Beltline Animal Hospital

With the upcoming holidays, we wanted to send a reminder that Beltline Animal Hospital will be closed on Thursday, July 4th and Friday, July 5th to allow our staff to enjoy time with family.

If your pet needs veterinary care during these times, please contact one of the following veterinary urgent/emergency care locations:

- UW Veterinary Care (608-263-7600)
- Madison Veterinary Specialists & Emergency
Care (608-274-7772)
- VCA VES Middleton (608-831-1101)
- VCA VES Madison East (608-222-2455)

If you are in need of any medications for your pets over this long weekend please let us know as soon as possible.

As a reminder our hours this week are:

Monday and Tuesday: 8:00am-5:30pm
Wednesday: 8:00am- 12:00pm
Thursday and Friday: Closed

👋 Hey guys! Maverick here. Did you all know that today is International Sheltie Day? I bet there are more like me out there, so post your photo 📸 below so we can celebrate together!!

Every year on May 14th appreciation is shown to the smallest dog breed: Chihuahuas!

The American Kennel Club first recognized the breed in the early 1900s. They have since grown to be popular and are no stranger to being seen in the arms of celebrities.

Our "pup-arazzi" has captured a couple of our small, spunky Chihuahuas/Chihuahua mixes: Charlie 🩷, Hank 🩵, and Kojack 💚. Sending big hugs to these little pups!

A very Happy Mother's Day to all who celebrate!

Luna and Fitz want everyone to know that it's GERMAN SHEPHERD day! 🐕‍🦺 Let's see all those GSDs and GSD Mixes below. 👇

Did you know that "Tabby" is not a breed of cat but rather a coat pattern? 🐱 There are several variations in the patterns (spots, stripes, whirls, patches, etc), but often an “M” shaped marking appears on the head of Tabby cats, just above the eyes. 👀

Check out this link 👇 and post a photo below of your tabby cat. Be sure to tell us which coat pattern they have and if they have the distinctive "M" mark.

Tabby Cat Facts | ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance What is a Tabby cat? Learn about different fur patterns seen in Tabby cats and other fun facts about this feline from the ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance program.

🌍🐾 Happy World Veterinary Day from BAH! 🐾🌍

Today, we celebrate the incredible dedication and compassion of veterinarians worldwide, who work tirelessly to protect the health and well-being of animals everywhere. 🌟

To our amazing team: thank you for your unwavering commitment to providing top-notch care and making a positive difference in the lives of our furry friends. 🙌 And to all pet owners, thank you for entrusting us with the care of your beloved companions. Your support means the world to us, and we're honored to be a part of your pet's healthcare journey.

Let's continue to work together to ensure a brighter, healthier future for animals around the globe. Happy World Veterinary Day! 🐾❤️

Just look at this handsome boy! Oscar had his first visit at BAH today, and he did great!
Welcome to the BAH Family! ❤

Today is National Beagle Day so we wanted to shout out to three of BAH's very own: 🐾🩷 Bouley, Luna🧡, and Bagel 🩵🐾!
Post a photo below of your baying buddy and tell us what you love most about the breed.

This week is Veterinary Receptionist Week!

Veterinary receptionists are typically the first smiling face you see upon entering the clinic and the first friendly voice on the phone ☎️. They have a genuine desire to help each patient and client all while juggling 🤹‍♀️ staff requests, phone calls, emails, and the demands for attention and treats from our furry patients 🐈🐩🐾.

Please join us in thanking all Veterinary Receptionists for their hard work this week and always!

To all our fellow Cat Ladies: Happy National Cat Lady Day! 🐈🐱🐈‍⬛
We want to see you with all of your feline friends; drop us a photo in the comments below!

In honor of National Dog Bite Prevention Week, here are some do's and don’ts on how to avoid being bitten:

DO:
✅ Ask permission before petting a dog you don’t know.
✅ Teach children how to gently interact with a dog.
✅ Supervise interactions between children and dogs at all times.
✅ Provide your dog with regular exercise and mental stimulation to help reduce anxiety and stress.
DON'T:
❌ Allow children to sit or climb on any dog.
❌ Disturb a dog while they are eating, sleeping or caring for puppies.
❌ Assume that a wagging tail is a sign of a happy dog.

https://www.dogtipper.com/blog/2020/04/national-dog-bite-prevention-week.html

🐈 Today is National Siamese Cat Day. 🐈
We would like to show off these two cuties: Millie and Molly.
Siamese cats tend to be incredibly intelligent, affectionate, and ... opinionated. 😹
Celebrate your purr-fect Siamese by posting a photo below. 👇

Did you know that The American Heartworm Society estimates that more than a million dogs in the U.S. have heartworm disease? 💔🪱

Heartworm disease can be fatal and costly. Monthly prevention is recommended year round (yes, even in winter!) and can often protect your dog or cat from multiple parasites including intestinal parasites, fleas, and more depending on which product you choose.

Learn more about heartworm disease: https://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources

Jerry came to visit us today!
He always makes the entire staff smile and has quickly become a favorite of Mya's... earning him extra snuggles. ❤🐾

Kaliope, a 3 yr 7 mo English Spinger Spaniel, came to see us yesterday for her first complete oral health assessment and treatment (aka "a dental") and to have a small mass removed.

We found that she had the earliest stages of periodontal disease (i.e. gingivitis) which will improve/be reversed with the removal of the tartar from her teeth and, since we were addressing her periodontal disease early, she did not need any dental extractions! 🙌 Take a look at her before and after photos below.

She went home with not only pearly white teeth and overall improved health but also big plans for at-home dental care to continue to keep those teeth and gums healthy! 🌟 Remember: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!🤓

We just heard from the Easter Bunny 🐇 that he will be making several deliveries this year and wants to make sure that our patients stay safe.

🍬🍫 Chocolate/candies can be a tempting treat from unattended Easter baskets and plastic eggs hidden in the yard.

🪻🌷💐 Spring flowers can add beauty to Easter celebrations, but some of those flowers could be poisonous to dogs and cats. One of the most widely known is the severe kidney toxicity that occurs in cats exposed to lilies; even the water from the vase or pollen from the plant can be life-threatening to your cat. Some lesser known (and less severe) toxic spring plants include: tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths.

🧺🌱 Easter basket grass (like Christmas tinsel) can be enticing to pets (especially cats) but can cause life-threatening stomach/intestinal obstruction that may require surgery to resolve.

☀️‍🌾 If the weather is warm, it is not uncommon for us to begin spring yard work. Keep herbicides out of reach of pets and ensure that the application is dry before letting pets outside.

🍇🧄🍖 No celebration is complete without a meal. In addition to the extra candy and sweets that the Easter Bunny brings, remember that onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, grapes, and raisins are common toxic foods that pets ingest. However, many foods that aren't toxic may cause stomach upset that could lead to pancreatitis.

If you think your pet has ingested one of these items, call ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435, or the Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661.

It can be difficult to differentiate between seasonal allergies and flea allergic dermatitis. Here are some symptoms to watch out for:

🌿 Spring Allergies: Keep an eye out for symptoms like itching, sneezing, watery eyes, and skin irritation. Pets may also exhibit behaviors such as excessive scratching, licking, or chewing on their paws or skin. If you notice these signs, call us to schedule an appointment.

🚫 Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD): Flea allergy symptoms can be similar to those of spring allergies but may also include severe itching, redness, and inflammation, particularly around the base of the tail and along the back. Flea dirt (tiny black specks) may be visible on your pet's skin or fur. Prevention is key, so ensure your pet is on a regular veterinary recommended flea prevention regimen.

If you are noticing any of these symptoms and you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, call (608-222-1515).

It’s National Puppy Day! 😍🐶🐾

Tell us how you found your puppy? Was it from a friend, adoption, love at first sight?

Did you know that March is ☠️ Pet Poison Prevention and Awareness Month ☠️?

There are a lot of things in our home that can be poisonous to our pets. 🍇🥑🍫🧄💐🍺💊🧴
If you think your pet ingested something they shouldn’t have, the ASPCA animal poison control number is (888) 426-4435.

It's the first day of spring!!

As the flowers bloom 🌷 and the weather warms up ☀️, some pets grow increasingly more uncomfortable and itchy. If your pet has been off of flea and tick prevention during winter months it can be difficult to tell if these new symptoms are from fleas or environmental allergies.

🐾 Whether it's seasonal allergies or flea allergies, your veterinary team is here to help! Don't hesitate to reach out if you suspect your pet is experiencing discomfort or allergy-related symptoms. Let's keep our furry friends happy and healthy all year round!

☘️ Happy St. Patrick's Day from BELTLINE ANIMAL HOSPITAL! ☘️

Wishing you a day filled with luck, laughter, and lots of love from your furry companions! 🐾

Don't forget to keep your pets safe during the festivities - keep green treats out of reach and ensure they stay away from any potentially harmful decorations.

If your pet needs a little extra luck in the health department, remember, we're here for you! Our team is dedicated to keeping your pets happy and healthy all year round.

May the luck of the Irish be with you and your furry friends today and always! 🌈🍀

Finding the right chews and treats that promote dental health can be overwhelming 😫 so we’re making it easier!

The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VHOC) has a comprehensive list of veterinary recommended dental treats, chews and more that are ⭐️safe and effective⭐️ for your pets.

Check out the link below 👇 for the VOHC list!
https://vohc.org/accepted-products/

In honor of K9 Veterans Day we would like to show our respect and appreciation for the City of Monona Police Department K9 Officers.

K9 Officer Miya retired on December 31, 2021 after serving the force for 11 years. Sadly, she crossed the rainbow bridge on August 26, 2023; she is immeasurably missed.

K9 Officer Jakko has been coming to us for routine veterinary care since November 2021. He does an excellent job and has had some huge success since joining the police department just over two years ago!

We hope you will all join us in thanking K9 Officers Miya and Jakko for their hard work and dedication to the Monona Police Department and for keeping our community safe.

If you guessed “C. Badger'' 🦡 you are correct!
The Dachshund was bred in 18th-century Germany to hunt badgers.

Get ready to flex those brain cells! It's trivia time! 🤓
How well do you know your dog breeds?

What animal was the Dachshund originally bred to hunt?
A. Rat 🐀
B. Badger 🦡
C. Duck 🦆
D. Mole 🐿

Leave your answer in the comments 👇.

Today, we honor the remarkable women who lead, inspire, and empower within the field of veterinary medicine. From our compassionate veterinarians to our dedicated technicians and staff, these incredible women are the heart and soul of our animal hospital.

Their tireless dedication to providing the highest quality care for our furry patients knows no bounds. They are trailblazers, advocates, and caregivers, shaping the future of veterinary medicine with their expertise and passion.

On this International Women's Day, we recognize and celebrate their invaluable contributions to the health and well-being of animals everywhere. Here's to the strong, compassionate, and inspiring women of Beltline Animal Hospital- thank you for all that you do! 💪👩‍⚕️🐾

Just look at this cute face!!! 🥹❤ Today we met Gunnar, a young Pomsky who has quite the story to tell.

In December, Gunnar was taken to Madison Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Care by a good samaritan (who just happened to be connected to a cat rescue located in Whitewater) after he was found on the side of the road, presumed hit by a car. The talented team at MVS performed surgery to repair his diaphragmatic hernia, cared for his wounds, and ensured he was comfortable while hospitalized.

A short time later, he was found to have a broken elbow (likely from the accident) and had his left front leg amputated by a local vet clinic in February. Gunnar can attest to the resilience of "tripawd" dogs and their ability to quickly adapt to not having a limb.

His recovery has been made even sweeter by finding his forever home last week with one of the best owners we know! His new fur-mom states that the timing was serendipitous after the recent passing of her beloved chihuahua (also cared for by the MVS Team).... not to mention March 3rd being Tripawd Awareness Day!

🐾❤ Welcome to the BAH Family, Gunnar! You have such a happy future ahead of you! ❤🐾

🛑 CUTE (& AVAILABLE) PUPPY ALERT! 🛑

It has come to our attention that HAMLET is still waiting for his forever home through Fetch Wisconsin Rescue! How can that be?!?

Hamlet is your typical large breed puppy... other than being deaf. Unfortunately, being deaf makes it easy for potential adopters to overlook him before meeting him ... but it doesn't slow him down one bit.
Having a deaf dog is not right for everyone and takes extra commitment for training and building the dog-owner relationship, but it is definitely just as rewarding with a few extra perks (Think: no reaction to fireworks or thunderstorms!).

If you are interested in learning more about Hamlet or would like to set up a time to meet him, we invite you to visit the following link and reach out to Fetch: https://fetchwi.org/doggos/hamlet

March 1st was Employee Appreciation Day and although we may have missed the official day 🤦‍♀️, it is never too late to recognize the staff and all of their hard work.
We are lucky to have a team that is committed to helping each other, our patients/clients, and the community. Each of you is a valuable part of the clinic and we would be lost without you.
⭐️Thank you for all you do! ⭐️