Our Blog

Leaving a pet in the car for “just a few minutes” occurs to many. After all, there are places our pets cannot be and the long list of errands often has us running from one place to the next. But leaving a  pet in the car can spell trouble, especially during the winter and summer months. What would seem to be harmless causes hundreds of deaths in pets each year. 

The team at Long Animal Hospital and Emergency Center is here to explain why both hot and cold weather outside are risky times to take your pet in the car and should absolutely be avoided.

To truly understand the concept of cause and effect, look no further than the domestic feline. When they aren’t sleeping, eating, or playing, they are grooming themselves or their furry housemates. Indeed, cats are incredibly detail-oriented when it comes to their appearance (a trait inherited from their wild relatives, self-grooming kept them safe from predators). But where does all that loose fur go? 

Cat hairballs are the direct result of self or allogrooming, but they aren’t ever a welcome sight!

There are many facets of preventive pet care. Beyond the scope of vaccinations, parasite prevention, weight management, and dental care, regular pet grooming appointments have an incredible impact on wellness.

Of course, it’s wonderful when pets look (and smell) their absolute best, but our professional groomers can help them feel their best, too.

Not Just Aesthetics

Some pet owners opt to bathe and groom their pets at home. This can be an incredibly fun and bonding experience, and it’s also an opportunity to exercise control and obedience together. 

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.

With over 70 combined years of experience, we like to think of ourselves as having a pretty good handle on what pets need. However, just because we’re veterinary experts, we don’t always know the best ways to support the efforts of human pet owners.

Indeed, the people that bring their pets in to see us are among the most helpful guides when it comes to brainstorming our monthly pet care blogs. Without them, we may not be able to effectively address the issues that face most pet owners.

When it comes to truly caring for animals, we’re all in this together.

Exercise is an important component of living the healthiest life possible for our fur friends. But when the cold weather comes along, our desire to get out and take care of Fido’s fitness needs goes to the wayside. Along with inclement weather, the holidays keep life hectic and it’s easy to forget to take those daily walks or opportunities to play.

The team at Long Animal Hospital want to remind our pet families to keep their pets moving this season. Not only is it good for our pets, the extra time to walk and bond with our furry companions is healthy for us, too. Here are some recommendations for how to exercise your pet during the winter months.

There has never been a better time to be a cat owner – or a cat for that matter! We know more than ever before about what they need, and how to set them up for long, healthy, and happy lives. But sometimes, in no small part to their aloof, self-sufficient nature, cat health can take a bit of a back burner. 

We all need occasional reminders about disease prevention and healthy lifestyles, and we have some friendly ideas to get your fluffy best friend through another great year.

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. 

If you think your cute little butterball looks better with a little extra cushion, you’re not alone. Over 50% of dogs and cats in the US are overweight or obese. 

The problem is, a few extra pounds to a dog or cat is quite a bit of excess weight. Over time, the extra pounds packed on your pet can cause serious health problems and complications that they otherwise wouldn’t have, had they maintained a healthy weight 

Since we want our pets to be the healthiest they can be, while still indulging in the occasional morsel, what’s a well intentioned pet owner to do? Keep reading for ideas from Long Animal Hospital and Emergency Center about how to maintain a healthier weight for your pet.

Adopting a pet is one of life’s greatest joys, and most pet owners go into it with visions of the great times and the incredible bond they will share with their furry friend. Discovering that your pet has partial or full hearing loss can shatter those dreams – but it doesn’t have to. 

Hearing loss in pets is not a diagnosis pet owners want to hear, but with good veterinary care, patience, and a good dose of love and compassion, deaf pets can enjoy a long, full, and meaningful life.