Every dog owner has the best of intentions when it comes to their dog’s health. It goes without saying that they want their dogs to be happy and healthy, enjoying their years to the fullest. The thing is, dog wellness is multifaceted, covering exams, vaccinations, nutrition, exercise, and mental stimulation. Because it can feel overwhelming to busy owners, critical elements of their dog’s well-being can be overlooked.

The month of April is Heartworm Awareness month! According the the American Heartworm Society estimates that over 1 million pets in the US have heartworm, a completely preventable disease. 

No state is heartworm free. We at Georgia Veterinary Associates recommend year round heartworm and parasite prevention because it never truly get cold enough, for long enough to kill mosquitoes or other parasites. 

Doggos. Need we say more? Probably not, but we will because, sigh—aren’t they just the best? Admit it - you even love their funky smells, including that stinky breath and those paws which inexplicably smell like Frito’s. As Author of tearjerker Marley & Me, John Grogan, says, “Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day.” Need a tissue? We get it.

You've surely driven around your city and seen signs for a low-cost vaccine bus. As a mobile service, it seems like a pretty convenient way to stretch the dollar and still make sure your pet stays healthy, right? Let us explain why that’s so very wrong.

We've all been there. The bills have been mounting but life continues to move on in other ways, including pets that perhaps don't feel well. And we know that veterinary services during this COVID-19 pandemic are more challenging to receive. So you're scrolling the internet and you see an ad that claims “Discount pet drugs—no prescription required”. Even we in the veterinary community understand the appeal of this, but FDA experts say it can be risky to buy drugs online from sites that tout this message and others like it.

Blood tests are an easy, safe, and relatively inexpensive way to peer inside your pets and find potential health problems. Analysis of the numbers and structure of blood cells is important in the diagnosis and monitoring of disease and infection. These tests can help us identify a problem before clinical signs or symptoms appear. But what exactly are we looking for when we do a blood draw on dogs and cats?

One benefit of our quarantine time during this COVID-19 pandemic is that many of us are getting more physical activity, and our dogs are getting more exercise, too. After all, getting moving outside is nearly the only thing to do for leisure at this point! The downside is that this is the time of year that many of us need to be hyper-vigilant about snakes when taking walks or hikes.

It's safe to say that most of us are bored these days. It seems forever ago that we could grab dinner or a drink with our friends; go to concerts or to the theater; or enjoy one of the many markets, festivals, or other events.

But have you considered that your pet may be bored as well? Maybe they used to accompany you to a market or brewery, or they were used to hanging out with their own pet pals when you went to the park. Sure, they’re happy you’re home more, but that can lead to even more frustration for you if you’re working from home with a bored dog.