Windward Animal Hospital Staff Upper respiratory symptoms are one of the most common reasons pets are brought into a veterinary clinic—especially during high pollen seasons in North Georgia. Sneezing, nasal discharge, and congestion often raise an important question: Is this an upper respiratory infection (URI), or is it allergies? Understanding the difference is essential, because these conditions require very … Read more
Do Indoor Pets Really Need Vaccines? The Truth Every Pet Owner Should Know Many loving pet owners believe that if their dog or cat lives indoors, vaccines aren’t necessary. It’s an understandable assumption. If your pet never goes outside, how could they possibly be exposed to dangerous diseases? However, veterinary medicine tells a very different … Read more
One of the most challenging aspects of caring for birds is that they are biologically wired to hide illness. In the wild, showing weakness makes a bird an easy target for predators or rejection from the flock. That survival instinct does not disappear in captivity. As a result, many pet birds appear “fine” until they … Read more
When a dog collapses, a cat suddenly struggles to breathe, gets hit by a car or you find a chewed pill bottle on the floor, it is hard to think clearly. The time to decide what you will do in a pet emergency is BEFORE anything goes wrong. A simple plan now means you are … Read more
The Dirty Truth About Dog’s Anal Glands When a dog drags their rear across the carpet, spins to lick their butt, or leaves that unmistakable fishy smell on the sofa, they are not being silly or stubborn. Their back end is bothering them. Most of the time, the problem is the dog’s anal glands. This … Read more
WHAT IS CONSIDERED NORMAL? Dogs use a quick head shake and ear flap to: Shake off water after a bath or swim, dislodge a bit of dust, loose hair, or a stray bug, or Express excitement during play. If it happens briefly, stops on its own, and your dog is otherwise normal (no smell, no … Read more
As someone working in the vet industry, I often get questions about why boarding kennels require pets to have up-to-date vaccinations, especially the canine flu vaccines. It’s a great question and an important one to understand to keep our furry friends safe and healthy. Let’s dive into why these requirements are in place and why … Read more
As devoted pet owners, it is crucial to be aware that changes in our furry friends’ behavior can often be an early warning sign of underlying health issues. While some symptoms might be obvious, others can be more subtle. Here’s some info to help you recognize these changes and understand when it’s time to reach … Read more
Upper Respiratory Infection or Disease in guinea pigs is a serious condition that can potentially be fatal if not addressed promptly. While some may mistake it for the common flu, expecting it to dissipate in a few days, it is far more severe. The disease arises when harmful bacteria or viruses invade the guinea pig’s … Read more
–We wanted to make this post about kidney disease since it is one of the common diseases that we deal with here at Windward Animal Hospital. First I thought it was important to define the actual term disease since so many people have come to misuse or misunderstand the word. Disease: A pathological condition of … Read more