Dog Care
Dog Cancer
Much more than a companion, your dog is a member of your family. We feel the same about our own pets and understand how distressing the thought of your dog having cancer can be. The good news is that Animal Health Center, Opelika, Auburn, is here to help guide you through the process of assisting and treating your dog as he or she battles this terrible disease.
As alarming as it is, the statistics show that approximately one-fourth to one-third of all dogs will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime. Below are some signs that your dog might have cancer. However, keep in mind that these can also be symptoms of other diseases.
- Abnormal swelling or mass
- A wound that won’t heal
- Loss of weight
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty eating or swallowing
- Lethargy
- Lack of desire to exercise or play
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty passing urine or feces
- Bleeding or discharge from a body orifice such as the mouth, rectum, or vulva
- Offensive odor
- Unusual and persistent lameness or stiffness
If your dog is exhibiting any of these signs, please contact us (334-745-0060) as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. As with all diseases, the earlier they can be identified and treated, the better your dog’s possibility of recovering to live a healthy life.
At Animal Health Center, Opelika, Auburn, we will help you understand the cause of these symptoms and find your dog the best possible treatment. There are endless options to help you and your dog beat this dreadful disease.
Cancer Treatment
The most common treatments for cancer are:
- Surgery to remove the mass
- Radiation, which uses powerful x-rays to destroy cancer cells
- Chemotherapy drugs that will kill the cancer
Although no one wants to hear the word cancer, there is hope. There are many diverse options to help your dog recover and keep him or her as comfortable as possible.
Contact Animal Health Center, Opelika, Auburn, today (334-745-0060) if you suspect your dog might have cancer or if your dog is displaying any of the above symptoms. We will help you get your dog back to living a happy and healthy life.
Dog Care
Dog Cardiology
Cardiology is the branch of medicine that treats diseases associated with your dog’s cardiovascular system. The cardiovascular system includes your dog’s heart and blood vessels. Dog cardiology includes diagnosing problems such as:
- Congestive heart failure
- Valvular disorders
- Dilated and other forms of cardiomyopathy
- Hypertension
Symptoms of Canine Heart Problems
- Weakness
- Fast breathing when asleep – a dog’s sleeping respiratory rate should never be above 30 breaths in a minute when they are asleep
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Collapsing
- Exercise intolerance
- Fainting spells
- Coughing
- Elevated heart rate
What If My Dog Has a Problem with His or Her Heart?
As with other procedures and treatments, many of the diagnostic tools and treatment options used to help human heart patients are also available to your dog.
An example would be to use cutting-edge diagnostics to determine whether your dog has a heart problem. If so, we will assess the severity of your dog’s heart condition and, depending on your dog’s particular issue, provide treatment by a board-certified veterinary cardiologist, if needed. In addition, there are various medications we can prescribe to assist your dog with his or her heart problem.
Contact Animal Health Center, Opelika, Auburn, today (334-745-0060) if your dog is exhibiting any of the above symptoms. We will diagnose your dog and provide the best solution for any existing heart conditions.
Dog Dental
Are you concerned about problems with your dog’s dental health? Does your dog have an oral injury or other problem such as:
- a broken tooth
- damage to the jaw
- an unusual growth
- severe bad breath
If so, Animal Health Center, Opelika, Auburn, is prepared to evaluate your dog’s dentistry problem and provide the right solution. We specialize in dental and oral surgical treatments for dogs, including the following:
- Ultrasonic scaling and polishing
- Complete dental examination, probing, and charting
- Dental x-rays
- Dental extractions
- Dental sealant application
- Referral to a board-certified veterinary dentist for more complicated problems
Animal Health Center, Opelika, Auburn, provides optimal healthcare for your dog, offering the best options for treating your dog’s dental problems. Call us at 334-745-0060 today for solutions to your dog’s dental concerns.
Teeth Brushing
According to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), 80 percent of dogs show signs of oral disease by age three. That’s four out of every five dogs! Brushing your dog’s teeth daily or several times a week can help prevent gum disease and other dental problems from emerging. Brushing your dog’s teeth will help:
- Control plaque and tartar
- Prevent gum disease
- Control bacteria and improve gum health
- Freshen your dog’s breath
If your dog does not tolerate teeth brushing at first, follow these steps to help your dog become acclimated to having its teeth cleaned:
- Introduce your dog to doggie toothpaste. NEVERuse human toothpaste, as this can be toxic to your dog if they ingest too much and can also cause a dramatic case of diarrhea. Squeeze out a small amount of doggie toothpaste on your finger and let your dog have a taste.
- Once they are familiar with the taste of the toothpaste, use your finger as a brush and brush their teeth with just your finger and the toothpaste.
- After they have allowed you to brush with your finger, you can attempt toothbrushing while using a small amount of water.
- Eventually, your dog will become accustomed to a brushing routine, and you can brush their teeth regularly.
If your dog has severe dental disease and a lot of tartar on their teeth, you will need to have them professionally cleaned. We will use dental instruments your dentist uses to clean and polish your teeth.
Questions about your dog’s dental health? Need to set up an appointment to have your dog’s teeth checked? Call Animal Health Center, Opelika, Auburn today at 334-745-0060 to schedule a time for us to check your dog for any dental problems or diseases.