What's in that Smile?

What are you seeing when your pet smiles at you?     Keep an eye out for these signs of dental issues before they become a problem for your dog or cat.     SMELL:    There's dog/cat breath, then there's bad breath.  Smellier than normal breath is often the first sign of a problem.     SIGHT:    Eventually your pet's mouth will begin to look unhealthy.  Teeth become discolored.  Your pet may drool more.  Gums look red and swollen, and they may even bleed.     BEHAVIOR:    Your pet may have a hard time chewing food and may drop food from his/her mouth.     If you notice any of these signs of poor dental health, contact us TODAY to schedule your pet a dental visit.             MARCH SPECIAL   DENTAL CLEANINGS   20% OFF

Have We Seen Your Cat Lately?

DON'T LET YOUR CAT BE THE "RED-HEADED STEPCHILD" OF THE FAMILY.....

HAVE WE SEEN YOUR CAT LATELY??

ANNUAL PREVENTIVE CARE CHECKUPS ARE CRITICAL TO SAFEGUARD YOUR CAT'S HEALTH:

-The health status of an individual cat can change in a short period of time. (A year in a cat's life is equal to 4 to 10 years in a person.)

-Ill cats often show no signs of disease.

-Early detection with frequent exams and screening profiles allows for earlier intervention and can improve disease management and quality of life.

-More frequent visits allow for better client education about preventive health as cats age.

-More timely diagnosis and treatment can reduce expenses.

-Rabies vaccination is required by law on all cats, even ones that are totally indoors.  It is for our protection too.

-If your cat usually gets very stressed when placing in a carrier or riding in the car to our office, please call us ahead of time and we can advise you in how to decrease the stress and make the visit easier for your cat and you.

-Call now with any questions or to make that important appointment:  704-732-0728



Open House

OPEN HOUSE

 

Please join us to tour and celebrate our new location.

 

When:  Saturday, June 21st

 

Where:  112 N. Generals Blvd. (behind CVS)

 

Time:  2:00 - 5:00p.m.

 

Prizes, hot dogs, ice cream, face painting, free nail trims,

live bluegrass with Kevin Richardson and Cutting Edge (KRACE)

 

 

 



WE'RE MOVING!!!!

New address: 112 North Generals Blvd. (old Sagebrush bldg. behind CVS)

The office will be CLOSED

Thursday, May 22 - Monday, May 26

Opening new location
Tuesday, May 27...

If your pet takes prescription medications or eats a prescription food, please make sure you have enough to get you through while we are closed. If you are not sure you will have enough medication, or have any questions, please call the office at
704-732-0728.



HEART WORM ALERT

It's finally spring and mosquitoes are out.  Mosquitoes transmit heartworms to dogs and cats.  Heartworms can be deadly for our pets, eventually causing right sided heart failure in dogs and possibly sudden death in cats.

Heartworm testing is quick and easy and if negative, prevention can be started right away.  Prevention options include monthly oral and six month injectable for dogs and monthly topical for cats.

Please call the office with any questions or for an appointment.

 

APRIL SPECIAL

FREE HEARTWORM TEST ($40 VALUE)

 WITH THE PURCHASE OF 6 MONTHS HEARTWORM PREVENTION

 

 

 

 

Annual Relay for Life Dog Wash

When:  April 12th, 2014

Where:  Lincolnton Animal Hospital

Time:  2:00 - 4:00

Asking Donation

Dogs under 40 pounds $10.00

Dogs over 40 pounds $15.00

All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society



Gastrointestinal Foreign Bodies

Dogs have been known to swallow bones, toys, sticks, stones, pins, needles, wood splinters, cloth, rubber balls, rawhide, leather, string, peach pits, and other objects. With string, one end often knots up while the other gets caught in food. Tension on the string then causes it to cut through the wall of the bowel. Swallowing pennies will not usually cause an obstruction, but can lead to zinc toxicity as the metal leaches out of the coins. Batteries can also cause toxicity when swallowed.

The esophagus of the dog is larger than the outlet of his stomach. Thus, dogs may swallow objects that are too large to pass out of the stomach. Gastric foreign bodies are therefore associated with chronic gastritis and episodes of gastric outflow obstruction.

If an object makes it into the small intestine, it may pass through the entire GI tract without causing problems. Those that do cause an obstruction usually do so at the ileocecal valve or in the colon and rectum. Foreign bodies in the rectum cause anorectal obstructions. Sharp objects such as pins, splinters, and bone chips can lodge anywhere in the GI tract and obstruct or perforate the bowel, causing intestinal obstruction or peritonitis.

Unless it also causes indigestion, a swallowed foreign body will go unnoticed until it produces symptoms. Many foreign bodies can be seen on X-rays of the abdomen if they are radio-opaque. A contrast study may be needed to identify foreign bodies that are not visible on X-rays.

Treatment: Foreign bodies that produce symptoms should be removed. This usually involves abdominal surgery. Gastric foreign bodies can sometimes be removed through an endoscope.