Ajo Veterinary Clinic

Rattlesnakes and Toads

Porter — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:53:41 +0000

Dogs, with their curious natures and predatory instincts, often thrust themselves headlong into danger. This is particularly true in their encounters with the rattlesnakes and toads that copiously fill our desert landscape each summer. Whether the dog is looking to attack or just being playful, it’s a risky rendezvous. Here’s what you need to know to protect your pets from rattlesnakes and toads.

Rattlesnakes. Rattlesnake season in Tucson starts around May and peaks in July and August, when many babies are hatched. Though their rattle is not developed enough to send a warning, their bite is still poisonous. With snake bites, the best medicine is prevention: consider walking your dog on a leash, and avoid areas that . . . → Read More: Rattlesnakes and Toads

Animals Develop Arthritis? Did You Know Physical Therapy at Our Tucson Vet Clinic Can Help?

Porter — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 04:32:56 +0000

Does the sight of a lethargic dog who hurts too much to move, make you cringe? Animals often experience the painful effects of arthritis just like humans; many times, however, the only solutions offered to them are pain medication and ultimately euthanasia. Audrey Christensen, DVM, a Tucson veterinarian at Ajo Veterinary Clinic, has a heart to change that: “I don’t think a dog has to be on his way out just because he’s arthritic,” she laments. “There’s so much more we can do.”

This passion to “do more” for hurting animals—whether they suffer from arthritis or other medical conditions—led Christensen to pursue certification in physical therapy. As a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, she is already practicing all aspects of . . . → Read More: Animals Develop Arthritis? Did You Know Physical Therapy at Our Tucson Vet Clinic Can Help?

February is Pet Dental Month

Porter — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 22:24:31 +0000

Give your pet something to smile about!

When was the last time you really looked at your pet’s teeth? Dogs and cats have teeth similar to ours; adult dogs have 42 and cats 30. They can break, become infected and abscessed or develop periodontal (gum) diseases just like we can.

Did you know that dental disease is the second most common disease in dogs and Cats? It comes right after obesity. Most dogs and cats have some degree of dental disease by age 3.

Another thing to know is that because cats and dogs are so good at hiding tooth pain many owners are unaware of problems until they smell them. Therefore, it . . . → Read More: February is Pet Dental Month

She Gives HOPE for Stranded Animals in Tucson

Porter — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 17:30:43 +0000

Susan Scherl, Executive Director of HOPE Animal Shelter says, “Sometimes things you yearn for don’t seem possible. As a child, I wanted a pet with all my heart but it was not allowed.”

As the story goes, at 12 years old Susan found a barn kitten at a riding stable and snuck it home under her sweater. At first her mother refused to let her in the apartment with the dark haired fur ball, but finally relented. She said, “We will let your dad decide when he gets home. But you will have to keep it in the bathroom until then.” Susan spent the rest of the day on the floor with the kitten, sleeping in her lap. That evening her father said, “I’m sorry sweetie, we . . . → Read More: She Gives HOPE for Stranded Animals in Tucson

Dog Care: Dental Care For Dogs

Porter — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:42:04 +0000

Dogs and cats have teeth and gums just as we do and many of the same problems. Dogs rarely get cavities from tooth decay the way we do, but they very frequently chip and even fracture their teeth. . . . → Read More: Dog Care: Dental Care For Dogs

Who is Looking After the Furry Kids?

Porter — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 19:34:04 +0000

Are you thinking of taking a vacation and wondering who you will get to care for your furry friends. There’s always the neighbor kids, a friend, your ex, or a real pet sitter. Pet sitting has become a profession with an amazing array of services to choose from.

Furry Kid Lounging Around

The professional pet sitter no longer stops by and feeds your pets and gives them a pat on the head and perhaps spends some time walking them or just watching TV with them.

Now the services available range from the basics, feeding, walking them, poop patrol and playing with them, to spending the night, watering plants, taking in the mail and in general taking care of . . . → Read More: Who is Looking After the Furry Kids?

Animal Hospital mascot

Porter — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:15:59 +0000

Animal Hospital mascot

Grey Ghost, guardian of our Practice.

If you visit us, even if you are a regular visitor, you may never see the elusive Grey Ghost. She is a Russian Blue that came to us as a kitten and was placed in the home of a client. She was a shy cat who hid a lot but after several months she “ bounced back”. That was almost 10 years ago. Like many Tucson veterinary hospitals, we now had a resident mascot. She has made her home the non-public part of the animal hospital were she has free roam, two cat boxes and many places to hide when things are busy. She has an unfailing inner clock that tells her when it is 5 PM on weekdays and 1 PM on Saturday. Time for us to leave . . . → Read More: Animal Hospital mascot

My own Chihuahua

Porter — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 17:47:15 +0000

I’m generally a “big dog” person, shepherds, greyhounds, dobies, mutts, forty pounds plus. Somehow the one dog you think you would never have can sneak into your life when you least expect it. Mine was Fea, an antique Chihuahua, blind in one eye, with a crooked nose and a terrible temper. She loved who she loved and had no patience with anyone else.

I was on my way home from work one evening at dusk, about 5:PM. I was going north on 6th Ave just in front of Santa Cruz church, when I saw a small creature walking down the middle of the street, oblivious to traffic. When I got close I realized it was a very small dog, walking with its head down.

I stopped the car, stopped traffic and went to get the dog. She was . . . → Read More: My own Chihuahua

Urban Dangers II Javelina

Porter — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 15:32:53 +0000

Urban Dangers II Javelina

Life in Tucson comes with some strange bragging rights. I have foothill friends who occasionally count deer and cougar among the early morning joggers. To the west and the saguaro national parks, the scattered homes are subject to a wide variety of desert wild life. During our dry spells deer and bobcats migrate closer to civilization in search of water. Of course the coyotes are already at home there. These residences are frequently subject to Javelina invasions. Small efficient earth trenching creatures that can wipe out a garden or a carefully planned landscape before the sun rises over the mountains. Javelina are one of the more dangerous animals, even to large dogs. Javelina can’t outrun dogs and are more apt to turn . . . → Read More: Urban Dangers II Javelina

Happy tails of Molly Mendelson

Porter — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:03:32 +0000

This is the happy tail of Molly Mendelson; Molly who has dutifully walked her owner daily for the past 9 years came in for her annual exam. She was her usual happy self and was doing her usual daily routine; the only change was her owner thought she had gained a few pounds. The scale thought she had lost a few pounds.

The examination discovered a very large firm mass in her abdomen; every one was amazed when the x-rays showed this trim 50-pound dog had a mass the size of a soccer ball and had never missed a meal or a walk.

It was hard to decide what could have gotten that large with out slowing her down. Most of her organs were pushed out of the . . . → Read More: Happy tails of Molly Mendelson