Posts in Category: Pet Health & Wellness

There are few worse sounds to wake up to than your pet getting ready to toss his or her cookies on your bed. However, pets experience all sorts of tummy trouble, and for many different reasons. If your furry family friend is plagued by gastrointestinal issues, it can be a tough problem to get a handle on.

Lucky for you, your expert veterinarians at Volunteer Veterinary Hospital know just how to help with pet gastroenterology.

Signs of Tummy Trouble

That rumble in your pet’s belly might just be digestion, but it could also be a sign of trouble on the horizon. Pets can experience acute (sudden) gastrointestinal issues or more chronic problems. There are several indications that your four-legged family member may need to be examined.
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It is probably the most common reason for pets to come visit us, and it isn’t what you might think. Pet skin problems top the list of reasons that people make appointments for their furry family members here at Volunteer Veterinary Hospital. Read on to learn all you ever wanted to know about this problem in pets.

Pet Skin Problems

Pet skin problems can present in many ways. They can happen any time of year, but we do tend to see seasonal fluctuations in issues. It is often hard to miss if your pet is having trouble, but common symptoms of skin trouble can include:

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For humans, heart disease is the leading cause of death. We’re told to eat more kale, practice yoga, and reduce stress in order to minimize the risk of cardiac arrest or stroke. Cats and dogs, on the other hand, can share a similar diagnosis—but their symptoms are not easily managed or prevented in the same ways. From congenital heart defects to cardiomyopathy, it’s important to learn about heart disease in pets so we can help early on.

The Scope

During your pet’s routine wellness exam, we listen to his or her heart with a stethoscope. To be sure, this is one of the best tools we have to identify heart problems. If we hear a heart murmur or suspect the valves aren’t functioning properly, we use digital diagnostics such as x-rays, EKG, or an echocardiogram to verify heart disease in pets.
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Pets are living longer, healthier lives than ever before thanks to advances in veterinary care and pet owner education. This makes choosing a trusted veterinarian one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a pet owner.

When choosing a veterinarian for your family, we recommend using the same criteria you would in selecting a primary care physician, pediatrician, or dentist. Not only are you looking for a doctor and staff who can meet your pet’s medical needs, but also with whom you can develop a relationship based on trust and mutual respect.
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Pet laser therapy is an exciting healing modality used by veterinarians to treat injuries, expedite surgical recoveries, and reduce pain. Also called photobiomodulation, laser therapy has been embraced as an effective, noninvasive, painless treatment option. Keep reading to learn more about this complement therapy and its benefits.

What is Pet Laser Therapy?

Laser therapy is the use of wavelengths of light to stimulate cells and increase blood flow to a targeted area. This has many therapeutic benefits. As circulation is increased, so too are oxygen levels, endorphins, and nutrients, all of which aid in reducing inflammation and pain. It also promotes faster healing and recovery.

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For a holiday that’s all about love, Valentine’s Day can also be about inadvertently exposing your pet to dangerous chemical compounds. Not at all romantic or dreamy, a pet poisoning can have dire consequences. But if you remain vigilant and invite your pet to play or snuggle (instead of check out your candy stash), the love fest can stay on schedule. Continue…

This is the time of year when we reflect on changes we would like to make to improve our health and general wellbeing. As a pet owner, don’t forget to include your furry companion in your New Year’s resolutions.

Many pets struggle with similar issues of weight gain and age-related conditions, which is why including your pet is a great way to bolster energy, manage weight, and increase overall quality of life. Continue…

 As the days grow colder, it’s sometimes hard to motivate ourselves to get out of bed, much less grab the leash for a quick walk. Many times, our dogs are also more than happy to sleep in, but coming up with ways to keep your pet active is essential to good health and wellness. Continue…

Have you ever seen a guinea pig demonstrate his or her popcorn moves, or a ferret show off their instinctual war dance? These animals – among others in the aptly named group known as “pocket pets” – may be small, but their charming personalities are anything but.

While pocket pets are certainly entertaining, each animal deserves to have their individual health needs recognized and met. Responsible pocket pet care should be fun for both you and your pet, and when it comes down to providing a safe, healthy, and comfortable life for whichever pint-sized pet you choose, we’ve got you covered.

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We are proud of Knoxville’s status as America’s most pet-friendly community and, to properly enjoy our animal friends, we feel it’s absolutely critical to protect them every day of the year. Weather-related risks occur throughout the year, but summer’s heat is a top offender.

As we head into the long days of summer, we’ve listed the following summer safety tips to keep your pet as cool and comfy as the day is long!

Ideas for Pet Summer Safety

Forecasters are predicting that this summer will be hotter than previous years, so your pet will require consistent monitoring for his or her wellbeing. You probably do that already, but to make sure your pet doesn’t suffer from heat-related injuries, we offer the following ideas for pet summer safety: Continue…