When It Comes to Holiday Pet Safety, Err On the Side of Caution

A Boston Terrier sitting amongst decorations

Whether it’s a special skill one consciously works on, or it’s simple, dumb luck, getting through the holiday season without getting sick or hurt is critical. While this way of thought definitely applies to people, it’s of equal importance for the pets in our care. 

Since a pet’s wellness isn’t accidental, their overall health utterly depends on an owner’s approach to holiday pet safety. Don’t worry, your friends at East Sacramento Veterinary Center have you covered.

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Understanding (And Helping) Pet Anxiety

A dog hiding under a couch

It’s an all too common scene: you arrive home from work, tired, but happy to relax and unwind with your favorite furry friend. But what greets you instead is a couch chewed to smithereens, or a fresh urine spot on the carpet. Welcome home! 

It can be natural to think that your dog is angry with you or that your cat is trying to teach you a lesson when they exhibit these behaviors, but in reality, it’s likely that fear, anxiety, and stress are the root causes. 

Fear and anxiety are common contributing factors in behavioral problems in pets. Learn how to spot the signs of pet anxiety and steps to take to help your furry best friend.

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Keep Your Feast On the Table, Not Under It…

…And Other Thanksgiving Pet Safety Tips

A dog sitting at the Thanksgiving table

Anyone who has pets knows the pain of resisting those puppy dog eyes; but when it comes to Thanksgiving safety for pets, it’s important to understand the risks and repercussions of giving in. 

Letting your pet partake in your Thanksgiving feast is not the only risk to their health around the holidays, however. Keep reading for East Sacramento Veterinary Center’s best tips for Thanksgiving pet safety, and avoid an emergency room visit on this, the most festive of holidays. 

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What Can Owners Expect During a Pet Dental Exam?

A small dog at the vet for a cleaning

A normal part of your pet’s wellness exam involves looking at the condition of the teeth and gums. The presence of tartar, cracked teeth, or reddened gums can definitely lead us to suspect that bigger problems are at play. Because the damage caused by periodontal disease occurs below the gum line, however, a pet dental exam gives us greater access to understand the extent. 

Starting Early

Young animals lose their baby teeth when adult teeth grow in. A pet dental exam can be helpful to ascertain if the teeth are growing in normally. At this point, we can also help owners establish good practices at home. We can also look closely for any of the following:

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Would You Know a Pet Emergency if You Saw One?

An orange cat is being examined with a stethascope

A pet emergency can come in many forms; from accidental poisonings, to being hit by a car or bitten during a fight with another animal. Some pet emergencies are much less obvious, however, making it difficult to tell whether or not your pet needs immediate medical attention or if you can just “wait and see.”

When it comes to any type of veterinary emergency, timing is critical and can mean the difference between a successful outcome and a tragedy. Knowing how to recognize a pet emergency should be in every pet owners arsenal, and the team at East Sacramento Veterinary Center can get you started!

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For Lifelong Health, Pet Wellness Exams are Key

Puppy getting pet wellness exam

Responsible pet owners know to keep up with their regularly scheduled pet wellness exams, but have you ever wondered why we want to see your pet yearly (or more often)?

Besides your pet’s yearly vaccinations (an important component of overall health), the pet wellness exam gives us a chance to establish a health baseline for your pet. Animals are genetically predisposed to hide signs of illness or injury until a condition is advanced, and an annual exam is the best way to catch and treat any problems early. Your pet’s wellness exams are tailored to your specific pet, and designed to support health and wellness through each phase of their lives.

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Veterinary House Calls: Old School Hospitality, Modern Medical Care

A black lab puppy looking up at the camera

At East Sacramento Veterinary Center, we pride ourselves on the incredible relationships we are building with our pet patients and their families. Although we strive to make our environment as relaxing and pet-friendly as possible, we understand that not every patient enjoys visiting us. In these cases, you may want to consider veterinary house calls.

Veterinary house calls allow your pet to receive exceptional care, with the old-fashioned feel and convenience of a home visit. Are veterinary house calls right for your pet?

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