Animal Care Clinic West & Metro Cat Hospital

11/19/2024

Happy 7th year anniversary to Christopher, one of our very talented groomers! 💕 Chris works magic with dogs every day at both clinics - everything from sweet-talking the more frightened pups to working miracles on the more neglected cases (rare, but he still saves the day there)! Mostly, though, Chris refines and refreshes any pooch who steps onto his table!

Here's a standard, 4-6w refresh example of Christopher's work 😍

11/19/2024

🦠Leptospirosis is an infection of Lepto bacteria. Found in the urine of infected mice, rats, racoons, skunks and possums, this bacteria gets excreted into the environment.

Dogs are most often infected by drinking from a contaminated water source. The bacteria then targets the liver and kidneys, leading to serious illness and sometimes death.

You can prevent infection with an annual lepto vaccine and booster, good for dogs over 12 weeks old.

Help us spread awareness on the importance of the lepto vaccine by sharing this post!

11/18/2024

When little Gordie was found, he was in pretty bad shape, but his new family has been working hard to get him healthy and feeling like a new kitten!!

11/16/2024

Just like humans, pets are prone to painful ailments such as osteoarthritis. Pets are great at hiding pain, so it's easy to miss the signs until it gets severe.

Keep an eye out for symptoms like limping, stiffness, or hesitancy to jump or climb stairs. Chronic pain is not just physical but can affect our pets emotionally as well.

OA pain can be managed with safe, effective treatments to improve their quality of life! If you think your pet might be in pain, contact us. Together we can help them feel better.

Help us help more pets by sharing this post and checklist: https://bit.ly/3Z5m7u6 🐾

11/15/2024

Lily, one of our newest friends, wanted to know why her mom wasn't giving her food before her spay procedure!

We know that our pets are offended by the "no food for 12h prior to surgery" rule, but we promise it's for their safety! ❤️ If animals have food in their bellies and the anesthesia nauseates them, they can regurgitate or vomit that food and then aspirate it (suck it back into) their lungs either during induction or recovery. That is obviously a problem, since food doesn't belong in the lungs! When we recommend fasting (food only), this is why! 👍

11/14/2024

Have you noticed our pets seem to get even cuter as they age? (Seriously, how do they do that?)

As they grow into their grey whiskers, we naturally start to worry more about their health. November is National Senior Pet Health Awareness Month, and we are sharing some tips to help our aging pets thrive and live their best lives as they mature!

Do you have a senior pet? Share a photo of them below, we’d love to see them!

11/13/2024

"I brought my cat in because he wasn't eating as much as he used to, and Dr. Heyer realized he needed some teeth extracted. She was truly so helpful in this whole process I cannot even begin to describe how grateful I am for her help and support. I was a wreck with nerves, and she answered all of my questions, and took the time to explain everything to me. The tooth extraction could not have gone better, and she followed up to.." says Samantha

★★★★★ I brought my cat in because he wasn't eating as much as he used to, and Dr. Heyer realized he needed some teeth extracted. She was truly so helpful in this whole process I cannot even begin to describe how grateful I am for her help and support. I was a wreck with nerves, and she ans...

11/13/2024

Kevin, who normally visits us at Animal Medical Clinic of Merle Hay , came to visit us here in West Des Moines the other day! It was so nice to see his handsome face for those of us who work at both places (spoiler alert: most of us work at both clinics! 😉)

11/12/2024

Last month got a little crazy, so we didn't get a chance to celebrate the anniversaries of these fabulous people!

Dr. Bollinger is celebrating 23 years with our clinic this year! Dr. B loves all of our patients, but her favorites are orange kitties! 🥰 Thank you, Dr. Bollinger, for always having the drive to keep learning and improving patient medicine!

Tracy has been here for 17 years this year! This lady went from being a tech to running the techs as our hospital manager! 😁 We'll keep things short and sweet her, as we already got to celebrate her this week!

Missy (not pictured), one of our senior kennel staff, has been taking care of patients, staff, and keeping things cleaned and organized at ACCW for 12 years now! This lovely lady knows no feisty animals, as she is always able to gain a friendship with even our most fractious pets while they stay! If your pet has stayed overnight at ACCW, Missy has likely known them and loved them!

11/11/2024

Happy Practice Manager Appreciation Week to the lady who keeps this team together!
Thank you, Tracy, for always trying to advocate for us, sharing our love for all things food and funny, and for uniting our team!

11/09/2024

Does your pet have a beautiful face like our friend here? Keep reading (and drop a photo in the comments)!

Deep wrinkles often trap moisture causing yeast to thrive. If left untreated, their skin can get inflamed and infected. This is called skin fold dermatitis.
Symptoms may include redness and inflammation, itching, odor, skin discoloration, and skin lesions.

Regularly cleaning and drying their folds with vet-approved cleanser can go a long way! Our team can discuss more options to help your squishy-faced friend remain looking and feeling beautiful! Give us a call.

11/07/2024

🩺 Did you know that pets can develop diabetes too?

Early detection and proper management are key to keeping your pet comfortable and happy.

Signs like excessive thirst, weight loss, and increased urination can indicate diabetes. If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule a check-up with us today!

Together, we can help manage your pet's diabetes and improve their quality of life. Please share this post to help us spread awareness. 💙

Learn more about diabetes in pets here: https://bit.ly/4eDYg9s

11/05/2024

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month! 🐾

Providing a grey-whiskered pal a second chance at a forever home warms our heart. Senior pets offer endless love, loyalty, and companionship—plus, they’re often already trained and ready to settle into a new family.

Let’s celebrate the joy of adopting a senior pet! If you have a senior pet adoption story – share it in the comments! ❤️

11/02/2024

Urinary tract conditions can be a pain.

Your pet’s bladder health plays a key role in their overall well-being! Considering its , we’re sharing signs that may signal a urinary tract issue.

10/31/2024

Happy Halloween! We hope you and your pet have a pawesome and safe day!

📸 👻 Be sure to comment your pet’s Halloween photos/videos. We’d love to see their spooky costumes!

10/26/2024

Is your pet up to date on their vaccinations?

Throughout all stages of your pet's life, regular vaccinations help ensure they stay protected from serious diseases.
Schedule your pet's vaccination today to keep their tail wagging for years to come!

10/25/2024

Please call/contact Animal Medical Clinic of Merle Hay at 515-276-4511 for immediate questions! We are working hard to remedy this situation! Thank you for your patience 🥰

10/24/2024

🎃 Halloween is only a week away! While fun for us, it can be spooky day for our pets! Let's make it a safe and happy Halloween for everyone by sharing this post! 🐾

In the event of an emergency, please contact our clinic or the *Pet Poison Helpline® at 855-764-7661

*Pet Poison Helpline will walk you through next steps at a fee