Bonsack Veterinary Hospital

10/31/2024

November is Pet Diabetes Awareness month. See the link below. Click on . Scroll down and find the quiz to see if your pet is at risk.

Find out if your dog or cat is at risk for diabetes with this quick lifestyle quiz.

10/11/2024

Today is National Spread the Joy Day. It is a day to switch our focus from negativity and concentrate on the good. Show love towards a loved one with a small gift or an act of kindness. Smile at your neighbor. Spread happiness everywhere you go today.

09/04/2024

Have you noticed changes in your dog's activity and behavior? This easy-to-use checklist can help you spot the signs of osteoarthritis (OA) pain. Take the Canine OA Pain Checklist Quiz to learn more. https://bit.ly/3OFiYdC

08/22/2024

Dad joke: Did you hear about the dog who was fined for delivering puppies on the side of the road? She was given a ticket for littering!

08/16/2024

There is a breed of cat known for it's large ears. It is the Oriental Shorthair. It is related to the Siamese cat. Like the Siamese, it is a very vocal cat. It is lean and muscular. On average, the lifespan is 12-15 years. The Oriental Shorthair is not predisposed to any one particular health issue. This is an uncommon breed of cat that has amazing, giant ears!

08/08/2024

Ever hear someone talking about getting their pet's "anals expressed" and wondered what the heck are they talking about?

07/30/2024

Did you know that in our area alone there are about 22,000 dogs that generate about 1,686 TONS of f***l matter a year. This data is from Roanoke's Stormwater Management Services. Not only is it good etiquette to clean up after your pet but it also helps protect our local waterways (i.e. the Roanoke River.) The Storm Water Best Management Practices recommends: clean up after your pets every single time, teach children this responsibility, take advantage of complimentary waste bags at parks and greenways, reuse plastic bags for picking up pet waste, carry extra bags when walking your pet and offer to owners without bags. It is advised against: putting waste in storm drainage inlets, leaving waste on lawn, throwing waste in the woods, tossing waste into another's yard, dropping pet waste into drainage ditches, rinsing kennels directly onto the ground. The recommendation is to BAG IT - TRASH IT. The storm drainage system does not go to a sewage treatment plant. The water is directed to streams and rivers. Help keep our waterways safe.

07/26/2024

Retractable leashes can be useful but if used incorrectly can be a hazard to both the pet and the pet owner. There are correct ways to use a retractable leash. See what the American Kennel Club has to say about retractable leash use.

A retractable dog leash can be convenient, but dog owners often use these leashes in the wrong circumstances or before the dog is ready.

07/16/2024

Help keep your pet's teeth sparkling clean and pearly white. The American Kennel Club has a great link about the benefits of daily brushing, how to brush teeth, and how to get your pet used to the toothbrush. Go to https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-brush-dog-teeth/ for more information.

06/20/2024

The office will be closed next week for vacation. We are blessed to have wonderful clients that are supportive of the need to recharge our batteries. You people are great! We will resume business hours on Monday July 1st at 8:30 AM.

06/12/2024

The office will be closed the week of June 24th and will reopen on Monday July 1st at 8:30AM. Call ahead for Rx's.

05/31/2024

Periodically there may a be a time where a veterinarian will refer you and your pet to a specialist for behavior. Early and accurate intervention may help de-escalate potential future behavior problems. Reason's for referring can include obsessive-compulsive behavior, urine marking, anxiety, fear, and aggression.

05/28/2024

Getting a head start on the socialization of your puppy is imperative. Training of a puppy involves training oneself to interact with the puppy in an appropriate manner early on to prevent undesirable behaviors as adults.

05/22/2024

What does it mean when your dog yawns? If your dog is at home and relaxed, it likely means they are tired or sleepy. However, if your pet is at the vet then yawning indicates stress and anxiety. Yawning is one way that a dog can are tell us that they are in an uncomfortable situation. An anxious yawn is usually accompanied by the dog trying to get away, becoming aggressive, freezing in place, and/or fidgeting and restlessness.

05/20/2024

Ticks are a nuisance and a health risk for humans and pets. Use flea and tick prevention on your pets year-round to reduce the risk of tick-borne disease.

This resource serves as a guide to showcase the types of ticks that carry Lyme disease and where they are located in the United States.

05/10/2024

May is Mental Health Awareness month. Sometimes we spend too much time with technology. Lets take a day to spend face time with another person instead.

05/06/2024

May is Mental Health Month. An attitude of gratitude goes a long way towards being healthy.

05/01/2024

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, and helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Need ideas for where to start?