Greg Karcher
Mushroom Toxicity in Pets
This is a very common toxicity this time of year. We have seen a huge increase in this as of late. If you see wild mushrooms growing in your yard or on your walks, it is best to remove them from your yard or to keep your dog away. While it is nearly impossible to tell which mushrooms are toxic vs...
What is Scabies?
Sarcoptic mange, also called scabies, in dogs is caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, a highly contagious skin parasite. The mites burrow into the skin and cause severe itching, so dogs that experience prolonged scratching and hair loss are suspect...
How Often to Clean a Litter Box
First and most importantly we will go over the “golden rule” of the appropriate number of litter boxes in your house. The magical formula is this: “one more litter boxes than then number of cats in your house.” That means if you have 2 cats in your household, you should ideally have 3 litter boxes...
Coprophagia in Dogs
Coprophagia is dogs eating their own stools or other dogs stools, yuck! Unfortunately, we have all seen our dogs do this at one point or another. A lot of puppies do this and we all hope and pray that they grow out of this bad behavior, but there are a few dogs that do not...
The Meaning Behind Wet and Dry Noses
My dog’s nose is dry, dose that mean he/she is sick?
If your dog’s nose is dry, it does not mean they are sick. Same with if their nose is drippy and wet, does not mean they are sick. This is a common myth we hear from pet owners...
The How, Why, and When Do Cats Purr?
Purring is one of the most interesting and unique characteristics our cats do. But how do they do it?
Technically speaking… A purr is made using the entire respiratory system, meaning they purr while inhaling and exhaling. Other vocalizations such as the “meow” are limited to exhaling...
What is a hot spot?
Hot Spots are technically called “acute moist dermatitis”. These are localized areas of infection on the skin. They are typically several layers of the skin deep. Usually appear as localized, moist, reddish sores. Hot spots are the result of a bacterial infection: something irritates your dog’s skin and the irritation becomes itchy, so your dog does the logical thing—scratch, lick, or both—even
Benefits of Therapeutic Laser Therapy
Laser Therapy does 3 main things: reduces pain, reduces inflammation, and speeds healing time. We have had laser therapy at the VVC for over a year now and many of our patients have greatly benefitted. We use the laser on a daily basis...
Relieving Your Pets Anxiety
Fears can soon become phobias, which is defined as a persistent, excessive, and irrational fear response. To help your pet cope with their fears and phobias, we will discuss some tips. One of the most common phobias is noise phobias, specifically thunderstorm...
Ear infections
Your dog is scratching and shaking their head constantly. You might notice an awful odor. You flip up their ear and notice it matches the fire hydrant, it is so red. What could be happening?!?!... You dog is having an ear infection.
These are the signs of a typical ear infection...
Is that really an eye problem?
It is that time of year again!
You, your cat, your dog... everyone is running around with red, itchy, irritated, squinty eyes... but WAIT!... is this really all allergies. Think again!
Cats and dogs can have multiple conditions in their eyes that look or appear to be “allergy” eyes, but are really the start of a serious condition.
On...
5 Diseases Found on Physical Exam
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Physical Exams
At the Village Veterinary Clinic of Hamburg we recommend physical exams yearly for dogs and cats. There are many things that we can pick up on during your pet’s physical. It is always best to find something early!
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