Livingston Veterinary Hospital

09/03/2026

🐱🐶 Spaying or neutering your pet can help prevent certain health issues and overpopulation.

🍴 While you may need to adjust their diet slightly, spaying or neutering will not affect their weight as long as you provide appropriate nutrition and exercise.

📞Call 406-222-3011 to talk to your veterinarian about your pet's dietary needs.

09/01/2026

❤️ We love our feline friends, and want to keep them healthy and happy. Although cats are atypical hosts for heartworms, the consequences of infection can be severe. Heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD) can cause coughing, increased respiratory effort, and vomiting that resemble feline asthma.

Additionally, heartworms can cause blood clots, leading to sudden paralysis of one or both hindlimbs. Stay vigilant and protect your cat's health by taking preventative measures!

Providing year-round heartworm prevention is an important part of your pet’s health care plan. If you would like to discuss the various preventives, contact our team by calling 406-222-3011, so we can determine what protocol would best fit you and your pet’s lifestyle.

08/27/2026

🔬 Antibiotics are effective at clearing Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, the causative agent of Lyme disease, but may not completely eliminate clinical signs.

Lyme disease-induced organ or joint damage (e.g., arthritis, stiffness) may persist and require additional therapy or care. If Lyme disease progresses undetected or untreated, neurologic signs, including seizures, are common, as well as kidney failure, which is often fatal.

Prevent this debilitating condition by contacting us at 406-222-3011 and asking about year-round tick prevention measures. Your furry friend will thank you! 🦟

08/25/2026

❤️ As pet owners, we want to keep our furry friends healthy and happy. Unfortunately, a single mosquito bite can lead to a heartworm infection, causing serious health issues for our pets.

😢 Don't let your furry friend suffer! Protect them by taking preventative measures and keeping them safe from mosquitos.

Providing year-round heartworm prevention is an important part of your pet’s health care plan. If you would like to discuss the various preventives, contact our team by calling 406-222-3011, so we can determine what protocol would best fit you and your pet’s lifestyle.

08/20/2026

🚪🚶‍♂️ Be careful what you keep in your hallway and bathroom closets if you're a pet owner!

🐾 These closets often contain potentially toxic items, such as cleaning supplies, medicines, and rodenticides.

😿 Rodenticides are especially dangerous, as they can be alluring to not only small rodents but also dogs and cats. Keep these products out of reach to protect your furry friends!🙏

08/18/2026

🐾 Canine distemper is a contagious viral infection that can be devastating to dogs, particularly puppies and unvaccinated dogs. The virus attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems, leading to symptoms such as fever, nasal discharge, coughing, lethargy, and vomiting.

To protect your pet from this dangerous virus, make sure they are up-to-date on their vaccinations. If you have any concerns about your pet's risk for distemper, Call 406-222-3011 to consult with one of our knowledgeable Veterinarians. Early detection and treatment are key to a successful recovery. 🩺

08/13/2026

The doorbell rings, your Yorkie gets excited, and out comes a honk that sounds like a goose in the hallway. That sound is a softened windpipe briefly flattening as air rushes through. The surprising part is how slowly it usually progresses. Our latest post walks through what helps at home.

That goose-like honk from a Yorkie, Pomeranian, Chihuahua, or other toy breed is the signature sound of a collapsing trachea, a windpipe whose weakened cartilage flattens inward when breathing gets fast and hard. Excitement is the classic spark. The doorbell rings, your dog gets worked up, and air r...

08/11/2026

Are you tired of your dog's constant barking? The good news is that you can use a simple technique called "incompatible behavior" to train your furry friend to stop barking. The idea is to reward your dog for a behavior that makes barking impossible or inconvenient, such as fetching a toy or going to their bed.

To start, teach your dog the new behavior in a quiet, distraction-free space. Make it fun and reward them generously for a correct performance. Once they have mastered the behavior, practice it in areas where they usually bark, such as near a window or at the front door. Gradually increase the difficulty by simulating distractions and cueing the new behavior as soon as they get distracted.

With enough practice, the new behavior will become a habit, and your dog will stop barking altogether. Remember to be patient and consistent with your training, and you'll soon have a well-behaved dog that everyone will love!

08/06/2026

🐾 Did you know that when your cat kneads your stomach with his paws, he is showing his love for you?

This behavior is reminiscent of his kitten days, when he would knead his mother's ni***es to stimulate milk flow. So, when your kitty kneads you, he's feeling the same sense of comfort and warmth he felt with his mom. Be sure to keep his nails clipped short and keep an extra towel handy if his kneading is uncomfortable for you.

Give your kitty some love today! 🐱❤️

08/04/2026

Tired of your dog's barking? Try using the "incompatible behavior" training method to help your furry friend learn to be quiet. The idea is to reward your dog for engaging in behaviors that are incompatible with barking, such as playing with a toy or going to their bed.

First, teach your dog the new behavior in a quiet and distraction-free environment. Make it a game and reward them generously for a correct performance. Once they have learned the behavior, start practicing it in areas where they usually bark, such as near a window or at the front door.

Gradually increase the level of difficulty by introducing distractions and cueing your dog to engage in the new behavior as soon as they get distracted. Over time, your dog will learn to associate the new behavior with being quiet, and the barking will decrease.

Remember to be patient and consistent with your training. With a little effort, you can help your dog become a well-behaved and peaceful member of your household.