Posts in Category: Pet Health & Wellness

If your pet has been packing on the pounds, or if you are wondering about the quality of treats you feed, you are in luck. The team at Bowman Veterinary Hospital has put together some great ideas for healthy treats for pets this season. 

There are many good reasons for switching to healthy snacks for your furry one. Along with reduced calories, in many cases, you know that you are giving them better ingredients. 

Without further ado, let’s get down to the snacks!

Directly following a carbohydrate-rich meal, the digestive system breaks food down into glucose, the main source of energy for the body’s cells. Glucose is absorbed in the gut making blood sugar levels rise. The pancreas responds to these changes by producing the important hormone insulin.  

Diabetes in pets occurs when the pancreas either doesn’t produce enough insulin (Type 1) or the body’s cells don’t respond properly to the amount of insulin secreted (Type 2). The effects of untreated diabetes can be extremely dangerous to long term health. 

If you have lived through any natural disaster, you know that every second counts when evacuating or sheltering in place. Each disaster, whether it be a hurricane, tornado, forest fire, or the like, has its own manner of getting to safety. You may even have a disaster plan for your family in place. We have certainly had our share of wildfires this year that have devastated California and the Pacific Coast, as well as the West.

In this age of unpredictability, it makes sense to prepare for the worst. For those of us in the west, this means getting ready for wildfire season every year. Between packing up necessities in case of an evacuation and planning the quickest escape route, we can easily overlook the effects of smoke inhalation. 

A wildfire doesn’t have to be in our backyards to suffer from dangerous side effects. As a result, pet fire safety should be one of our highest priorities.

If your pet has had surgery of any kind, it’s only natural that they will need lots of rest before they’re back on their paws. There will, of course, be a set amount of time for them to heal and work their way back to good health and well-being; but exercise, enrichment, and play? 

Movement is critical to the recovery process, too. It allows for better healing and maintains your pet’s energy, stamina, healthy weight, and mental health. There are some cautions, though, to be aware of when you get your recovering pet moving again. 

Lucky for you, your friends at Bowman Veterinary Hospital are here to advise on how to exercise your pet after surgery, for a great and safe recovery!

Cats are the ultimate pets, an idea supported by the sheer number of them that share our homes. They’re cute, entertaining, and comforting to have around. Plus, their quiet, reserved natures make them really easy to care for, right? 

When we take the time to truly understand a cat’s needs and preferences, cat care can be relatively uncomplicated, but if we aren’t especially tuned into their unique natures we might miss a thing or two. Luckily, effortless (and yet, totally involved) cat care is attainable – and we can help!

Taking good care of a pet comes with a lot of responsibility. From taking the time to provide proper socialization and training to selecting the perfect diet, a lot goes into giving your furry friend the best possible life.

When it comes to good veterinary care, cost must come into the picture at some point. Proactive wellness care and preparation for emergencies and illness is part of responsible pet ownership. Bowman Veterinary Hospital knows that pet care comes at a price, and that’s why we like to help our clients understand all their payment options. 

Conventional wisdom holds that to live a long, healthy and happy life, physical activity is not optional. Indeed, without daily or weekly exercise pets and people alike can easily fall into the category of overweight or obese. For various reasons, such as hectic work schedules, travel, family obligations, weather, and more, it’s easy to lose focus on this important health strategy. 

For a healthy active pet, the consequences of modern living can be tragic. With our tips, we hope that you and your pet keep up a positive routine that not only establishes/reinforces great physique, but also the mutual affection between you.

When your pet has periodontal disease, you may not even know it. This problem often sneaks up on pet owners and can be the result of persistent “we’ll get to it” syndrome. 

The fact is that most pets have some form of dental disease by the time they reach 3 years of age, and bad breath may be the only noticeable hallmark. But by the time you notice “doggy breath,” periodontal disease may be wreaking havoc in your pet’s mouth. And most of the time, it’s underneath the gum line, where neither you nor your veterinarian can see it. 

The quality of your pet’s teeth may not be up there on the list of priorities, but when it comes to their health, it should be. Most pets over the age of 3 have at least the beginnings of dental disease. Untreated dental disease not only can lead to tooth loss, pain, and abscess, but it can also create health problems with the major organs of the body, like the heart and liver. 

The great news is that you can help protect your best friend with at home pet dental care. Your team at Bowman Veterinary Hospital is here with some tips to keep that beautiful smile healthy!