Three Rivers Animal Hospital

🔥🐾 Hot Pavement = Hot Paws!
Summer sunshine is great for adventures, but it can be dangerous for your pet’s paws.

When the air temperature hits 85°F, pavement and asphalt can heat up to 130°F or more—hot enough to burn sensitive paw pads in seconds.☀️

Quick paw safety tips:

• Walk pets early in the morning or later in the evening
• Stick to grass or shaded trails when possible
• Do the 7-second test: place the back of your hand on the pavement—if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for paws
• Watch for signs of paw irritation like limping, licking, or redness

Your pet’s paws were made for adventures, not hot sidewalks. A little planning can keep those tails wagging all summer long! 🐶🐱

☀️🐾 Summer Surgery Special: Bump Your Lumps!
Have you noticed a new lump or bump on your pet? Summer is the perfect time to have it checked out!

During June and July, we’re offering 20% off mass removals when histopathology is elected. 🩺🔬

When a lump is removed, sending the tissue to a laboratory for histopathology allows a veterinary pathologist to examine the cells and determine exactly what the mass is.

This information helps guide your pet’s future care and gives us valuable answers
about their health.

Early evaluation of lumps and bumps is always important—many are harmless, but some require treatment, and the sooner we know, the better we can help your pet.

If your dog or cat has a lump you’ve been watching, this is a great opportunity to get it evaluated and addressed.

📞 Call our clinic to schedule an exam and learn more about our “Bump Your Lumps” Summer Surgery Special!

🌿 Itchy Pet? Let’s Talk Allergy Options! 🐾

If your pet is licking paws, scratching nonstop, shaking their head, or dealing with chronic ear or skin issues, allergies may be to blame. The good news? We have options! 💙

Here’s a quick look at the tools we use to help manage allergic pets:
🧪 Allergy Testing
When appropriate, testing can help identify environmental triggers (like pollen or dust mites) and guide long-term management strategies.

💊 Zenrelia® (ilunocitinib)
A once-daily oral medication designed to target itch at the source by blocking specific pathways involved in allergic inflammation.

💊 Numelvi (atinvicitinib)/ Apoquel® (oclacitinib)
A commonly prescribed oral medication that helps control allergic itch quickly and effectively in many dogs.

💉 Cytopoint® (lokivetmab)
A long-acting injectable therapy that targets itch-causing cytokines. Many pets experience relief that can last several weeks.

🛒 Over-the-Counter Allergy Medications
Some antihistamines may help certain pets — but not all products are safe or effective. Always check with us before giving anything at home.

🍗 Novel Protein Diets
Diets featuring proteins your pet hasn’t eaten before (like venison, rabbit, or duck) can help determine if food allergies are contributing.

🥣 Hydrolyzed Protein Diets
These prescription diets break proteins into tiny pieces that are less likely to trigger an immune response — often used during food trials.

✨ The most important thing to know?
There is no one-size-fits-all allergy plan. Every pet is unique, and successful management often involves a combination approach tailored to their needs.
If your pet is uncomfortable, let’s work together to find a solution that helps them feel like themselves again. 💙

🐾 It’s Feline Health Month! 🐾

Cats are experts at hiding illness, which is why regular wellness checkups are so important. Even if your cat seems perfectly fine, routine exams help catch subtle changes early, before small issues turn into bigger problems.

From weight and dental health to early signs of kidney disease or arthritis, annual (or twice-yearly for seniors) vet visits help keep your cat comfortable, healthy, and thriving for years to come.

Because when it comes to cats, preventive care is powerful care 💙
Give your feline friend the checkup they deserve!

🐶🐱 Is your pet trying to tell you something?

Scratching nonstop, licking paws, or dealing with recurring ear issues could be more than a bad habit, they’re often early signs of allergies. Skin redness, hair loss, or “hot spots” are also common clues we see in dogs and cats.

Catching allergies early helps keep pets more comfortable and prevents secondary infections. If you’re noticing these signs, it’s a great time to check in with your vet 💙