What is AAHA? AAHA is the American Animal Hospital Association which is an organization that inspects companion animal veterinary clinics and awards accreditation to those that pass the inspection. AAHA veterinary practices are evaluated on over 900 different standards of care! Did you know that veterinary practices are NOT required to be inspected?? At [...]
With the 4th of July quickly approaching, many dog parents are dreading the loud fireworks that accompany the holiday’s celebration. Some dogs experience intense anxiety symptoms at the sound of a loud noise such as fireworks or thunderstorms. Dogs that have a noise anxiety or phobia can be seen trembling, pacing, whining, barking, hiding, or [...]
Did you know that when it comes to pet health care, inspection of veterinary hospitals by the American Animal Hospital Association is VOLUNTARY and not mandatory like human medical facilities? In fact, only about 12% of veterinary clinics are accredited, and Country Hills Pet Hospital is one of them! In 2016, Country Hills Pet Hospital [...]
What are "allergies"? An allergy is when the body's immune system overreacts to a particular substance (this substance is called an allergen). This is the same process that occurs in humans with "hay fever", though it more commonly affects the skin of dogs rather than the respiratory system. Allergic dogs can have itchy skin (pruritus), [...]
What is heartworm disease? Heartworms are a type of parasite that live within the large blood vessels of the heart that supply the lungs. Heartworm disease occurs when adult heartworms cause inflammation and blockages in those vessels. This can lead to stress on the heart and lungs, causing signs such as coughing, exercise intolerance, difficulty [...]
GETTING YOUR CAT TO THE VET Bringing your cat to the veterinary clinic can be quite a stressful experience for you and your cat. We want to give you the tools and knowledge to be able to safely and calmly transport your cat to the clinic for those important yearly checkups or if you need [...]