Blog

by Companion Animal Hospital on April 7, 2020 at 12:00 pm

FACT OR FICTION A Dry Nose Means That My Dog/Cat is Sick. False!It is normal for dogs and cats to have a dry nose. In fact, their nose can vary from wet to dry depending on their activity level and environmental surroundings. Some breeds may have a drier nose than others but it does not […]

by Companion Animal Hospital on March 16, 2020 at 8:02 pm

In Response to COVID-19: Companion Animal Hospitals offer new carside/curbside veterinary serviceWe know that pets need love and care no matter what is going on in the world - we also know that their human’s health plays a vital role in their overall well-being. In an effort to help keep our […]

by Companion Animal Hospital on March 13, 2020 at 9:31 pm

At Companion Animal Hospital, the health and wellness of our clients and our team has always been our #1 priority. With the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the rise, we will be taking additional steps to achieve our promise of providing a clean, safe, and welcoming environment, while […]

by Companion Animal Hospital on February 25, 2020 at 1:00 pm

Starting to feel cooped up? Stay active with your pup this winterIf you’re like me, each year the change of the season from summer to fall and then winter comes with a bit of excitement ... and dread. I’m a true mid-westerner - I love all the seasons and I love the changes that the […]

by Companion Animal Hospital on February 10, 2020 at 1:00 pm

Dental Care: The Root of Your Pet's Health            Who doesn’t love getting kisses from their better half?  No I don’t mean your partner, your dog of course!  It is all fun games until your dog has a mouth that could […]

by Unknown on February 4, 2020 at 2:00 am

Why Spay? Why Neuter?It’s a topic that comes up with all puppy and kitten visits.  Pets do not leave a shelter until they have been altered.  Game show hosts have told us it was the right thing to do.  But, what is it and why?  The most common spay procedure includes […]

by Companion Animal Hospital on February 4, 2020 at 2:00 am

Fleas and Ticks in the Winter: Frozen or Flourishing?After the first frost of the season, it may be tempting to skip Fluffy’s dose of flea and tick prevention, but contrary to popular belief, fleas and ticks can still be a threat in the winter.Although near-freezing temperatures will kill […]

by Companion Animal Hospital on November 25, 2019 at 9:38 pm

What your pet can (& can't) eat this ThanksgivingWith Thanksgiving this week, many of us are feeling extra grateful and are looking forward to sharing memories and food with family & friends - for most of us, this includes our furry family members as well! It may be hard to turn your pet […]

by Companion Animal Hospital on September 5, 2019 at 12:00 pm

What to Expect When You’re Expecting…a Fur Baby!               The excitement of bringing home a new puppy is unrivaled to most, but there can be a lot of uncertainty and questions for new pet parents or if it has […]

by Companion Animal Hospital on August 21, 2019 at 4:40 pm

Our very own Dr. Amanda Schnitker at Companion Animal Hospital River North was featured on CBS Chicago! Watch the video to learn more about pet allergies and what do do if your pet has a serious allergic reaction, also known as anaphylaxis. Severity of allergies in pets can vary, just like in […]

by Companion Animal Hospital on July 17, 2019 at 7:11 pm

The summer heat is officially here!While that means lots of fun activities outdoors, be sure to be extra careful when including your canine companions. Dogs can quickly suffer from “heat stroke” or extremely high body temperatures. A dog’s normal temperature is between 99-103 […]

by Unknown on June 27, 2019 at 3:30 pm

Thunderstorms and Fireworks are here!Noise phobiaNoise phobia is a common disorder in our pets, and is thought to affect one third of all dogs. Common signs of noise phobias can include; pacing, lip licking, panting, cowering, hiding, refusing to eat, trembling and shaking to name a few. Does your […]

by Companion Animal Hospital on June 4, 2019 at 4:00 pm

Be Prepared - Microchip Your Pet! It is a heartbreaking event for any pet parent to have to endure. Even with our best intentions, pets seem to find a way to slip out and away. Their natural curiosity can get them into trouble. Have you taken the proper steps to assure your pet is […]

by Unknown on April 2, 2019 at 2:00 pm

Ticks are a relatively common parasite in our area.  At times, they are a VERY common cause of concern (or even panic!) amongst pet owners.  If you have found a tick on your pet, here are some “Do’s and Don’ts" of removing the tick.Do:Part the fur so you can see where […]

by Companion Animal Hospital on March 5, 2019 at 8:42 pm

Help your pup conquer seasonal allergies with Cytopoint!With warm weather right around the corner, allergies are starting to act up. Just like humans, many dogs are affected by seasonal allergies.  Allergies in dogs show up as skin problems, typically signaled by licking, biting, scratching, […]

by Companion Animal Hospital on January 29, 2019 at 6:56 pm

Cold Weather Tips for You & Your Pet Helpful tips for keeping your pet safe during the cold weatherCold weather may worsen some medical conditions such as arthritis. Your pet should be examined by a veterinarian at least once a year, and it's as good a time as any to get him/her checked […]

by Unknown on December 20, 2018 at 1:00 pm

Happy Holidays from Companion Animal Hospital! With the holidays fast approaching, we know what a busy time of year this can be.  By taking a few precautions, you can make sure that everyone in your family (including your furry friends) enjoys the holidays! Below are some ideas to help […]

by Companion Animal Hospital on December 11, 2018 at 2:00 pm

The dog ate WHAT??I arrived at work one morning and was told by our receptionist that there was a client on the way with his 5 month old Shepherd. She said they thought had eaten nails that had been laying around in the garage. When they arrived, I told them the best way to visualize what is […]

by Companion Animal Hospital on November 20, 2018 at 1:00 pm

End of Life Care: Making Every Day CountBeing a veterinarian is often a rewarding job; we get to watch our patients grow and mature, perform preventative care to keep them healthy, and help heal them when they’re sick. However, being a vet also means that I sometimes have the unfortunate task […]

by Companion Animal Hospital on November 8, 2018 at 5:47 pm

Why is it so important to keep your pets on heartworm preventative year round? Check out this video to learn just what heartworm is and the importance of year round prevention!

by Companion Animal Hospital on October 23, 2018 at 12:00 pm

A Zoonotic disease, is one that, by definition, “is transmissible from animals to humans under natural conditions and can also be an infection or disease that is transmissible between animals and humans”. This is particularly important as the strength of the human-animal bond continues […]

by Companion Animal Hospital on September 25, 2018 at 1:00 pm

What's the deal with worms?Picking up your animals' feces is often not a pleasant task, but did you know that there could be friends hiding out within?Roundworms This parasite is very common in puppies and kittens, they are infected while in the uterus as well as when they ingest milk. Adult […]

by Companion Animal Hospital on September 11, 2018 at 1:00 pm

Why Do Cats Need Dental Exams?FORL of the canine tooth in the cat.             Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions (FORL’s) account for 20-75% of all dental disease in cats over 4 years old.  Odontoclasts, which originate in the bone marrow, […]

by Companion Animal Hospital on August 28, 2018 at 12:00 pm

FIVE TIPS IN FEEDING YOUR PUPPYFeeding a puppy can be challenging with all the different foods available.  Here are five tips that are important when feeding a puppy:Tip one:  Feed puppy food.  I realize this sounds obvious, but puppy food is designed and formulated for the specific […]

by Companion Animal Hospital on August 14, 2018 at 12:00 pm

Toddlers and Dogs: Tips for HarmonyDogs and toddlers can be overly excited when interacting with each other.  This can result in pulled hair or tumbling children.  They can also be shy or afraid in uncertain interactions.  A misunderstanding can be dangerous. Both children and dogs […]