Toxic Plants for Pets: A Comprehensive List and Tips for Pet Safety

Toxic plants to pets.

Many pet people are also plant people. It makes some sense that those who enjoy caring for one lifeform might enjoy caring for another. A little caution needs to be in place, however, as there are many toxic plants for pets. Read on to learn Long Animal Hospital’s top tips for pet safety around plants. 

Continue…

Good Question: What’s the Difference Between Urgent and Emergency Veterinary Care?

Emergency vs urgent pet care.

When a pet suddenly falls ill or suffers a traumatic injury, pet owners are naturally thrown into a state of panic. Even if you’re fully prepared to administer pet first aid or CPR, staving off a life-threatening situation can be extremely difficult to navigate. In order to get your pet the right kind of help, it is important to understand the difference between urgent and emergency care. Emergency veterinary care is reserved for specific conditions, and may only be available during certain times at speciality facilities. Urgent care, on the other hand, can fill the gap between regular and emergency care. Knowing the difference can be helpful to your careful planning and preparation.

Continue…

Help, My Pet Ate a Foreign Object!

Pet swallowed foreign object

Animals are a little bit like toddlers in more ways than one, and the fact that they tend to explore the world with their mouth is no exception. When animals ingest foreign material things can turn serious quickly. Long Animal Hospital and Emergency Center has the information you need, though, about how to tell (and what to do) if your pet swallows a foreign object.

Hazards of Ingesting Foreign Objects

When a pet eats something that isn’t digestible, it can become stuck in the digestive tract, fully or partially obstructing the normal flow of food through the body. This can occur at any point from the esophagus to the colon.

Continue…

Is Pet Altitude Sickness a Real Concern?

Pets and altitude sickness.

If you have ever ventured up into the mountains, you might have encountered altitude sickness as a human. Can pets get altitude sickness, though? How does altitude sickness affect animals? What are the symptoms? Keep reading and Long Animal Hospital will answer all your questions!

Continue…

Laws Surrounding Pet Ownership in Charlotte, NC

Dog ownership laws.

Pet ownership is a responsibility that shouldn’t be taken lightly, and it’s important for all pet parents to understand how local ordinances can impact the lives they share with their pets. And while we’re accustomed to fielding questions every day about pet health and wellness, we do get occasional queries about local pet laws. 

Continue…

5 Things to Check Off Your Veterinary Visit List

Pet at the vet.

Getting an annual check-up is an important part of taking care of your cat or dog even if your pet seems healthy. Just like with humans, the absence of an illness does not always equal wellness. The goals of preventive care are to maintain your animal’s health, prevent illness, and detect problems early. This checklist will give you an idea about the import parts of annual pet wellness exams:

Continue…

Too Legit to Quit? What To Do With a Dog Erection That is Not Going Away

Paraphimosis in dogs

Our pets are living beings and as adorable as they are, biology applies to them as well. While the birds and the bees as they apply to our four-legged family members may not be everyone’s topic of choice, Long Animal Hospital thinks it is important for pet owners to know the basics. That way, when something goes awry (like a dog erection not going away) you are educated and prepared. 

Continue…

Breathe Easier: All About Pet Asthma

X-ray of pet lungs with asthma.

Trouble breathing is not a fun problem to have, and when it’s affecting your pet it can be absolutely panic-inducing. While many causes of breathing trouble are not things you can foresee, pet asthma is a problem that is potentially identifiable before it becomes an emergency. Read on so that Long Animal Hospital can help you to understand how to recognize the signs of asthma in pets.

Continue…

Dog Asthma and Other Reasons Your Pet is Breathing Funny

Dog respiratory system

It can be a bit alarming when your pet’s breathing is off. In our doggy patients, abnormal breathing can be caused by a wide variety of possibilities. Some are pet emergencies and others are much less worrisome. At Long Animal Hospital and Emergency Center, we get lots of questions about dog asthma and whether it could be the reason for a pet’s breathing changes. Read on to learn the answer: 

Continue…

How To Keep Your Cat Safe at Night

Cat outside at night.

Cats prefer early evening and morning hours for hunting and exploring, but the great outside welcomes kitties with lots of risk. If your cats are outside cats, there are things you can do to minimize their risk of injury or disease. Before you let your cat outside to roam, weigh the risks.

Continue…