Patient Education

Riverside Vets would like to be your partner in health care. Feel free to ask your questions and share your concerns with us. We will work with you to develop a wellness program for the care and treatment you need.

We welcome you to our practice and look forward to caring for you.

Riverside Vets provides a full range of medical services including the following:

Arthritis in Dogs and Cats

Arthritis is as common in animals as it is in humans. Also known as degenerative joint disease, arthritis involves the loss of the cartilage that coats and protects the end of the bones in movable joints. When the uncoated nerve ends on the bones touch, the result is pain and inflammation. This most often occurs as a result of wear and tear, but the animal may have an underlying hereditary predisposition to the problem. ...

Bad Breath in Dogs and Cats

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is even more common in pets than in humans. As in humans, halitosis may occur for a number of reasons in dogs, cats and other small mammals. In order to successfully treat the condition, the underlying cause must be addressed. Regular dental examinations should be part of the checkup of any animal with teeth. ...

Breeding Cats

Because cats procreate quickly and easily, and because many cats become feral and reproduce in the wild, a tremendous number of cats end up being euthanized every year. Too many cat owners fail to neuter their pets even though they have no intention of breeding them. The result is a vast number of cats without homes, many of which become feral and continue breeding. In the interests of encouraging cat adoption, only responsible and knowledgeable cat owners should consider becoming cat breeders. ...

Breeding Dogs

Pet owners breed dogs for many reasons. Some are excited at the prospect of observing, or having their children observe, the excitement of birth. Others want to profit financially or to replicate a beloved pet. Serious breeders are, on some level, concerned with improving the breed itself. This has been the primary reason for dog breeding through the generations: to strengthen the positive attributes and to diminish the negative traits of a particular breed. It is always wise to consult with a reputable breeder before attempting to breed dogs for the first time. ...

Cat Breeds

There are close to 100 breed of cats with an amazing variety of body types, coats, colorations, ear and tail formations, and temperaments. Because there are so many cats being euthanized daily for lack of a suitable home, generally it is desirable to adopt a mixed breed kitten or cat from a shelter in order to save a life. Some pet owners are devoted to particular breeds, however. If this is the case, it is frequently possible to adopt a cat from a breed rescue organization. Such cats become available for a number of reasons, none of them reflecting on the pets themselves, and may become loving companions to their new owners. There is, of course, always the possibility of purchasing a purebred cat from a reliable breeder as well. ...

Declawing

Pet declawing, also known as onychectomy, is the surgical removal of the claws and part of the toes of a pet. Common for cats, this procedure involves removing all or part of the distal phalanx, or end bone, of a cat's toes. Declawing is a medical procedure in which a veterinarian amputates a part of each toe that includes the last bone and claw. The objective of this surgery is to prevent scratching which may cause injury to people and other animals, and damage to household items. ...

Dog Breeds

Dogs come in a wide variety of sizes, colors, temperaments, and intelligence levels. Having been domesticated for thousands of years, dogs have been bred to strengthen characteristics designed to meet particular human needs. While careful breeding has focused on developing attributes, such as hunting skills or docility, in certain breeds, the dangers of inbreeding are also represented since certain breeds have become more prone to particular canine ailments. As breeding continues, responsible breeders make every effort to improve the breed by trying to weed out physical defects. ...

Fleas

Fleas are the leading cause of skin problems in cats and dogs. They also infest a great many other animals, including rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice, ferrets, and many species of birds, although small mammals in captivity are not affected as frequently as dogs, outdoor cats and wild creatures. They grow and survive by feeding on animals' blood, and result in significant problems for the animals they bite by causing allergic reactions and spreading disease. ...

Microchip Implants

Microchips are tiny devices that are implanted under the skin of animals to help identify them if they stray or are lost or stolen. The microchip, about the size of a large grain of rice, uses passive RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology to provide permanent identification, including a special code number and data such as the pet's breed, gender and age and the pet owner's name and address. Microchips are now used by kennels, breeders, rescue groups, humane societies, farms, stables, and pet stores. While in the past similar information could be found on a tag on the animal's collar, an implanted chip is much more permanent. Since approximately half of all lost animals are found at shelters without a collar, the microchip implant provides peace of mind for the pet owner. ...

Pet Wellness Visits

Wellness visits are important for every stage of a pet's life. Regular wellness exams allow the veterinarian to evaluate a pet's general health and become aware of any health problems before they become serious illnesses. By visiting a veterinarian at least once a year, a pet has the best chance for a long, happy, and healthy life. ...

Senior Pet Care

Older cats and dogs may have somewhat different care needs than they had when they were young. As with humans, although a comfortable and long life can never be guaranteed, certain measures of senior care can be helpful in maintaining health and longevity. While life spans vary, cats are generally considered to be seniors when they reach 8 to 10 years of age. Because dogs' life expectancies cover a wide range depending on breed, dogs are usually considered seniors when they are within 25 percent of the life expectancy for their size or breed. ...

Service Dogs

Service dogs are dogs that have been specially trained to assist owners with various disabilities. Although dogs have functioned as aides to the blind for many centuries, it is only in recent years that dogs have been trained to help the deaf or hearing-impaired, diabetics, individuals with mobility issues,and patients with epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and autism. ...

Spaying and Neutering

Spaying and neutering are surgical procedures performed to prevent animals from reproducing. While "neuter" actually means "neither sex" and can theoretically be used to refer to an operation on either gender, in common usage neuter refers to the removal of the male's testicles and spay refers to the removal of the female's uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes. In horses, the operation on males is known as gelding. For most pet owners, with the exception of professional breeders, spaying or neutering is a wise choice. The simple, safe surgical procedures are not only socially responsible, but beneficial to the animals' health. They will also help to curb certain troublesome behavior patterns. ...

Traveling With Your Pet

For many individuals or families, a vacation trip is enhanced by the inclusion of the family dog or cat in travel plans. There are also times when it is inconvenient, or even impossible, to leave the pet behind. With some preplanning, taking your cat or dog along on a trip can be a comfortable and pleasurable experience. ...

Vaccinations for Dogs and Cats

A vaccination, also known as an immunization, is a medication which stimulates an immune response to provide protection against a particular disease, or group of diseases. Vaccinations are commonly given to pets to protect them from specific diseases. Unless properly vaccinated, a pet may be at risk of contracting one of several, possibly fatal, infectious diseases. Vaccines are typically given to pets for the most serious and common of these diseases, and are usually extremely effective in fighting disease. ...