Posts in Category: Pet Health & Wellness

The holidays are filled with a festive blend of food, family—and stress! And even though our pets aren’t the ones shopping, baking, and hosting holiday parties, they can experience anxiety during the holiday season just as we can. At Harpeth Hills Animal Hospital, we love helping you keep your pets happy and healthy year-round with wellness programs that include behavioral counseling, and we’re here to help you understand why your pet might be acting weird during and after the holidays.

Puppy dog eyes and that Puss-In-Boots pout are a pretty awesome (and adorable) part of owning pets. Sometimes, though, trouble can strike those perfect peepers. Join Harpeth Hills Animal Hospital in learning how to spot glaucoma eye problems in pets and what to do when you see them.

Drinking water and staying hydrated is just as important for animals as it is for humans. Water keeps us (and our beloved pets) healthy, and is necessary for daily life and bodily functions. While it may be easy to keep track of your own water intake, the same may not be as easily said for your pets. Pet owners may be wondering how much water their pet should be drinking and if they are drinking enough. 

There may also be times when you notice your pet is drinking more water than usual. This could be a symptom that something is up with your pet. The team at Harpeth Hills Animal Hospital is here to help you be aware and know when to be on the lookout for signs your furry friend may need a wellness check. 

Pet owners spend a lot of time gazing into their pet’s eyes. It’s like we can feel the human-animal bond revitalized and reconnected each and every time we sustain meaningful eye contact. This amount of attention is great because if any issues start to affect our pet’s eyes, we can spot them straight away. The five most common eye problems in pets might never affect your best friend, but knowing exactly what to look for can lead to early intervention and effective treatment.

Flat-nose dog breeds, like the English bulldog, French bulldog, pug, and Boston terrier have become very popular over the last few years. They fall under the category called brachycephalic, or simply put, short-headed.  

There are some health complexities to these lovable breeds. Before owning one, be aware that these boop-able noses require some extra dog wellness care. 

While our kitty companions may be good at pretending like they don’t really need you, the truth is that cats love and become attached to their owners as well. While separation anxiety is a well-described and recognized phenomenon in dogs, our team at Harpeth Hills Animal Hospital understands that feline separation anxiety is a real thing, too. Here’s what you need to know:

Anal glands are a part of every dog’s anatomy and can produce odors from time to time. If you have noticed a fishy smell coming from your pup, chances are it is the anal glands. The team at Harpeth Hills Animal Hospital is here to fill you in on why your dog might be smelling kind of fishy all of a sudden:

Let’s face it, dogs aren’t known for their lovely smell. With their penchant for investigating garbage and other unappetizing items, it’s no wonder dogs don’t maintain that “fresh from the bath” scent for very long.

One smell that isn’t exactly horrible, and seems to be almost universal, is that strangely familiar corn chip smell emanating from their paws. Often referred to as “Frito feet,” this odd (yet not always unpleasant) smell can have dog owners wondering why their pets’ paws smell like a popular snack food!

In the medical world, we often talk about how important early detection is through regular wellness examinations. This is also true in veterinary medicine, where we have shifted from addressing problems as they arise, to a modality that is vastly proactive and effective. This is done through regular pet wellness care. 

Many pet owners ask us about the need for pet wellness, especially when their pets seem completely healthy and happy. And we are glad you ask. Pet wellness is an important preventive approach to your pet’s health that can keep them vibrant, feeling great, and healthy for years to come. 

Cats may seem invincible, but much to our dismay they are subject to the same forces that any other living creature is. They certainly have a few weaknesses, and if we had to pinpoint one organ that doesn’t always pull its weight, it would be the kidney.

Feline kidney disease is a common diagnosis here at Harpeth Hills Veterinary Hospital. Because of the tremendous impact it can have on our feline patients, it is one disease with which all pet owners should be familiar. By catching it early and managing it aggressively, kidney disease in cats is definitely something that we can help our furry friends navigate.