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It’s simply human nature to procrastinate. But as Benjamin Franklin once said, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is especially true when it comes to pet dental health!

Much of the time, regular brushing at home falls to the wayside – until stinky breath is noticeable. At that point, damage to the gums may be a foregone conclusion. 

With dental x-rays, routine cleanings, and follow-up care at home, you can really support pet dental health for the long haul.

Maybe your cat has just vomited and appears restless. Or your dog has some sort of skin irritation. Or perhaps your pet has been coughing for a few days. What’s the first thing you’ll likely do? Be honest! 

If you said “Google your pet’s symptoms”, you’re not alone. And while health information online can be informative, there are so many problems with relying on the internet for veterinary advice, and they put your pet’s health at serious risk. Read on to learn how relying on the Internet for veterinary advice can be dangerous for your pet.

In today’s world, prevention care is the trend in modern medicine. So is saving money! This is also true in veterinary medicine. Rather than responding to a disease once it occurs, we prefer to prevent the disease from occurring, whenever possible, through wellness care, annual diagnostic screening, and healthy lifestyles for your fur friend. This saves money as well as the emotional expense of having to watch your pet suffer.

Let’s take a closer look at preventive screenings and lifestyle options for your pet, and why they matter in disease prevention and longevity.

As much as you might like to take your dog with you everywhere, it’s just not possible. Going to work, the gym, social gatherings, and even certain restaurants makes leaving your pet home alone a necessity. 

Leaving your pet home alone doesn’t make you a bad pet owner. But it’s important to think about any limits and considerations to make your pet more comfortable when they are on their own. 

Harpeth Hills Animal Hospital is here to help navigate the issue of your pet home alone, with some ideas for how to make this experience better for everyone! 

Chances are good that you know a person who suffers from asthma, or you deal with the chronic condition yourself. Just like with humans, asthma in pets can be scary and life threatening.

The good news, asthma in pets is easily controlled with education, patience, and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle for your pet. 

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways in the lungs, causing them to swell and constrict. This constriction can lead to the inability to take a full breath, exercise intolerance, wheezing, and other symptoms. Asthma can seriously affect a pet’s quality of life, and may lead to serious health consequences if not managed properly.

Everyone feels better when they’re clean, and pets are no different. Although most pet owners incorporate some aspects of grooming into their pet care routine, not everyone understands the link between pet grooming and health.

Besides helping our companions look and feel their best, home and professional grooming allows you to keep tabs on their overall health and strengthens the bond you share.

Are you ready to make grooming an important part of your pet’s care? Let’s get started!

We know getting out and exploring Nashville is probably on your agenda this spring, but why not kick it up a notch and bring your pet along? Of course, pets aren’t allowed everywhere, but the Music City is brimming with fun, interesting places to take your four-legged crew.

The team at Harpeth Hills Animal Hospital wants to highlight some of our favorite pet activities in Nashville to get your feet (and paws) moving. Enjoy!

Veterinarians routinely hear questions about the necessity of monthly parasite prevention, but this question is more common in the colder months.

Sure, December-February are pretty chilly in Nashville, but that doesn’t always mean that all the bugs die off. Most parasites become dormant in winter, but with rising temperatures they wake up – and begin the search for their first blood meal of the season.

Tempting, but Risky

It’s not unheard of for some pet owners to stop monthly parasite prevention as soon as it starts to get cold outside. This practice might save a few bucks, but it leaves pets completely exposed to the life cycles of different parasites.

The lack of buzzing, whining mosquitoes does not mean that pets cannot be infected with heartworm disease. In fact, they can still survive in temperatures under 50 degrees. Monthly parasite prevention protects your pet from a single bite from an infected mosquito, but also kills off any worms that may be deposited into their bloodstream.

A single missed dose can leave the door wide open for these sometimes deadly parasites.

To many of us, nothing says “I love you” like a home cooked meal or a special treat. And most of us like to share our love with our pets in the same way – by giving the gift of food.

But there are many people foods to avoid in pets – some you may not be aware of. And whether you love to cook for your dog or cat, or you have a toddler who throws food on the floor to your eagerly awaiting pet, awareness of what’s okay to give and what’s not is the first step in preventing a pet emergency.

We all know how important regular pet dental care is for ourselves and our children. We brush twice a day, floss, and see our dentist for cleanings twice a year. But what if we told you the same care is needed for your pets?

It’s true! Imagine what your mouth would feel like if you never brushed your teeth or saw the dentist. This is a fact of life for most pets, but it doesn’t have to be the case.

And there’s good reason to make regular dental care for your pet a priority. Periodontal disease in pets is the most common health condition in pets today. So common, in fact, that by the time pets are 4 years of age, over 85% of them have some form of dental disease.