March would not be complete without an equally important holiday for another pet – cats! March 28th is Respect Your Cat Day, an opportunity to show our feline friends love beyond what they receive on a daily basis. Fully respecting your cat goes above and beyond just giving them attention, you must know how to […]
Puppies are one of the most universal symbols for positivity, cheer, and general happiness. Because of this, it’s only fitting that they get their own day to be celebrated! Established in 2006 by Colleen Paige, March 23rd is now known as National Puppy Day. The intent behind the creation of this day was to raise […]
Both cats and dogs are susceptible to infections if their ears are not properly cleaned. Ear infections are a top reason that people visit a vet and while we are always happy to see our clientele, we also want to arm them with the information and skills to maintain healthy ear cleaning habits for their […]
It is the time of the year when many of us are anxiously anticipating the end of winter, but we must prepare to buckle down for a few more weeks until spring officially arrives. With this in mind, you may not realize it but colder weather and safety measures that are undertaken outdoors during the […]
One of the first things that you do in the morning is brush your teeth. But do you ever stop to think about the importance of your pet’s oral health? Veterinary dentistry involves the cleaning, adjustment, filling, extraction or repair of your pet’s teeth. You should visit us at least once a year to make […]
As you can imagine, spending a lot of time outside during the winter can take a toll on your dog’s paws. Not only is your furry friend exposed to snow and ice, but they are also exposed to toxic chemicals used to minimize ice and snow. Their paw pads are at risk for drying, cracking, […]
Just as you might get a second opinion for yourself, getting a second opinion for your pet is a great way to see what other medical professionals have to say. If one vet is suggesting an expensive, extreme treatment option for your pet, it’s worth your peace of mind to at least seek out the […]
You may not realize it, but the fact that we are independently owned veterinarian practice makes all the difference in our services. We don’t need to rely on big corporations to tell us how we should run our business. Because we can run our business the way that we want to, we don’t have to […]
When it comes to our pets, there’s no such thing as being too dedicated! We look for every way to enrich and nourish their lives. Nutrition is one core place to focus that has far-reaching effects for the good of our pets. There are a myriad options for feeding pets these days, from long-established commercially […]
Over the last 20 years, there has been growing pushback on how necessary vaccinations are for both humans and pets. Much of the fear has been sparked by internet and magazine articles and on talk shows. Many parents have chosen to opt out of core vaccinations for their children. This same mindset has crossed over […]
The day has finally arrived and you bring your new puppy or pooch home! Regardless whether it came from a breeder, a store, a rescue, a shelter, or off the street, you may feel overwhelmed by the possible next steps to take when your dog arrives home. It is especially intimidating for new dog owners […]
Once you’ve have your new pet, it’s important that you take the necessary steps to ensure he or she lives a happy, healthy life. Part of this process is getting appropriate and timely immunizations from our animal hospital in Chicago. There are two categories of vaccinations: core vaccines and non-core vaccines. Core vaccines protect against […]
July is a difficult time for many pets, with an excessive amount of fireworks on the Fourth of July and sporadically throughout the rest of the month, extreme heat during the day, a scarcity of fresh drinking water, dangerous driving, toxic plants, and the growing bloom of seasonal parasites. Because of this, it is an […]
Trusting someone to watch your pet while you are out of town can be a gut-wrenching experience. Your mind likely races through all of the possible worst-case scenarios, like your pet running away, getting sick or getting hurt. Leaving your pet at home alone is never an easy thing to do, but the process is […]
If you’ve ever had an ear infection, you know the pain and discomfort that comes with it. Unfortunately, dogs are also prone to getting ear infections, so it’s important that dog owners are aware of the warning signs. If you notice your dog showing any of the following signs, schedule an appointment with our Ukrainian […]
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals marks June as Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, encouraging citizens nationwide to adopt cats whenever possible! In honor of this month, our hospital’s Bucktown, Logan Square-area, Ukrainian Village and Wicker Park vets want to outline what you can expect when you adopt a cat and […]
As pet owners, ensuring our pets are at their happiest and healthiest should always be our number one goal. With that being said, according to veterinary surveys, over half of the dogs and cats in the U.S. are overweight. If your pet is overweight, there is an increased risk they may develop health problems like […]
The last thing you want is for your cat or dog to get away from you and get lost. Unfortunately, up to 8 million animals will end up in an animal shelter every year, and only 15-20 percent of dogs and 2 percent of cats are reclaimed by their owners. May is National Chip Your […]
April 30th is officially National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day! The best gift you could ever give is love. In honor of this day, Village West Vet wanted to outline some of the amazing benefits of adopting shelter and rescue pets from our local animal controls or rescue organizations, especially our own CARF: Critical Animal […]
Ensuring your dog’s nails are regularly trimmed is more important than you think. If your dog spends a lot of time outside, the friction from hard surfaces like concrete and blacktop may gradually wear their nails down, but this takes A LOT more outside time on these surfaces than you might think. And if your […]
We can’t think of many days better spent than celebrating puppies. As a Ukrainian Village, Bucktown, Logan Square, West Town, and Wicker Park animal hospital, this post is dedicated to explaining exactly what to expect during your first visit to the vet with your new puppy. What to Expect Regardless of where you acquired your […]
Getting and caring for a dog or cat, or puppy or kitten, is such an exciting time in your life. It’s a brand-new adventure and chapter in your life. Despite all of the upsides with getting a new dog or cat, or puppy or kitten, it comes with risks and responsibilities as well. In case […]
At Village West Veterinary, once we’ve done our best to help with hospice care and end of life decision-making for our furry companions, we’ll also do our best to help with that last gift of a peaceful departure. When that time has arrived, we want to be there to help you say goodbye in the […]
Some cats are simply more prone to meowing because of their breed, and some cats just like their voices to be heard. However, if your cat has been meowing under unusual circumstances, then they may be telling you something is wrong. Here are some factors to consider when your cat is excessively meowing: Illness: Our number […]
Declawing was once a common practice for cat owners. Instead of relying on scratching posts or having to file or trim a cat’s nails regularly, owners could bring the cat to a veterinarian who would permanently remove the claws. However, this can be incredibly painful and cruel to these animals. At our animal hospital in […]
1. Dogs See in Black and White Veterinarians once believed that dogs could only see in black and white. However, this is now only a widespread myth! As science has evolved, vets in Chicago and around the world now agree that dogs have about 20% of the cone photoreceptor cells that humans have. This means […]
Although they are always adorable, pet costumes are not always a safe or comfortable idea for your dog. Our Village West animal hospital came up with a few tips and tricks to ensure your dog is safe and at ease when wearing a costume: How to Spot Signs of Stress Playing dress up is not […]
Simply put, there actually is no simple answer for how often you should feed your cat. Every cat is different, which is why you should take these factors into consideration when deciding your cat’s food schedule: Kitten vs Adult How old is your cat? The size and age of your cat is directly correlated with […]
How Dogs Get Rabies Rabies is primarily passed to dogs through bites from an infected animal, although an infected animal’s saliva — or even aerosolized saliva — can cause infection if it comes in contact with a dog’s open wound or any mucous membranes. It is important you contact Village West Veterinary, Chicago Animal Control, […]
A healthy pet can help make for a healthy owner. Here are just a few reasons why owning a pet can help your health: Improve Your Mood It only takes a few minutes to feel less stressed after playing with a kitten or petting an enthusiastic pooch! The levels of your stress hormone, cortisol, are […]
If you’re a dog owner, it’s important to understand the possible symptoms of worm infection in your dog. The sooner you recognize the signs, the faster you will be able to visit our Village West Veterinary animal hospital in Chicago to heal your companion. Worms may be small, but these little worm parasites can have […]
As a cat owner, it is always important you regulate and monitor the intake of food your cat is eating. If you have noticed a decline in your cat’s appetite, here are a few potential reasons why your cat is not eating: Have You Changed Their Diet? The first variable in this equation to […]
Vets in Chicago warn dog owners to be cautious of their dogs spending too much time in the summer heat. So, how hot is too hot? The answer varies depending on the dog breed, ambient temperature and humidity. It is important to note that dogs do not sweat like we do. They use panting as […]
It’s staying pretty hot in Chicago! If you’re spending time at the pool, lake, beach or marina it is a common misconception that dogs are naturally good swimmers. Dogs can tread water if they happen to fall in – it’s called doggy paddling! However, it is not the same as knowing how to swim. It […]
Bringing home a new cat can be both a stressful and exciting time for your family. The health of your furry friend should always be your top priority. Along with scheduling an appointment with a trusted Village West vet in Chicago, it is important to choose quality food for a healthy diet. With so many […]
Cats tend to snooze most of the day, thus making it hard to tell if they aren’t getting enough sleep. It may be surprising to know that not all cats are getting the proper rest that they need. Healthy adult cats typically will sleep for 50-70% of the day, and kittens and seniors will sleep […]
Does your dog have bad breath? Dogs aren’t shy and if you have spent a few minutes up close and personal, it’s likely you have caught a whiff of their bad breath. Dogs are not known for fresh breath. In fact, as a vet near Wicker Park, we are often asked by our clients why […]
As we pack away our snow shovels and bring out our gardening tools, it is important to pick wisely, as some of our favorite plants can be toxic to our dogs. Plants that are poisonous to our dogs can be found in bouquets, in our yards, and in the wild, and consumption can cause a […]
For many, the onset of Spring indicates the onset of allergy season. If something appears to be making your kitty act out of character, it could be allergies! Just like us, our cats need treatment to help them fight off allergens so they can be feeling their best. The first step in identifying an allergen […]
Your pet ultimately depends on you to care them. They rely on you to feed, bathe, walk, love, and take them to a veterinarian as needed. Every time you visit the veterinary clinic it is an opportunity for you and your trusted vet in Wicker Park to work together to ensure your pet is in […]
Are you searching for a vet in Chicago? Choosing a veterinarian for your pet is more than searching for a medical expert. You are choosing someone to meet your needs and those of your pet. The best time to search for a vet in Chicago is when it is not an emergency. Planning ahead will […]
At some point, every cat owner has had a circumstance where they have wondered, “does my pet need to see the vet?” Our first instinct is to search the internet for an answer to our problems. Whether you have a cat, dog or bird, it is always best to call your veterinarian to get an […]
What You Can Expect At Village West Veterinary Your pet’s health and comfort is our sole purpose. Village West Veterinary was created to provide our pets and their owners with the most conscientious and knowledgeable medical and surgical experience. We have been serving the Chicagoland area and its surrounding suburbs for 8 years. Pet owners […]
