Our Blog

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...

This article originally appeared in Catster.

Why do cats eat grass? Cats eating grass is a behavior that goes way back. Let’s look at why cats eat grass and what kinds of grass they should avoid.

Why do cats eat grass? Well, cats have actually eaten grass throughout history. Although they’re generally not too particular about the kind of grass they choose, some humans offer their felines cat grass, which is a safe and controlled alternative for kitties to get their greens...

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...

We feel so lucky to live in a community that has a genuine love for animals. Once again our amazing community came together to help animals in need by supporting Asheville Humane Society in their most recent fundraiser, the "WNC Pet of the Year" photo contest. Over 150 photos were submitted for a chance to be named WNC Pet of the Year. Each photo was accompanied by the pet's amazing story. The community had a chance to vote on the photos. Each vote cost one dollar and all the donations will help shelter animals at the Asheville Humane Society.

With your generous support,...