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Heat wave! Should you shave your pet?

10:09 AM | Labels: , ,


Nearly everywhere in America, this summer is a scorcher, and we know that as a responsible pet parent, you want to do everything you can to keep your best four-legged friends cool. So when you look at your Pomeranian, Golden Retriever or long-haired cat wearing a thick, fluffy coat, you might feel tempted to break out your grooming tools and give him a serious hair cut.

But hold those clippers! While you or I would hate to sport a fur coat in 100-degree weather, your pets’ fur coats are actually providing them with heat relief.
“A dog’s coat is kind of like insulation for your house,” explains Dr. Louise Murray, Vice President of ASPCA Bergh Memorial Hospital. “Insulation stops your home from getting too cold in winter, but it also keeps it from overheating in summer—and your dog’s coat does the same thing.”
Dogs’ coats have several layers, and these layers are essential to your dog’s comfort in the heat. Robbing your dog of this natural cooling system can lead to discomfort and overheating. And keeping your dog cool isn’t the only reason to leave his coat intact, Dr. Murray warns. Your dog’s coat prevents your pup from getting sunburn and helps protect her from skin cancer.
So what can you do? “It’s OK to trim your long-haired dog’s long hair, such as any hair that hangs down on his legs,” Dr. Murray says. Just never attempt to clip mats off your pet’s coat with scissors, Dr. Murray adds. And if you’ve got a long-haired kitty, leave her coat intact. Instead, brush her a little more frequently during the hot summer months.
To protect your pet from sunburn and skin cancer, save longer walks for evenings, and consider applying pet-specific sun block to thinly covered areas like the bridge of your dog’s nose, the tips of his ears and his belly, Dr. Murray suggests, noting that pets with thin coats, as well as those with white or light-colored coats, are especially at risk for sun damage.
Of course, pet parents should remember to keep pets inside with plenty of water during hot days—hydration is key! 

All information in this post is from the ASPCA. 

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Posted by Unknown

Breeds: Corgi

9:47 AM | Labels: , ,

There are two different breeds of Corgi's, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. Here is what you need to know about both. 


The Pembroke Welsh Corgi:
Low-set, strong and sturdily built, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi gives an impression of substance in a small space. He is one of the most agreeable small house dogs, as well as an avid competitor in many dog sports, including conformation, herding and obedience. The Pembroke Corgi is a separate breed from the Cardigan Corgi, possessing a shorter body and straighter, lighter boned legs. His ears are pointed at the tip and stand erect, and he has a short tail. The coat can be red, sable, fawn, black and tan with or without white markings.





A Look Back
The Corgi from Pembrokeshire is a breed of considerable antiquity. The direct ancestors of the Pembroke were brought across the Channel in 1107 by Flemish weavers. The early progenitor is said to have had a resemblance to the old Schipperkes, and sprang from the same family that includes the Keeshond, Pomeranian, Samoyed, Chow Chow, Norwegian Elkhound and Finnish Spitz.

Right Breed for You?
Bold and friendly, the Pembroke responds well to training and loves his family, but he may try to herd you! He thrives on farms, but can adapt to a variety of living situations if given regular exercise. This breed also requires routine brushing.


The Cardigan Welsh Corgi:
Known as the Corgi with the tail, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is the older of the two Corgi breeds. Like the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, the Cardigan is low set with moderately heavy bone and a deep chest. Originally used as a drover and farm dog, the breed is small and powerful, capable of great speed and endurance. Coat colors include red, sable, brindle, black and blue merle. White markings are common.


A Look Back
The Cardigan first arrived in Cardiganshire (its place of origin) with the Celts in 1200 BC. The breed became useful because the Crown owned practically all land, and the tenant farmers were permitted to fence off only a few acres surrounding their dooryards. The rest was common land, on which the crofter was permitted to graze his cattle. Instead of herding the cattle, the Corgi would nip at their heels and drive them as far afield as desired.


Right Breed for You?
The Cardigan can adapt to country life or city apartments, but need some form of daily exercise. As a companion dog, they love to be with their people and are loyal, affectionate and even-tempered. The breed’s double coat requires regular brushing.


All information in this post is from the AKC website.

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Posted by Unknown

Five summer treats to avoid feeding your pooch

9:05 AM | Labels: ,


Grab a spoon—it’s National Ice Cream Month! It’s really no surprise that many of us love to spoil our pets with bits of our tasty summer treats, but pet parents please beware: Ice cream is just one of many summer goodies that could double as serious health hazards to our pets!

Ice cream
Just say no to the cone. One lick or two (no chocolate, please!) is fine, but because pets do not possess significant amounts of lactase—the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk—milk and other milk-based products can cause them diarrhea or other digestive upset.
Chicken Bones
Feeding your pet raw bones may seem like a natural option, but chicken bones splinter easily and can cause choking or may become lodged in your pet’s digestive tract.
Potato Chips
Who doesn’t like to crunch? While one or two plain chips may not pose a threat, large amounts of salt can produce excessive thirst and urination or even sodium ion poisoning in pets. Signs that your pet may have eaten too many chips include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures and even death. In other words, keep those salty snacks to yourself!
Lemonade
A little sweet, a little tart—and a lot hazardous! Citrus plants contain citric acid, limonin and oils that can cause irritation, and possibly even central nervous system depression, if ingested in significant amounts. Clinical signs of central nervous system depression include vomiting, diarrhea, depression and potential photosensitivity.
Piña Colada
We know they’re tasty, but any beveragecontaining alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death in our animals. So please, keep you summer cocktails out of your pet’s reach.
Interested in more food hazards? Please visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

All content in this blog post is from the ASPCA blog. 

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Posted by Unknown

Heartworms in cats??

2:07 PM | Labels: , ,

Did you know that cats (even indoor cats) can get heartworms?? The clinical signs of heartworm disease in cats is not like those in dogs. The Georgia Veterinary Medical Association has listed the following as signs that your cat may have heartworms. 


1. May be vague malaise. 
2. Respiratory- intermittent coughing, increased breathing effort. Often misdiagnosed as asthma or bronchitis.
3. Systolic heart murmur.
4. Intermittent vomiting unrelated to eating.
5. Seizures.
6. Sudden death.


Remember- it only takes the bite of one infected mosquito to transmit heartworm disease. Protect your cat! Ask your veterinarian today. :)


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Posted by Unknown

Breeds: Bulldogs!!

10:09 AM | Labels: ,


If you are a University of Georgia fan you instantly recognize this face. It's UGA, the university's mascot. UGA is a white English Bulldog but they can also be brindle, red, fawn, fallow or piebald. Bulldogs are known for their loose-jointed, shuffling gait and massive, short-faced head. The Bulldog is a medium-sized dog and is one of the most popular breeds according to AKC registration stats. They have a lovable and gentle disposition making them a great family pet. The Bulldog is very gentle and protective forming strong bonds with children. The breed requires minimal grooming and exercise. Their short nose makes them prone to overheating in warm weather so make sure to provide a shady place to rest. 


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Posted by Unknown

The dog days of summer

11:18 AM | Labels:


Can you feel the heat? For humans it is easy to enjoy the summer and keep comfortable. But what about our furry friends? The ASPCA has published their six most important pet-safe summer tips to keep our furry pals safe during these hot months:


  • Give your pet access to plenty of fresh water at all times. Even the healthiest pets can suffer from dehydration, heat stroke and sunburn if overexposed to the heat.
  • Avoid lathering your pet with any insect repellent or sunscreen not intended for the four-legged kind.
  • Keep your pet away from matches, citronella candles and lighter fluid, which if eaten can irritate the stomach, lungs and central nervous system
  • Be cool near the pool. Don’t leave pets unsupervised around a pool, lake or high waters-not all dogs are expert swimmers!
  • Never leave your dog, cat or any other animal friend alone in a car! The inside of a car can heat up very quickly-even with a window open.
  • Be prepared! From tornadoes to floods, we’ve seen the devastation severe weather has brought to pets and their families these past few weeks. Develop an evacuation plan well ahead of time in case you’re forced from your home in an emergency.

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Our first post!!

9:31 AM | Labels:


Welcome to Animal General Hospital's blog! We are a full service veterinary hospital located in Columbus, GA that primarily serves dogs and cats, with some services for exotic and pocket pets.


Our veterinary medical practice was established to provide the highest quality veterinary diagnostic, surgical and medical treatment available. We offer a full range of diagnostic services with in-house laboratory services, ultrasound and radiology.

We work hard to provide the very best surgical and medical care for your pets and provide you with a wealth of information and progress reports to better understand your pets' needs.

We will use this blog to keep you up to date on the policies and procedures of our hospital. We will also have fun and informative features such as our pet of the month, doctor/employee bios and any recall product information. We hope you will enjoy our blog, but please keep in mind that this is not an alternative to doctor care. If you pet is sick or injured please call us at 706-568-4848 to schedule an appointment.

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