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You may be over the river and through the woods this holiday season, but if you have a pet who is sick, immunocompromised, affected by cancer, or otherwise not well it can make things a little more complicated. The Pet Experts at Naperville Animal Hospital have you covered, though, with our tips for traveling with a sick pet.

Things to Consider When Traveling with a Sick Pet

It can be stressful enough taking a pet on a trip. You need to remember all the associated supplies, plan your pit stops, and be sure that you have everything that you might need along the way.

When traveling with sick pet, however, the ante is upped considerably. It is important to consider a few factors when planning the trip:

It’s no secret that children are naturally drawn to animals. As depicted in thousands of beloved children’s books, cartoons, and movies, the family pet often serves as confidant, playmate, and best friend to the youngest members of the household.

That’s why it should come as no surprise that animals help kids with disabilities in countless ways. At Naperville Animal Hospital, the pet experts are constantly in awe of this special relationship, and we’d love to share more about this amazing bond.

Celebrating milestones and special events is one of the best parts of life, and including our four-legged family members in the fun just makes sense. Sure, while inviting your pet to join in a human celebration is one thing, throwing them their very own party is even better. Pet birthday parties are all the rage, and The Pet Experts couldn’t be more excited to share our ideas for a fun, safe, bark-tastic celebration!

Location, Location, Location

Choosing the right venue is essential to the success of your pet birthday party. A fenced in yard or living room may be appropriate, or you could choose one of the many pet-friendly rental spaces available in our area. Depending on the amount of people and pets on your guest list, some dog-friendly restaurants/pubs may also be willing to make special arrangements for your event.

Did you know that October 14-20 is annual Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week? At Naperville Animal Hospital, we celebrate our beloved veterinary technicians every day, but the third week in October is a great opportunity for us to officially recognize the vital role they play at our practice.

Whether you interact with our technicians during your pet’s annual wellness visit, during an emergency, or on a regular basis due to a chronic health condition, you’ve witnessed these amazing professionals in action. Keep reading to learn more about veterinary technicians and how they support the health and well being of our patients.

While you can never predict what’s going to happen, it’s likely your pet will require life-saving veterinary or emergency care at some point in their life. What if The Pet Experts told you there was a way to protect your pet’s future through a simple and effective investment? Purchasing pet insurance can be an excellent way to protect against unexpected veterinary costs, but choosing the best option isn’t always easy. Let the team at Naperville Veterinary Hospital lend a helping hand!

Projections

You want your pet to live the longest, healthiest life possible, right? Well, just like people, pets face health problems related to age, weight, contagious diseases, and sudden accidents. Knowing the most about their health can help support longevity, but more often than not, pets require emergency care due to unforeseen circumstances. Continue…

If you’re like many Americans, you probably have at least some semblance of a plan in the event of a natural disaster or evacuation; perhaps you’ve stashed some extra food and water in the basement or have a first aid kit in your car. Whatever the case, it’s important to remember the needs of your pet, as well. Disaster preparedness for pets is critical to their safety and well being. If you’re wondering where to start, you’re in luck! The Pet Experts are here to help.

Disaster Preparedness for Pets

Having the necessary items on hand is essential to disaster preparedness for pets. Check the following items off your list:
(and make sure they’re stored in an easily accessible location!) Continue…

Our pets may not need to smile for the camera, but they still require dental care to keep them healthy and happy. Studies show that by the time they are 4 years of age, 85% of pets have some form of dental disease. And what starts as bad breath and a little tartar can quickly progress to more serious problems such as tooth loss, bacterial infection, and internal organ damage.

But many of us don’t regularly look inside our pet’s mouths. And so how to tell if our pet has a problem? We’ll look at the 5 warning signs of dental disease in pets and give you some tips on what to look for.

Dental Disease in Pets

First, what is dental disease? Periodontal disease is defined as the progressive inflammation of the supporting structures that surround the teeth. Here’s how it happens: Continue…

For most pets, the summer is an absolutely wonderful, happy, fun-filled time. It’s so satisfying, in fact, that when it’s over and the kids go back to school, a surreal, confusing reality can set in. To be sure, pet anxiety can be the direct and natural result of an abrupt shift at home, but it doesn’t have to overwhelm the household. Instead, with a few tips from the Pet Experts you can do your part to help your pet continue to feel part of the pack.

Bored? Restless? You Bet.

The family pet may be dreading what the meaning is behind the new shoes, gear, and supplies starting to creep in. They might not know the details of what’s to come, but they’re pretty sure they’re not going to like it. Continue…

According to the American Humane Association, 1 in 3 pets will become lost at some point in their life. Furthermore, studies show that without proper identification, 90% of those lost will never return home.

Fortunately, microchipping your pet is one of the best ways to ensure a happy reunion should your pet become lost. Let The Pet Experts at Naperville Animal Hospital review the basics of this important safeguard.

What is a Microchip? How Does it Work?

A microchip is a tiny device that’s placed under your pet’s skin during their annual preventive care exam. The microchip stores a unique ID number that can be used to contact you should your pet go missing. Continue…

If you’re reading this blog, chances are pretty good that you’re an animal lover. Most of us are deeply saddened by the plight of homeless, abandoned, and abused animals, and it can seem like an insurmountable and overwhelming issue to tackle. After all, how could one person possibly make a difference in such an enormous problem?

Fostering a shelter pet is one of the most effective ways to make a dent in the serious issue of marginalized pets. By simply opening up your home to a foster pet, you are not only saving that pet’s life (and experiencing the warm fuzzies and fun of having a new pet in your home), you are freeing up valuable space in a shelter for another animal in need. The stability and love of a temporary home also allows the pet’s true personality to shine and gives them the chance to interact with other people and pets, all of which increases their likelihood of being adopted. Continue…