Holistic Veterinary Options

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!

03/11/2026

Pet Emergency Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore – Part 1
Today’s topic: Paraphimosis (prolonged exposure of the p***s)
Paraphimosis occurs when a dog’s p***s becomes exposed and cannot retract back into the sheath. If this happens, it is considered a medical emergency, as prolonged exposure can lead to swelling, tissue damage, and difficulty urinating.

Signs to watch for:
• Visible, swollen, or discolored tissue
• Excessive licking
• Straining to urinate
• Signs of pain or distress

This condition is most common in dogs but can (rarely) occur in male cats as well.

If you ever notice something that doesn’t look normal, please contact your veterinarian (us) right away.

📚 You can find more detailed information on this topic in the Learning Center tab on our website at

Madison's only fully integrated small animal veterinary clinic. Our team uses an integrative approach to veterinary medicine, combining conventional allopathic and holistic veterinary medicine based on your pet's needs so they can achieve complete holistic health by focusing on their natural ability...

03/09/2026

Stress-Free Visits for Every Pet
We’ve designed our exam rooms with your pet’s comfort in mind:
- Private dog rooms with outside entrances to avoid stressful dog
-to-dog interactions
- A call/text system so you know exactly when to enter—no crowded waiting room for your pet
- Sound machines and essential oil diffusers with calming scents like lavender or frankincense
- Fully stocked rooms that allow most exams and treatments to happen with the owner present
- A dedicated cat-only exam room for our feline friends

Every detail is intentional, because a calm environment helps pets relax—and allows us to provide the best care possible.

If this sounds like the kind of veterinary experience you want for your beloved pet, we invite you to visit holisticveterinaryoptions.com to learn more about our practice.

03/04/2026

Tummy troubles are one of the most common concerns we see in our patients—from occasional vomiting or diarrhea to more persistent digestive upset. While some stomach issues are mild and short-lived, others can signal a deeper imbalance that deserves attention. This infographic breaks down what to do when your pet is experiencing GI upset. Be sure to monitor your pet during these episodes and call your primary veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns.

03/02/2026

We wanted to share some helpful new research for dog owners

A recent veterinary study looked at cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tears — one of the most common causes of hind-limb lameness and knee injury in dogs. The research found that the timing of spaying and neutering may play a role in joint health, especially in larger breed dogs. Dogs spayed/neutered before about 12 months of age had a higher risk of developing cruciate ligament rupture, a painful condition that often requires surgery and a long recovery.

This does not mean spaying or neutering is bad — it has many important benefits — but it highlights that timing matters and should be individualized for each pet based on breed, size, lifestyle, and health risks.

At our clinic, we spend time discussing options (including traditional and ovary-sparing spays) so families can make informed decisions that support both long-term orthopedic health and overall wellness.

You can read the article here:

Cranial cruciate ligament ruptures in Labrador retrievers aren’t just genetic—neuter timing may play a role. Discover how environmental factors influence risk.