Compassionate Care & Veterinary Excellence in Charlotte NC

Small dog breeds have a lot going for them. Beyond their extreme cute factor, small dogs enjoy smaller spaces, shorter walks, and less food (and other gear) than their larger relatives. What’s more, small dog breeds pack a lot of personality onto those little paws! While they can definitely be loving and easy-going, small dogs have a reputation for being little terrors. What’s behind small dog aggression, and what can be done to prevent behavioral problems?

Those of us who have male dogs in our homes are often familiar with the infamous red rocket. Normally your dog’s penis is neatly hidden inside his prepuce and only makes an appearance when it is needed. Sometimes, though, a dog’s penis can become stuck out for an abnormally long time. This can become a pet emergency, and Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care wants our pet owners to know how to recognize paraphimosis in dogs and when it is a cause for worry. 

What animal lover hasn’t been mesmerized by YouTube or Insta videos of cats and dogs enjoying each other’s company? It’s the “aww” factor we’d all love to invoke if our household is home to both species. But are those who’ve found social media fame just the lucky few, or is this a balance that anyone with a few helpful pointers can strike?

Cat’s claws help them catch prey, climb, and balance. They also help your cat defend himself against enemy combatants—sometimes real, such as dogs, cats, and other animals—sometimes imagined when your cat is being playful.

When nails are too long, they may curl and cut into your pet’s pads, elevating the risk for infection. Long nails can snag on carpet and fabrics and may tear the nail when your pet tries to free himself. Your cat’s ability to retract its claws can be affected too. Luckily, the team at Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care is here to help cat owners understand when their feline family member’s nails may be too long, and how to help. 

Images of kittens lapping milk from a saucer are just as ubiquitous and inaccurate as pictures of cats playing with balls of yarn. For some reason, these illustrations of feline predilections have persisted into this modern era, but both milk-drinking and yarn-playing should be viewed as the relics they are. We know that cats shouldn’t play with yarn because of the risk of swallowing it. Equally important is the understanding that when cats drink milk, they are likely to face the symptoms of lactose intolerance.

Some dogs tolerate the experience of being bathed and groomed at home, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they get the best result. Without a doubt, it takes a good amount of owner time and energy to personally tackle dog grooming, and then there’s the mess to clean up. Our professional dog groomers know exactly what they’re doing, have all the necessary tools, and complete the job in a timely (and tidy) manner. If time is money, dog grooming is definitely worth the cost. 

All pets need exercise and enrichment for their physical and behavioral well-being. These are the key ingredients to a vibrant, happy life for furry ones, and can help with weight management and preventing diseases like pet diabetes. Whether you’re out and about or stuck indoors, there are always great options for keeping your pet active.

Your friends at Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care are here to give you some of our best tips for indoor and outdoor play. Let’s have some fun!

Is your house feeling a little empty lately? You may be considering adopting a new puppy to keep things exciting (and adorable). If you are, you might not realize that in addition to all the fun a new puppy brings, they are also a lot of work! If you’re wondering just what’s involved, you’ve come to the right place.

Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care is dedicated to helping you give your new puppy a lifetime of good health, so let’s get off to the right start right away!

Cats appear to be tapped into some next-level cosmic enterprise, but it’s equally possible that they’re just chilling out, living in the moment. Why humans project so much depth and mystery onto cats is not fully understood, but it’s a fact that the feline species absolutely captivate us. That being said, there are some relatively creepy cat behaviors that utterly unnerve the uninitiated and we’re here for it.

Cats are meticulous self-groomers. In fact, many of their waking hours are spent tending to the way they look, feel, and smell. That’s why it might surprise some to learn that cats can develop a tell-tale fishy smell. However, owners that frequently deal with anal gland problems in cats are all too familiar with the associated characteristics.