Holistic Veterinary Options

04/27/2026

Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home—it’s for your pet too!

As you freshen up this season, don’t forget to:
🧼 Wash pet bedding & blankets
🧽 Clean food & water bowls regularly
🪮 Brush out that winter coat
💊 Check expiration dates on medications
🦟 Restock flea, tick & heartworm prevention

A clean space + a healthy pet = the perfect spring combo 🌷💚

Need help getting your pet spring-ready? We’re here for you!

04/23/2026

It’s Vet Reception Appreciation Week, and after Sierra’s post about me… I couldn’t take all the credit—I’d be lost without Sierra 😉

Now it’s Sierra’s turn for a spotlight 💚

Sierra and I alternate between receptionist and veterinary assistant roles, and she truly does it all. Whether she’s on the phone with clients or in an exam room supporting patient care, she’s always ready to jump in wherever she’s needed.

She’s also been diving into the behind-the-scenes side of the clinic—learning inventory and helping ensure everything stays organized and stocked, which is a huge part of keeping our days running smoothly.

Sierra brings a calm, dependable presence to even the busiest days, and her teamwork helps hold everything together behind the scenes. She’s always willing to lend a hand, problem-solve, and make sure both pets and their people feel cared for.

We’re so grateful for everything Sierra does to keep our clinic running smoothly!

04/23/2026

It’s Vet Reception Appreciation Week, and today we’re spotlighting Bry 💚

Bry started with us as a Customer Service Representative, but she has grown into so much more. Now also working as a veterinary assistant, she brings a deep understanding of how our entire practice runs and helps keep everything moving smoothly.

She’s incredibly knowledgeable, always ready to jump in and help, and truly embodies what it means to be the “quarterback” of our team—keeping things organized, supporting her coworkers, and making sure our patients and clients are taken care of.

Most of all, you can tell how much Bry genuinely loves animals and cares deeply about their well-being. We’re so grateful to have her as part of our team!

04/22/2026

🌎🐾 Earth Day Challenge for ALL pets!

Dogs, cats, and everything in between—everyone can join 💚

How to participate:
🐕🐈 Spend time with your pet (walk, play, or explore)
🗑️ Pick up ONE piece of trash while you’re outside
📸 Share a photo with us!

Whether it’s a neighborhood walk or backyard bird-watching, every small action helps protect the world our pets live in 🌿

Tag us or use so we can cheer you on!

04/20/2026

“But my cat stays inside…”

We hear this all the time—and while indoor cats are safer, they still need annual exams!

Here’s why:
🩺 Cats are experts at hiding illness
⚖️ Subtle weight changes can go unnoticed
🦷 Dental disease is very common (even indoors!)
🧬 Early detection = better outcomes

Annual exams help us catch small issues before they become big problems.

Your indoor cat may seem perfectly fine—but that checkup can make all the difference 💚

04/15/2026

We’re excited to share that our clinic is now using AI-assisted note-taking during appointments!

This technology helps us create more accurate, detailed medical records while allowing our team to stay fully present and focused on you and your pet. It improves efficiency, reduces time spent on paperwork, and helps ensure nothing important is missed in your pet’s care.

Your privacy is very important to us—these tools are used strictly for medical record documentation and follow the same confidentiality standards we’ve always upheld.

If you ever have questions or prefer not to have AI-assisted notes used during your visit, please just let us know—we’re always happy to accommodate.

Thank you for trusting us with your pet’s care! 🐾

04/09/2026

Let’s talk about prevention vs. treatment when it comes to heartworm and tick-borne diseases.
Monthly preventatives are one option—but they’re not the only thing to consider. A helpful question is:
What would I be comfortable with if my pet did get sick?

Lyme disease is typically treated with about a month of antibiotics. Many pets recover well, but it’s still something we’d rather avoid if possible.

Heartworm disease is a different story. Unlike intestinal parasites, heartworms don’t live in the gut. They grow and reside in the blood vessels of the heart and lungs, which is why infection can affect circulation and breathing and requires a much more involved treatment process.
Treatment is long and involved—it can take several months and includes multiple injections, medications, and very strict activity restriction to keep pets safe while the worms are being eliminated.

Neither path is completely “easy,” which is why we focus on helping you find the right balance for your pet and your comfort level.

At Holistic Veterinary Options, we’re here to guide you through those decisions with a thoughtful, individualized approach.

04/06/2026

Many cases of mild diarrhea in dogs and cats resolve on their own within a few days. Guidance shared by the American Veterinary Medical Association notes that antibiotics often aren’t needed for uncomplicated cases and may disrupt beneficial gut bacteria.

Holistic and integrative care focuses on supporting the body’s natural healing—protecting the gut microbiome with gentle nutrition, hydration, and other supportive therapies when appropriate.

If your pet is experiencing mild tummy upset, starting a bland diet (such as plain boiled chicken and rice for dogs, or a vet-recommended alternative for cats) can help give the digestive system time to rest and recover. It’s also important to consider a f***l test to rule out intestinal parasites, especially if symptoms persist.

Be sure to check out our previous post on tummy issues for more tips on how to support your pet at home.

At Holistic Veterinary Options, we believe in evaluating each pet individually and using a balanced approach that supports long-term digestive health.

Learn more from the AVMA:

Dr. Jennifer Granick, an associate professor of small animal internal medicine at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, suggests that treatment of diarrhea should focus instead on restoring the health of the complex system of bacteria and other microbes within the gastrointesti...

04/05/2026

Happy Easter from HVO! 🐰🌷
Wishing you a day full of sunshine, smiles, and wagging tails.

A quick reminder to keep Easter treats out of paw’s reach—chocolate, xylitol, and decorative grass can be dangerous for pets.

Stay safe and enjoy the holiday! 🐾

04/02/2026

April showers bring May flowers… and unfortunately, parasites, mosquitoes, and ticks too!

As the ground thaws and things get wet and warm, parasites thrive, ticks become active, and mosquitoes start to bug us again.
With pets spending more time outside, it’s the perfect time to check for intestinal parasites, heartworm, and tick-borne diseases.
✔️ F***l testing checks for intestinal parasites
✔️ 4DX testing is a simple blood test that screens for heartworm disease and three common tick-borne diseases.

💲 When submitted together, you’ll save $10!

Routine screening helps us catch concerns early and keep your pet protected all season long.

**edit** We already have some flowers growing - right out front!

03/17/2026

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Holistic Veterinary Options! 🍀

May your day be filled with wagging tails, purrs, and a little extra luck!
Our furry friends are the real treasures at the end of the rainbow, and we’re so lucky to care for them every day.

03/16/2026

Weather Closure Notice

For the safety of our staff and clients, Holistic Veterinary Options will be closed tomorrow, Monday, March 16th, due to the weather.

If you had an appointment scheduled tomorrow, our team will be reaching out to help reschedule once we reopen.

📞 Voicemails are welcome, and we will get back to you as soon as we are back in the office.

🚨 If your pet is experiencing an emergency, please contact a local emergency veterinary clinic.

Thank you for your understanding, and please stay safe and warm!