Thousand Hills Veterinary Clinic

08/15/2024

08/15/2024

Statistics show that one in three pets will become lost at some point during their lives, but cats and dogs with registered microchips are much more likely to experience a happy reunion with their loving families.

National Check the Chip Day, observed annually on August 15, reminds pet owners about the importance of microchipping your pets and ensuring that the microchip registration information is up to date.

Microchips greatly increase the chances that pets will be reunited with their families if they are lost or stolen…but a microchip only works if its registration information is accurate.

Check the registration information for your pet's microchip once a year on Check the Chip Day.

-If your pet isn’t already microchipped, make an appointment with us now for microchipping. Register your pets chip immediately with the manufacturer, making sure all of your contact information is included.
-Ask us to scan the microchip during your pet's annual wellness exam every year.
-Each year on Check the Chip Day, check your pet's microchip registration information and update it if it's incomplete or no longer correct.

08/14/2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that today was Dr. Longs last day at THVC. Her husband’s job with the Army is relocating them to North Carolina. Please join us in wishing her farewell and thank her for her hard work and the countless pets she has cared for during her time with us. We can never thank her enough and we know without a doubt that she will be a blessing at her new job.

08/14/2024

August means back to school which also means some of our family members need to get updated vaccines. Over the next month we will be focusing each week on the core vaccines that your furry family member may be getting at their yearly exams. We always base their vaccines on their current lifestyle, some pets require more or less than others and we will be spending one day each week focusing on the individual vaccines and if you have any questions regarding them each week please comment below and we will address them as we can!

This week we are also focusing on the FVRCP vaccine for cats. This vaccine actually vaccinates your cat and kitten for 3 different virus' that your cat can come into contact with.

The first is Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (herpes virus). Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis is thought to be responsible for up to 80 to 90% of ll infectious upper respiratory diseases in cats. The disease can impact your kitty's nose and windpipe in addition to causing issues during pregnancy.

Signs of FVR include inflamed eyes and nose, discharge from the eyes and nose, fever and sneezing. While these symptoms may be mild in adult cats and start to clean up after 5 to 10 days, in more severe cases FVR symptoms can last for six weeks or longer.

Symptoms of FHV-1 may persist and worsen for kittens, senior cats and immune-compromised cats, leading to loss of appetite, severe weight loss, sores inside the mouth and depression. In cats that are already sick with Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, bacterial infections often occur, leading to worsening health.

Even after symptoms of FVR have cleared up, the virus stays dormant within your cat's body and may flare up repeatedly over your feline friend's lifetime.

The second part of the vaccine is the Feline Calicivirus portion. This virus is a major cause of upper respiratory infections and oral disease in cats.

Symptoms of feline calicivirus (FCV) include nasal congestion, sneezing, eye inflammation, and clear or yellow discharge from the infected cat's nose or eyes. Some cats will also develop painful ulcers on their tongue, palate, lips, or nose due to FCV. Often, cats infected with feline calicivirus suffer from loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, squinting, and lethargy.

It's important to note that there are a number of different strains of FCV, some produce fluid buildup in the lungs (pneumonia), and others lead to symptoms such as fever, joint pain, and lameness.

The final part of the vaccine is the Feline Panleukopenia portion. Feline Panleukopenia (FPL) is an extremely common and serious virus in cats that causes damage to bone marrow, lymph nodes, and the cells lining your cat's intestines. Symptoms of FPL include depression, loss of appetite, high fever, lethargy, vomiting, severe diarrhea, nasal discharge, and dehydration.

Cats infected with FPL frequently develop secondary infections as well, due to the weakened state of their immune systems. While this disease can attack cats of any age it is often fatal in kittens.

There are currently no medications available to kill the virus that causes FPL, so treating cats with feline panleukopenia involves managing the symptoms such as dehydration and shock through intravenous fluid therapy and intensive nursing care.

To provide your feline friend with the best possible protection against FHV, FCV, and FPL your cat should receive their first FVRCP vaccination at around 6-8 weeks old then have a booster shot every three or four weeks until they are about 16-20 weeks old.

08/13/2024

August means back to school which also means some of our family members need to get updated vaccines. Over the next month we will be focusing each week on the core vaccines that your furry family member may be getting at their yearly exams. We always base their vaccines on their current lifestyle, some pets require more or less than others and we will be spending one day each week focusing on the individual vaccines and if you have any questions regarding them each week please comment below and we will address them as we can!

This week we will be focusing on the Parvo Virus. Canine parvovirus infection is a highly contagious disease caused by canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2). There are several strains of CPV-2, and all produce similar signs. The disease they cause is commonly called “parvo.”

The virus attacks white blood cells and the gastrointestinal tract of dogs and other canids like coyotes, wolves, and foxes. In puppies, the virus also can damage the heart muscle.

All dogs are susceptible to canine parvovirus, although some dogs are at greater risk than others. These include puppies between 6 and 20 weeks of age, unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated dogs, and certain breeds.

What are the signs of canine parvovirus?

The signs of parvovirus infection vary from dog to dog, depending on the severity of the infection. These are some important signs to watch out for:
Lethargy, oss of appetite, vomiting, severe bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating, fever or low body temperature (hypothermia).

If your dog or puppy shows any of these signs, immediately contact your veterinarian. Persistent vomiting and diarrhea can quickly cause dehydration, and damage to the intestines and immune system can cause septic shock. This can lead to death, with most deaths occurring within 48 to 72 hours after signs first appear.

How is canine parvovirus spread?
Canine parvovirus is easily spread by direct contact with infected dogs, contact with f***s (stool) from infected dogs, or contact with virus-contaminated surfaces. Such surfaces can include kennels, food and water bowls, collars and leashes, and the hands and clothing of people who handle infected dogs.

The virus is resistant to heat, cold, humidity, and drying, and can survive in the environment for long periods. Even trace amounts of f***s from an infected dog can contain the virus and infect other dogs. This makes proper disinfection practices critical.

Because canine parvovirus is highly contagious, dogs suspected or confirmed to be infected need to be isolated from other dogs to minimize spread of infection. Other strict infection control protocols also must be followed, including thorough cleaning and disinfection of any areas where the dog has been with products capable of killing the virus. If your dog has parvovirus infection, your veterinarian can recommend things you can do to help prevent parvovirus from spreading at home and elsewhere.

How is canine parvovirus diagnosed and treated?
Your veterinarian may suspect parvovirus infection based on the signs your dog is showing, your dog’s history, and other factors. F***l testing can confirm the diagnosis.

Dogs with severe infection need immediate, intensive treatment and 24/7 monitoring—which often involves several days of hospitalization. Supportive care is provided to correct dehydration and physiological imbalances caused by vomiting and diarrhea, control nausea and pain, keep the dog warm, prevent other infections from happening, and provide nutritional support. Additional treatment may be recommended to help fight the infection and/or combat diarrhea. This can all be very expensive, and the dog may die despite treatment. Prompt, intensive treatment improves the chance of survival.

How can I protect my dog against canine parvovirus?
Vaccination and other preventive measures—including good hygiene—are key to avoiding canine parvovirus infection.

Young puppies are especially vulnerable to canine parvovirus. If a mother dog has antibodies against parvovirus, as can occur when she’s been vaccinated, then she may pass those antibodies to her newborn puppies through her milk. However, this natural immunity may wear off before the puppies' own immune systems are mature enough to fight off infection. And, if a puppy is exposed to the virus during this gap in protection, the dog may become ill. An additional concern is that immunity provided by a mother's milk may interfere with an effective response to vaccination. This means that occasionally even vaccinated puppies may become infected and become ill.

To reduce gaps in immunity and provide the best protection against canine parvovirus during the first few months of life, a series of vaccinations is recommended. Puppies younger than 16 weeks should receive their first dose at between 6 and 8 weeks of age, then two more doses 2-4 weeks apart. Dogs older than 16 weeks with no previous vaccination or an unknown history should receive two doses 2-4 weeks apart.

08/12/2024

We want to say a big CONGRATULATIONS to Melanie Andrews for being our winner for July! Give us a call to schedule your FREE NAIL TRIM. We appreciate your review so much!

08/09/2024

It's our favorite day of the week! We hope everyone had a wonderful week, doing things they enjoyed and are going into the weekend with relaxation and fun!

Here are some fun facts for this FRIDAY!

Not all cats love catnip. Catnip benefits cats because it can act as a sedative to reduce anxiety and stress. However, it also provides mental stimulation when used with a toy, giving your cat something to do to prevent boredom and destructive behavior. However, it's a common misconception that all cats go crazy for catnip. Some cats are more sensitive to catnip than others, which is hereditary. Only 50-70 percent of cats have a positive response to catnip, so don't be surprised if your cat isn't interested in it.

The world's fastest dog, the greyhound, is literally built for speed. They use a stride called the double-suspension gallop, in which all four feet are off the ground together twice during one stride-once fully stretched out and once when fully tucked under. The Greyhound's heart is much bigger than other dogs' hearts. Greyhounds have more red blood cells than other dogs (making them the only breed to be a universal blood donor) and they also have more fast-twitch muscles in their body compared to other dogs.

08/08/2024

Happy International Cat Day! Help us celebrate all of these beautiful breeds that the wonderful feline community gives us each day. We want to see photos of your furry feline friends and how you helped to celebrate them today!

08/07/2024

August means back to school which also means some of our family members need to get updated vaccines. Over the next month we will be focusing each week on the core vaccines that your furry family member may be getting at their yearly exams. We always base their vaccines on their current lifestyle, some pets require more or less than others and we will be spending one day each week focusing on the individual vaccines and if you have any questions regarding them each week please comment below and we will address them as we can!

This week we are focusing on the Distemper vaccine. This vaccine is typically started around 8 weeks of age for puppies and to help them build immunity, puppies need to undergo an initial series of vaccinations at certain weeks of age, followed by boosters at certain points afterward to maintain immunity as adults.

Canine distemper is a contagious and serious disease caused by the canine distemper virus. The virus attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of dogs. All dogs are at risk of canine distemper. Those at particular risk include puppies younger than four months and dogs that have not been vaccinated against canine distemper virus.

Canine distemper virus initially attacks the cells of the immune system, weakening a dog’s immune response and putting the dog at higher risk of other infections.

As the virus spreads to the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems, dogs typically develop the following clinical signs:
Discharge from the eyes and nose, fever, coughing, lethargy, reduced appetite, vomiting and diarrhea.

As the virus attacks the nervous system, dogs also may show neurologic signs:
Walking in circles, unable to follow a straight path, head tilt, lack of coordination, muscle twitches, convulsions with jaw-chewing movements, drooling, seizures, partial or complete paralysis.

Canine distemper virus also may cause the surface of a dog’s nose and footpads to thicken and harden, leading to the nickname “hard pad disease.” If infected before their permanent teeth have emerged, dogs will develop permanent tooth damage.

Puppies and dogs most often become infected through airborne exposure to the virus from an infected dog or wild animal. This may occur through sneezing, coughing, or barking. The virus also can be transmitted through shared food and water bowls and other items.

Once infected, dogs shed the virus in body fluids like respiratory droplets, saliva, or urine, and may be contagious for several months. Infected mother dogs can pass the virus to their unborn puppies.
Because canine distemper also affects wildlife, contact between wild animals and dogs can cause the disease to spread. Canine distemper outbreaks in local wildlife populations can increase the risk of infection for pet dogs in the area, and unvaccinated dogs may serve as sources of infection for wildlife.

Treatment usually consists of supportive care such as fluids to correct dehydration and medications to prevent secondary infections and control vomiting, diarrhea, and neurologic signs. Dogs with canine distemper need to be separated from other dogs to prevent the disease from spreading.

To further protect your dog and other animals:

Until the initial vaccination series is complete, use caution when bringing puppies to places where dogs gather. This includes pet shops, parks, puppy and obedience classes, doggy day cares, kennels, and groomers.
Choose establishments and training programs that require up-to-date vaccinations, health examinations, good hygiene, and isolation of sick puppies and dogs.
Keep your dog away from other dogs when sick, including other dogs within your home. Avoid contact with known infected dogs and their premises. Keep your dog away from wildlife.

If your dog has any of the above signs, immediately contact your veterinarian, who can guide you on next steps. As the signs suggest, canine distemper is a serious disease—about 1 in 2 dogs will die from their infection. Although dogs that survive will have lifelong immunity to canine distemper virus, they usually have permanent, irreparable nervous system damage.

08/06/2024

Your dog deserves the best, including the best dental care. National Fresh Breath Day, which is August 6, is the perfect time to highlight that important topic.

What causes bad breath?
-Undesirable behaviors, such as getting into the garbage or other unsanitary activities
-Food getting stuck between teeth
-Plaque and tartar building up due to lack of sufficient chewing or brushing
-Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, kidney disease or liver disease

That last point might sound scary, but don’t panic. If you have any suspicion of harmful situations related to your dog’s oral hygiene, schedule an appointment with us and we can help you find answers.

What can you do to help from home?
Like people, dogs are benefited by regular teeth-brushing. They can’t do it themselves, so you will need to step in and lend them a hand, or maybe two. Brushing reduces and removes plaque buildup and massages their gums. It can also help loosen and sweep out bits of food that may have collected in tight crevices.

To brush your dog’s teeth, select an appropriately sized toothbrush and a toothpaste made for dogs. Human-targeted toothpaste can have ingredients which are dangerous or deadly to dogs, such as xylitol, so it is critically important not to use anything but the specifically dog-friendly versions.

When brushing is not an option, dogs may still be able to take care of some of it themselves. Providing your dog with appropriate chew toys can stimulate the gums and scrape some of the buildup off, helping your dog stay cleaner in between brushing.

If your dog has oral problems you feel are beyond your scope to deal with, such as teeth that need to be pulled, or you just want your pooch to have extra clean chops, gives us a call at THVC to schedule an appointment. We offer a full range of pet dentistry, so we’ll be happy to help you keep your furry friend’s breath fresh!

To help celebrate this day we are offering a $10 off mail in/online rebate for our oral hygiene chews VeggieDent. These are recommended by the Veterinary Oral Health Council to help keep your pets' teeth clean and healthy by simply giving one chew a day. Give us a call to get a bag ready for you!

08/05/2024

It may be a dog-eat-dog world out there, which can force you to work like a dog even during the dog days of summer! Work Like a Dog Day, which is celebrated on August 5, honors people who put in that extra bit of hard work. This quirky day is inspired by the reputed strong work ethic of canines, especially service dogs. Today, pause to appreciate the hard workers who inspire you.

You’ve probably heard the phrases “working like a dog” or “it’s a dog’s life” when someone is referring to working on a task without taking any breaks. “Working like a dog” simply means to go the extra mile and work extremely hard. The saying comes from farm dogs who work from the crack of dawn till the sun sets, and sled dogs and sheepdogs that perform grueling tasks every day. Either way, the quote is a reference to persevering canines. Sounds relatable? Then today is your day to celebrate!

Animals teach us so much, and working hard to attain your goals is a life lesson that you can’t go wrong with.

Everyone here at THVC work their hardest every single day, probably because were around a lot of hard working dogs every day too. Lets all take a moment to thank our team here at THVC for being the hardest working "dogs" out there and making every single day of Vet Med worth it.

08/03/2024

**Please be advised that graphic photos of an injury are included on this post.** In addition to providing veterinary care to many dogs and cats in our community, Dr. Sneed also cares for large animals. You will mostly find her vetting cattle but occasionally, she will tend to a horse in need. Today, Goldie had a laceration on her forehead that needed repaired and Dr. Sneed was able to stitch her up in our driveway. Dr. Sneed wears many hats...small animal Vet, large animal Vet, business owner, wife, and mom. We wanted to show all of you a different look at the many duties she performs. P.S. Goldie was a sweetheart during this ordeal and her laceration is expected to heal nicely.

08/01/2024

August means back to school which also means some of our family members need to get updated vaccines. Over the next month we will be focusing each week on the core vaccines that your furry family member may be getting at their yearly exams. We always base their vaccines on their current lifestyle, some pets require more or less than others and we will be spending one day each week focusing on the individual vaccines and if you have any questions regarding them each week please comment below and we will address them as we can!

The first vaccine we will be focusing on is a Rabies vaccine. This vaccine is typically given at around 16 weeks of age to puppies and kittens as part of their final vaccine series until they need their adult yearly exam/vaccines. Rabies tends to be one of those conditions that everyone has heard of, but very few people actually know a great deal about. It is zoonotic, meaning it can be passed from animals to humans, and poses a significant threat to both being almost always fatal. Therefore, understanding the condition and what you can do to prevent it should be a significant priority for all responsible pet owners.

A rabies vaccine is a legally required vaccine through the state of Illinois for each dog/cat. It can only be administered by a veterinarian or under the supervision of a veterinarian.

What is rabies?
Rabies is a rare, fatal infection of the brain and the central nervous system. All mammals, including dogs, cats, and horses, can become infected with the rabies virus. In Illinois, rabies occurs most often in wild animals such as bats, skunks, and foxes. But can be a threat to domesticated animals by a bite wound. Once bitten, the virus passes into your pet’s body where it replicates in the cells of the muscles and the nerve fibers, eventually traveling to the central nervous system. The virus does not reach full strength immediately and instead can take up to 4 weeks to develop. However, once your pet reaches the point that the symptoms become apparent, the virus spreads rapidly and a painful death can occur as quickly as within 10 days.

The good news is that rabies is 100% preventable thanks to the creation of a successful vaccine. By choosing to vaccinate your pet against rabies, you are not only protecting him from becoming unwell in the even that he is bit by a wild animal carrying the disease, you are also protecting other animals that he may come into contact with. You are also keeping the human members of your family safe, who would be at extreme risk of developing rabies if your pet were to contract the virus. Protection enables you and your pets to avoid painful, debilitating symptoms and a swift and unpleasant death.

07/31/2024

HAPPY NATIONAL MUTT DAY!!

Today encourages us to embrace, save and celebrate mixed breed dogs. Desperately longing for a new home, millions of loving and healthy mixed breed dogs in shelters wait for someone to come and adopt them. National Mutt Day provides an excellent opportunity to find the perfect canine companion. Despite the name, a mutt learns, obeys and trains much like purebred animals. While their lineage cannot be traced and their features a bit murky, their companionship will be faithful.

According to the ASPCA, approximately 3.3 million dogs enter shelters every year. When these abandoned and often abused animals find their way to a shelter, each one needs a forever home.

If you aren't able to adopt at this time what you can do is visit a shelter and you can always volunteer.

JCAC is drowning in all sizes of mutts, adopt/foster/volunteer!

07/30/2024

Pet Hydration Awareness Month is coming to end but that doesn't mean summer is over! Remember these summer safety tips in helping prevent heat related illnesses.

07/29/2024

Thank you so much Sheila Johnson for the wonderful review! We are so lucky that you chose THVC to help care for your family members!

07/26/2024

Help us celebrate National Dog Photography Day by posting your favorite photo of your dog(s) below! We LOVE seeing them at home in their natural habitat and having fun. We often times miss out on their true personalities when we see them in the clinic and it truly brings a smile to our faces watching them be their selves at home.

07/25/2024

Thank you so much Amber Danielle for the nice words. We LOVE when Nah-la comes in to see us and are always so happy you trust us with her care.

07/25/2024

JCAC is DROWNING.
For every 1 dog we get out, 3 more come in.
PLEASE help us save lives!

If you’ve ever considered adoption now is the time! Let’s work together to save as many lives as we can!

07/24/2024

Thank you so much Karli Adams for the wonderful review! We appreciate you trusting us with the care that you need. We love education and making sure that the owners are fully aware of the medical care that their pets need.

07/24/2024

Dr. Sneed and all of us here at THVC would like to wish good luck to our Veterinary Assistant/Kennel Attendant Emi Caronongan. Emi first started at THVC as an intern when she working to complete a Veterinary Assistant Certificate program at Rend Lake College. Emi then transitioned into her Veterinary Assistant/Kennel Attendant role here where she cleans, stocks supplies, and helps care for pets in the hospital. Emi is leaving to attend Murray State University as a Junior in their Pre-Veterinary Medicine program. We will miss having her around all the time but hope that she will return to work when she has breaks from school. Congratulations and good luck at MSU Emi! 💙💛

07/23/2024

This week on our online pharmacy there are some amazing sales going on!
-Up to 25% off of top of the line medications
-Up to 35% off of veterinary prescription diets
-Up to 25% off of full spectrum prevention
-Free shipping on orders over $49

Now is the time to get set up for autoship plus save money on products that you are already getting! These deals wont last long so take advantage of them!

https://thvc.covetruspharmacy.com/

07/23/2024

We want to wish our Certified Veterinary Technician Cassie a very happy birthday today! We are so fortunate to have Cassie on our team as she has many years of experience in emergency care and is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about veterinary medicine. You will mostly find Cassie in our surgery department as she preps surgery patients, monitors them during their anesthetic procedures, and helps them recover afterwards. Additionally, Cassie manages our page and shares informational and interesting posts to help educate our clients. Cassie is married and is mom to Trinity, Owen, and Nora. We hope you have a great birthday, Cassie! 🥳