River Country Animal Wellness

10/02/2026

Please mark your calendars. Thanksgiving break for our Clinic begins Nov 25th at 3 pm through 8 am Monday the 30th. We are so thankful for every single one of you.

10/01/2026

This is heartworm and it is a killer for your best friend. Have you scheduled your dogs heartworm test? Please don't wait!

09/30/2026

We now have this healing modality available and would love to help you help your best friend.

Laser therapy for pets is a painless, drug-free, and non-invasive veterinary medical treatment used to manage pain, reduce inflammation, and accelerate wound healing. It works by applying specific wavelengths of low-level light energy directly over affected areas. This light is absorbed by cellular mitochondria, boosting ATP (cellular energy) production to kickstart natural tissue regeneration and increase blood circulation.

09/29/2026

Winter Gratitude

I may never be a lap cat,
or one who comes when called.
I may resist the hand that tries to touch
and some may think I’m flawed.
I may prefer my freedom
to your warm and cozy house
I may reject a bowl of finest foods
for the chance to catch a mouse.
But the box you put out for me,
Feels safe and warm and dry.
And I raise my eyes to thank you
when I see you walking by.
I eat the food you give me
I listen to your voice
I may never be a lap cat
but thank you for offering me the choice.
One day I’ll see the winter,
one day I’ll feel the rain,
I may grow old not knowing
there is freedom from this pain
I know you’ve tried to help me
and although my days will end
I may never be a lap cat
but I know you are my friend.•*'⁀⋱•🐾

Winter Preparedness Top 10 List

Provide insulated winter shelters. You can make or buy shelters. Use a waterproof container, such as a storage tote, cooler or wooden structure with sheet foam insulation or Styrofoam.
Use straw in shelters, not hay. Do not use anything cloth, even if it is wool or fleece. Cloth retains moisture from air and freezes, keeping cats colder.
Add a heat source, if possible. Heating pads made for outdoor use can fit under straw. If no outlet is available, use a microwavable disk to place in shelters, under food and water.
Dehydration is a serious concern in winter when water freezes quickly. Provide large bowls of fresh water consistently. A water bottle filled with rock salt submerged in a large bowl can also keep water from freezing. A heated water bowl is ideal. Mix water into canned food to increase hydration levels.
Provide additional food. Cats burn more calories in winter maintaining their body temperature.
Provide a feeding station. Food bowls also need shelter from snow and rain. Storage totes make a great DIY feeding station.
Clear paths to shelters down alleys, sidewalks, across grass, wherever the cats normally travel. It’s hard for them to jump through high snow.
If cats seek shelter through a hole in an abandoned garage or other small space, shovel them out to make sure they are not trapped!
Only use pet-friendly rock salt that is not harmful if swallowed.
Tap the hood of the car before starting, in case cats have sought shelter under it.

09/28/2026

Knowledge is power and often a health benefit! Ticks love fall. Read on to keep yourself and your fur babies safe.

After initially peaking around May, the tick population sees a second peak in October.

09/25/2026

Have questions? Give us a call! Your pet will be glad you did!

09/24/2026

Although dogs communicate in many ways, like horses, their ears tell you something!

Ears erect or slightly forward – signals attention or alertness.
Ears pulled back flat against the head, teeth bared – signals an anxious dog that will defend itself.
Ears pulled back flat against the head, teeth not bared – signals submission.
Ears pulled slightly back and slightly splayed – signals indecision, or uneasy suspicion that may become aggression.
Ears flickering, slightly forward, then slightly back or downward – signals indecision with a submissive or fearful component.
Ears pulled close to the head to give a "round face" – a calming signal.
Ears pulled back in varying angles – expresses arousal.
Ears flattened or pressed down – indicates fear, anger, or frustration.
Ears pressed tightly to the head – expresses extreme fear.
Ears held sideways – indicates conflicting emotions due to an unsettling situation.

09/23/2026

Just like all animals, goats speak to us through body language, ear and tail positions, and different sounds.

Body Posture and Movement, Relaxed or Happy: A goat chewing cud is calm and has a healthy digestive system.

Confident or Dominant: A goat stands tall with its head held high.

Submissive or Sick: A goat keeps its head down low toward the ground.

Stressed or Fearful: A goat has wide, staring eyes.

Annoyed or Uncomfortable: A goat might paw at the ground, which can also mean a female is in heat.

Ears and Tail Signals Curiosity: The ears point forward.

Anger or Feeling Threatened: The ears are pinned back against the head.

Excitement or Alertness: The tail is raised up.

Fatigue or Illness: The tail droops downward.

Fear or Pain: The goat makes high-pitched bleats.

Social Calling or Contentment: The goat makes softer, quiet bleats.

09/22/2026

All animals have a language. It's good to know how to understand.

Horses let us know what they are experiencing in many ways. Here's "Ear Talk."

Ears Pricked Forward: The horse is alert, curious, and interested in what is happening in front of them.

Ears Turned to the Side (Droopy): The horse is relaxed, calm, sleepy, or casually observing their surroundings.

Ears Pinned Flat Back: The horse is angry, defensive, stressed, or warning you to stay away.

Ears Loosely Back (Softly turned back while riding): The horse is simply listening to the rider or sounds behind them without tension.

Split Ears (One forward, one back): The horse is dividing its attention between two things, often watching the path ahead while listening to the rider behind.

Flicking Back and Forth: The horse is actively scanning and processing multiple sounds or trying to figure out where to focus.

09/21/2026

Ask us about Bemer Therapy for your pets!