Compassion Fatigue in Veterinary Medicine
Those of us the in the veterinary industry are usually here because we love animals. As far as career choices go, there are many that offer better pay and hours, and far less physical labor and potentially risky situations. Any veterinary technician headed home at the end of a shift, with dog drool in her hair and cat fur on her scrubs, will tell you that she’s not in the job for the glamour.
While we share an undying love for our pet patients, working in a veterinary hospital can be an emotionally demanding career. Not every day is filled with successful treatment and happy endings. Sometimes caring too much can hurt, and compassion fatigue in veterinary medicine is a very real problem we deal with on a day to day basis.
Dog Training Tips Straight from the Pros
January is National Dog Training Month, and we couldn’t be more excited here at Billings Animal Family Hospital! We believe that obedience training is about so much more than having a dog who will follow commands (although, that is important too).
When done properly, dog training sets the foundation for a great relationship with your pet and helps to create a happy, well-adjusted dog.
Ring in The New Year with our Top 10 Blogs for 2017
The New Year is almost upon us, and with that comes reflection on the year gone by and – a little excitement and new energy for the year to come. At Billings Animal Family Hospital, we took some time to look back at the blogs we wrote last year, and what interested our online family. We then pulled together the Top 10 Blogs for 2017 that you found the most relevant, informational, and fun. So, without further ado, we are pleased to share them here with you!
Children and Pet Loss: Helping Them Cope
The death of a beloved pet is one of the most difficult paths we walk as humans, and can rock us to the very core. For children the experience can be especially intense, and consideration must be taken to help them understand death and learn how to cope with grief.
Children and pet loss certainly isn’t the most lighthearted subject, but it’s one that many families will face eventually. Your friends at Billings Animal Family Hospital hope that our insights on children and pet loss can help you and your loved ones through this turbulent time.
The Next Best Thing: Taking Care Of Your Pet After You Die
Pets have shorter lifespans than humans, and when we adopt a furry family member, we do so with the realization that we will one day be saying goodbye. But what if we are the ones who end up dying first?
As an animal lover, you make sure your pets have the best in food, shelter, veterinary care, and love. Although it’s not the happiest of topics, making plans for the care of a pet after you die is another critical aspect of responsible pet ownership.
Caring for Exotic Senior Pets
It’s fairly commonplace for dogs and cats to live long enough to earn their senior stripes. But what about exotic senior pets?
With advancements in wellness care, good husbandry, and better-than-ever treatment options, it is no surprise that all species are living longer lives than ever before. Caring for an older exotic pet is a little different than caring for a young one, though.
Do you know your stuff when it comes to caring for exotic senior pets? Billings Animal Family Hospital is here to get you up to speed.
Boating With Your Pet: Keeping Your Fur Friend Safe Around Water
Spending time on the water is one of America’s favorite pastimes during the warm summer months. Boating is a particularly great way to combine a love of outdoor recreation with a love for swimming and floating on a tranquil lake. For pet owners, this often entails bringing a water-loving dog along for some fun in the sun.
Boating with your pet, however, should also include necessary preparations and awareness of safety precautions. Like you would with a child, a pet requires some additional attention and planning to ensure a most incredible day on the water.
All About Stem Cell Therapy for Pets
“Stem cell” is a term that gets thrown around a lot in the media, yet few people really understand what stem cells are and how they are being utilized on a day-to-day basis. Stem cell therapy for pets is certainly on the forefront of modern veterinary medicine, and is just one more way your team at Billings Animal Family Hospital is working to bring the best care to your furry family.
A Stem Cell Primer
So, what on earth are stem cells? While they often get a fancy rap in the media, stem cells are really the most basic cells in our bodies. They are the immature cells that develop into more specialized tissues as they grow.
Memorial Day Weekend Awaits! But is Your Pet Safe?
Memorial Day weekend is just around the corner, and for those champions of the backyard BBQ, nothing can be as exciting as firing up the grill. From ribs and steaks to chilling on the deck with a cold beverage, cookouts are indeed America’s holiday pastime.
However, for those of us with pets, Memorial Day weekend can also smell like trouble. The grill may not seem like a matter of concern, but many burned paws and food toxin emergencies have resulted from the unsupervised curiosity of our furry friends. To keep your pet safe this summer, take a moment to learn about some precautions you can take to ensure a great time for all.
Pot and Pets: What You Need to Know
The state of marijuana legalization in the United States is in flux, and Montana is no exception. Medical cannabis was legalized in Montana in 2004, and a 2016 ballot initiative further loosened the regulations.
While proponents of medical marijuana are obviously pleased with the growing acceptance of the drug, it has had a less than positive impact on many pets. The Pet Poison Hotline reports a 330% increase in marijuana toxicity cases in pets over the past several years, correlating with the rise in legalization across the country.
Educating yourself about pot and pets, including the dangers and how you can prevent an accidental poisoning, is the first step toward making sure your furry loved ones stay safe. Continue…