Let’s face it – although this image of a rat seems cute enough, not many people tolerate rats. Rats transmit disease, infest houses, and destroy crops. One of the most common way people attempt to get rid of rats is by using one of several commercially available rat poisons. Every year, we see several cases […]
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What is leptospirosis? Leptospira is a type of spirochete bacteria which can infect many species of animals and can be passed from animals to people (zoonotic). Infection with the bacteria can lead to severe liver or kidney disease or death. There are hundreds of different types or serovars of leptospira that can cause disease. Recently, […]
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If you live in Montana, you are probably familiar with rattlesnakes. The area around Billings, Montana is a wonderful prairie rattlesnake habitat. The prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) is the only venomous snake in this area and is the only snake in Montana that has rattles. Prairie rattlesnakes are most active during daytime in the spring […]
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We’re Here When You Need Us! At Best Friends Animal Hospital and Urgent Care Center, we are available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week for you and your pet! We stand out in the community because we provide emergency care when most other veterinary facilities are closed. It can be terrifying to be […]
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It may be surprising to you, but accreditation of animal health care facilities is voluntary, not mandatory. In fact, only 15% of veterinary hospitals are accredited. AAHA stands for the American Animal Hospital Association. It is an organization that accredits animal hospitals through the United States of America and Canada. AAHA-accredited hospitals voluntarily choose to […]
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Heartworm disease IS present in Billings, Montana. We have had several cases of heartworm infection at Best Friends Animal Hospital in dogs that have never left this area! Dr. Marty Zaluski, the Montana State Veterinarian, has reported that there is a “hotspot” for heartworm infection in and around Billings Montana. Heartworm disease is caused by […]
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As we were driving this past weekend, we passed our first dead skunk on the road in Billings. Skunks, one of the biggest carriers of rabies virus, are coming out of hibernation. Did you know last year we had 19 POSITIVE confirmed cases of rabies in Montana? Of those cases there were: 14 skunks, 3 […]
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You are not alone! Losing a pet can be devastating. These resources may help you through the difficult time of losing a animal member of the family. Cornell University Pet Loss Support Hotline– a web-page staffed by volunteer veterinary students who have undergone extensive training with professional grief counselors. The hotline is a great resource […]
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Gastric Dilitation and Volvulus (often called “GDV” or “bloat”) is a life-threatening condition in which the stomach fills with air (dilitation) and twists upon itself (volvulus). GDV occurs most commonly occurs in large breed, deep-chested dogs, although all dogs are at risk. Causes of this condition are not completely understood. High-energy, nervous dogs seem to […]
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Cost: Free for our clients. Who: Puppies 8-16 weeks old that are healthy and up to date on vaccines. What: Puppy Socialization Party – The goal of the parties are to provide clients with the opportunity to let their puppies play and interact with each other off leash, with supervision. Where: Best Friends Animal Hospital […]
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