What is “Fear Free” and why is it important? Fear Free is a movement that was launched in 2016 by Dr. Marty Becker, with the goal of providing exceptional education on emotional wellbeing, enrichment, and reduction of fear, anxiety, and stress in pets.  The...

There is a lot of controversy out there on when, why and if you should Spay your pet. Most animal professionals will tell you that the benefits far out way the risks. Ultimately, the owner is the decision maker and all we can do is educate people so they can make the...

There is a lot of controversy out there on when, why and if you should Neuter your pet. Most animal professionals will tell you that the benefits far out way the risks. Ultimately, the owner is the decision maker and all we can do is educate people so they can make...

Making the Decision to Say Goodbye   Pets are family and losing any family member (when two-footed or four) can be very difficult.  And it can become even more difficult when we may have to make that decision for our beloved pet.  It can feel immoral, murderous,...

Does the thought of grooming your pet fill you with dread? Do you find yourself apprehensive about the stress it might cause your furry friend?  Fear Not!  Grooming can be an important part of caring for our dogs and cats. It keeps their skin and haircoat healthy,...

Did you know that every six seconds a pet owner in the US is faced with a vet bill of $1,000 or more?  What happens when that pet owner is you? With the increasing costs of everything, including veterinary care, pet insurance may be the answer.  Just like humans, our...

Over the past few months, you have likely heard of a new “mystery” respiratory illness in dogs that has been sweeping the country. We have also been seeing an increased number of respiratory cases in Iowa that follows the pattern seen in other states.  While the...

What is Enrichment, and why it’s important: Enrichment is a method used to encourage a bird’s natural behaviors and to provide them with mental stimulation. Wild birds are active! They forage for food, eat, preen, fly, socialize, and they watch for predators. In a...

When going on vacation, the time leading up to the escape from real life can be very stressful. One frequent question that might be asked is, what to do with our furry friends?  When trying to decide where to place your trust with a boarding facility there are a few...

Wow. What a category! So many options and things to choose from out there. You may wonder, "Why would you make a blog about toys? You buy them and give them to your pet, end of story". Well, I am here to let you know a wide range of toys are available for different...

As of February 28, 2023, we will no longer be offering declaw services at our clinic.  We wanted to take some time to explain scratching, the declaw procedure (and why it is no longer being recommended), and some tips to live a happy co-existence with a clawed cat.   ...

It's not a secret that animal rescues/shelters nationwide are constantly full. This can make things overwhelming for the staff and many of the animals in the shelters. This overcrowding can often lead shelters to pursue euthanasia to make space, which can mean a very...

Winter can be a time of snowball fights, snuggling by the fire, and ice skating, both for you and for your pets.  However, there are a few hazards that can also be found at this time of year and we want to make sure you and your pet have a safe snowy season!     ...

The animal nutrition world has blown up and become quite overwhelming, particularly regarding food allergies and sensitivities. I would like to sort out some of the common questions surrounding this and how to navigate the wide variety of products available. A big...

Halloween can be a wonderful time of the year: full of tricks, treats, and candy!  However, this holiday can also be dangerous for our furry family members.  Here are a handful of things to watch out for with this upcoming holiday. Chocolate. Out of all the candy that...

This adaptation of an ancient Chinese Proverb fits so perfectly when I think about teaching leash manners to our pets. There are so many adventures we can experience in life, from around the block to around the world; with a dog alongside us we are nigh unstoppable. ...

The veterinary staff at Ankeny Animal & Avian Clinic are always striving to provide the best diagnostics and care for your pet.  One of our newer additions to our diagnostic tool options is the use of abdominal ultrasound. Often paired with x-rays, an ultrasound...

As a general practice veterinary clinic, we get to see a lot of strange cases coming in.  And sometimes, the cases get beyond what we are capable of diagnosing or treating.  Thankfully, in these instances, we have a wonderful network of referral options, including...

Watching your beloved fur kiddo age can be a difficult process . It is so hard to watch your once energetic babe start to slow down and begin to struggle with things that used to come so easy to them, especially the normal day to day things.  In this post I will be...