Wholehearted Veterinary Care

02/01/2025

01/31/2025

A Happy Ending for a Very Loved Pup! ❤️

Meet Spaz, a sweet 12-year-old dog who means the world to his owner. During a check-up for an unrelated issue, we took x-rays and happened to find something unexpected - a mass on his spleen. Even though he wasn't showing any signs of illness yet, we knew we had to act fast.

Our team performed surgery to remove his spleen, and yesterday we got the best news possible - the mass was BENIGN! 🎉 That means no cancer, no further treatment needed, just a happy, healthy pup ready to enjoy more love and snuggles.

We're so grateful for his wonderful family and the chance to care for Spaz!

01/30/2025

Big dog, bigger heart! ❤️Diesel is getting all the love (and the best care) from our amazing team. Fluids, snuggles, and anti-nausea medication are just what the doctor ordered! 🐾

01/29/2025

Meet Liz Lemon - She loved all of the treats and attention at her first visit today! ❤️🐾

01/28/2025

Our team loves keeping your pets healthy and seeing those joyful smiles! Pictured is Sunny with our veterinary assistant, Katie, at yesterday's wellness visit. ❤️🐾

01/27/2025

We loved meeting Fern this morning! 🥰

01/25/2025

Did you know that spending time with your pets in the morning can help reduce stress and boost your mood for the day ahead?

A recent study published in Stress and Health highlights the benefits of spending quality time with pets in the morning. The research found that engaging with your cat or dog early in the day can reduce stress and enhance overall well-being throughout the workday and evening.

So, why not grab your coffee, your leash, or your pet's favorite toy and let the stress melt away?

01/21/2025

Brrrr! ❄️We are currently open with a smaller-than-normal team but will close early today as many of our appointments have, understandably, rescheduled. If your pet has urgent medical needs, please reach out this morning so we can help. Stay warm and safe! ☃️

01/21/2025

Interesting!

New research from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) at Trinity College Dublin has revealed the significant benefits of regular dog walking for older adults. The study is published in the Journals of Gerontology.

Up to now, little research has looked at the suggestion that dog walking may protect against falls and mobility problems later in life. This study assessed if regular dog walking was associated with reduced likelihood of falls, fear of falling and mobility problems in a large cohort of community-dwelling older people.

Falls are the most frequent reason older people are admitted to hospital and the most common cause of accidental death in later life. Falls are strongly associated with fractures, including hip fractures, subsequent loss of independence, increased health care use, admission to nursing homes and earlier mortality.
https://academic.oup.com/biomedgerontology/advance-article/doi/10.1093/gerona/glaf010/7951863?login=false

01/20/2025

Today, as we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., let's remember the importance of compassion and standing up for what's right - whether it's for our fellow humans or the animals we care for every day. 🐾💙

01/20/2025

01/17/2025

🐾 Have a new puppy? At Wholehearted Veterinary Care, we always recommend puppy classes to set your new furry family member up for success!

Research shows that not all social exposure is created equal - quality matters more than quantity. Negative or overwhelming experiences can lead to fear or aggression later in life. That's why we encourage structured, positive interactions, like those provided in a well-run puppy class.

Our local favorites, A Dog's Life GR and A Pleasant Dog, have lots of options to help your puppy grow into a confident, well-adjusted adult dog.

Our goal is to prevent, treat and effectively manage behavior problems in companion animals to enhance and strengthen the human-animal bond. If you have any questions about your pet’s behavior please contact us.

01/17/2025

Did you know that pets can be great at hiding pain? 🐾 Even subtle changes in behavior or body language can be clues that your pet is painful.

At Wholehearted Veterinary Care, we use evidence-based tools like pain scales for dogs, cats, and even rabbits to assess how your pet is feeling. These resources help us identify signs of pain that may not be obvious and guide us in creating the best treatment plan for their comfort.

You can use these tools at home too! Look for signs like:
🐶 Dogs: reluctance to play, stiffness, or restlessness
🐈‍⬛ Cats: hiding, decreased grooming, or a change in vocalizations
🐇 Rabbits: reduced appetite, hunched posture, or teeth grinding.

Check out the photos for a closer look at these pain scales, and let us know if you have any questions about your pet's health. Together, we can ensure they're living their best, pain-free lives! 💓

01/17/2025

Great tips for the cold weather that is coming! ❄️

Temperatures are expected to dip below 0ºF next week, and while we can compensate by putting on a sweater or woolen socks, how can you help your furry senior companion stay warm and cozy? Even more important, how does the cold impact their health and wellbeing?

"Winter can be really tough on older dogs. They find it hard to regulate their body temperature, and the cold can exacerbate arthritic joints," said Dr. Laurie Brush, founder of Heaven at Home Pet Hospice.

That's why we've put together a list of 10 tips to help you keep your beloved companion comfortable and maintain his or her quality of life during the depths of winter. Take a look in our Resource Center: https://www.pethospicevet.com/10-tips-to-sustain-your-senior-pets-quality-of-life-this-winter/

01/16/2025

Mowglii came in for a neuter yesterday and melted hearts while waiting for his turn - he even reached out for extra snuggles! 🐾❤️

01/14/2025

🌾🐾Roscoe's Relief: A Foxtail Tale!🐾🌾

Today, we had the pleasure of helping Roscoe, a sweet little dog who had been dealing with a mystery discomfort for a few weeks. After some careful investigation, Dr. Malone used our ultrasound to pinpoint the culprit: a sneaky foxtail (think of it like a sharp little splinter) that had worked its way under Roscoe's skin!

Foxtails are uncommon here in Michigan, but Roscoe had recently traveled and brought back this unwelcome souvenir. With a quick surgical procedure, we removed the foxtail and got this brave pup back on the path to feeling his best.

01/13/2025

🦎❄️ Winter Weather and Reptile Health ❄️🦎

Did you know we see more sick reptiles during Michigan's cold, dry winters? Low temperatures and humidity can take a toll on your scaly friends, who need very specific environmental conditions to thrive.

Here's how you can help your reptile stay healthy this winter:
✔️ Temperature Zones: Use a reliable heat source to maintain proper basking and ambient temperatures in their enclosure
✔️ Humidity Levels: Monitor humidity with a hygrometer and mist as needed, especially in dry winter months
✔️ Enclosure Check: Make sure your reptile's habitat is draft-free and that heating and humidity equipment are working properly.

If your reptile is acting differently - less active, not eating, or showing respiratory issues - don't wait to see help! We're here to ensure your cold-blooded companions stay warm and healthy all season.

01/11/2025

Want to help keep your pet's teeth healthy? This video has great tips on home dental care for dogs and cats.🐾🦷🪥

Home dental care can go a long way toward helping protect your pet against dental disease and related problems. Here’s how to make your dog or cat comfortabl...