Animal Hospital of Syracuse

03/24/2025

Did you know that most senior cats suffer silently from arthritis pain and it often goes untreated? Cats are known for hiding pain, so sometimes it can be rather difficult to determine if they aren't feeling well. Listed below are some examples of pain-related behavior:
🐱 Grooming themselves less
🐱 Hiding
🐱 Sleeping more than normal or less active
🐱 Overly licking or chewing themselves in a certain spot
🐱 Standing or walking in a hunched position
🐱 More vocal, especially when being petted

If you ever notice something is off with your pet, always consult with your veterinarian!

03/18/2025

Lets talk about Doodles. These dogs have become extremely popular over the last several years. Poodles being bred with Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, etc. - they're all cute! But what people may not realize is when mixing a poodle with any breed, they require a lot of grooming! Groomers have been reporting an uptick in matted dogs, and most of those dogs are doodles. Doodles need to be groomed on a regular basis of every 4-8 weeks with brushing in-between those visits to prevent matted fur. Matted fur can be very painful! Mats pull on the skin causing pain and can also lead to skin infections.

03/12/2025

Did you know that English Bulldogs are predisposed to developing Face-fold Dermatitis? Because of their smooshy faces and extra skin, skin folds form throughout the face creating a moist environment and the perfect breeding ground for yeast and bacteria. These folds can also rub together causing irritation. This results in the skin becoming red and itchy, leaving the dog feeling uncomfortable. Wiping the skin folds daily with unscented baby wipes or chlorhexidine wipes provided by your veterinarian can help keep those areas clean and dry 👍. Occasionally, skin allergies can play a role, so ask your veterinarian if your dog would benefit from allergy medication.

03/04/2025

We know that most animals dislike coming to see us. The vet can be a scary place with all of the strange smells, sounds and people. But when your pets are stressed they don't always allow us to touch them, which makes it rather hard for us to help them. We do not believe in forcing a pet down to "just get it done and over with" - that mentality is traumatizing for everyone involved. That's why in certain instances we prescribe PVP medication (pre-visit pharmaceuticals).

02/25/2025

What fruits do your dogs enjoy eating? And here's a safety tip: always remove any peels, leaves, stems, seeds, pits and cores before letting your dog eat these yummy treats. And, always cut them into bite sized pieces 🙂.

02/17/2025

Experts recommend washing your pet's food and water bowls at least once a day. If not washed often enough, a substance called "biofilm" (a combination of bacteria, fungi and algae 🤢) can grow on the surface of these materials which your pet can ingest every time they eat or drink. Ceramic, glass, and stainless steel are the recommended materials to use for feeding pets, because grooves can form in plastic that acts as a breeding ground for bacteria. So, how often do you wash your pets bowls?

02/14/2025

02/06/2025

February is Pet Dental Health Month! And while we think your pet's oral health is important every month of the year, we wanted to celebrate by offering a $50 discount! This will only apply for dentals scheduled within 30 days of our veterinarians making a dental recommendation at your pet's appointment now through the end of March. And, if your pet's dental is already scheduled for February or March, you can still partake in the discount! Give our office a call for more details!

02/04/2025

Everyone knows that when your pet is having GI issues that they aren't feeling well. But do you know the other signs that something could be wrong? If your pet is exhibiting any of the clinical signs listed below, make sure you have them seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible!

01/27/2025

Below are a few examples of vegetables that are safe for dogs to consume. Keep in mind that you should avoid butter, oil and other flavorings when offering these to your dogs! Remove stems and skin where necessary, and never feed your dog corn straight from the cob! Ingesting corn cobs can lead to a GI obstruction. Always remove the corn kernels prior to offering it to your dog.

01/21/2025

It can be life-threatening if your pet consumes Xylitol, so it is very important to have them seen by a veterinarian right away!

01/13/2025

❄️ It's a common misconception that animals can tolerate the colder weather better than their human counterparts. And while that is true to some extent, cold weather can still have a negative impact on our pets! If they have short hair, are young or old, or have underlying health issues, they are more susceptible to weather-related illnesses. While we dream of warmer weather, keep your pets cozy this winter by snuggling up under the blankets and following these winter safety tips! ❄️

01/08/2025

It's a new year, so lets start fresh and talk about the importance of your pet's yearly trip to the vet! Aside from the reasons listed below - having an established relationship with a veterinarian will make it easier for your pet to be seen when they are sick, thus avoiding a costly trip to the ER or urgent care facility. If you haven't already, give our office a call today to schedule your pet's appointment!

01/01/2025

Whether you're out celebrating with friends, or staying at home and cuddling with your pets, we wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year!

12/25/2024

From our family to yours, we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

12/16/2024

Do your pets have everything they need for the holidays? Now is the time to order those prescription and food refills before Christmas! You can do so by sending us an email, text, calling our office or ordering through our online pharmacy!

12/11/2024

Did you know there are several pet friendly stores around the Fort Wayne area to which you can bring a well-mannered, leashed dog? Aside from the obvious pet stores, you can take your dog to some of the home improvement stores like Lowes and Home Depot and farm stores like Rural King and Tractor Supply. Daisy here loves visiting the Vessel Refillery in Leo Crossing as well as Hobby Lobby, Joann Fabric, and Half Price Books. Below is a list we've started of businesses that are pet friendly. Do you know of another we are missing? Comment on this post to let us all know!
The Vessel Refillery
Home depot
Lowes
Rural King
Tractor Supply
Hobby Lobby
Joann Fabric
Michaels
Half Price Books
Clothes Mentor
Barnes and Noble on Thomas Rd
Maurice's on Thomas Rd
Maurice's in Angola
Call ahead to be sure:
Post Office
Sherwin Williams
Banks and Credit Unions
Some restaurants with outdoor seating will allow you to dine outside with your dog (obviously weather permitting and call ahead)
Some shops around the downtown Fort Wayne area
Some shops in Jefferson Pointe
Some stores do not allow pets and only allow service dogs. It is very important as a responsible pet owner that you do not abuse this policy. Claiming a dog is an emotional support animal does not grant that dog the same privileges as a service dog. A service dog is trained to perform a specific service such as a guide dog for the vision impaired, hearing dog for the hearing impaired, mobility assistance dogs, seizure alert dogs, diabetic alert dogs, allergy detection dogs or medical alert dogs. Claiming to have a service dog when you, in fact, do not is not only dishonest, it can actually be hazardous to the individuals who need their service dogs. A true service dog has undergone years of training, is trained to ignore other dogs in order to perform it's service task, is calm and focused in various situations and is vitally important to their handler. According to a service dog brochure from the ADA, "Fake service dogs can hurt the reputation and acceptance of valid service dogs and the disabled persons who truly need those dogs to assist them."
Do not bring pets into:
Menards
Grocery stores
Stores with grocery sections (Walmart, Meijer, Target)
Glenbrook Mall
Allen County Public Library
Do call ahead and ask if your well-mannered, leashed pet can accompany you in their business. You might be surprised at how many stores will say yes! But please respect those stores that say no.