Posts in Category: Dog and Puppy Care

Vaccines are pretty amazing things. From the time that Jenner developed the smallpox vaccine until now, we have made some incredible leaps. It is particularly wonderful to see how we can utilize vaccinations in animals to prevent disease in humans. 

When it comes to vaccinations for cats and dogs, Brownswitch Pet Hospital takes an individual approach. There are many vaccines,however, that we consider essential. One often forgotten, yet very important, vaccine is leptospirosis. Read on to learn what this disease is and why your pet should be protected from it.

Hip dysplasia in dogs is a frequently diagnosed problem, and is one pet owners should be aware of. Keep reading to learn what you need to know about hip problems in dogs.

Has your dog ever acted aggressively toward people, other pets, or even his toys? Aggression in dogs is a behavioral problem that should be taken very seriously to prevent injuries to people and other animals, and our team at Brownswitch Pet Hospital can help.

Don’t wait until your dog bites someone to seek help for aggression. Contact us right away if you think your dog is displaying signs of aggression so we can rule out medical problems that could be causing your dog discomfort or pain, which can trigger aggression.

Easter will be here before we know it, and while you’re preparing for family gatherings, decorating the house, and shopping for Easter basket goodies, the team at Brownswitch Pet Hospital wants to remind you to keep the safety of your pets in mind.

If your terrier or tabby could talk, he would tell you that properly socialized pets are happier, more well-adjusted animals! Plus, you’ll rest easier knowing your pet is better equipped to adapt to new people, places, and other pets. 

If you’re wondering how to socialize a dog or how to socialize a cat, our team at Brownswitch Pet Hospital has some tips to get you started. But before blending furry friends in a social gathering, make sure your pet is up to date on vaccinations and parasite prevention.

This question is sometimes asked, “Why do puppies need vaccinations?” The answer to that question is that newborn puppies receive protective antibodies from their mothers while they are in the womb and after they nurse their mother in the first few days after birth.  These protective antibodies start wearing off around 6 weeks of age. 

Between 6 and 8 weeks of age is when we will start vaccinating these animals so that they can slowly build up immunity to these deadly infections, such as Parvovirus and Distemper virus.  These vaccines will be given every 3 to 4 weeks until the puppies are 16 weeks old.  At that time the majority of dogs will be protected in case they are exposed to any of these viruses.  That is why we recommend that owners keep the puppies close to the house and yard until this immunity is achieved. Taking young puppies to the dog park or to areas where other dogs have been is not a great idea until after the last vaccinations.