South Shores Pet Clinic

10/31/2024

👉🚪 Hey, pet lovers! Did you know your garage may contain hazardous substances that can harm your furry friends?

🐾 Chemicals like paints, glues, and antifreeze can be TOXIC if ingested, and antifreeze is especially dangerous due to its sweet scent and taste.

🚫 Keep these products secure and out of reach to prevent accidental exposure to harmful substances!🙏

10/29/2024

It may seem counterintuitive, but teaching your dog to bark on command can actually help them learn to be quiet.

Speak up — Start by finding a trigger that makes your dog bark naturally. It could be a knock on the door, the doorbell ringing, or even someone saying “Speak.” When your dog barks, reward them with praise and a treat.

Quiet down — Once your dog understands the “Speak” command, introduce a cue for “Quiet,” such as “Enough” or a hand signal. Reward your dog with a treat when they stop barking after you give the cue.

Practice makes perfect — Practice the “Speak” and “Quiet” commands together until your dog can bark and then stop on command. This will help them understand when it’s appropriate to bark and when they should be quiet, giving you more control over their behavior.

10/24/2024

😺 While cats are atypical hosts for heartworms, they can still cause significant health problems.

Heartworm larvae typically don't mature into adulthood in cats, but the cat's immune system responds by creating a strong inflammatory response. This causes lung disease, called heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD), which can result in signs including coughing, increased respiratory effort, and vomiting that resemble feline asthma. 🚨

Providing year-round heartworm prevention is an important part of your pet’s health care plan. If you would like to discuss the various preventives, contact our team by calling , so we can determine what protocol would best fit you and your pet’s lifestyle.

10/22/2024

Is your furry friend showing signs of fear, anxiety, or stress?

🐾 It’s important to understand the different ways in which dogs display their emotions. Besides the obvious signs like shaking or hiding, dogs may also use self-soothing motions, such as yawning or scratching, to alleviate nervous energy. They may also exhibit displacement behaviors like sniffing or running in circles.

Anxious or fearful dog traits include wide eyes, ears back, avoiding eye contact, trembling, and even a frantically wagging tail. Stay tuned for more tips on how to help your anxious dog.

10/17/2024

🐾🚫 Millions of pets are euthanized every year at shelters across the country because there aren't enough homes for them all. One way to help prevent this problem is by spaying or neutering your pet.

💉🐶 This simple procedure ensures your pet does not produce offspring and add to the overpopulation.

👍📞Call 310-832-5327 to talk to your veterinarian about the benefits of spaying or neutering your furry friend.

10/15/2024

🚨 Attention pet owners 🚨 Did you know that a single mosquito bite could lead to a heartworm infection in your furry friend? This can cause serious health issues for your pet, including irreversible damage to their heart and lungs. 😢

Providing year-round heartworm prevention is an important part of your pet’s health care plan. If you would like to discuss the various preventives, contact our team at South Shores Pet Clinic by calling 310-832-5327, so we can determine what protocol would best fit you and your pet’s lifestyle.

10/15/2024

Can happiness improve your cat’s health? We think so!😺To celebrate Happy Cat Month, we’re sharing six simple steps you can take right meow to boost your cat’s well-being. Check out our latest blog post for our how-to guide to happiness!😻

Cats are often seen as mysterious and independent creatures, but beneath that aloof exterior is a pet that thrives on consistent love, attention, and care. Help your feline friend live all nine of their lives to the fullest with our South Shores Pet Clinic team’s six steps to

10/10/2024

Did you know that your pet's bad breath might be more than just an unpleasant smell? It could indicate that they have periodontal disease! If left untreated, can progress to periodontal disease in the following stages:

Stage 1 — Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease. The bacteria cause gum inflammation but do not damage the supporting tooth structures.

Stage 2 — The bacteria invade under the gum line, damaging the tissue that supports the teeth. Periodontal disease is characterized as stage two when less than 25% of the supporting structures are affected.

Stage 3 — Periodontal disease is characterized as stage three when 25% to 50% of the supporting structures are damaged.

Stage 4 — Periodontal disease is characterized as stage four when greater than 50% of the supporting structures are affected. Typically, stage four teeth aren’t salvageable and must be extracted.

10/08/2024

🐾🌡️ Counting calories and exercising daily are great ways to keep your pet at a healthy weight. But what if the number on the scale isn't budging? Your furry friend may have an underlying health condition that makes weight loss difficult.

🏥🩺 Pets with metabolic and endocrine disorders, like hypothyroidism or Cushing's disease, often struggle with weight loss. Prescription diets and management of the underlying condition can help.

Once the condition is under control, weight loss becomes much easier. Need help managing your pet's weight? Call 310-832-5327 to talk to your veterinarian.

10/03/2024

🍇🚫 STOP! Grapes and raisins are NOT pet-friendly snacks!

🐾 Even if your furry friend begs for a bite, it's best to avoid feeding them these toxic treats. Why? Because they contain tartaric acid that can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney damage. Play it safe and stick to pet-safe snacks!👌

10/01/2024

🐀🚫 Rodenticides are extremely toxic to pets and can cause serious harm if ingested!

👀 Most rodenticides work by inhibiting the rodent’s ability to clot blood, which can cause internal bleeding in cats and dogs. If your pet has ingested rat or mouse poison, look out for lethargy and pale gums.

🙀 Don't wait for symptoms to appear—contact your veterinarian immediately for treatment!

💊 This situation is highly treatable if caught early, so be vigilant to keep your pets safe and healthy.🐶🐱

09/26/2024

🌿🧅 Beware of onions, garlic, and chives if you're a pet owner!

🐾 Although these herbs may add flavor to your meals, they can be TOXIC to your furry friends and cause red blood cell damage. Garlic is the most poisonous of the three and can cause vomiting, weakness, nausea, and collapse. So, be careful and keep these ingredients away from your pets!🚫

09/24/2024

🐶 If your furry friend has been diagnosed with heartworm disease, it's important to restrict their exercise.

😢 Physical exertion can exacerbate the damage the heartworms cause to the dog's heart and lungs. Treatment for heartworm disease is also risky, as the medication can cause life-threatening complications when the dead worms break apart. Before treatment is started, the dog's condition must be stabilized, and close monitoring is required during and after treatment.

Providing year-round heartworm prevention is an important part of your pet’s health care plan. If you would like to discuss the various preventives, contact our team by calling , so we can determine what protocol would best fit you and your pet’s lifestyle.

09/19/2024

🦷😬 Did you know that dental disease can cause chronic pain in your pet?

By the time you notice symptoms like bad breath and yellow buildup on their teeth, your furry friend may already be experiencing significant discomfort.

Annual dental evaluations as part of your pet’s regular preventive care exam can help detect dental disease early, before it progresses and negatively affects their quality of life.

Don't wait until it's too late to address your pet's dental health!

09/17/2024

Are you concerned about your pet's dental health? Periodontal disease is a serious condition that can lead to significant discomfort and other health issues! Call us to schedule a check up for your pet! 310-832-5327

09/12/2024

🐾👩‍⚕️ Spaying your female pet before her first heat cycle offers significant health benefits, such as reducing her risk of developing mammary cancer.

🚫 On the other hand, having a litter can cause health problems for your pet, who may not survive the birth.

📞Call 310-832-5327 to talk to your veterinarian about the benefits of spaying your pet.

09/10/2024

👉🌿 Pet owners, keep your furry friends safe from w**d killer exposure!

🐶🐱 While most w**d killers are relatively safe, ingestion of an extreme quantity of certain products can cause myotonia, vomiting, and weakness in dogs. Roundup® is not particularly dangerous, but undiluted product should be kept away from pets. If your pet is presenting any symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately
👀 Use w**d killers responsibly to keep your pets happy and healthy!🙏

09/05/2024

🦠 Parvovirus is a highly contagious viral infection that can be devastating to dogs. Puppies and unvaccinated dogs are most at risk. Transmission occurs when your dog comes into contact with an infected dog or contaminated object.

If your dog displays signs of lethargy, fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, or severe, bloody diarrhea, they may be infected with parvovirus. To protect your pet, call us at South Shores Pet Clinic at 310-832-5327 to consult with a Veterinarian. We're here to help! 🩺

09/03/2024

👜🚫 Pet owners, beware of leaving your bags and purses lying around!

🐾 If you typically carry medications or other harmful substances, such as sugar-free gums or hand sanitizers, your furry friends could be in DANGER.

😿 In fact, human medications are some of the top offenders on the ASPCA APCC's pet toxins list. Keep your bags and purses out of reach and secure to prevent accidental exposure to harmful substances!🙏

09/01/2024

Laser therapy is becoming a common pain management modality that also boosts healing by promoting tissue repair. Learn how this innovative, non-invasive treatment can ease your pet’s pain in our latest blog post.

Veterinary medicine is making huge advancements in pain management, relieving more pets in pain without the potential side effects seen with medication. One treatment gaining traction is laser therapy. This innovative procedure offers a range of benefits, from pain relief to accelerated healing, and...

08/29/2024

👀 Did you know that exercise restriction is crucial for dogs diagnosed with heartworm disease?

😔 Physical activity can worsen the damage that the heartworms cause to the dog's heart and lungs. Treatment for heartworm disease is also dangerous, as medication can lead to life-threatening complications. The dog's condition must be stabilized before treatment is started, and close monitoring is essential throughout the process. Dogs with a low worm burden typically have a better prognosis.

Providing year-round heartworm prevention is an important part of your pet’s health care plan. If you would like to discuss the various preventives, contact our team at South Shores Pet Clinic by calling 310-832-5327, so we can determine what protocol would best fit you and your pet’s lifestyle.

08/27/2024

🙅‍♀️🐶 Hey, dog owners! Beware of xylitol!

🚫 This sugar substitute can be TOXIC for your furry pals, causing severe hypoglycemia and liver damage. Keep an eye on the ingredients of the products you use, and if you suspect your dog has ingested xylitol, seek immediate veterinary care!🚑

08/22/2024

🦟 Beware pet owners! Heartworms can be a serious threat to your furry friend's health.

😢 When a mosquito bites an infected dog, they ingest heartworm larvae, which can mature in the mosquito before being transmitted to the next pet the insect bites. In dogs, heartworms can mature to adulthood, mate, and produce offspring in their heart, causing significant health problems. While cats are atypical hosts, immature heartworms can still cause them health problems. 🐾

Providing year-round heartworm prevention is an important part of your pet’s health care plan.

If you would like to discuss the various preventives, contact our team at South Shores Pet Clinic by calling 310-832-5327, so we can determine what protocol would best fit you and your pet’s lifestyle.

08/20/2024

🌳🐶 Pet-proofing your lawn and garden is crucial if you want to keep your furry friend safe and healthy!

🐾 Choose pet-safe fertilizers, pesticides, and garden additives, and make sure your curious pet cannot access bags of fertilizer or chew bottles of repellents. Also, be mindful of poisonous plants, like lilies, azaleas, sago palms, and tulips, and consider transplanting them to a safer area your pet cannot access.🚫

08/15/2024

🐾 Did you know that when your cat kneads your stomach with his paws, he is showing his love for you?

This behavior is reminiscent of his kitten days, when he would knead his mother's ni***es to stimulate milk flow. So, when your kitty kneads you, he's feeling the same sense of comfort and warmth he felt with his mom. Be sure to keep his nails clipped short and keep an extra towel handy if his kneading is uncomfortable for you.

Give your kitty some love today! 🐱❤️