Albany Animal Hospital

09/24/2026

🐾 Why do we need a current VCPR?

Maintaining a valid Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) isn’t just a clinic policy—it’s a legal requirement veterinarians must follow in order to prescribe and refill medications.

Veterinarians are required to have an established VCPR so they can legally prescribe medications and have enough knowledge of the patient’s condition to make appropriate treatment decisions.

That’s why, when your pet’s VCPR is no longer current, we may need to see them before we can authorize a medication refill. We know it can sometimes be inconvenient, but these requirements are in place to support responsible veterinary care and protect your pet. ❤️🐾

09/21/2026

Please be patient with us as we are having some difficulties with our texting this week. If you have texted us and don't hear back after a few hours please call or leave a voicemail. We are working hard to get everything back up and running as normal. Thank you!

Send a message to learn more

09/18/2026

Why Your Pet Needs an E-Collar After Surgery - The cone is part of your pet’s treatment.

After surgery, your pet may try to lick, chew, scratch, or rub the incision. Even a few seconds of attention to the surgical site can cause problems. An E-collar (Elizabethan collar or “cone”) creates a physical barrier that helps keep your pet from interfering with the healing incision.

Licking Can Cause Problems - Your pet's mouth contains bacteria, and licking or chewing can:
- Open the incision
- Pull out stitches or staples
- Introduce bacteria and cause an infection
- Cause irritation, swelling, or bleeding
- Delay healing
- Lead to additional veterinary treatment or another procedure

Even if your pet has never bothered an incision before, they may start licking or chewing later.

DO
- Keep the E-collar on as directed by your veterinary team.
- Check the incision daily for changes.
- Make sure your pet can comfortably eat, drink, breathe, and rest.
- Keep your pet in a safe area where the collar won't become caught.
- Contact us if the collar seems uncomfortable or isn't working properly.

DON'T
- Don't remove the E-collar simply because your pet “seems fine.”
- Don't allow licking or chewing of the incision.
- Don't leave your pet unattended without the collar unless your veterinary team specifically says it is okay.
- Don't apply ointments, sprays, or other products to the incision unless instructed.
- Don't wait to contact us if the incision looks abnormal.

Call your veterinary team if you notice:

Increasing redness • Significant swelling • Bleeding • Discharge • Bad odor • Missing stitches/staples • The incision opening • Excessive pain or discomfort

Your pet may need to wear the E-collar continuously until the incision has healed or sutures/staples have been removed.

The E-collar isn't a punishment. It's protection.
A few days of inconvenience can help prevent an incision complication and keep your pet's recovery on track.

When in doubt: Keep the cone on and give us a call.

Your pet's recovery is our priority. 🐾

09/12/2026

🦠 RABIES: THE DANGER YOU CAN’T SEE

One of the most frightening things about rabies is that you cannot look at a person or animal and know whether they have rabies during the incubation period.

After the virus enters the body, there can be a period of time when the infected individual appears completely normal. This is called the incubation period. The length can vary considerably depending on factors such as where the virus entered the body and how close that location is to the nervous system.

During this time, there may be no obvious symptoms.

🧠 How does rabies get to the brain?
Rabies is a virus that primarily targets the nervous system. After an infected animal's saliva introduces the virus—most commonly through a bite—the virus can enter nearby tissues. It then gains access to peripheral nerves and travels along the nerves toward the spinal cord and brain.

Once the virus reaches the central nervous system, it can spread throughout the brain and spinal cord. Eventually, it can move back out through nerves to other tissues, including the salivary glands. This helps explain why saliva becomes such an important source of transmission. By the time obvious neurological symptoms develop, the infection has already reached a very advanced stage.

⚠️ Why can't we simply test someone right away? There isn't a simple routine test that can reliably tell you, during the entire incubation period, that a person or animal has rabies.

Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal. That is why rabies exposure is treated as an emergency before symptoms develop.

🐾 How is rabies tested for in animals? Testing is different in animals than it is for a living person.

When an animal is suspected of having rabies and definitive testing is required, the standard diagnostic method involves examining brain tissue after the animal has died. In the United States, public-health laboratories use specialized laboratory methods to look for evidence of rabies virus in nervous-system tissue.

This is why you may hear that there is no approved way to definitively rule out rabies in a living animal using a routine blood test.
Prevention really matters - Rabies is preventable, but once clinical disease develops, it is almost invariably fatal.

That makes vaccination incredibly important—not only for protecting your pets, but also for protecting the people and animals around them.

09/11/2026

🐱 Why Your Cat Should Come to the Vet in a Carrier — Not on a Leash or Harness

We know your cat may walk beautifully on a harness at home, but the veterinary clinic is a very different environment. For your cat’s safety and comfort, a secure carrier is always the best way to travel to the vet. ❤️

Here’s why:

🚪 Cats can escape quickly. Even the most confident, well-trained cat can become frightened by unfamiliar people, dogs, loud noises, or strange smells. A scared cat can slip out of a harness or bolt before you have a chance to react.

🐕 The vet clinic can be unpredictable. Your cat may encounter barking dogs or other animals that make them feel threatened. Being safely enclosed in a carrier provides a secure space where they can retreat and feel protected.

😿 Fear can change behavior. A normally friendly cat may panic when stressed. A carrier allows them to remain safely contained rather than feeling exposed or trapped while being held on a leash.

🚗 Car rides are safer in a carrier. Cats should never be loose in a moving vehicle, and holding a cat on a harness does not provide adequate protection in the event of sudden braking or an accident.

🏥 A carrier makes the veterinary visit easier, too. A secure carrier gives veterinary staff a safe way to move your cat through the clinic and can provide your cat with a familiar, comforting space during their visit.

A good rule of thumb: Harnesses are great for supervised activities when your cat is comfortable with them — but for trips to the veterinarian, choose a secure carrier.

Your cat may not always agree with the plan… but their future self will thank you! 🐾❤️

Please help us keep our feline patients safe: Bring cats to their appointments in a secure carrier.

07/25/2026

Traveling to Mexico with your dog? Don't forget this new requirement!

Understand requirements and practical considerations for moving companion animals—specifically dogs and cats—between the United States and Mexico.

07/10/2026

🦷 Did You Know? Your Pet's Dental Health Affects More Than Just Their Teeth! ❤

Dental disease is one of the most common health problems we see in dogs and cats, but it doesn't stop at bad breath.

When bacteria from infected gums and diseased teeth enter the bloodstream, they can travel throughout the body. Over time, this bacteria and inflammation may contribute to damage in vital organs, including the heart, kidneys, and liver. Pets with advanced dental disease can also experience chronic pain, difficulty eating, and a lower quality of life.

Signs your pet may have dental disease include:
🐾 Bad breath
🐾 Red or bleeding gums
🐾 Yellow or brown tartar buildup
🐾 Loose or broken teeth
🐾 Difficulty chewing or dropping food
🐾 Pawing at the mouth

The good news? Dental disease is largely preventable with routine dental care. Regular oral exams, professional dental cleanings when needed, and brushing your pet's teeth at home can help keep their mouth healthy—and protect the rest of their body, too.

A healthy smile means a healthier pet! If your dog or cat hasn't had a dental exam recently, give us a call to schedule an appointment. Your pet's heart, kidneys, liver, and overall well-being will thank you!

07/09/2026

Ace is still looking for a home!

07/03/2026

🐾 Meet Your New Best Friend! 🐾

This handsome 7-year-old neutered male German Shepherd is looking for a loving family to call his own! ❤️

He's at that perfect age—past the puppy chaos but still full of love, loyalty, and plenty of life. German Shepherds are known for their intelligence, devotion, and strong bond with their families, and this sweet boy is no exception.

He would love a home where he can enjoy walks, spend time with his people, and have a cozy place to relax at the end of the day. If you're looking for a faithful companion who will be by your side through thick and thin, he may be the perfect match.

Could you be the family he's been waiting for? Even if you're not looking to adopt, sharing this post could help him find his forever home!

Contact us at 541-926-8817 for more information.

07/03/2026

A bat found in Benton County tested positive for rabies at the Oregon State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory on June 17. See link below ⬇️

📸 Photo by Emma Busk/BLM