As we all have been watching, the coronavirus (COVID-19) has made its way to the United States. The health and safety of all Briargate Boulevard Animal Hospital employees and clients are of utmost importance and we wanted to provide you with information about the proactive planning measures and actions we are undertaking. We know issues like […]

With the New Year settling in, don’t forget that list of resolutions… to be kinder, better, and healthier in 2020. Have you considered making your pet part of your New Year’s resolutions? You might want to, especially if your furry friend is carrying a few extra pounds. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, […]

Given the amount of snowfall we’ve already seen this year, it’s time to talk de-icers and the dangers they pose to your pets. Commercial de-icing products are usually full of chemicals that are harmful to animals. Your best friend could unknowingly ingest these chemicals when cleaning themselves after a walk or suffer significant skin irritation […]

As of January 1, 2020, Briargate Boulevard Animal Hospital will no longer approve prescriptions from third party online pet medication retailers like Chewy.com or 1-800-Pet-Meds. There are multiple reasons for this policy change. First and foremost is that buying from these online sources is not always the safest way to get the medications, preventives and […]

One of the best things about the holiday season is the abundance of treats, especially sweets and chocolate. Unless you’re a dog or cat—for them, eating chocolate and other made-for-people goodies isn’t something to celebrate. Here’s why it’s important to keep the treats out of paw’s reach: Chocolate is high in fats, and contains theobromine […]

It’s reported that some 39% of the pets owned in the U.S. are considered seniors. Sadly, only about 14% of those senior animals undergo a regular health screening with a veterinarian every year. Generally, when pets hit the age of seven, they are considered seniors. However, giant breed dogs (like Great Danes) can reach senior status as young as […]

One in every three cats will develop kidney disease in their lifetime; in fact, it’s the #1 cause of death in cats over 10. What’s even scarier is that our feline friends rarely show any symptoms, and those signs are easy to miss when they do. Symptoms to watch for include: urinating outside the litterbox […]

It’s our goal to see that taking care of your pet is as easy and accessible as possible for you! Here are two ways we’re making that happen: 1. PetDesk. If you haven’t downloaded this awesome app, we can highly recommend it for managing your pet’s care. On PetDesk you can request appointments, refill prescriptions, see […]

At Briargate Boulevard Animal Hospital, we believe in using Fear Free protocols and using the least invasive treatments possible when we can. These strategies—things like the use of pheromones, species-specific handling, non-slip surfaces and high-value treats—make a significant difference in how pets react at vet visits. That results in less anxiety for everyone and more […]

Protect Your Pet and You Could Win! Yes—your dog can get Heartworm in Colorado. It’s a common misconception that, because of the dry climate and the resulting low population of mosquitos, we don’t need to worry about the parasite that is spread by these insects. In fact, Fort Collins was one of the ten U.S. cities […]

It’s a scary statistic: The Animal Cancer Foundation (ACF) reports that one in four dogs and one in five cats will develop cancer in their lifetime—in fact, it’s the leading cause of death for dogs over the age of two. During May at Briargate Boulevard Animal Hospital, we observe Pet Cancer Awareness Month to raise […]

Lyme disease is one of the most common tick-transmitted diseases in the world. While only 5–10 percent of affected dogs will have symptoms, when a canine does get Lyme disease, one of the most dominant clinical features is inflammation of the joints which causes lameness. Depression and lack of appetite may also be apparent, and […]

If your pet is always itching, licking their paws, chewing on their coat or scratching their ears, there’s a good chance they have skin allergies. Skin allergies can be caused by a variety of different things—to alleviate your pet of their itching, you must first figure out the cause. Start by looking for fleas. If […]

One of the worst feelings to experience as a pet owner is realizing a pet has gone missing. And considering only 17% of lost dogs and 2% of lost cats make it back to their owners, it can often feel impossible to get a pet back. This is why microchipping a pet is so important. […]

National Poison Prevention Week, which was enacted by Congress in 1961, always occurs on the third week in March. This year for 2019, it falls from March 18 to March 24th. So, what exactly is the purpose of National Poison Prevention Week? This specific week has been set aside to highlight awareness and prevention of […]

March 23 is an extremely important day this year. It’s not important because it’s the start of Spring Break—it’s important because it is National Puppy Day! Who doesn’t love an adorable, curious, playful and sweet little puppy? As some of the cutest things ever made, puppies are a source of love, joy and companionship—but it’s […]

We want to say a big thank you to our clients who by and large, have taken the responsible step of spaying (and neutering) their pets. Dogs are 15 times more prolific than humans, and cats 45 times more “fruitful.” That makes for millions of unwanted pets each year that won’t find homes. By altering […]

February is National Pet Dental Health Month—which gives us a reason to remind you just how important good oral hygiene is for your pet. See, most pets over three have some evidence of periodontal disease, and it’s not just about bad breath: left untreated, it can result in gum inflammation, tooth loss, pain, and eventually, […]

If so, it could be a serious problem! With Valentine’s Day around the corner, it’s important to remember to keep all those heart-shaped boxes of treats out of paw’s reach! Chocolate is extremely dangerous to both dogs and cats and can cause nausea, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, pancreatitis, seizures and even death. The toxic substance […]

Thank you to all of our fantastic clients for voting us a neighborhood favorite on Nextdoor! Nextdoor is a private social network for your local community. People use it to talk online, track down neighborhood services (babysitters, dog walkers, etc.), post lost and found items, share things for sale and recommend local businesses by labeling […]

Vet visits, vaccinations, preventive care appointments—our pets have busy lives. Manage it all with the free PetDesk app for iOS or Android! With PetDesk, you can: Make appointment requests See your pet’s vaccine history View office hours Refill prescriptions whenever it’s most convenient for you PetDesk seamlessly syncs with your phone’s calendar, and it can […]

We are very excited to announce that Briargate Boulevard Animal Hospital has once again achieved the highest level of veterinary excellence following a thorough evaluation by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).  Unlike human hospitals, not all animal hospitals are required to be accredited and this designation is often confused as a legal, national requirement for veterinary medic...

It’s not just your house and car that need winterization—your pet does, too! Here are a few tips to keep your animal companion healthy and happy during the cold, snowy Colorado months: Keep up with grooming. While you don’t want to shave long-haired dogs, you do want to keep their coat and paws trimmed to […]

The winter holidays are fun for us humans, but our parties, decorations, and festive foods can put our pets at risk! Here are a few tips for keeping your furry family members safe this season: Put sparkly decorations out of the reach of felines. They’re very attracted to moving, shiny things and may eat things such […]

Have holiday travel plans that include your pet? If you’re headed out of state or out of the country, health and/or travel certificates from an accredited veterinarian will likely be required. You can consult the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s pet travel information site to find out what specific documentation will be needed, then make an appointment with […]

Losing weight seems to be on nearly everyone’s to-do list for the new year—but humans aren’t the only ones with an excess poundage problem. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, over half the dogs and cats in the U.S. are significantly overweight. Just like people, when pets are overweight they’re more likely to […]

Many of the holiday treats and traditions we love can cause health problems for our pets. Here are some tips to keep your pets safe: Don’t leave wine glasses at snout or tail level. Alcohol is a real problem for pets, and overactive tails could also knock over glasses. Keep cut flowers and centerpieces out […]

It’s a scary statistic: the Animal Cancer Foundation (ACF) reports that 1 in 4 dogs and 1 in 5 cats will develop cancer in their lifetime. November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month, created by the ACF to raise awareness of the prevalence, symptoms, and treatments for cancer in our companion animals. Just as with people, […]

Halloween is a fun and tasty time for people, but many things associated with the holiday can put our pets’ health at risk. Here are a few important tips to keep in mind to make sure your pet stays healthy and happy: Chocolate and xylitol (a sweetener often found in peanut butter and chewing gum) […]

When you bring your pet in for a check-up, chances are the veterinarian will recommend blood work—also known as a blood screening or blood panel. That’s because just like in humans, the cells and chemicals present in your pet’s blood can give the doctor a wealth of clues about what’s happening in various organs in […]

We understand that many pets are afraid of the vet – but it doesn’t have to be that way! And while we can’t verbally communicate to your furry friends that we are here to help, there are other steps we can take to show them that we are the good guys. At Briargate Boulevard Animal Hospital, […]

How important is it to take care of your pet’s dental health? By age three, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have some evidence of periodontal disease, which can cause mouth pain, tooth loss and make eating difficult. At advanced stages, bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream and cause heart, […]

We have insurance for ourselves, our cars and our homes, but what about for our beloved pets? They are an important part of your family and a member of your pack—if disasters occur, having your companion animal taken care of with pet insurance provides peace of mind. Proper coverage could save—and extend—the life of your […]

Your dog, cat, bird or other pet may be a different species, but we all process and feel pain in much the same way. That’s why the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management has selected September as Animal Pain Awareness Month. In cooperation with veterinary professionals around the world, they hope to bring recognition to […]

September 28th is World Rabies Day, which we observe to highlight awareness of this disease and how important it is to get your pet vaccinated. Rabies is an RNA virus of the rhabdovirus family and is a viral infection that is spread mainly from the bite of an infected animal. The rabies virus infects the […]

August 22nd is Take Your Cat to the Vet Day! No joke—there actually is a day set aside to remind us that cats need regular veterinary visits! The reason? According to the American Humane Society our feline companions go to the veterinarian about half as often as dogs. Many people only take their cat to the […]

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, created to remind people how important it is to keep their vaccinations up to date. But that advice isn’t just for humans—it’s vital for pets as well. Vaccinating your pet is a relatively inexpensive but very important way to protect his or her health. In addition to preventing many life-threatening […]

Fireworks and summer thunderstorm season is here—and while you may enjoy both, the racket can be downright terrifying for your dog. If your pet trembles, whines, drools, or clings to you when he hears loud noises, he likely suffers from a condition known as noise aversion. There are several things you can do to help […]

Protect Your Pets From Heartworm! Heartworms are a nasty parasite that can cause serious harm to our pets, and are transmitted from pet to pet by mosquitoes. As their name suggests, they live in the heart, but can also thrive in the lungs and blood vessels. Because they constrict blood flow, heartworms can damage internal […]

You know who else loves spring and the warmer weather? Fleas and ticks! These pests aren’t just annoying—they can transmit nasty parasites and diseases. Fleas often trigger dermatitis and hot spots and can even transmit tapeworms and cause anemia. Once fleas make it into your home, it can quickly turn into an infestation, which can […]