Thousand Hills Veterinary Clinic

01/23/2025

01/22/2025

January 22nd is National Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day! Cats’ bizarre behaviors only make us wonder even more: what could they possibly be thinking about?

Well, they probably wonder about some of our strange behaviors, too. That’s why National Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day is so much fun! We get to think about what questions our cats would ask us, then answer those questions for our kitties’ benefit.

Do they understand our answers? Who knows? It’s just for fun! Here are some things our cats would probably ask us if they could on National Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day.

1. Why Do You Yell At Me For Scratching The Large, Soft Scratching Posts In The House? Scratching is 100 percent normal for cats; expensive, imported Scandinavian furniture is not. To cats, your new love seat is a very large, intricate scratching post to help keep their claws from getting too long or to stave off boredom. Scratching is also used as a stress reliever for cats.

2. Why Do You Bring Strangers To My Home? I always have to hide because they want to pet me and *shudders* pick me up. New humans in a familiar environment can be very confusing to your cat. To reduce anxiety, try letting your cat meet your guests on their own terms.

3. Can't I Go Outside For Just A Little Bit? Just like human children, your cat may not understand when you're making a decision that seems to suck, but in reality is in their best interest. If your indoor cat looks like they're pining for the great outdoors, consider getting them a window perch or a nice cat tree near a window so they can get a glimpse of the other world. If you have an outdoor cat, be sure they have free access to get back inside your home.

4. Why Do You Take Away My Personal Heating Pad? I like laying on it and don’t get why you’re frustrated. In the cat world, laptops and other electronics are heating pads, not communication or work tools for their humans. We take it away because we need it to work so we can continue to feed our kitties and buy them all of the catnip they deserve. If your cat keeps climbing on or laying on things that they're not allowed to, consider some training to break the habit.

5. Why Do You Freak Out If You Can't Find Me? Sometimes I just need my space!
Cats are crafty and will find a way to hide in the least expected of places, such as a large pot underneath your sink or in the lining of a futon. If they're scared or unsure of their environment, cats will hide. As long as you're positive they haven't found a way outside, there's no need to panic. Let your kitty hide in peace until they feel comfortable enough to come out.

What funny questions do you think your cat would ask if they could talk?

01/21/2025

Pet Parents often mistake signs of osteoarthritis pain for normal aging but dogs develop arthritis secondary to other joint disorders, most of which develop in dogs less than 7 years of age. The earlier that joint disorders and arthritis is recognized, the more effective long-term management will be.

OA (osteoarthritis) is a type of arthritis that happens when protective tissue in the joints is worn down, causing bones to rub against one another. OA pain hurts, decreases your dog’s willingness to play, and affects their quality of life. And unfortunately, chronic pain is one of top reasons for euthanasia.

But while arthritis isn’t curable, there are many things you can do to help your dog to live a happy, active, healthy life. The earlier that arthritis or conditions that predispose to arthritis are recognized, the much more successful long term management will be.

Does your dogs show any of the following?
-Limping after exercise?
-Slow to rise?
-Feeling stiff?
-Lagging behind on walks?
-Having difficulty jumping or going up/down stairs?

You may want to schedule an appointment with us to talk about your concerns.

Librela is a monthly injection that we offer to all of our canine patients to help manage their OA symptoms. It is safe, effective and most importantly gives your dog their quality of life back. With long-lasting Librela, your dog can feel better, and you can feel good about their treatment, so you can get back to the activities you both love.

If you would like to discuss this treatment option further please give us a call and we can make sure your pet is a good candidate for it.

01/17/2025

If you have had a recent visit with us please remember to leave us a review! We have a monthly drawing that differs each month. We always aim to give your pets the best medical care possible and with your feedback it is helpful in order to be able to continue providing that.

01/15/2025

The whole month of January is Weight Loss Awareness Month and one specific category of breed that I would like to recognize is the Brachycephalic breed.

-Boston Terrier
-Boxer
-Bull Mastiff
-Brussels Griffon
-Cane Corso
-Chow Chow
-English Bulldog
-French Bulldog
-Lhaso Apso
-Pekingnese
-Pug
-Shih Tzu

Are some of the most common breeds that we see in this category.

These dogs in specific are already predisposed to having something called Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome due to their stenotic nares (nose holes) and elongated soft pallets. Having this syndrome makes it extremely difficult to breathe especially when it is hot and humid and even more so when they are over weight.

Dogs in general can't sweat like humans do to cool off so they pant to try to help themselves, Brachycephalic breeds can very easily overheat due to their body structure and by being overweight makes it even harder on them.

So this January with it being cooler outside and not humid, if you have one of these breeds lets work together by getting them more active and outside. Getting extra weight off of them will not only help their breathing, it will also help their joints and mobility as they age!

01/14/2025

With all of the natural disasters that have been occurring in the United States over the past 6 months, we want everyone to stop and think about their emergency safety plan.

We all hope that it includes your pets and these are some questions you may need to ask yourself before an emergency happens:
-In the event that you need to board them are they are up to date on all vaccines in order to be allowed to board safely?
-Are they microchipped in the event they get away from you during any chaos that is occurring AND if they are microchipped is the information current?
-Do you have all of the proper paperwork and updated documents on your pets including large animal pets in order to cross state lines?
-Do you have enough medication for your pets that will last for several days until refills can be called in elsewhere including any heartworm/flea/tick prevention?

If you have any questions regarding your pets wellness care, needing to get them microchipped or getting something updated please don't hesitate to give us a call. We can email your pets records to you as well so you always have an updated copy in the event you need them for any reason!

Stay safe but most importantly have a plan, that includes your pets!

01/13/2025

Exposure to winter’s dry, cold air and chilly rain, sleet and snow can cause chapped paws and itchy, flaking skin, but these aren’t the only discomforts pets can suffer. Winter walks can become downright dangerous if chemicals from ice-melting agents are licked off of bare paws. Here are some of our top winter safety tips that can hopefully help you:

1. Remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet, so keep your animals inside. If left outdoors, pets can freeze, become disoriented, lost, stolen, injured or killed. In addition, don’t leave pets alone in a car during cold weather, as cars can act as refrigerators that hold in the cold and cause animals to freeze to death.

2. Keep your home humidified and be sure to towel dry your pet as soon as they come inside. Repeatedly going into the cold and then comin back into a warm home can cause itchy, flaking skin. Pay close attention to their feet and in-between their toes and remove any snow balls from between their foot pads to prevent and treat skin irritation in the winter.

3. Massage petroleum jelly or other vet-approved paw protectants into paw pads before going outside to protect from salt and chemical agents. Booties can provide even more coverage and can also prevent sand and salt from getting lodged between bare toes and causing irritation. Use pet-friendly ice melts whenever possible.

4. Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter. A longer coat will provide more warmth.

5. After each walk, make sure to wash and dry your pet's feet and stomach to remove ice, salt and chemicals. Don't forget to check for cracks in paw pads or redness between the toes.

6. Bathe your pets as little as possible during cold spells. Washing too often can remove essential oils and increase the chance of developing dry, flaky skin.

7. Thoroughly clean up any anitfreeze spills. Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Additionally, cold weather chemicals like ice melts can be dangerous when ingested, so always be mindful and keep chemicals up and out of paws' reach.

01/13/2025

Remember you can always send us a quick text if you ever need a refill!

01/11/2025

If you are new to us or have recently had a visit with us please leave us a review! We do monthly drawings for services or free prevention and we LOVE to hear about your experience or areas that we can grow and learn to make your experience better! We want nothing but the best for you and your furry family members so the only way to improve is by hearing from you.

01/10/2025

DUE TO THE WEATHER WE ARE CLOSING IMMEDIATELY! Sorry about the inconvenience for anyone! Everyone stay safe and warm!

Please post all of your snowy furry family pics below!

01/08/2025

January is pet weight loss awareness month! If your pet is getting a few comments from your friends and family that have you responding, “they’re not fat, they’re just fluffy!” perhaps it’s time to think about creating an exercise routine for them.

Since it is January, you may also have a New Year’s resolution to get a little fitter alongside your pet. Exercise doesn’t have to be boring, though, and playtime can make exercise much more fun and engaging for your pet and you too! Doing more exercise with your pet will also be great for building a relationship between you both, so you can get fitter and have fun with your pet at the same time.

Your dog will have a great time playing fetch, chasing after a tennis ball, or kicking a football around. If you involve yourself, you will also get in a good workout by throwing the ball or kicking one around with your dog. Playing fetch for an hour or so every day will be a brilliant cardio source for both human and dog players!
-Frisbee also makes a fun game out and running around, and your dog will get the chance to run and jump and chase!
-If your pup isn’t the type to chase a ball and prefers to walk and sniff around a lot, taking your dog for a nice long walk will be super beneficial for you and your dog.
-Swimming is also a wonderful activity that helps in various different health aspects.

Cats enjoy wandering around and being outside, and if you can get them used to wearing and using a harness, they can be taken for a longer walk. They might like a wander around your neighborhood, just be careful of other animals that may be walking around, because on a lead your cat will feel restricted and frightened.

Cat toys like cat wands and other toys with dangly ends make playtime a great way to lose weight. Playing with toys like that brings out the hunting instincts of cats, and they can really get in the zone of chasing and hunting, extending playtime for quite some time. Cats like playing a lot more than people tend to think, especially if the games play into their instinct like that.

An overweight pet has a higher risk of developing arthritis, kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and even cancer. Being overweight will also increase their chance of physical injury; it is more likely they could tear a ligament from strenuous exercise or slip a hip. In day-to-day life, walking around and moving with the extra weight puts strain on the joints and muscles, which can cause consistent pain.

01/06/2025

Just a reminder we are closed today!! We will see everyone tomorrow!! We hope you are all enjoying your snow day and staying safe!

01/05/2025

Due to severe weather THVC will be closed tomorrow Monday January 6th! We will hopefully be back to normal business hours Tuesday January 7th! We hope you all are enjoying this snow, please post all the cute photos below of your furry family members playing in it!

01/03/2025

If you have had a recent visit with you please remember to leave us a review! We have wonderful monthly drawings for various free items!