Willow Oak Veterinary Hospital

10/23/2026

Happy Friday! Looking for something to do tomorrow? Might we suggest Pupalooza at Durham Central Park?

From Durham Parks and Recreation:
Got a pup with style? Show us what you've got at our Pupalooza Costume Contest!

🏆 Contest Categories:
🐕 Individual Dog Best Festival Fit
🐾 Group Humans and Dogs Best Festival Fit
👯 Best Pet/Owner Lookalike
👑 Best Overall Costume

Get creative, coordinate your looks, and get ready to strut your stuff! 🐶✨

📅 Saturday, October 24 | 3:30–6:30 p.m.

📍 Durham Central Park

🎟️ FREE Admission!

10/21/2026

Did you know that this week is Vet Tech Week? Vet Tech Week gives us an opportunity to recognize the invaluable contributions that our techs make every day, including the love and care they give our patients and their families—whether during a routine visit, or during some of their most difficult moments. Be sure to show our amazing vet techs some love this week and every week! ❤️

10/19/2026

With less than two weeks until Halloween, we're sharing a few simple tips to help keep your pets safe during the festivities. First up: Halloween candy:

Halloween treats are for humans, not pets! 🎃

Chocolate and candy containing xylitol (sometimes labeled birch sugar) can be especially dangerous for dogs. Raisins are also toxic, and candy wrappers can cause intestinal blockages.

Keep candy bowls and trick-or-treat bags well out of reach, and call your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet has eaten something harmful.

10/14/2026

It may not be Grinch season quite yet, but Grinch feet don't follow a calendar! 🐾

As adorable as those furry feet are, all that extra fluff can trap moisture, dirt, and debris, creating the perfect environment for skin irritation and bacterial or yeast overgrowth. In colder months, ice melt and road salt can also get caught between those toes, which can be painful and lead to more serious issues.

Regular paw checks and a little grooming go a long way! Keeping the fur between your dog's paw pads neatly trimmed can help keep paws clean, dry, and comfortable, while also improving traction on slippery floors.

We love a good Grinch foot, but healthy paws are even cuter! 💚

10/12/2026

Have you signed up for your Owner Portal yet through Vet Hero? It's quick and easy!
If you have signed up, we would love to hear your experience with it. 📱

10/09/2026

While we haven't been able to confirm, we're pretty sure a dog wrote this...
Happy Friday!

A new study published this week suggests the key to a good night's sleep may just be letting your dog sleep next to you.

10/06/2026

Do you brush your pet’s teeth?

Dental care isn’t just something that happens at the vet! Regular brushing at home can help reduce plaque and tartar buildup, keep breath fresher, and support your pet’s overall oral health.

A few tips to make brushing easier:

🦷 Use a toothbrush designed for pets or a soft finger brush.
🪥 Always use pet-specific toothpaste - Human toothpaste can contain ingredients that aren’t safe for pets.
🦷 Start slowly! Let your pet get used to having their mouth and gums touched before introducing the toothbrush.
🦷Aim for daily brushing when possible. Even establishing a regular routine can make a difference.

And remember, brushing at home doesn’t replace professional dental care. During your pet’s regular exams, we can check their teeth and gums and let you know when a professional dental cleaning may be needed.

Not sure how to get started? Ask us at your next visit. We’re happy to help!

10/03/2026

Happy Saturday!
Since it is the first Saturday of the month, we are closed. Wishing you a wonderful and relaxing weekend!

10/02/2026

We’ve got some new tools to make managing your pet’s care a little easier! 🐾

We are now using Vet Hero, which gives our clients access to:

• Two-way texting with our team
• Paperless forms
• Text message reminders
• An easy way to leave reviews
• A new Pet Owner Portal with 24/7 access to your pet’s medical information

Your Pet Owner Portal can be accessed anytime from your phone, tablet, or computer.

If you received our recent email, you can use the Client Portal link included there to register. Just click “Register here” and use the email address associated with your Willow Oak account. You’ll receive an email with the next steps.

Didn’t receive the email or having trouble getting set up? Give us a call or email us at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help.

We’re excited about these new options and hope they make staying connected with us and keeping up with your pet’s care even easier!

10/01/2026

UPDATE: This sweet baby has been adopted to a wonderful family. 💕

Help us find this little cutie a new home. She is a french bulldog mix, 9 weeks old, has had her first set of vaccines. She does well with other dogs and cats. If you are interested in meeting her, please contact us at 919-908-6744.