Northdale Animal Hospital

04/20/2026

This week is !

There are two main forms of identification for both cats and dogs:
Pet ID collar tags, which are personalized tags that are available at most pet stores and many websites. The most important piece of information to put on these tags is the phone number, as any cat or dog with a phone number on the tag is more likely to be returned to their home.

Microchipping is typically done by a veterinarian, and involves injecting a small, rice-sized microchip under the skin, between the shoulder blades. It does not work like a GPS. Instead, if a cat or dog is found, they can be brought into a vet office or shelter and scanned for the microchip, with the registered contact information retrieved. It has the benefit of being a form of ID that can’t be lost, and raises the likelihood of dogs and cats being found (2.5X and 20X, respectively.) We have a microchip reader at our hospital to search for microchip information.

Having these two forms of identification will help with finding your pets should they ever get lost. Be sure to get some identification for them, and update the information attached to them if needed.

Call us to learn more about our microchipping!

04/01/2026

April is ❤️

Call us about heartworm testing, or for information on heartworm preventatives we carry at our hospital!

03/23/2026

Happy 🐶

03/20/2026

03/16/2026

In honor of this week, we have put together some helpful tips!

Keep toxic substances out of reach:
-Keep household cleaners and medications in intact containers in locked, high cabinets
-Keep human foods secured in pantries (Ex: chocolate, raisins/grapes, coffee beans, onions, alcohol, and anything with the artificial sweetener xylitol listed as an ingredient)
-Keep toxic houseplants (Ex: Daylilies, Tiger lilies) to pets out of reach or replace with safer alternatives (Click https://www.aspca.org/news/liven-your-space-these-pet-friendly-plants for some examples!)

Keep pets under supervision when they are outdoors or even in the garage, and pull them away from potential hazards such as:
-Rat, cockroach, ant, or other pest bait
-Antifreeze, engine oil, or other automobile fluids
-Gardening supplies such as fertilizer
-Trash

Keep the ASPCA or other pet poison control hotline somewhere where it is visible and in easy reach in case of an emergency, or if you suspect your pet has been poisoned.
-If you notice abnormal behavior, vomiting, diarrhea, the presence of blood in any vomit and diarrhea, or change in appetite, do not hesitate to call. These are signs of poisoning and veterinary care is needed as soon as possible.

Source: Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (2023, March 1) 5 Poison Prevention Tips to Keep Your Pet Safe. https://vetmed.vt.edu/news/2023/pet-poison-prevention.html

02/25/2026

February is Some ways to observe Responsible Pet Owners month include: 1) Taking your pet to the vet at least once a year for preventative health measures- outside of bringing your pet to the vet when they are sick. 2) Feeding your pet a nutritious and controlled diet for long-term health benefits. 3) Pet-proofing your home so that potentially-harmful hazards like household plants, cleaners, and foods are kept secure from your pet.