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Tender Loving Care

Animal Hospital

Online Pharmacy

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(815) 235-1401

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  • Articles
  • When Is a Goopy Eye a Problem?
    Category: Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness

    Many dogs have thick eye discharge. Sometimes it is just in the morning; sometimes it has to do with a dog’s breed. Some breeds of dogs have eyes that sit differently in their skull, causing more discharge. And, sometimes, the goopy eye is a sign of a severe, chronic and painful condition called keratoconjunctivitis

    Read more
  • What to Do When Your Pet Goes on the Carpet
    Category: Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness

    Straining to urinate, frequent urination, blood in the urine, and accidents in the house are common symptoms that pet owners report to their veterinarian. Many times the signs come on suddenly, as people find urine spots on the floor, often near the door where the dog goes outside. Cat owners may notice

    Read more
  • Vomiting Versus Regurgitation
    Category: Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness

    When you come home to find a mess on the floor, it is easy to assume that the dog vomited. Vomiting is very common in dogs, as they often eat weird things! There are actually many other causes of vomiting, including parasites, kidney disease, liver problems, pancreatitis, and food allergies. Overall,

    Read more
  • Understanding Canine Compulsive Disorder
    Category: Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness

    If your dog has developed a tendency to pursue the same pointless activity -- sucking on his flanks, chasing his own tail, barking or snapping at thin air, et cetera -- he may be suffering from canine compulsive disorder, or CCD. Fortunately, treatment and training can help him overcome his obsession. Defining

    Read more
  • Types of Diabetes in Dogs
    Category: Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness

    Most people have heard of diabetes and associate it with needing to administer insulin. But actually there are two different kinds of diabetes: diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus. Their symptoms can be similar, but their causes are totally different and thus their treatments are completely different. Diabetes

    Read more
  • Staph Infections & Your Pet
    Category: Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness

    You may have heard of MRSA infections in people discussed in the media in this last year. Otherwise known as Staph or Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, this type of bacteria is resistant to most antibiotics. People infected with this dangerous bacteria can become quite ill or even die if an

    Read more
  • Quick Facts About Cancer
    Category: Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness

    Family pets are often described as our "best friends" and news that they are sick can be devastating. Cancer is a disease that can affect family pets like dogs and cats. Through the years, research has developed many cures and treatments for use in improving or sustaining the health of pets that present

    Read more
  • Pets Can Show Warning Signs Before Cancer Diagnosis
    Category: Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness

    Warning signs can be present in your family pet before the veterinarian makes an actual diagnosis. You'll want to be alert and watch for warning signs as preventative measures, and at the same time provide your pet with the best nutrition, exercise program and lifestyle possible for his or her activity

    Read more
  • Pet Vomit - You Just Received a Message!
    Category: Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness

    Animals may vomit when something irritates, inflames or causes an infection in their intestinal tract. The location of the irritation, inflammation or infection may also determine the color of your pet's vomit and the reason for the upchucking. Many things can irritate, inflame or infect an animal's

    Read more
  • Managing Your Pet's Diabetes
    Category: Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness

    "Heart conditions can be inherited in dogs as they are in people. Dogs can also be victims of cancer, tick-borne diseases, autoimmune conditions, arthritis, liver, or kidney disease, thyroid disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and even diabetes," indicates Norma Bennett Woolf, editor of Dog Owner's Guide:

    Read more
  • Nothing Heartwarming about Heartworm
    Category: Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness

    Heartworm is a long, string-like parasitic worm that has the scientific name Dirofilaria immitis. It earns its common name by living in the host’s heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Heartworm can cause severe lung disease, heart failure, organ damage, and death. It is transmitted only through mosquitoes

    Read more
  • Matters of the Heart
    Category: Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness

    Many diseases of people also occur in pets. A problem that is common in people, dogs, and cats is heart disease. While these disorders have some things in common, many ailments of the heart in pets are completely different than what occurs in people. Recent surveys have shown that 11% of all dogs have

    Read more
  • Lyme Disease & Your Pets
    Category: Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness

    How to Prev­ent and Remove Ticks Lyme disease is a top concern for dog owners who enjoy walking with their dog in grassy and wooded areas. Transmitted by deer ticks, Lyme disease can result in fever, joint lameness, fatigue, and general discomfort for your pet. While treatment is available, Lyme disease

    Read more
  • Leptospirosis
    Category: Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness

    Leptospirosis is a re-emerging disease. This bacterial disease most commonly causes liver and kidney problems in dogs, but can also cause lung, pancreas, and eye symptoms. It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transferred from animals to people, in fact, it is the most common zoonotic disease in

    Read more
  • Is Your Pet In Pain?
    Category: Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness

    There are signs to look for when your pet is experiencing pain. Together you and your veterinarian can identify and help your pet with pain that may be present. The issue of pain in animals is so critical that the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) teamed up with the American Association of

    Read more
  • Is My Dog Sick?
    Category: Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness

    Identifying the signs of sickness in a dog can be challenging, even for the most vigilant pet owners. Since a sick dog is unable to verbally communicate what hurts, pet owners must pay close attention to identify the signs of illness. Subtle changes in behavior or appetite may be symptomatic of an underlying

    Read more
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Our Regular Schedule

Freeport Office

Monday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

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  • "I have taken my fur babies to Tender Loving Care Dr. Heitzman for over 12 years now and won't go anywhere but! Dr. Heitzman and staff have ALWAYS been so caring, gentle and compassionate with my animals as if they were their own! Not only putting animals health first, but listening to my concerns as pet owner. Every concern or question is addressed with the utmost compassion, even silly questions are answered with the same sincere care! Thank You Dr. Heitzman and staff for your compassion, concern and truly caring for my babies as you have from day one many years ago and continuing thru the present to the future!!!!"
    Colleen M
  • "Dr. Heitzman and his staff are so wonderful and caring! They understand that our furry friends mean so much to us. They listen and care about what we tell them. To me and my four legged friends they are truly the best around! Thank you so much!"
    Melissa C.
  • "Super Vet...calm, caring and conscientious! Office staff are efficient and courteous."
    JoLique P.
  • "This is the place to take your pet! I love that when I call them, say who I am, they remember me and my dog. Dr. Heitzman is wonderful and I totally trust him in the care of my furry baby. He also took care of both of my cats before they passed away. I won't take my pet any where else."
    Amy P.

Featured Articles

Read about interesting topics

  • Signs on Heatstroke: Keep Your Pets Safe This Summer

    Do you know how to protect your pet from heatstroke? ...

    Read More
  • Why Heartworm Protection Is Necessary for All Pets

    Is your pet protected against heartworm? ...

    Read More
  • Cat-Safe House Plants

    Not sure which house plants are safe for your cat? Take a look at our list. ...

    Read More
  • Feline Skin Allergy Symptoms and Care

    Has scratching become your cat's favorite activity? A skin allergy may be to blame. ...

    Read More
  • The Next Step

    The grieving process includes accepting the reality of your loss, accepting that the loss and accompanying feelings are painful, and adjusting to your new life that no longer includes your pet. How do I tell my family? Family members usually are already aware of a pet's problems. However, you should ...

    Read More
  • Battling Canine Cancer

    Every day, Cindy Fleischner lines up her crew of cuddly canines for breakfast. As the four other dogs eat, Cindy pulls Katy, her 12 year old Shepherd mix aside for a peanut butter treat. Katy is battling lymphoma and this treat hides her daily dose of chemotherapy drugs. Katy is not alone in this war. ...

    Read More
  • Gastroenteritis in Pets

    Lengthy bouts of vomiting and diarrhea can be a sign that your pet has gastroenteritis, a common condition that occurs when the lining of the stomach and intestines becomes irritated. Since frequent diarrhea and vomiting can lead to dehydration, a visit to the veterinarian is a good idea if you notice ...

    Read More
  • What You Need to Know About Antibiotics

    Using antibiotics incorrectly may harm, rather than help, your pet. ...

    Read More
  • Training Tips for Your Pets

    Has training your pet been a frustrating experience? These training tips may help. ...

    Read More
  • World Rabies Day

    Has your pet's rabies vaccine expired? Update it during World Rabies Day on September 28. ...

    Read More

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