Feline Leukemia virus, or FeLV, affects 2-3% of all cats in the United States, making it one of the more common diseases for cats. {Read...}
There are many illnesses that are important to be aware of when you have cats or dogs in your home. {Read...}
Winter is soon approaching, and even if you have an indoor cat, there are still a few items to remember before the temperature drops. {Read...}
Sometimes it can be confusing to know whether or not you are feeding your cat the right amount it needs. Here are some things to consider that may help you choose what is best for your cat’s diet. {Read...}
With the dropping temperatures as winter approaches, there are many factors to be mindful of when it comes to your dogs. Cold weather can have its effects on any pup, whether they play all day in the snow or are quickly in and out for a potty break. {Read...}
Dogs and cats are drastically different animals, which can usually result in animosity and conflict between the two. However, with some time and patience, many cats and dogs within the same household become best friends, so do not lose hope! Here are a few tips to keep in mind to help your cat and dog become familiarized and comfortable with one another. {Read...}
Christmas time is around the corner, and with that comes the struggle of your tree and decorations becoming your cat’s newest target. {Read...}
Have you ever seen stray cats in your community and wished you could provide them with a warm place to sleep when the temperatures are dropping? We have a simple solution that won’t break the bank and is easy to assemble. {Read...}
You know that it's important to walk your dog...but what do you do when your dog pulls and makes it difficult for you? We have tips! {Read...}
Essential oils can offer many potential health benefits...but some can be toxic for your pet. Learn which ones are dangerous and how to best store essential oils around dogs and cats. {Details...}
Did you know that poor dental health can lead to serious illnesses and even contribute to potential organ failure in dogs? {Read...}
Something such as potty training can seem very overwhelming but breaking it down into intentional actions will help make it easier for both you and your puppy! {Read...}
Have you ever wondered if you’re doing enough for your cat’s diet? Here are just a few simple things that you can add to or change about your cat’s meals.
Have you ever wondered if you’re doing enough for your dog’s diet? Here are just a few simple things that you can add into your dog’s meals. {Read...}
Did you know that adding enrichment activities is shown to reduce your pet’s stress, as well as improve their mental health? {Details...}
Feeling like your cat is ignoring you? We have background information and insights to share with you. {READ...}
Thinking about a new puppy when you already have an older dog? We've got tips to help with the introduction {{Read...}
The combination of cold temperatures and falling weather can make winter a tricky time for your pet. Here are a few tips that can help reduce the risk for your pet when that winter weather sets in. {{READ...}
holiday decorations and wrappings can also pose potential hazards for our cats. Here are a few tips to keep your cat safe during the holidays. {{READ...}
Spending time with our loved ones over Thanksgiving and Christmas is a time for joy and celebration, but it's important to remember these important safety tips to help keep your pet safe this season.
During the spring of 2021, we posted an Easter blog that reviewed a number of tips to help keep pets safe during the holiday. In our post, we cautioned dog owners not to feed their dogs anything that contains Xylitol as it can be deadly for dogs. Please be aware that another name for Xylitol is Birch Sugar. If you see this ingredient listed on any food item, please consider it to be potentially deadly should your dog ingest it. {READ MORE}
Anyone who owns a dog or a cat has likely had run-ins with fleas and ticks. Learn about their dangers and how you can prevent them. {...}
We love our pets and want them to be with us for a long, long time. That’s why preventive care is so important. {...}
Who doesn’t love puppies? They are cute, cuddly and fun to play with. But they also whine, bark, chew on your shoes, pee on your carpet and beg at the dinner table. {...}
Spring is in the air. With warmer weather, we all want to break free from the confines of winter and take-off into the great outdoors. And if you think you’re tired of being cooped up all winter, imagine what your four-legged companion is feeling. So, let’s go have some fun. Here are a few ideas of fun things you and your dog can do together that just might give you both a new “leash” on life! {...}
Easter is a joyous time for so many of us. Let’s make sure it is a safe time for our pets. By following these simple guidelines, your pet will enjoy a healthy happy Easter.
Puppies are cute, furry, cuddly and a wonderful addition to your family. Puppies are also curious, they like to chew, and they will quickly become attracted to anything that smells like you. Consider them to be like a toddler with four feet instead of two and teeth that can chew through an armor-plated tank. And just like toddlers, they need to be supervised.
Whether you’re a dog lover, a cat lover or both, odds are you have formed a special bond with your pet. While we can’t control every health issue our pets will face, we can make sure our pets’ weight is kept within healthy limits. {...}
Ah, Thanksgiving and Christmas – four weeks of holiday bliss...but are your pets ready for the crowds, unfamiliar faces, new sights, sounds and smells? Let's see how we can keep pets comfortable and safer this season {...}
Halloween is the biggest candy-eating-day of the year for many of us! So, we could make this article super short and simply say “Don’t give any of that stuff to your pets!” But what fun would that be? It also wouldn't truly give you the full story about why these treats can be so dangerous for your pets. {...}
There are few things in life as joyful as watching your pet frolic in the snow - bounding and burrowing. But don’t let that furry jacket of hair fool you. Our pets are just as susceptible to the cold as we are. Playing outside in winter weather can be lots of fun but there are a few potential hazards that can put your pet’s health or life at risk. {...}
With beautifully decorated trees, ornaments, candles, plants, presents and delicious treats, Christmas can be a magical time. But nothing ruins that magical time more than an emergency trip to the veterinarian. The good news is that by taking a few precautions, you can avoid a Christmas Catastrophe or a Doggie Decoration Dilemma. {...}
As the season begins to drift into autumn, it’s important to think about how the change in temperature could affect your pets. Just like we have to get ready for winter, dogs and cats should be prepared for cooler temperatures to avoid less of a dramatic transition. {...}
We all know how pleasant and relaxing it can be to spend a summer day by the pool. But, just as you take pool safety seriously for children and guests,you need to be mindful of your pets around your pool {...}
Cats are absolutely fascinating! In fact, we’re willing to bet that even if you're a huge cat lover, you may not have yet discovered all of the ways that your cat is absolutely amazing. {...}
We know that many dogs like to go on car rides. But do you know how to keep your dog safe inside your vehicle? Just like us, there are important guidelines for helping to better ensure your pet’s safety when out for a ride. {...}
Imagine if you never brushed your teeth – ew! Think of the bacteria growth, the decay, the gum disease and tooth loss. Think about the justifiable conniption that a dentist would have when you finally went in for a visit. As you can imagine, it wouldn’t be pretty. Essentially, this is what is happening for many pets. Dogs and cats can’t brush their own teeth, of course…so, it’s up to their pet parents to ensure that they’re receiving the dental care that they need. {...}
We all know that fleas are a nuisance. They create feelings of skin irritation, itching, and are just plain annoying. But, did you know that fleas can cause major health problems for your dog or cat, problems like tapeworm and anemia? {...}
As our dogs and cats mature, their needs change quite dramatically.Senior pets require special considerations that can help keep them safer, healthier,and even increase their lifespan. Here are a few ways to better care for an aging dog or cat {...}
When you imagine what it’s like to bring a new addition into the family, do you envision lots of warm smiles and hearts full of love? What about growls, confusion, and hiding?Yep! When you bring home a new dog, other fur-covered siblings may not react quite as overjoyed as you’d have hoped. But don’t worry, introducing a brand new dog to your family doesn’t have to be stressful. By simply following a few basic guidelines, your new fur-baby will soon be acclimated and a true, bonafide,irreplaceable member of your growing family. {...}
Owning a pet is a large responsibility. Naturally, you want the best for your pet. On this page, we have compiled valuable information to assist you in owning and caring for your pet. With specific questions or concerns, we invite you to contact us.
The vets at Ashby Animal Clinic recommend regular wellness exams as a preventative measure against common and potentially avoidable illness to help ensure a long and healthy life for your pet. Vaccinations, heart-worm prevention, routine deworming, and dental cleanings are important components of wellness care.
Do not allow your pets to be near alcoholic beverages, caffeinated beverages, candies including chocolates, fatty foods, chicken or turkey bones, grapes or raisins, onions, medications including over-the-counter human medications, or sugar and salt.
Be sure to have our telephone number, (540) 433-9174 posted in plain view in the event of an emergency. Here are some emergency actions that you can perform before help is available:
Six months to a year: Keep pet food and feeding areas away from crawling and toddling children. A child of this at this age will grab at whatever is in his or her path, so ears and tails are a target, and children have to be carefully supervised around animals to avert any unexpected reactions.
1-3 years: A time of exploration and for putting things in the mouth. A dog or cat who is possessive about his or her toys and food can be potentially dangerous to a child. The child is eye level with a medium to large dog, and dogs can see that as a threat. This age group is especially vulnerable to a biting dog.
4-6 years: By now, a child has mastered quite a lot of language and can understand more about how to interact with another living being, but a firm eye on the situation is still needed.
7-10 years: Your child can now help look after a pet – feeding, cleaning up, walking, and playing with a cat or dog or any other animal in the house.
Teens: Just a warning about this group. At some point in their teen years, your child may develop other priorities in his or her life, such as sports, band, boys, girls, existential philosophy, or shopping. Pet care chores can suddenly and dramatically go onto the back burner. Parental supervision is a MUST!
18-20 years: Many kids will be going away to college or joining the military. You need to be ready for the likelihood that taking care of the animals will revert back to the adults or other children in the family.