At Prince George's Animal Hospital, our Hyattsville pet care center, we care about the animals that we treat. That is why we want all pet owners to understand the importance of spay and neuter procedures for dogs and cats. In fact, one of the most frequently asked questions we get from animal owners is why should a pet be spayed or neutered?

The simple answer to this question is that the process cuts down on the number of unwanted animals in shelters across the country. If a pet is unable to reproduce offspring, these puppies and kittens will not end up in a bad situation where they might end up euthanized.

Secondly, spaying and neutering is good for the overall health and lifespan of the animal. Statistics have shown that animals that are able to reproduce have a higher chance of developing cancer. In male pets, this is generally testicular cancer; in female pets, breast cancer or uterine cancer. Yes, our pets can develop the same fatal conditions as humans! Why put your beloved companion through all of that when it can be avoided by a simple spay or neuter procedure?

Spay and Neuter - It Is Not As Bad As It Seems

Spaying and neutering at an animal hospital is not as bad of an experience for the pet as it seems. During the process, a veterinarian either removes the testicles through the scrotum (male pets) or removes the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries (female pets). The animal is fully under monitored anesthesia during the procedure and usually is back to normal within a couple days.

Have you had your cat or dog spayed or neutered?

To schedule an appointment, contact our Washington, D.C. clinic directly by calling 301-577-9400.

Home Grooming Tips From Prince George's Animal Hospital

Hyattsville, MD is home to Prince George's Animal Hospital. This is a place where our dedicated veterinarians embrace the commitment of health and wellbeing for pets around the Hyattsville area. Our animal hospital provides grooming and pet care as well as advanced services through our vet clinic. Other services include our dog kennel, dog boarding, and cat boarding.

Home Grooming Tips

Grooming involves more than just brushing or combing a pet's coat. Grooming also means taking care of your pet's dental needs, brushing their teeth, bathing them, and caring for their nails.

Dental Needs of Pets: Maintaining a proper dental regimine is a positive boon to pet health. Dental care can help reduce the chance of cavities and broken teeth. Brushing your pet's teeth can also help to alleviate bad breath in both dogs and cats.

TIP: Use a toothbrush that is designed for your pet. A veterinarian is a great resource for instructions on how to take care of your pets dental needs.

Bathing: Pets should be bathed on a regular basis. The duration between bathing your pet will vary depending on the type of pet you have. If you have questions about how best to bath your pet, ask the vet during your annual examination. Use only a shampoo that is designed for your specific pet.

TIP: It is important that bets not be allowed to get chilled after their bath.

Nail Care: Pets with toenails should have their nails clipped on a regular basis. There are proper procedures to follow for each kind of pet you may have. Properly trimmed nails can prevent nails that get caught in things. Proper nail care helps to prevent ripping injuries.

TIP: Our vet clinic staff can help show you how to perform proper nail care and other pet care for your animals.

Pets are a wonderful part of our family. When in doubt, ask a veterinarian.

How do you make these grooming experiences pleasant for you and your pet?

The summer sun can make us sizzle with excitement, but it can also make your pet sizzle in misery. If an air-conditioned dog kennel is what you need to help your pet beat the heat, Prince George’s Animal Hospital has one. Our vet clinic also has some tips to share on summer pet care and how to keep your pet cool, comfortable and safe.

Summer in Washington D.C. Should Not Mean an Emergency Trip to the Vet Clinic

The number one rule is to never leave your pet unattended in your car. Even if the outdoor temperature is not at an excruciating high, the temperature inside the car can be, especially if the car is parked in the sun. Cracking the car window is not an answer, but leaving your pet somewhere cool and safe – like at home – can be.

Cats, rabbits and even dogs should stay inside on the hottest days so they do not overheat. Heatstroke can be devastating, with symptoms that include panting, shortness of breath and unconsciousness. Any sign of heatstroke merits an immediate trip to our Hyattsville veterinarian. Animals that do venture out during the summer should have a fresh supply of water, a shady area in which to retreat, and, if you have the means, a pool or cooling mat or bed.

Dog walking can turn dangerous if you go out on the hottest days during the hottest hours. Instead opt for an early morning or late evening walk when outdoor temperatures dip. Also keep in mind that pavement and asphalt stay hot long after the sun goes down, so try to walk your dog on grassy or natural areas.

Fresh water and grooming are two more summer musts. Make sure your pet's water dish is always full and clean. Pets will be happiest and coolest with a clean coat and a trim, both of which your pet can get from our vet.

What summer hazards has your pet encountered?

Now that summer is upon us, we know that many of our clients will be looking for a reliable pet care provider to watch their animals while they are on vacation. If you choose cat or dog boarding, there are several things you can do to ensure that the process goes smoothly.

First, you should always interview and visit a cat or dog kennel before making a reservation to make sure that the facility is clean and the animals are well cared for. To ensure that there will be room for your pet when you leave for vacation, always make reservations well in advance. Holidays and summer are very popular times to board animals, so it is a good idea to book your spot as soon as you make travel plans.

When you drop your pet off, always bring the medications that your pet will need while you are away. Pets can sometimes become anxious when they see their owners packing for a trip. You may want to consider boarding your animal on the day you pack to limit the amount of stress experienced by your pet.

Finally, make sure that you have a veterinarian update your pet’s vaccinations at least a week prior to boarding so that the immunization will be able to provide the greatest possible protection against disease.

Convenient and Comfortable Pet Boarding at Our Animal Hospital

In addition to other popular services like pet grooming and vaccinations, at Prince George’s Animal Hospital in Hyattsville we proudly provide a comfortable and safe boarding facility for pets in and around Washington, D.C. We want you to be able to relax and enjoy your time away from home, knowing that your pet is receiving exceptional care and supervision.

Our boarded animals receive constant care and attention from our staff, and a Hyattsville veterinarian is always monitoring the animals to make sure that they remain healthy and happy.
What tips about cat or dog boarding can you offer to our readers?

Our Hyattsville veterinarian comments:

Welcome to the first of what is certain to be many more posts to come here on our Prince George Animal Hospital blog. Our veterinarians and entire staff have always provided the highest quality veterinary care. Whether its surgery, vaccinations, spay and neuter, dental care, or providing dog boarding or cat boarding for that special family member while owners have to be away, our vet clinic does it all.

Hyattsville Veterinarians Want to Share Pet Care Information With You

We understand that a visit to a veterinary clinic, while essential, can also be a tense time for both pet and owner alike. Through this blog we hope to relieve those anxieties by allowing everyone to see a different side of what we do. Whether you live in Prince George, Hyattsville or anywhere else in the greater Washington DC area we look forward to being your veterinarians for many years to come.

With this blog, we are offering you a chance to see our veterinarian in Hyattsville on a more personal level. Future blog articles will keep you posted on what is happening with our staff and our veterinary clinic as well. Along the way we will focus on the various aspects of pet care and what to expect in the process. There will be features about everything from surgery to dental care for pets and everything in between.

Not sure which vaccinations your pet needs or what side effects to watch for? We will be talking about that for sure. Flea and tick control can be especially bothersome this time of year so feel and leave a comment with any questions. With summer vacation season upon us we will also be featuring information about boarding your pets while you are away.

We anticipate interacting with readers and learning more about what pet lovers would like to see here at Prince George Animal Hospital. We are here to provide high quality care to pets in Hyattsville, Prince George and the rest of metropolitan Washington DC.

With the introductions out of the way what topics can we address or questions can we answer in future posts?