Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is a common condition in certain dog breeds that can damage the spinal cord, resulting in significant pain and impaired mobility. Our Countryside Veterinary Hospital team wants to provide information about this disease, in case your dog is at risk. Intervertebral disc disease in dogs Numerous small bones (i.e., vertebrae) compose [...]
As you buy your children’s school supplies and update their wardrobe for the new school year, don’t forget about your pet, who likely will be upset by the sudden change in routine. Our team at Countryside Veterinary Hospital wants to help by offering tips on preparing your pet for when your children go back to [...]
Alabama summers are hot and humid, which puts your pet at risk for heatstroke. Pets have inefficient cooling mechanisms that start to fail when temperatures reach the 80’s and 90’s, and pet owners must carefully monitor their pets for elevated body temperatures. All pets are at risk, but dogs are most often affected, with some [...]
Many parasites can cause problematic health issues for your pet, and some can affect you and your family. Our team at Countryside Veterinary Hospital wants to help by providing information about parasitic diseases in pets, and ways you can safeguard your four-legged friend. Roundworms in pets Roundworms are the most common parasites that affect pets, [...]
Like people, pets can suffer from seasonal and environmental allergies, and may display similar signs. To help you better understand how allergies can affect your pet, our Countryside Veterinary Hospital team shares the travails of three pets who suffer from different allergy types. Learn how allergies can affect pets and how to keep your pet [...]
Every pet is unique—some are escape artists, while others are counter-surfers, thrill seekers, dumpster divers, or weekend warriors. Regardless of your kind of pet, their natural hyperactivity, curiosity, or gluttony can get them into a lot of trouble—which can be life-threatening. While thinking about pet emergencies is not pleasant, it’s important to know that many [...]
When you’re at home with your pet, the last thing you think about is putting them in harm’s way. Unfortunately, because many household items are toxic to pets, your dog or cat may be having close encounters with poisonous products every day. To eliminate these potentially harmful or deadly exposures, here’s an easy-to-follow guide from [...]
As pet lovers, we all want the same thing for our dogs and cats—longer lives. While the fountain of woof—er, youth—hasn’t yet been found, Countryside Veterinary Hospital has prepared an easy-to-follow road map that can help you add years to your pet’s life through the choices you make every day. #1: Take your pet to [...]
The world of pet parasites can be confusing, since each parasite differs greatly in how they spread disease, reproduce, and are eliminated. To help spread knowledge about fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes, and how they can affect your pet, our Countryside Veterinary Hospital team did our own version of Mythbusters. Read on, to learn whether or [...]
As a responsible pet owner, you know your pet should be spayed or neutered. In addition to helping control the pet homelessness crisis, these procedures help prevent serious health conditions, such as uterine infections, mammary tumors, testicular cancer, and prostate problems. They also benefit your pet’s behavior, including preventing your female pet from experiencing heat [...]