The Absolute Best Pet Gifts This Year

Pet gifts.

When it comes to giving, there are a few different approaches. You might try to appeal to the recipient’s interest in convenience, aesthetics, comfort, or technology. And, depending on your budget, you can vary your gift-giving style. The good news is that there is truly no shortage of options available for pets and their people. If anything, the market is totally saturated with pet gift options. To save you both time and money, we’ve compiled a list of this season’s best pet gifts that aim to please everybody.

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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.

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The Importance of Keeping Your Pet Hydrated

dog drinking water

Pets need plenty of water to drink any time of year, but more so when the weather gets hot

Without adequate hydration, a number of health conditions can arise and cause serious harm. This is why the team at Long Animal Hospital and Emergency Center wants to stress the necessity of keeping your pet hydrated by offering some suggestions in getting your pet to drink more water. Read on to learn more!

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Why Spay and Neuter Surgeries Can Keep Pets Healthy 

two kittens

Spay and neuter surgeries are something that occurs during our pets’ first year of life. At most rescues and animal shelters, pets who are adopted out can only be adopted after they have had their spay or neuter surgery.

While most pet owners don’t like to have their pets go through a surgery, spay/neuter is something that has incredible advantages for the health of pets and the entire community. 

Your friends at Long Animal Hospital are here to explain why spay/neuter can be one of the best choices you will make.

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The Big Chill: Winter Weather Pet Care

dog running in snow

It may just be October, but Old Man Winter is right around the corner. And when the weather becomes frightful, it can put pets at risk for a number of problems and injuries.  All pets are affected differently by the climate, and winter pet care can be more involved this time of year in spite of our traditionally mild winters.

Whether your pet loves to be out in the cold and occasional snow, or prefers to snuggle up by the fire, sold weather safety is critical for the health and well being of your pet. 

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Canine Influenza and Vaccination: Get the Facts

vetMaybe you’ve heard of the “dog flu” or canine influenza. It’s a real virus that’s highly contagious; it’s also preventable through vaccination. However, there’s a lot of misleading and incorrect information out there, so Long Animal Hospital and Emergency Center has put together a simple primer on canine influenza and vaccination.

What is Canine Influenza?

Canine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. There are two known strains of the canine influenza virus (CIV): H3N8 and H3N2.

The H3N8 strain has been around for several years, but the H3N2 strain was just discovered in early 2015. It first affected around 1,000 dogs in the Chicago area; our Charlotte dogs may not have been exposed to it yet.  Continue…

What You Can Do to Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs

lyme diseaseModern day living has a lot going for it, but possibly the leading attributes have to do with advances in medical arts. Disease has always been one of our greatest foes, but via timely and routine vaccinations, education, and preventive practices, we can live a relatively healthy life. This goes for our pets, too.

Lyme disease in dogs remains a formidable threat, but there are several ways to counteract possible exposure to this serious illness.

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In Full Swing: Spring Safety for Pets

The temperature is finally beginning to rise, the flowers are unfurling, and in homes across Charlotte, spring cleaning has commenced.

That’s right, spring has sprung, and for pet parents there are certain things to keep in mind during the change of seasons. Spring safety for pets should be high on your list of seasonal concerns, and your team at Long Animal Hospital can get you started!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Warmer temperatures offer more chances to go for walks, and it’s likely that your dog couldn’t be happier. Spending more time outdoors means more exposure to all that nature has to offer, including external parasites, allergens, and other hazards.

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Eeeek! Don’t be Scared of Halloween Pet Safety

Trick or Treat...Smell my FeetIt’s that time of year… Acorns are falling from the trees, seasonal brews are brimming, and bags of candy are spilling out of shopping carts. Fall in North Carolina simply cannot be beat, but there is one event your pet may be dreading. Halloween pet safety is a major concern this time of year, but with our guide, your pet will remain safe, content, and relaxed.

The Day of the…Dread

Halloween is fun, but not for everyone. Sure, some pets are at ease with the constant doorbell ringing, unpredictable shrieking, and strange scents, but they’re an exception to the rule. Indeed, noise anxiety can be so intense for animals, their general wellbeing is at stake. Don’t let this happen to your pet! To ease the suffering, try these Halloween pet safety tips: Continue…