Mountain Legacy Veterinary Center

**Viewer discretion advised** Here's another case of the summer that gave us a shock! ~6.5lbs of mass removed from a 24lb dog. Patient recovered successfully and couldn't be doing better! Thank goodness for modern medicine!

WEATHER (Snow).mp4

We tend to stay in for extra cuddles during ❄️ cold weather ❄️ but, did you know our pets can get cabin fever, too? 😧 In the case that you decide to take them out into the cold for an extended period of time, remember that exposure to cold dry air and repeatedly coming from a warm home to cold outdoor weather can lead to chapped, cracked paws and flaky, itchy skin in pets! 🐾 When your pet comes back inside, always dry their body paying special attention to their underbelly and in between their toes to remove any snow, ice, salt, or chemicals. 🐈 🐕

You may already know that overweight pets are more likely to live shorter lives. But excess weight can cause a variety of health issues with your pet in the meantime. ➡️ Cancer - Overweight pets are more susceptible to certain cancers. To treat your pet for cancer, Petplan estimates the average cost will be $2,033 ➡️ Joint Injuries - Even just a few extra pounds can add significant stress to your pet's joints (knees are the most commonly affected) costing an average of $3,480 to treat. ➡️ Urinary Tract Infections - Overweight female pets have more trouble cleaning hard-to-reach places or folds of fat may trap bacteria, leading to a UTI. Petplan estimates the cost for treatment for a UTI is $590. ➡️ Heart Disease - In overweight pets, the heart and circulatory system are working overtime which can lead to heart disease and high blood pressure. Treating cardiac conditions can cost approximately $1, 232. ➡️ Back Problems - Overweight pets with short legs and long bodies are prone to intervertebral disc diseases which can cost an average of $2,033 to treat. Be sure that you measure out portions each day appropriate for your pet, choose the appropriate diet, show love without treats if needed, exercise regularly, and visit the vet routinely!

In 2010, the Association of Professional Dog Trainers established the first-ever National Train Your Dog Month. The purpose of this month is to bring awareness to the importance of socialization and training and, most of all, to remind the public that training your dog can be easy and fun! If you happened to welcome a new pup to the family this holiday season, check out their website for some amazing resources that will help you and your family learn about everything from teaching your children about dog safety to how to handle your barking dog and everything in between! https://trainyourdogmonth.com

Poll! Does your pet like the snow? Answer in the comments with the corresponding emoji! ❄️ = Yes! 🥶 = No! 🧐 = Never seen it!

Do you make New Year's Resolutions? This year, we want to take more time to "paws", take deep breaths, and appreciate all the little moments in life. What's your resolution this year?

Petting, scratching, and cuddling your pet could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep as mediation! Today is #nationalcuddleupday ! Share your cuddly photos with us! 🥰

Don't be surprised! You may be planning a night out with family and friends which means that your pet might be left home alone with lots of confusing noises coming from outside. Before you head out, double-check the house to make sure all the exits are secure and do what you can to ensure that your pet feels comfortable and safe. Remember to remove any harmful plants, foods, or medications that your pet could get into. 🥳🤩 Happy celebrating and Happy New Year! 🥳🤩

💛 Did you know that owning a pet improves your cardiovascular health? 💛 The CDC and NIH found that pet owners display decreased blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, which can all minimize their risk of a heart attack. 💛 Furthermore, those who have already experienced a heart attack tend to have better recovery rates if they own a dog or a cat!

Thank you so much for trusting us with your pet. We are honored that you have placed your trust in us. We wish you all the best this holiday season!

The thought of holiday food makes our mouths water! Yours too? Guess what? Your pet's mouth is watering, as well! As tempting as it may be to share your amazing spread with your pets--beware of the following foods that are particularly dangerous for your fur-babies! ❗Chocolate ❗Pumpkin Pie ❗Corn Cobs ❗Gravy ❗Turkey Bones

Gastroenteritis may seem like a simple case of vomiting and diarrhea, but medical treatment is warranted to correct dehydration and electrolyte imbalances and to determine the underlying cause. If your pet is suffering from gastroenteritis, make a veterinary appointment and have the answers to these questions on hand during your appointment: ➡️ Has your pet had any new foods or treats recently? ➡️ When was the last time your pet ate and drank normally? ➡️ What is your pet currently eating, and how much? ➡️ Has your pet been exposed to any new people, pets, animals, or places recently? ➡️ Could your pet have ingested any cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals? ➡️ Has your pet had other vomiting and diarrhea episodes? ➡️ What medications or supplements does your pet take?

Yes, our precious doggos do get dementia...It's formally referred to as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) which can present itself as involutive depression, dysthymia, hyper-aggression, or confusional syndrome. Here are some signs of doggy dementia. And remember, always speak with a Veterinarian about any concerns you have for your pet! 🐶 Pacing back and forth or in circles (often turning consistently in one direction) 🐶 Getting lost in familiar places 🐶 Staring into space or walls 🐶 Walking into corners or other tight spaces and staying there 🐶 Appearing lost or confused 🐶 Waiting at the “hinge” side of the door to go out 🐶 Failing to get out of the way when someone opens a door 🐶 Failing to remember routines, or starting them and getting only partway through 🐶 Sundowning

Have you ever noticed your pup's nose turn from its usual dark color to more of a pink or brown color? Guess what that's called!? Snow nose! aka Winter Nose ❄️ Snow nose most commonly affects Siberian Huskies, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Bernese Mountain Dogs. This condition is completely cosmetic! However, if your dog's nose gets smoother and smoother or raw with sores, you should definitely make a veterinary appointment.

You already know that overweight pets are more likely to live shorter lives. 😩 But did you know that there are other health issues that extra weight can lead to like cancer, joint injury, UTIs, heart disease, and back problems? It's tough to help our pets keep up a healthy weight, we know. 👇Here are some simple and actionable steps you can take to help your pet stay healthy👇 1. Measure our portions 2. Choose a proper diet for your pet's life stage 3. Show love without treats 4. Exercise 5. Visit the vet if your pet falls into the overweight class to check for signs of hypothyroidism, diabetes, or arthritis

The holidays are creeping up and you might be considering taking your pet with you on a trip! Before you go, ask yourself these 5 questions! 1. Is my pet welcome? 2. Is my pet medically cleared for the trip? 5. Is the route I'm taking the most pet-friendly? 4. Are there any travel rules or restrictions to consider? 5. What does my pet need for the duration of the trip? If your pet is good-to-go, we wish you safe travels and happy holidays! 🥰

Poll: What are some of the ideal personality traits you want in a companion animal? Energetic? Playful? Calm? Loyal? Guard Dog? Intelligent? Cuddly? Post your answers in the comments below!

Your indoor cat still needs flea and tick prevention, even if your dog is on it! Your dog ventures out into the wilderness and is naturally at a higher risk for attracting fleas and ticks. But, even your indoor pets can host these parasites! You and your dog can easily carry home fleas and ticks that will go looking for another suitable host and potentially find a nice home on your indoor cat! To keep everyone safe, administer year-round flea and tick prevention to each pet.

A friendly reminder to consider your pets during cold weather! Be prepared & plan ahead. Leave your pets' coats a little longer and consider getting pet coats for your short-haired pets. If you bathe your pets during cold weather, make sure they are completely dry before taking them outside. When letting your pets out for a bathroom break- stay with them! If it is too cold for you to stand outside, it is probably too cold for your pets. If you do have an outdoor pet, remember that staying warm requires extra calories! Feed them accordingly. Check on their water frequently to ensure it doesn't freeze. Wipe your pet's paws after being in the ice and snow. Ice balls can cause frostbite! More cold weather safety tips: https://bit.ly/keepyourpetswarm

1 in 4 dogs will develop cancer in their lifetime. 50% of dogs over the age of 10 will develop cancer. Those are some staggering statistics! The best thing you can do for your pet is to keep them healthy and recognize the warning signs of cancer: ❗️ Unusual or fast-growing lumps or bumps ❗️ Unresolved vomiting or diarrhea ❗️ Unexplained or unresolved pain or limping ❗️ Unexplained bleeding or discharge from the nose or in urine or stool ❗️ Difficulty performing basic functions like eating, drinking, swallowing, breathing, urinating, or defecating. ❗️ Foul mouth odor ❗️ Swollen lymph nodes ❗️ Sores that do not resolve or heal ❗️ Weight loss or loss of appetite ❗️ Lethargic with no interest in usual activities Although all of these symptoms can be linked with a variety of other conditions, they can all be linked to various cancerous conditions in your pet and should be examined.