited for them and their lifestyle.