Our Blog
2019 Memorial Tribute
As we head into the new year, we always like to take a moment to reflect on those watching from the Rainbow Bridge. We hope this tribute lets you share in this reflection and smile at the memories.
2019 Gift Guide for Senior Cats
1. Easy to enter litter box: $31.99. Most cats develop some amount of arthritis as they age and more complicated litter boxes can be difficult for them to climb into! 2. Warming Bed: $28.99. Kitties of all ages love a cozy bed, but older kitties can especially...
2019 Gift Guide for Senior Dogs
1. Paw Friction: $34.99. Know a senior dog who is slipping and sliding all over the house? Paw Friction can help older dogs gain traction on slippery floors and re-gain their confidence and independence around the house! 2. Toe Grips: $34.99. Toe Grips are rubber...
Is there a chance my pet will pass on his own without euthanasia?
Yes, all pets will die on their own eventually without euthanasia. What most families really want to know when they ask this question is HOW will my pet die on his own and what will he experience? It is pretty rare for a pet to pass peacefully and suddenly in his...
How do you decide when it’s time to put a pet to sleep?
The most frequent lament the doctors at Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice, In-Home Euthanasia, and Integrative Medicine hear from pet families it that they fear that they won’t be able to determine the “right” time for euthanasia....
Pet Photos with Santa in Hampton Roads, Virginia
Chesapeake Greenbrier Mall (Chesapeake, VA): Monday evenings: November 11, 18 and 25, and December 2, 9 and 16, from 6pm to 9pm. Chesapeake Square Mall (Chesapeake, VA): Sunday, December 15 from 6-8pm. Picnic & Pictures with Santa (Chesapeake, VA): Sunday,...
The Benefits of Acupuncture for Nausea
Layla is a 5 year old mixed breed dog and was very healthy until she turned 3 years old. Around that time she started intermittently vomiting. Initially she would vomit 1-2 times per month, but several months later she started vomiting at least once weekly. As Layla’s...
The Benefits of Acupuncture for Intervertebral Disc Disease
Hotdawg is a 6 year old female spayed Dachshund. She was adopted as a puppy and was overall very healthy until she was about 5 years old. At that time Hotdawg started having some issues with her hind limbs. Hotdawg’s human family previously had several Dachshund’s, so...
National Pet Memorial Day – September 2019
Celebrate National Pet Memorial Day Ceremony with Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice
The Benefits of Acupuncture for Anxiety
Petunia was recently rescued from a local animal shelter. According to the shelter, she was found roaming the streets without any identification. She was brought to the shelter and examined by a veterinarian. Other than being mildly underweight, the veterinarian felt...
Shark Week Fun for Pets
It's Shark Week and we're excited! Who's with us? We love learning more and more about these fascinating sea creatures and what we can do to help protect them and our ocean environment. Since we're also all about the dogs and cats here in Hampton Roads, we wanted to...
The Benefits of Acupuncture for Inappropriate Urination
Garfield is a 10 year old male neutered orange tabby cat. He was adopted as a kitten and was very healthy for the first several years of his life. When Garfield was 7 years old he was brought to the emergency room because he was unable to urinate. Prior to this...
The Benefits of Acupuncture for Urinary & Fecal Incontinence
Daisy is a happy 14 year old beagle. She overall seems to be doing well but recently Daisy started occasionally urinating and defecating in her sleep. Daisy was brought to Dr. Goodvet for an examination and diagnostics. Overall Daisy’s exam was normal and her blood...
Noise Phobias in Senior Dogs
Noise phobias are a common complaint by dog owners and as we head into the July 4th weekend and the thunderstorm-filled summer months, we wanted to discuss noise phobias in our senior patients. Some senior dogs show improvement in noise phobia as their sense of...
The Benefits of Acupuncture for Cruciate Injuries
Sammy is a very playful Labrador Retriever. About 4 months ago he started limping on his right hind leg. Sammy’s mom took him to the veterinarian. Their family veterinarian did a full examination on Sammy and took radiographs of his back legs. Sammy was diagnosed with...
The Benefits of CBD Oil for Pets
CBD oil is one of the most common topics brought up by the pet families whom we assist with veterinary hospice care and integrative medicine. Some families are reluctant to admit that they have already purchased CBD oil or are afraid to ask questions for fear of...
Hurricane Pet Safety Tips
As we are officially celebrating summer here in Hampton Roads, we are also in the beginnings of hurricane season, which doesn't end until November 30. Humans aren't the only ones that need to be prepared during inclement weather. Pet families should have an emergency...
Helpful Home Modifications for Senior Dogs
Helpful Home Modifications for Senior Dogs We often get questions from clients about our favorite tips and tricks for keeping their senior dogs happy and comfortable in their homes. So, here's a list of the many things you can do to make things a little easier on your...
Yunnan Baiyao for Bleeding Disorders
What is Yunnan Baiyao? Yunnan Baiyao (also known as Yunnan Paiyao, Yun Nan Bai Yao) is a Chinese herbal medication that originated in the Yunnan province of China. "Bai" means white and "Yao" means medicine. This "white medicine" has been used for over 100 years...
Pet Acupuncture for Urinary Incontinence
Acupuncture Was Used to Treat Urinary Incontinence in a Mixed Breed dog. Abstract: Acupuncture therapy was used to successfully treat urinary incontinence in a mixed breed dog. A one month course of weekly, dry needle acupuncture therapy was used, followed by...
Fear Free Senior Pet Care
Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice is proud to be a part of a new initiative sweeping veterinary medicine designed to ease the stress, fear, and anxiety so many pets experience while seeing the veterinarian. Known as Fear Free™, the training and certification...
The Benefits of Acupuncture for Senior Pets
Senior pets typically have more than one ailment or injury that requires extra attention. As pets age, they also tend to become more anxious, their appetite decreases, and they may not respond as well to previously effective medications. Acupuncture can be a...
The Benefits of Cranberries for Pets
Western Benefits: Cranberries contain a variety of anti-oxidants, including Anthocyanins, which are thought to be some of the strongest antioxidants of those that have been tested. Anthocyanins are also known to have anti-inflammatory properties. Cranberries also...
The Benefits of Pumpkin for Pets
Western Benefits: Many times holiday posts warn dog owners of potential hazards of holiday table foods or commonly used decorations. We wanted to call your attention to beneficial holiday treats that are super healthy for dogs and Thanksgiving is less than a week away...
Dr. Carmack is now one of the first Certified Veterinary Hospice and Palliative Care Veterinarians in the world!
Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice is proud to announce that the company’s founder, Dr. Tyler Carmack, has become one of the first Certified Veterinary Hospice and Palliative Care Veterinarians in the world. The specialized veterinary practice has been...
Home Cooked Pet Food
Why do we recommend home-cooking your pet's food? We recommend home-cooking for your pet for the same reason healthy food is recommended for people. Fresh, real food from reputable sources is the best way to give our pets the nutrients their bodies need. Freshly...
Cognitive Dysfunction in Pets
Cognitive dysfunction is a syndrome of brain changes which affect dogs and cats "of a certain age". It can be a very challenging disease to treat because often cognitive dysfunction does not shorten a pet's life expectancy, but it can significantly interrupt the pets'...
What To Expect at an In-Home Pet Euthanasia
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is heart wrenching. Oh how we wish our furry companions could forever greet us at the door, snuggle next to us on the couch after a long day and ultimately provide us unconditional love when we need it most. Our pets will forever live...
Healing Soup for Pets
Soups have long been used for their nourishing properties. Just think back to your childhood when you were sick, was there anything better than a hot bowl of soup to make you feel better? This tradition has extended down through cultures and time because it...
Herbal Cupcakes for Dogs
Chinese herbal medication can be used to treat a wide variety of medical conditions in dogs and cats. These medications are concentrated formations of plant material that have been shown through the centuries to benefit certain conditions. Chinese herbs are...