What Swollen Lymph Nodes Mean for Your Pet You know your pet better than anyone, so when something feels different, you notice. Maybe it's a lump under the jaw you don't remember being there, or a swelling in front of the shoulder that appeared seemingly overnight. These lumps are often lymph nodes, and when they're [...]
A Complete Guide to Deworming Your New Puppy or Kitten Puppies and kittens have a lot of growing to do in a short window of time, and intestinal parasites are one of the most common things working against them. Roundworms can cause poor growth, pot-bellied appearance, and diarrhea in young animals, and because many are [...]
Senior Pet Screening: How Blood Work, Thyroid Testing, and Imaging Keep Your Pet Healthy Longer As the years pass, you may notice your older dog's muzzle turning gray, less interest in walks, or your cat taking more naps than usual. Some of those changes are a normal part of aging, but others aren't just "getting [...]
Gear That Helps, Not Harms: Safer Training Tools and a Smarter Approach to Chews and Toys A walk should be a routine you both look forward to, not a battle with equipment that leaves your dog coughing, pulling away, or sore afterward. And it is not only collars and leashes that can cause trouble. Some [...]
A Healthier Future: Why Spay and Neuter Is Essential for Pets If you've ever found yourself struggling with a pet's constant urge to roam, marking behaviors, or sudden mood changes, you know how stressful it can be trying to manage these instincts. Caring for a pet means making choices that secure their happiness and well-being. [...]
When Fear Takes Over: Recognizing Anxiety in Pets Thunderstorms, vet visits, or being left alone can trigger fear-based behaviors in dogs and cats. Shaking, hiding, or destruction are all cries for help. Addressing stress through training, environmental control, and veterinary guidance can make life easier for anxious pets. At Krichel Animal Hospital, our AAHA-accredited team [...]
Vaccines at Every Age: Lifelong Protection for Pets As pets grow older, their needs evolve- but protection from disease remains essential. A sleepy senior cat or relaxed older dog still faces invisible risks from viruses and bacteria in the environment. Vaccination is the simplest and most effective way to prevent illness and maintain wellness through [...]
Grass Awns Explained: What Makes Them So Dangerous for Pets A warm afternoon walk through tall grass might seem harmless, but hidden within those golden stalks is a serious threat to your pet’s health: grass awns. These sharp, barbed seeds may appear small, but they can cause painful wounds, deep infections, or even life-threatening complications. [...]
Senior Pet Wellness: How to Identify and Treat Chronic Pain Getting older is part of life- and our pets, just like us, feel the aches and pains that come with age. But unlike us, they can’t tell you what hurts. That’s why chronic pain in senior pets often goes unnoticed. It creeps in gradually, sometimes [...]
At Krichel Animal Hospital in Keokuk, Iowa, we know that the idea of your pet needing surgery can be unsettling. As a pet owner, you’re likely balancing a deep concern for your pet’s well-being with the uncertainty that comes with medical decisions. Our role is to support and guide you through the process—clearly, compassionately, and [...]