• Roundworms in dogs and puppies
• Hooksworms in cats and dogs
• Giardia in pets
• Coccidia infects cats and dogs
• Whipworms in dogs and cats
• Tapeworms in dogs and cats  

• Heartworm disease in dogs
• Heartworm: The parasite
• Heartworm diagnosis in dogs and cats
• Preventing heartworm infection in dogs

• Ticks are Arthopod parasites for mammals
• Lyme disease in dogs
• Ehrlichaia infection
• Anaplasma
• Flea control for dogs and cats
• Fleas, knowing your enemy

• AKC - Dog Breeding

Nutrition

• aafco.org
• Home cooked or raw diets for dogs and cats
• Diets and heart disease in dogs and cats

Grooming

• What first time dog owners should know
• Nail boards

Household Hazards

• AVMA - Household Hazards

• Roundworms in cats and kittens
• Hooksworms in cats and kittens
• Giardia in pets
• Coccidia infects cats and dogs
• Whipworms in dogs and cats
• Tapeworms in dogs and cats  

• Ticks are Arthopod parasites for mammals
• Flea control for dogs and cats
• Cytauxzoonosis in cats  

• Reproductive cycle in cats may surprise you

Nutrition

• aafco.org
• Home cooked or raw diets for dogs and cats
• Diets and heart disease in dogs and cats

Grooming

• What first time cat owners should know

Household Hazards

• AVMA - Household Hazards

Dental Care and What to Expect if your Pet Needs it

Dental Home Care for Dogs and Cats

Dental Care in Cats

Whether your pet needs a routine spay or neuter procedure or requires a more complicated orthopedic or other surgery, we are ready to provide compassionate care using advanced surgical techniques.

Your pet's safety and comfort are our highest priority. All animals undergoing surgery are given pre-surgical examinations, laboratory testing, and
continuous intravenous fluid support. Your pet will be monitored by a certified or qualified veterinary technician and advanced monitoring equipment to assure their safety.

At Blackhawk Veterinary Hospital, we understand cost is frequently a factor in your pet's care. We want you to understand some of what goes into the cost for our surgical procedures. We want to do everything we can to minimize every pet's stress and discomfort.

NOT ALL SURGERIES ARE CREATED EQUAL 

1) What kind of anesthesia will my pet receive?

• Are they receiving a pre-operative examination for individual anesthesia assessment, sedatives, and pain medication before, during and after surgery? Are they intubated to receive oxygen during surgery?
  
  

2) Will my pet receive intravenous fluids while under anesthesia?

• IV fluids help sustain blood pressure, reduce kidney stress, and prevent dehydration. The IV catheter also allows immediate access in the case of an emergency.
  
  

3) Will my pet be monitored by a Certified Veterinary Technician?

• Licensed or Certified technicians are our equivalent to nurses in human hospitals. They attend an accredited college and pass an examination before the State of Wisconsin will issue them a license to practice. They are required to complete annual Continuing Education courses to maintain their license.
  
  

4) Will specialized equipment be used to monitor my pet while under anesthesia?

• Along with a certified technician, we use a pulse oximeter to measure oxygen levels in the blood, ECG to monitor heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure and temperature monitors during anesthesia.
  
  

5) How will my pet's temperature be maintained during anesthesia?

• Cold patients recover slower and have more complications after surgery. We use warm air blankets designed for dogs & cats to maintain body temperature and reduce the risk of burns. Human electric heating pads, hot water bottles, or microwave heated pads can result in serious burns.
  
  

6) Where will the surgery be performed?

• Sterility is extremely important during surgery. Our surgery suite is used for only one purpose to reduce the risk of postoperative infection.
  
  

7) Will separate surgical instruments, sutures, and drapes be used for each patient?

• Just like human surgery, veterinary standards require using a separate sterile autoclaved instrument pack for each patient.
  
  

8) Will my pet receive post-operative pain medication?

• Pain medication should be standard rather than an option.
  
  

For those times when your pet requires more advanced surgery, we will refer you to: 

Rover Rehab Wisconsin

Indoor Pet Initiative

Are you having problems caring for a terminally ill pet at home? Does your pet have a medical condition that is painful or causing poor quality of life? Are you afraid that your sick or elderly pet is suffering? Deciding when your pet may need hospice care or euthanasia is a very personal and private decision, but that doesn’t mean you have to make this difficult choice on your own. Saying goodbye to a beloved family animal is always painful.

Arbor Day

Coping with the loss of a pet

Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement

Pet Loss Resource Center

ASPCA - 877-grief10

CARE Petloss Helpline 877-394-2273

Quality of Life Scale