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We ARE OPEN

We are following the AVMA, WVMA, CDC and local health departments guidelines on the COVID-19 virus. We are following all recommendations made by local, state and federal health officials. 

What you Need to Know NOW:

• APPOINTMENTS: through April 24, 2020
  • Preventive exams: only for pets that need the month booster vaccines or Rabies. 
  • Examination: we continue to see all other issues including illness, trauma, etc.
• SURGERY: If your pet is scheduled for a surgical or dental procedure please watch for your Estimate in your email. There will be a link in the email to fill out the surgical paperwork online and sign. This form will email directly back to us when you submit. If you do not have a computer, tablet or cell phone, let us know and we will print it off when we come out to get your pet. Please call if you have questions. 
• VIRTUAL APPOINTMENT: using facebook messenger or DUO 
  • The cost of this type of appointment is $45.50
  • We can do medical progress/recheck appointments.
  • You will need to have video capabilities for these types of appointments.
  • You will need to be an existing client that has been examined by one of our Veterinarians in the last year.
• You can EMAIL pictures and/or videos to DVS@dodgevillevet.net and we will have a veterinarian review the case and help the best we can.
• Two ways to Notify us When you Arrive: Please stay in your car, we are doing check-in/out at your car
  • When you arrive in the parking lot call us 608-935-2306
    • Please let us know if you or anyone else you are in contact with are showing any signs of illness or if any known exposure has happened
    • Explain where you are parked, what type and color is your vehicle
  • Download the PetDesk App and text us through the app (the text button is under the loyalty program button)
• RECURRING ISSUES: If your pet has a history of certain types of problems and you have been here in the last year, we may be able to prescribe medication without coming in. Please ask.
• PICKING UP: food or prescriptions 
  • We will fill prescriptions and get anything ready you might need and bring to your car
• We can MAIL anything that you might normally pick up at the clinic, just let us know when you call.
  • As always you can get pet food from Hills to Home (we need to send you an email link, just let us know) for Science Diet or Hills Prescription food, VetDirect is Purina’s site for all of their foods, and Covetrus has Royal Canin foods (our online pharmacy partner).
• We are still requiring staff that are ill to stay home.
• We are continuously disinfecting commonly touched surfaces such as doors, seats, and handles for our staff.
• Antibacterial soaps and hand sanitizers have been distributed throughout the clinic for our staff.
• We are NOT scheduling any house calls to protect our staff members.
• We would also ask that if you are ill to stay home, see if anyone else can bring your pet or what other options might work.

We encourage you to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses.

Steps to protect yourself:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol when water and soap are unavailable
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick and put more space between people, especially those who are at higher risk.

Steps to protect others:

• Stay home if you are sick, except for medical care if needed
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Do not reuse tissues, throw them away.
• Immediately wash your hands
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.

The Dodgeville Veterinary Service will continue to be responsible in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and will keep you informed of any changes that might be made going forward.

Keeping your pet at a healthy weight is one of the most overlooked keys to a happy, healthy life. It can also be one of the most difficult tasks to undertake without knowing the vital factors that contribute to your pet’s weight. Talking to your veterinarian and creating a plan to reach and maintain a healthy weight is best but can be daunting. With this information and some solid questions to bring to your appointment, you can be confident speaking about your pet’s weight to your veterinarian.     

Obesity is often discussed in veterinary appointments as it can lead to many long-term health issues. Maintained obesity can lead to diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, as well as joint and mobility issues, ruptured cruciate ligaments, or nonallergic skin conditions. Excess weight gain can also be a sign of other health issues as well. For example, hypothyroidism or hyperadrenocorticism (also called Cushing’s Syndrome) can cause excess weight gain. Conversely, rapid wight loss can signal health issues such as diabetes, a tapeworm infection, kidney disease, or cancer. Rapid and/or extreme weight changes should always be checked and discussed with your veterinarian.

So, you were told that your dog or cat is overweight, now what? Based on their conformation (how they are shaped and structured) your veterinarian can determine how overweight your pet is and suggest an ideal weight.  Getting them down to that weight can be a long process and patience is key as a dog should only be losing 3-5% of their starting weight per month. The two main components of pet weight loss are diet and exercise.

The easiest change to your pet’s lifestyle is diet. Portion control can be done by measuring each meal. The feeding recommendations on your pet’s food is a good place to start. However, discuss with your veterinarian what you should be feeding based on your pet’s lifestyle, current weight, and goals. The difficult part of diet is not supplementing the subtracted calories with treats. By replacing high calorie treats with things such as carrots, celery, and green beans you can keep calorie intake low and still reward your pets.

The other side of the weight loss coin is exercise. Depending on schedules, lifestyles, and environment you may have to get creative with this one but by making it a priority every day to get some type of activity in with your pet, it can be done. If you aren’t able to give your dog a big area to run and play in there are plenty of creative indoor activities: try a laser pointer, hide treats around for them to hunt up, throw a ball inside. For cats try giving them things to climb as well as things to chase. Either way, taking an active roll in keeping your pet active will benefit you as much as it does them.