Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital’s Blog

Have you ever found yourself wondering about the truth behind life’s urban legends and “general knowledge”, such as the 5-second rule or that eating carrots will improve eyesight, only to come to the conclusion that the answers to life’s quandaries can be downright fishy? Even with the vast amount information available to us with the click of a button, the real truth can be difficult to pin down.

Our pets are important members of our families, and advancements in veterinary medicine have meant more years of unconditional love and cuddles from our furry friends. But these advancements come at a cost, and this is where pet health insurance can help.

Pet insurance coverage can curtail the costs of veterinary expenses, particularly for pets needing treatment for serious illnesses or injuries. At Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital, we’re pleased to offer our pet families flexible payment options, including Direct Pay through Trupanion pet insurance. 

With total lifetime costs of pet care (based on 15-year lifespans) ranging from $15,000-$45,000 for cats and $20,000-$55,000 for dogs, we thought we’d help shed some light on pet insurance benefits.

There’s really no limit to what your pet can learn, but a lot depends on how new information is presented to them. For them to fully embrace a new skill, and be able to repeat it, pets benefit from a structured approach. They need to feel secure and confident within the framework provided by their trustworthy owners. Overcoming common training challenges is much easier with our tips from Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital. 

When you become a pet parent, all you want to do is keep your precious fur baby safe from harm. But pets are curious creatures with incredibly strong noses (dogs) and an unmatched ability to leap onto your countertops (cats). How can we keep our furry explorers from the dangerous household items that can hurt them? 

The team at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital is here to help. By understanding common household hazards for pets, you can pet-proof your home and make an emergency plan for if things go south. 

Every surgical procedure is unique, but there are some general practices regarding a pet’s needs before and after the surgery. Your veterinary team offers some insights to help prepare your pet for surgery. 

Humans have an average global lifespan of 70 to 75 years, but our pets pack their life into a much shorter time. It might be no big deal for you to miss a yearly doctor’s appointment. But for your pet, missing a yearly visit to the vet is like us forgoing a checkup for five years. Yikes! 

Our senior pets have earned the right to sleep as much as they want, resist strenuous activity, and schedule their waking hours around meals. Unfortunately, the majority of aging or older pets can’t fully embrace their retirement because they’re suffering in silence. Arthritis in pets can vary between slightly irritating to downright immobilizing. But with daily support at home and veterinary support, animals afflicted with this disease can continue to enjoy the lives they not only love, but wholeheartedly deserve. 

Heartworm is one of those diseases you don’t ever want your dog or cat to get. When a pet has heartworms, long, noodle-like worms quite literally live in their heart. Treating the disease can be a grueling process for your dog—and you. The best way to treat heartworms is to prevent your dog or cat from getting them in the first place. April is Heartworm Awareness Month, which gives us the perfect opportunity to share some of the things we want you to know about this disease. 

Household flies are a nuisance for many of us, especially in the summertime. But when it comes to our pets, these sky raisins are particularly interesting.

You have probably seen your cat or dog swat or chomp at flies, and, of course, gobble them up like they are a tasty snack. Since cats and dogs are instinctual hunters, this tiny prey may seem like an easy bit of nutrition for them, even though it is gross to us.

The question we at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital often get from pet owners is why pets eat flies and is it safe for them to do so. You are in luck. We are here to explain this airborne fixation for your best friend.

If you are like most dog owners, it takes patience, time, and repetition when you begin to train a puppy or even an adult dog. The challenges of cleaning up accidents, the constant struggle to redirect your pet from spraying the couch, and the ongoing time and skills to teach basic commands are the things that you deal with. Without a doubt, house training your dog is not for the faint of heart!

But once you and your pet have established the basics of house training, the positive effects can last a lifetime. This is why your team at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital wants to give you the tools and techniques for house training your dog. Let’s begin!