Osborne Animal Clinic

Hartselle pet parents — we know the drive to Decatur is a genuine consideration, not a formality, and we don't take it for granted that so many of you make it anyway. Osborne Animal Clinic has been full-service since 1979: wellness exams, dentistry, boarding, grooming, and everything in between, handled by a team that keeps your pet's full history on file, not just today's visit.

New to the area or just looking for a change? 📞 Call (256) 353-4339 or visit osborneanimalclinic.com to schedule.

🌡️ We're deep into Alabama's hottest stretch, and heatstroke risk doesn't ease up just because the calendar says summer's technically winding down. A dog's normal body temperature runs 101-102.5°F; heatstroke sets in around 104°F and can cause organ damage within minutes if not addressed.

Warning signs: heavy panting that doesn't slow down, bright red or pale gums, excessive drooling, wobbly legs, or vomiting. If you see any of these after time outside, move your pet to a cool area immediately and call us — don't wait to see if it passes.

Consult your vet.

🛡️ August is peak flea and tick season in Alabama — the combination of heat and humidity creates ideal breeding conditions, and infestations that start now are often the hardest to fully clear once fall arrives.

If your dog's Bravecto Quantum dose is approaching the 12-week mark, schedule the refill now rather than waiting for visible signs of a problem. One missed week of coverage during peak season is enough for a flea population to establish itself in your home.

📞 Call (256) 353-4339 or visit osborneanimalclinic.com to schedule.

How does your pet react once the school schedule shifts and the house gets quieter during the day?

😌 Loves the peace, sleeps all day like royalty
😟 Gets a little clingy or anxious without the kids around
🤷 Honestly hasn't noticed a difference

Some pets genuinely struggle with the sudden change in household activity — it's a real thing, not just a personality quirk. Tell us how yours handles it.

📞 Call (256) 353-4339 or visit osborneanimalclinic.com to schedule.

🐾 As July winds down, it's worth a genuine gut check rather than just assuming everything's fine: has your pet been eating normally through the heat, drinking enough water, and acting like themselves on walks?

Subtle changes during peak summer — a little more panting than usual, slightly less interest in food, more time spent lying on cool tile floors — are easy to write off as "just the heat." Sometimes that's exactly what it is. Sometimes it's the first sign of something that needs attention.

If something feels off, even slightly, it's worth mentioning at their next visit rather than waiting to see if it resolves on its own. Consult your vet.

🛡️ If your dog started Bravecto Quantum this spring, it's worth doing the math on where you actually are in the 12-week cycle — a lot of pet parents lose track and end up with a gap in protection right during peak flea and tick season.

One dose covers 12 full weeks, which means most dogs are due for their next dose sometime in the coming weeks if they started around April or May. No monthly reminders to forget, but the 12-week mark still sneaks up.

Ask us to check the timeline at your next visit, or call and we'll look up your pet's last dose date.

📞 Call (256) 353-4339 or visit osborneanimalclinic.com to schedule.

How do you keep your pet cool during these dog days of summer, Decatur?

🧊 Frozen treats — peanut butter or broth ice cubes
❄️ Cooling mats or vests
🏠 Extra AC time and closed blinds during peak sun
💦 A kiddie pool in the backyard

We want to hear your go-to trick — and if your pet just refuses all of the above and suffers dramatically, tell us that too. We've heard it before.

📞 Call (256) 353-4339 or visit osborneanimalclinic.com to schedule.

🌡️ Late July in Alabama means pavement temperatures that can reach 140-160°F on a 90°F day — enough to burn a dog's paw pads in under a minute of contact. Here's the test: press the back of your hand to the pavement for seven seconds. If it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your pet's feet.

Stick to grass when possible, or walk early morning and after sunset when the asphalt has cooled.

If your pet is limping or licking their paws excessively after a walk, that's a sign of a burn, not just discomfort. Call us. Consult your vet.