Our Blog

July 21, 2018 - 9:53pm

Every October Animal Hospital of North Asheville participates in the Association of Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) Annual Pet Obesity survey. Families and veterinarians are given a short questionnaire to fill out. No personal information is shared. Surveys are collected throughout the United States and the data is reviewed.

In 2017, the Association of Pet Obesity Prevention found that the number of clinical obesity continued to increase from 2016 to 2017, affecting 60% of cats and 56% of dogs. These results indicate an...

Diablo's Surprise

July 20, 2018 - 10:13pm

By Amy Plankenhorn, DVM

We’d like for you to meet Diablo, a very sweet and beloved 8-year-old Chihuahua. I met Diablo about a month ago when he came in because he was having difficulty breathing. His mom said that she’d noticed his abdomen getting larger over a few weeks, but she wasn’t sure why. When I saw him, I was concerned that his belly enlargement might be fluid, and wondered if he might be in congestive heart failure. But when I felt his abdomen, I knew it wasn’t fluid. Instead he had a large, firm growth in his abdomen. He was having trouble breathing because he couldn’t...

Swimming and Pool Safety Tips

June 25, 2018 - 6:20pm

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Taking the "Fright" out of 4th of July

June 25, 2018 - 4:57pm

The Fourth of July and its accompanying celebrations can be a traumatic experience for pets. It is also the number one holiday for pets to get lost. Even if you keep your cat or dog indoors during this festive holiday, it can easily turn into a "fright night" for your pet. Many cats or dogs can become fearful, anxious, or stressed with loud noises such as thunderstorms, fireworks, loud music and large groups of people celebrating. A little preparation can go a long way toward making sure that they are safe and happy when the festivities begin, and we can help!

1. Create a safe...

Atopic Dermatitis or Pollen Wars: The Immune System Strikes Back!

May 21, 2018 - 9:59pm

Spring is a beautiful time of year here in the mountains, but April showers and May flowers also bring pollen. Human allergy symptoms usually include sneezing, stuffy nose, and itchy eyes, but dogs often show their allergies with itchy skin symptoms known as atopic dermatitis or atopy.

PetMD describes atopy this way: “Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory, chronic skin disease associated with allergies. In fact, this is the second most common allergic skin disease in dogs. These allergic reactions can be brought on by normally harmless substances...

Who will be the WNC Pet of the Year?

May 21, 2018 - 9:07pm

The race for the Asheville Humane Society's WNC Pet of the Year is heating up! Have you cast your vote for your favorite pet photo yet? There is still time to vote - or to vote again! The WNC Pet of the Year fundraiser is accepting votes until June 1. Check out all the contestants today! There are so many amazing stories that will warm your heart and make you feel proud to be part of our local animal community.

All these wonderful families have come together to support Asheville Humane Society (AHS) by entering their cat, dog, rat, ferret, and even an alpaca in this fun-filled...

Booster Time: Influenza Vaccine

April 24, 2018 - 4:09pm

Summer is fast approaching and it will be time to booster the Bivalent Influenza vaccine (protecting against the H3N2 and H3N8 strains) that your dog received last year at the walk-in vaccine clinics held at Animal Hospital of North Asheville. Many dogs vaccinated at the walk-in clinic will be out of sync with their annual physical exam and the remaining vaccines. We are recommending that if your dog is due for their annual physical exam in the next couple of months (before the influenza vaccine is due), please schedule as normal and we will update the influenza at that appointment. If...

Handsome Brothers Take on the Town!

April 24, 2018 - 3:29pm

You may have seen brothers PugPug and Navy out and about living the good life around Asheville. You cannot miss their good looks and charm!

Even though Navy and PugPug are not actually related, they have an amazing bond and together they can cause a little mischief, as anyone who has a sibling can attest to. They did not grow up together but they are living their senior years to the fullest in Asheville with their human family Rachael and Peter.

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12 Tips To Caring For Your Senior Dog’s Coat

April 23, 2018 - 7:21pm

This article originally appearred on Fear Free Happy Homes

Your elderly canine friend might be a little grumpy about being brushed as she ages. Here are some tips to keep grooming sessions stress-free while taking a few extra steps to ensure her day-to-day comfort.

Keep Sessions Short

Older dogs may not be able to stand comfortably for more than a few minutes at a time due to arthritis. Lying down might put pressure on hips or spine. Let your dog move around a bit during...

Unpredictable Weather Equals Year-Round Fleas, Ticks and Heartworms

March 21, 2018 - 10:07pm

With our unpredictable weather, flea and tick season is no longer easy to define. We are now seeing ticks and fleas all year-round, although there are still times during the year that the fleas and ticks are greater in numbers. One flea can lay 30-50 eggs per day, leading to rapid infestation of the environment. It’s easier to prevent fleas than get rid of them, so make sure that ALL of the pets in the environment are being treated with an effective flea product. Ticks are harder to prevent, since they reproduce outdoors and they complete their life cycle slower than fleas do....

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