Lake View Veterinary Services

05/26/2026

🚨 BLOCKED CATS ARE A TRUE EMERGENCY 🚨

Urinary blockages in cats — especially male cats — are a very serious, life-threatening condition that requires immediate veterinary care. A blocked cat cannot urinate properly, causing toxins and pressure to build up in the body very quickly. Without treatment, this can become fatal in as little as 24-48 hours.

⚠️ Signs to watch for:
• Frequent trips to the litter box
• Straining to urinate
• Crying or vocalizing while trying to urinate
• Producing little to no urine
• Urinating outside the litter box
• Licking at the ge***al area excessively
• Vomiting
• Hiding or acting lethargic
• Loss of appetite

🚑 When is it an emergency? If your cat is straining and NOT producing urine, this is an emergency and they should be seen immediately — even if it’s after hours. Do not wait to “see if they improve.”

Early treatment can save your cat’s life and help prevent severe complications. If you notice any of these signs, please contact your veterinarian right away.

05/22/2026

🇺🇸 Memorial Day weekend is here! 🇺🇸

Please note that our clinic will be CLOSED on Monday in observance of Memorial Day. We encourage everyone to pick up any needed prescription refills and pet food before the long weekend ahead to ensure your pets stay happy and healthy!

As you celebrate this weekend, remember to keep your pets safe:
🐾 Keep them away from fireworks and loud noises
🐾 Avoid giving table scraps or unsafe foods
🐾 Make sure they have a quiet, secure place to relax
🐾 Double check collars and ID tags before gatherings or travel

We hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Memorial Day weekend! ❤️🤍💙

05/15/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Kate Bettin on her graduation from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Kate is the younger daughter of Dr. Todd Bettin and sister to Dr. Tasha Bettin-Skaar. We are all very proud of you.

05/15/2026

Reminder we are not open today

🚧 Clinic Closure Notice 🚧

Our clinic will be closed Thursday, May 14th @ 5:00pm through Sunday, May 17th due to construction updates. We will reopen and resume normal business hours on Monday, May 18th.

Please note that we will NOT have on-call services available during this time. If your pet experiences an emergency, we recommend contacting an emergency veterinary clinic for assistance.

📞 Iowa State University Veterinary Hospital: 515-294-4900

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience while we make improvements to better serve you and your pets. We look forward to assisting everyone again on Monday, May 18th! 🐾

05/13/2026

💙 Happy National Receptionist Day to our amazing Stephanie! 💙

Today we want to give a huge shoutout to the smiling face that keeps our clinic running smoothly each and every day. From answering endless phone calls, scheduling appointments, and greeting every client with kindness — Steph does it all with patience, compassion, and a positive attitude.

We are so incredibly thankful to have her as part of our team. Your hard work never goes unnoticed, and our clinic simply wouldn’t be the same without you!

Thank you, Steph, for everything you do for our staff, clients, and furry patients every single day. 🐾

05/13/2026

🚧 Clinic Closure Notice 🚧

Our clinic will be closed Thursday, May 14th @ 5:00pm through Sunday, May 17th due to construction updates. We will reopen and resume normal business hours on Monday, May 18th.

Please note that we will NOT have on-call services available during this time. If your pet experiences an emergency, we recommend contacting an emergency veterinary clinic for assistance.

📞 Iowa State University Veterinary Hospital: 515-294-4900

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience while we make improvements to better serve you and your pets. We look forward to assisting everyone again on Monday, May 18th! 🐾

05/05/2026

Spring is here and so are allergies! 🤧

Just like us, our pets can struggle with seasonal allergies—especially during spring and fall. Pollen, grass, mold, and dust can all trigger uncomfortable symptoms in dogs and cats.

🚨 Common Signs of Allergies:
▪️Excessive itching or scratching
▪️Licking or chewing paws
▪️Red, irritated skin or ears
▪️Sneezing or watery eyes
▪️Hair loss or hot spots

🏡 What You Can Try at Home:
✔️ Wipe your pet’s paws and belly after being outside
✔️ Regular groomings with a gentle, pet-safe shampoo
✔️ Keep bedding clean and vacuum frequently
✔️ Add omega-3 supplements to help support skin health & a probiotic to help with GI health
✔️ Use flea prevention—flea allergies can make symptoms worse

💊 When It’s Time to Come See Us:
🚨 Constant scratching or discomfort
🚨 Open sores, scabs, or hair loss
🚨 Recurring ear infections or head shaking
🚨 No improvement with at-home care
🚨 Signs of infection (odor, discharge, redness)

Allergies can quickly go from mild to miserable. If your pet isn’t finding relief, we’re here to help with prescription medications, allergy testing, and tailored treatment plans to keep them comfortable year-round.

🐶🐱 Don’t let allergies take the joy out of your pet’s season—reach out if you have concerns!

05/04/2026

🐾 Vet Tech of the Week 🐾

Swipe to see Brooklynn in action! 👉

From helping during exams to giving extra snuggles after, Brooklynn is a huge part of what makes our clinic special 💙
Your pets are always in good hands with this one! 🐶🐱

Show Brooklynn some love in the comments! 👇

04/29/2026

Pancreatitis in Pets – What You Need to Know 🐾

Pancreatitis is a painful and potentially life-threatening condition we see in both dogs and cats. It occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed, affecting your pet’s ability to properly digest food and regulate important bodily functions.

One of the biggest triggers? Human food…
Fatty table scraps like bacon, ham, buttery foods, and rich leftovers can put a serious strain on your pet’s pancreas. Even small amounts can cause big problems—especially in pets that are prone to digestive issues.

⚠️ Why it matters:
Pancreatitis can range from mild to severe, but in serious cases it can lead to dehydration, organ damage, and even become life-threatening without prompt treatment.

🚨 Watch for these signs:
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Abdominal pain (hunched posture, whining, or discomfort when touched)

📅 When should you come in?
If your pet is showing any of these symptoms—especially after getting into human food—don’t wait. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a huge difference in recovery.

💡 Prevention is key:
Stick to a consistent, balanced pet diet and avoid feeding table scraps. When in doubt, ask us what treats are safe!

If you’re ever concerned about your pet, give us a call—we’re here to help keep them happy and healthy. 🐶🐱

04/27/2026

🌟🐾 Vet Tech of the Week 🐾🌟

This week’s spotlight goes to our go-to Orthopedic Surgical Tech! 🦴✨

If it involves surgery to fix bones or keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes during a consult — Heather is already three steps ahead. Need someone to keep patients safe under anesthesia? Done. Need someone to know exactly what’s going on at every orthopedic consult? Also her. 😎

Basically, if your pet is getting any kind of orthopedic work, surgical or consultations, this is one of the amazing humans helping make it all happen. Calm under pressure, crazy on top of the details, and somehow still manages to keep us laughing in between it all.

We’d be a hot mess without her—so we’re pretty thankful Heather shows up every day. 😂💙

Show Heather some love in the comments! 👇🐶🐱

04/25/2026

🐾🌍 Happy World Veterinary Day from our team! 🌍🐾

Today, we’re celebrating the heart and soul of our clinic our veterinarians, technicians, assistants, and support staff who show up every single day with compassion, dedication, and a whole lot of love for your pets.

From early mornings to late nights, routine checkups to unexpected emergencies, our team works hard to provide the best care possible for every patient that walks through our doors. Being part of your pets’ lives, from their first visits to their senior years, is truly an honor we don’t take lightly. 💙

We’re so grateful for the trust you place in us and for allowing us to care for your furry family members.

If you see one of our team members today, be sure to give them a little extra appreciation! They deserve it! And don’t forget to give your pets some extra love too 🐶🐱🐾

(We are missing a few in this picture)