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The importance of trimming dogs’ toenails

The importance of the canine nail trim cannot be understated. At Astoria Animal Hospital we counsel our clients that dogs should have their nails trimmed every 2-4 weeks, to keep them at optimal length. The canine nail adheres very tightly to the last bone of the toe and when the nail is too long [...]

My dog is itching. I think it has allergies. What should I do?

Itching in dogs can be a simple thing or a very complicated condition. In our coastal location, fleas are one of the main sources of itching in dogs. Our hospital hears one statement a lot, which is “my dog doesn’t have fleas.” Well in fact, many dogs do. It is very possible–even likely–that fleas [...]

Is microchipping my dog recommended?

In general yes, microchipping is a great idea. At Astoria Animal Hospital we routinely scan animals for microchips as part of the check in process. We scan all dogs and cats even if the owner reports that the animal doesn’t have one, as we have found animals that have microchips that the owner doesn’t [...]

What is rabies, and why is vaccination important?

Rabies is a viral disease caused by the rabies virus. This disease is a serious problem in many parts of the world, including the USA. Humans and wildlife are infected by the bite of rabid animals and most often this disease leads to death. This article is intended to be an overview of this [...]

What do I need to know about my aging dog?

Well yes, older dogs (and cats) are like older people—their healthcare requirements go up. Among other things, older dogs require more frequent visits to the veterinarian. This article is written for dog owners, but in many ways the needs of cats are similar though the problems may be different. The age groupings of dogs [...]

What is sugar diabetes and how is it treated in dogs?

Diabetes mellitus is the official name of the disease and it is considered a disease of the pancreas where the cells either can’t produce insulin or the body can’t use the insulin that is produced.  The very basic concept of this disease is very simple, but the control and regulation is often complex and [...]

Are there hazards that are summer-specific for dogs

Yes in fact there are, simply due to their humans’ lifestyle changes during nicer and warmer weather. If you spend some time and think of the activities that you do I’ll bet you can think of some that are not on my list. But reflecting back on the emergencies I have seen and been [...]