Hi dog owners,I stumbled across this great video by Dr. Andy Roark about the “5 Facts About Joint Supplements.” Especially pay attention to number five, that’s one that even as a Certified Veterinary Technician, I did not even know about! It’s also a good reminder that Glucosamine can even be started at a young age. Take a look, and enjoy the “The Cone of Shame.” Crystal Sharp, CVT
Your Horse and Fireworks: Reducing Stress Fear, Anxiety, and Stress (FAS) is experienced by all species, and horse owners know this instinctively. Loud, sudden noises that fireworks create can make your horse feel afraid. One study showed that up to 80% of horses are afraid of fireworks. A horse’s primary response to fear is to run away – and during the 4th of July Holiday celebrations this running response can lead to problems. Horses are large and move quickly, which leads to a lot of force and impact injuries. Every year our veterinarians treat horses injured by fences or pasture […]
COVID-19 and Horses If you’ve been to Hardaway Veterinary Hospital in the past couple of weeks, you may have noticed a few changes in how we interact with you and your pet. We are doing everything we can to help keep our team, our clients, and our pets healthy! Let’s talk about COVID-19 and horses; we have a few resources to share with you. Being with horses means being outside, and makes it straightforward to follow the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations to stay at least 6 feet from other people. The reason for this distance is that the […]
National Horse Protection Day March 1st is National Horse Protection Day. This National Day was established in 2005, and serves to highlight the 150,000 estimated “unwanted” horses in the United States. Here is a link to the official day’s website. Despite horses’ rich history in the United States, and their contributions to the success of our culture, many go unwanted, abused or neglected. National Horse Protection Day is about addressing those issues. What is an “Unwanted Horse”? In 2005, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) formulated a definition for an “Unwanted Horse.” This definition includes any horse that an […]
February is International Hoof Care Month! I think it’s a good time to remind everyone that we should be seeing our farrier all year. If your horse is still doing his job through the colder months – in the fall for hunters, or through the winter skijoring season, ( Figure 1 ) the activity and the fact that he is wearing shoes will mean that you will need to keep up with a regular shoeing cycle. The typical recommendation is about six weeks, though some special-needs horses may need attention every four weeks. Horses tend to grow less foot in […]
I’m sure that you all have noticed that our ‘normal’ Montana winter weather has been anything but that. Where is January at?! It’s been much warmer than usual, and we’ve had more rain than snow. Since there is more moisture during this time of year, it is creating the perfect environment for ‘kennel cough’ (Bordetella) to survive in the environment longer and become more prevalent than normal. This is one reason why it is more common to have outbreaks in the Spring and Fall months. Bordetella is spread via airborne transmission (cough or sneeze), and by direct dog/dog contact and […]
We are proud to now offer Class IV Laser Therapy as a treatment option! Laser therapy provides a non-invasive, pain-free, nonsurgical and medication-free treatment that is used for a variety of conditions. Laser therapy can be performed in conjunction with existing treatment protocols and medications. Relief from discomfort and/or motor improvement is often noticed within minutes to hours depending on the condition and your pet’s response. Whether your pet is rehabilitating from trauma or injury, or simply aging, your companion can benefit from this innovative approach to treating pain and promoting healing. Watch Companion Animal Health‘s client video below! […]
To all of our friends and clients of Hardaway Veterinary Hospital, We have always taken pride in excellent patient care provided by our doctors and other wonderful team members. We are announcing that Dr. Tami Parrott will be leaving our regular rotation as of October 6th 2017 in order to focus on teaching at Montana State University and chiropractic work. Although not part of our ongoing staff, Dr. Parrott has graciously offered to assist us when she has availability. Although we will miss Dr. Parrott, we know she is close by and still involved in the education and training field […]
Update About The Canine Upper Respiratory Infection September 1, 2017 This past Wednesday evening, Merck Animal Health put on an informational update for the Gallatin Valley veterinary professionals about the ‘Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex’ and the role that it plays with the current canine upper respiratory concern. Merck and other big vaccine companies have been working closely with the top animal diagnostic laboratories in the country (Idexx and Cornell) to figure out the root cause of the issue. Thursday, it was confirmed by Cornell, that there has been a confirmed dog with H3N2 strain of canine influenza in our […]
MDOL still investigating cause of canine respiratory outbreak, does not believe it is influenza We have received many phone calls with questions regarding the current canine upper respiratory outbreak in the Gallatin Valley. To better serve our clientele, we would like to provide some educational information and the latest update from the Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL). Should I be concerned about where I can take my dog? We are taking every precautionary measure to ensure that our hospital stays clean and sanitary to minimize the risk of transferring infectious diseases as are many of the other veterinary clinics in […]
Heartworms in Gallatin County… Can you believe Spring is almost over? Where has the time gone?! That being said, it’s time to start thinking about heartworm prevention, but you may be asking yourself, “Is it really a problem to be concerned with in our area?” The answer is yes! Let’s first start with some fun and interesting facts about heartworms: 1. Heartworms live for a long time Did you know that it takes about six months for the larvae to fully mature? The test that we carry is called an antigen test, which only detects adult heartworms. 2. Cats can get […]
Did you hear what the Groundhog predicted this year? He saw his shadow, and we all know what that means. We are in for more of this winter weather! While you are out there playing around in that white fluffy snow, here are some tips to keep your furry companion at optimal level to enjoy it with you! 1. Trim Hair Between Pads Long hair between the toes of your dog’s feet can collect snow and salt on walks around the neighborhood or hikes up in the hills. Be sure to keep that long hair trimmed short by bringing your […]
Can you believe that it’s Fall already?! Are you are savoring the last nice day by hitting the mountains with your horse before the snow is too deep? Or maybe getting ready to ride indoors for the winter? One important item is having your veterinarian check to see if your horse needs dental care. Even if your horse looks in great condition, he or she may still need teeth floated. Dental care should be a priority in maintaining the health and well-being of your horse. Just because a horse does not appear to you to have a dental issue, this […]
Have any of you heard about Fear Free? Perhaps you read something briefly about it in an e-mail that we sent out. Maybe you were in recently for an exam with your pet and it was mentioned by one of our veterinarians or veterinary technicians. If you haven’t heard about it, we are bursting at the seams to tell you about it! Fear Free was developed by Dr. Marty Becker. He has been working with a team of leading board certified veterinary experts for about the last six years creating what the veterinary community is now calling, “The Fear Free […]
We are pleased to announce the addition of veterinary chiropractic services to our practice! Dr. Tami Parrott has completed 210 hours of postgraduate training in animal chiropractic at the Options for Animals program in Wellsville, Kansas. This training has included extensive lecture and practical hands-on training in the chiropractic care of horses and dogs. In addition, Dr. Parrott has successfully completed rigorous practical and clinical competency exams, thus earning certification in Veterinary Chiropractic by the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association (IVCA). Please call the clinic to talk with Dr. Parrott regarding the benefits of chiropractic care for your dog or horse!
During national dental health month, we run an annual discount of 10% off anything associated with the dental procedure. The only exclusion is pre-anesthetic blood work. This year, we have teamed up with Hill’s to offer you another perk. If your pet has a dental cleaning performed during the month of February, then you are eligible for a free 5 lb. bag of Hill’s Prescription dental diet T/D! To redeem this coupon, you will need to download it from the link below and present it at the time of the admission or discharge of your pet. A visual on a smart device will be accepted. […]
As the outdoor riding season is coming to an end, let’s talk about horses teeth! We all know how important it is to have our teeth cleaned and checked by a Dentist every 6 months. What you may not know is how important it is for your animals too. Think of horses teeth being similar to that of a rodent or rabbit. They continue to erupt throughout their life and are worn down by grazing. “Horses with more concentrate feeds in their diet will develop sharp points faster than horses eating grass only.” Grain supplements is an example of the most […]
Hello all you horse owners, Let’s talk about how your saddle fits onto your horse and some of the problems you can catch early or avoid completely on your own. Personally, I want to make sure my lady is comfortable before we go out for a ride this season, and that I will stay on her of course… *wink* Since there is quite a bit to discuss, I’ll break this down into two different posts. You’ll see more about this in the blog next week. This week, we’ll focus on skin issues that can affect your saddle fit. It’s always […]
Did you know that September is a month dedicated solely to keeping our feline patients happy and healthy! It’s called “Happy Healthy Cat Month.” There is an entire web council devoted to such a celebration called Catalyst Council, you can check that out too. We will be supporting this great cause by sending goodies home for all our feline patients that come in for the month of September! Let’s also touch on ways to keep your cat happy. Below is a list of 10 ways to make your feline companion more content. You’ll find more information about what you can do to keep […]
It’s a well-known fact that cats and dogs do not like having their feet touched. As you can imagine, this can make trimming the nails of your cat, dog, or other small animal extra challenging. When to start clipping and trimming your pet’s nails When pets are less than a year of age is the optimal time to start handling their feet. Getting them used to the sensation without any negative repercussions is invaluable. Step by step instruction on how to cut your pet’s nails The quotes in the list above are snippets from this great article on the ASPCA website. […]
Last time here on the blog, we discussed skin issues associated with saddle fit. This time, let’s touch more on things specific to saddle fit. A large portion of the time your horse will feel the discomfort of a poor saddle design or fit before you feel or see them. This is why it is important to inspect all your tack before saddling up. It’s like driving a car. One visually glances at the tires and checks the gas gauge before driving. Let’s check out the seven common faults found in English saddles: A twisted tree. Twisted saddles do not […]
Hi dog owners,I stumbled across this great video by Dr. Andy Roark about the “5 Facts About Joint Supplements.” Especially pay attention to number five, that’s one that even as a Certified Veterinary Technician, I did not even know about! It’s also a good reminder that Glucosamine can even be started at a young age. Take a look, and enjoy the “The Cone of Shame.” Crystal Sharp, CVT
TPLO, also known as Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy, is a surgical procedure in which the head of the tibia is surgically altered and plated to create a new joint angle. A new angle is created in the stifle to prevent the femur from sliding off of the tibia. Understanding TPLO Dogs require the TPLO surgery due to cruciate ligament injuries; hands down the most common orthopedic injuries in dogs today. There are several factors why this is an unfortunate reality for many dogs. Especially dogs here in Montana where we have so many activities people and their dogs enjoy together. […]
Along with our skilled associate veterinarian surgeons, our existing clients and clients from around the country have come to depend on the advanced orthopedic skills of Dr. Gordon Hardaway. Dr. Hardaway is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Montana Veterinary Medical Association and was the driving force behind the establishment of the first emergency hospital for animals in the Gallatin Valley (PETS). A graduate of the University of Florida Veterinary Medical School, Dr. Hardaway has been a leading the push towards advanced orthopedic procedures in the Gallatin Valley, receiving advance training on many of the procedures he […]