Posts in Category: For The Dogs

Quite reasonably, people are a tad squeamish when it comes to ticks. It’s not just their arachnid features or their stealthy natures. Ticks raise our collective hackles so effectively because they are known vectors of serious diseases like anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and of course, Lyme disease. Texas is considered a low-incidence state for Lyme disease, but many Texan dogs visit other states with higher rates of transmission. Because of this, it remains crucial to protect dogs from ticks. 

A reverse sneeze is something that occurs in certain dogs and can be quite alarming to a pet parent! The episode of a reverse sneeze sounds like a goose honking, wheezing, and snorting. It can come out of the blue, seemingly when your pet isn’t exerting themself. 

This phenomenon is something we get a lot of questions about here at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital. The good news is that, in most cases, the reverse sneeze isn’t something to worry about.

Let’s take a closer look at this respiratory episode. 

If you’ve been thinking about adding a dog to your life and home, perhaps you’ve started a mental list. Whether you’re new to pet ownership or not, a pro’s/con’s list can help align your emotions with logic. 

There are truly exponential rationales that motivate people to adopt dogs. They help us connect and feel a sense of belonging, keep us healthy (mentally and physically), and add so much value to our lives it’s impossible to sum up here. When you adopt a shelter dog (as opposed to from a breeder or private party), the benefits go way beyond expectations.

No matter how great we are at something, there’s always room for improvement. The New Year brings with it a sense of promise and possibility, and for pet owners, it’s the perfect time to reassess. If you don’t already have some pet care goals for the New Year, we are happy to help you get started. After all, it’s all for the greater good!

The Broad Strokes

One of the best ways to orient yourself toward establishing and meeting pet goals is to schedule a wellness exam. If it’s been a little while since we’ve seen your pet, we would be so happy to welcome them back. We can check and compare their weight, appearance, growth, and development to track where they’ve been and where they’re headed. 

As your dog ages, its dietary needs change. Dogs have different nutritional needs at different stages in their lives. So what food is best for your dog’s optimal health? The team at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital is here to help you figure it out.

If you’ve owned your dog for a while now, you have likely come to the conclusion that they are the one that owns you. You might have originally thought that your dog would fit right in with you and your family, but it’s your lifestyle that has probably changed to make way for all the dog’s likes/dislikes, needs, and patterns. To that we say, well played, canines. 

There are certain elements of dog “ownership” that take precedence to ensure optimal health. Maintaining dog wellness exams is one of many contributions you can make to their overall health, vitality, and longevity, and we’re here to help.

Dogs are wonderful at any age, but we have a soft spot for seniors. They are mellow, sweet, and reliable. They know what they like and when, and really don’t keep their owners guessing about preferences or proclivities. 

Owners know their senior pets so well by the time they reach their golden years. While they are generally easy to provide for, you can elevate senior dog care to another level with our 3 essential tips.

Itchy, watery eyes, red skin, or a symphony of sneezes could signal that your canine companion is battling allergies. Our team at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital is here to help you get to the root cause of your pup’s itching and scratching. By working together, we can alleviate those uncomfortable symptoms of dog allergies. 

First, let’s talk about common allergens and their related symptoms. Then, we’ll cover three ways to curb that chronic discomfort and get your itchy dog back to his playful, happy-go-lucky self.

There are plenty of doggone good reasons to welcome a pet dog into your family, but if you’re still on the fence about adopting a canine companion, we’ve got three undeniably pawsome reasons why dogs make great pets!

Check out these benefits of owning a dog, and once you’ve welcomed your new four-legged friend, our dog lovers at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital are here with a lifetime of quality care, including expert wellness, senior pet care, and veterinary surgery.

Owners new to dog ownership are often surprised when their pup has no respect for the leash. The chewing, resisting, barking, yanking, stopping, and jumping can turn the simple joy of walking together upside down. There could be various reasons they have trouble walking on leash, and none are their fault. We’ll help you get to the bottom of their questionable walking skills with our tried and true tips for successful leash training.