Posts in Category: The Great Outdoors

Dogs aren’t exactly known for their discerning taste buds, but sometimes their culinary cravings can be downright head-scratchers. When your dog gobbles up mouthfuls of grass, should you be concerned?

At MarketPlace Veterinary Hospital, many pet owners ask us why their dogs are eating grass, and if this behavior is harmless or worth investigating further. Let’s take a look at some of the common reasons why your dog might be eating grass and how to curb the behavior.

Many dogs love summer and all that it brings. Unfortunately, they can’t always tell us when they’ve had too much. This means we need to be very observant to keep them safe and comfortable in the summer sun. In an effort to promote safety and comfort all summer long, owners of sun-loving dogs can rely on us for guidance and tips: 

If your holiday plans this year include fireworks, be sure that your July 4th pet safety skills are polished. Not all pets love the big bangs, but MarketPlace Veterinary Hospital can help you comfort your pet during fireworks and other loud noises of the holiday.

If the idea of snuggling with your pet for an entire afternoon sounds charming and restorative, you’re not alone. Most of us really enjoy, and even depend on, close time with our pets. The human-animal bond really shows up when you’re entwined on the couch for a Netflix bender. But the same benefits are equally present when exercising with your pet. When you prioritize pet exercise, you’re doing everyone a favor. And we’re pretty sure that Netflix is even more rewarding after some quality workout time.

Between rolling foothills in the West and rugged peaks of the High Sierra in the East, there’s no shortage of amazing views in El Dorado County. With the Lake Tahoe Basin right out our backdoors and the desolate beauty of the Eldorado National Forest at our fingertips, most dogs (and their humans) are excited to explore this natural playground. It’s time to take your dog hiking in the El Dorado Hills, and we can help you prepare for a truly memorable day trip.

Leptospirosis. It is a pretty intimidating word, and the disease itself can be pretty scary as well. It can be a very serious disease, and one worth avoiding at all costs. 

When it comes to leptospirosis treatment and prevention, you have come to the right place. MarketPlace Veterinary Hospital knows all about leptospirosis in dogs and how to protect your pet. 

Pet owners know that there are few things worse than becoming separated from their pets. Whether they simply wander too far or run after prey and become disoriented, the struggle to keep pets safe is very real. Luckily, there are some elements, like collars/ID tags and microchips, that make a swift reunion possible. Preventing a separation is different than knowing what to do if/when you ever come across stray animals or lost pets. We have some pointers that will keep you ahead of the curve.

Sneks, tube dudes, and nope ropes are plentiful in Northern California, but most of them are relatively harmless. Danger noodles and shake sneks, however, have hurt juice at the ready and they’ll use it if you, your doggo, or your kitteh get too close. The best way to stay out of harm’s way is to avoid the danger noodle zone, but sometimes these stealthy sneks sneak up on you and give you a boop full of hurt juice before you can react. These tips from your friends at MarketPlace Veterinary Hospital can help you keep your distance from danger noodles:

You’ve veered from the hiking trail. There’s no one around, so you let them off the leash. There may not be any people around, but there could be poisonous snakes ready to strike and bite your pet. You hear your excited dog rushing through the brush and then you hear a yelp. Has your pet been bitten by a venomous snake? Our veterinary staff is here to help!

Which Snakes Are Venomous Snakes? 

Your pets can easily encounter snakes when they’re out for a walk or in tall grass or brush or around rock piles, especially in Northern California. Most of us cannot distinguish a venomous snake from a harmless one, which means we need to be extra vigilant about snake safety for our pets. The veterinarians at MarkePlace Veterinary Hospital are here to help you learn a little more about how to keep your pets safe outdoors this season.