Finding the perfect diet for health, longevity, and fitness has long been an obsession of Americans. Paleo, gluten-free, and “clean eating” are just a few of the more recent trends to hit the billion-dollar diet industry, with entire aisles of the grocery store devoted to certain types of foods that are purported to have almost miraculous powers of healing and regeneration. Inevitably, these trends spill over into the pet food industry. About 10 years ago, dog and cat foods labeled “grain-free” began showing up on the shelves of pet food stores. In 2017, 43% of pet specialty foods were...
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September 13, 2018 - 12:00am
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August 23, 2018 - 9:15pm
For many people, the idea of a muzzled dog evokes feelings of fear. This is from a long-standing association of muzzles being used with dangerous dogs. Muzzles are used for so much more than aggression issues. Muzzles, when used correctly, are a wonderful tool that gives your dog more freedom safely. It's time to eliminate those negative associations and appreciate muzzles for all the good things they can do.
A muzzle can be a life saver by preventing dogs from eating rocks, sticks, and other objects that can cause gastrointestinal obstructions. They are a great training tool for...
August 20, 2018 - 4:56pm
We recently learned that D-Con changed the active ingredient in their commonly used rodent bait products, which will make treatment of these poisonings more complicated.
Most commercially available rodenticide (rat poison) products contain an ingredient that interferes with the blood’s ability to clot, called an anticoagulant. It takes a couple of days for signs of toxicity to develop. The signs include bleeding from the mouth, nose,...
August 20, 2018 - 3:33pm
Tigger was recently adopted from the shelter by his mom. He was found as a stray, and he was very wary of new people and afraid of new things. Little did Tigger know he was now part of a family who will give him the best life possible.
His mom, Penny, noticed that his breath had a bad odor, and was concerned that he may need a dental cleaning so she made an appointment at Animal Hospital of North Asheville for a dental cleaning earlier this month. We found a surprise during his oral health assessment – a stick lodged between his upper carnassial teeth (the large back chewing teeth...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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