Posts in Category: Arlington Animal Hospital News and Events

Goldendoodles are one of the most popular dog breeds—and for good reason. These curly-coated cuties aren’t just adorable, they’re smart, social, and usually great with kids. If you’re thinking of adding a doodle puppy to your household, read on for a puppy primer from our team at Arlington Animal Hospital. 

Dogs can smell like a lot of things, depending on what they eat, their health, and what things they have been exposed to (or rolled around on) outdoors. But if your dog is smelling like last night’s flounder dinner, it can be both offensive to the olfactory system and also concerning. 

Why does my dog smell like fish? That’s what the team at Arlington Animal Hospital is here to explain.

We made it – and what a feeling it is, too! 2020 was a year for the ages and we are so grateful to be on the other side of it. We are also incredibly grateful for our pets. They saw us through the best of times and the worst of times, but also gave us a reason to smile through their antics and unconditional love.

The team at Arlington Animal Hospital has greatly-appreciated your patience and trust as we adapted to the challenges of the year. We hope some of that trust has been built on the continued publication of our blog and the information it provides you.

With that in mind, we wanted to share our most-read blogs of 2020 with you, our readers. We hope you enjoy!

We arrive at work each day knowing how fortunate we are to support the health, wellness and safety of the pets in our community. Indeed, to make a difference in the lives of others is a true privilege, and a responsibility we don’t take lightly. 

To that end, monthly pet care blogs serve to answer questions you didn’t even know you had. Written by us, especially for you, the team at Arlington Animal Hospital hopes these blogs help you to be a better pet owner and enable your pet to live their best life.

And now, without any further ado…

‘Tis the season for decking the halls, hosting family and friends, and wrapping up a wonderful year. While this is traditionally a time of much happiness and celebration, it comes with some concerns for pet owners.

Certain aspects of this joyous season can actually hold some danger for our non-human family members. Arlington Animal Hospital wants you to have holiday pet hazards on your radar so that your whole family can enjoy the season. 

The winter was long (as usual), but spring has finally arrived! If you’re excited about the warmer weather, you can bet your pet feels the same way. Finding creative pet-friendly activities isn’t always easy, which is why Arlington Animal Hospital has put together some fun ideas to get you and your furry companion out of the house this summer.

Into the Woods

Pets love camping, so why not plan your yearly trip into the woods with your four-legged family member in mind? Campgrounds like Cherry Hill Park and Greenbelt Campground welcome pets and their owners. If camping isn’t your thing, there are endless opportunities to get out and explore the Appalachian Trail or one of the thousands of miles of hiking trails in our state (most allow leashed dogs).

The final days of 2018 are a distant memory, and we can’t help but reflect back at this time of year on all the memories and accomplishments of the past year. At Arlington Animal Hospital, we’re feeling especially grateful for the relationships we’ve formed with Arlington pet owners and their furry family members. Being part of your health care team for your pets is our honor!

One way we contribute to the health of your pet is through our monthly pet care blogs, and it’s only natural to wonder which of the posts you found most helpful and entertaining this past year. So we compiled our top pet care blogs of 2018 and hope that you enjoy a look back!

Here in Virginia, we’re no strangers to winter weather, but the climate affects each pet differently, and winter pet care can be more involved this time of year. Whether your pet loves the snow and cold or they would prefer to snuggle up by the fire, cold weather safety is crucial to the health and comfort of your pet.

Winter Pet Care 101

Winter weather can present some serious safety concerns for our four-legged friends. While the safest and most comfortable place for them is indoors with you, keep the following winter pet care tips in mind for those times when your pet must be outside:

You’re at the dog park one warm and humid day with your dog, and he’s running and playing with two other dogs, all having a great time. After about 5 minutes, you notice that your dog is panting rapidly, salivating, and is weak. He doesn’t want to jump into your car for the ride home. You lift him in, and he is very quiet once in the car. Is your dog in trouble? You bet.

Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition that occurs when a pet cannot lower their internal body temperature. A normal dog’s temperature is 101.5 F, and a degree up or down is no problem. But cell damage occurs when the internal body temperature rises over 105 F, and the pet is also at risk for death. A trip to the veterinary emergency clinic is in order, immediately, if his life is to be saved.

Because most of us don’t carry a thermometer around, we thought it would be a good idea to share some tips. Arlington Animal Hospital offers advice on how to recognize heat stroke in pets, how to prevent it, and its treatment. Continue…

Oddly, this time of year, the very thing we’ve been looking forward to has the potential to cause health problems. In the excitement of this new season, we also need to be aware of the dangers connected to long, sunny, summer days. The heat index, (i.e., the potentially hazardous combination of extreme heat and humidity) is responsible for many seasonal fatalities. Keep your pet cool and implement summer pet safety measures. That way, your pet can enjoy (or at least tolerate) the scorching weeks ahead.

The Mugginess is Back!

It’s not uncommon to hyper-focus on parasite prevention during the summer months. However, in addition to warding off fleas, ticks, and heartworm, it’s important to also concentrate on other risks to your pet’s health and safety.

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