The reliable way to tell whether your dog or cat is overweight or simply fluffy is a hands-on assessment called body condition scoring (BCS), not a glance and not the number on the scale alone. Body condition scoring uses a nine-point scale tied to specific physical landmarks: how easily the ribs can be felt, whether [...]
There's a threshold you cross at some point, from "they've been a little barfy lately" to "something is genuinely wrong and I need to do something about it." It's not always obvious where that threshold is. One vomiting episode after getting into the garbage is one thing. Three episodes in a week for the past [...]
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 enlarged (a condition veterinarians call lymphadenopathy), they're telling [...]
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 present at birth or acquired through nursing, even the most [...]
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 old." They can be signs of treatable conditions, and they're worth paying attention to. Preventive [...]
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. [...]
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 understands that anxiety is a medical and behavioral [...]
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 every stage of life. At Krichel Animal Hospital [...]
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. At Krichel Animal Hospital in Keokuk, Iowa, we treat grass [...]