Dog Spay Recovery Time: A Day By Day Guide

female dog sleeping with stuffed animal while wearing a recovery suit after spay surgery

Dog Spay Recovery Time: A Day By Day Guide Dog spay recovery time is typically 10 to 14 days, though full internal healing can take up to 6 weeks. If you’re wondering what to expect after your dog’s spay surgery day by day, you’re in the right place. This guide walks you through the entire…

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Signs Your Dog Needs to Be Neutered

corgi dog laying on the floor near female owner's chair at the vet

Signs Your Dog Needs to Be Neutered If you’re noticing changes in your male dog’s behavior, you may be wondering whether the signs your dog needs to be neutered are staring you right in the face. The most common signs that a dog needs to be neutered include roaming, mounting, aggression toward other male dogs,…

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Cat Spay Age: When Should Cats Be Spayed?

female cat owner holding kitten as she talks with female vet

Cat Spay Age: When Should Cats Be Spayed? The recommended cat spay age is 5 to 6 months, before a cat’s first heat cycle, though many veterinarians now support early spaying as young as 8 weeks in appropriate situations. If you’re wondering when cats should be spayed, the answer depends on your cat’s size, health,…

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How Long Does a Dog Teeth Cleaning Take?

vet getting ready to brush labrador retriever dog's teeth

How Long Does a Dog Teeth Cleaning Take? If you’ve ever wondered how long a dog teeth cleaning takes, most professional dog dental cleanings take between 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the dog’s size, age, and the condition of their teeth. But there’s more to the process than the cleaning itself, and understanding…

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How Often Do Cats Need Teeth Cleaning?

owner trying to brush cat's teeth

How Often Do Cats Need Teeth Cleaning? If you’ve been wondering how often cats need teeth cleaning, you’re already ahead of the curve as a cat owner. Most cats benefit from a professional dental cleaning once a year, though some may need it more or less frequently depending on their individual oral health. Dental disease…

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Do Dogs Go Under Anesthesia for Teeth Cleaning?

vet getting ready to examine dog's teeth

Do Dogs Go Under Anesthesia for Teeth Cleaning? If you’re asking do dogs go under anesthesia for teeth cleaning, the answer is yes, and for very good reasons. General anesthesia is required for every safe, effective professional dog dental cleaning. Without it, a veterinarian cannot perform a complete oral examination, clean below the gumline, take…

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My Dog Ate Chocolate But Is Acting Fine—Should I Worry?

beagle sitting in front of person holding out a handful of brightly colored chocolate candies

My Dog Ate Chocolate But Is Acting Fine—Should I Worry? If your dog ate chocolate and still greets you with a wagging tail, it is natural to wonder whether everything is truly okay. From a veterinary standpoint, you should still pay close attention to your pup. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, two compounds dogs process…

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Holiday Pet Health Guide: Can Dogs Eat Turkey Skin?

white and brown brindle dog sitting at table in front of turkey

Holiday Pet Health Guide: Can Dogs Eat Turkey Skin? Many pet owners wonder if dogs can eat turkey skin while standing at the kitchen counter during holiday meals, watching hopeful eyes track every move. At TotalCare Veterinary & Surgical Center, we hear this concern every year. Turkey skin smells irresistible to dogs, but its rich,…

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What Shots Do Kittens Need?

veterinarian giving fluffy orange Persian kitten a vaccine

What Shots Do Kittens Need? What shots do kittens need? That question usually arrives the same day a tiny nose peers out of a carrier, curious and already determined to explore every corner of the room. New kittens bring excitement, energy, and a long list of decisions that shape their future health. At TotalCare Veterinary…

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My Dog’s Teeth Are Brown: Causes and Solutions

lip lifted up on brown dog to show brown tartar accumulation on teeth

My Dog’s Teeth Are Brown: Causes and Solutions When pet owners tell us, “My dog’s teeth are brown,” the concern usually carries a mix of surprise, worry, and guilt. Brown discoloration often appears gradually, so it can feel sudden when it finally becomes noticeable. From our perspective as a veterinary team, dog teeth that are…

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