Posts in Category: Pet Health & Wellness

Pets, like their human counterparts, can be a handful. But if you’re looking for an easygoing pet that already knows the ropes, adopting an older animal can be great for both of you. These are three reasons why you should adopt a senior pet:

It’s Pet Diabetes Month, and what better time for Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital to take a minute and remind our pet loving readers how to be sure that they have a healthy pet? A good pet wellness plan can help to prevent pet diabetes as well as many other health issues.

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.

Kittens experience rapid growth and development in their first year, and we typically see them every 3-4 weeks to complete vaccinations. Once they are 4-6 months old, they’ve likely received all the preventive care necessary to thrive, including spay/neuter surgery, microchip, and parasite prevention. At this point, annual cat wellness exams are the norm (unless they need emergency care). 

The differences between the first and second year might be subtle, but as cats age, health concerns increase. Some illnesses present obvious clinical signs, others are far more sneaky. This is just part of the reason why annual cat wellness exams are recommended at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital. 

Black flies (sometimes called buffalo gnats) can ruin a backyard barbecue and make our pets extremely uncomfortable. These little buggers bite, and they like to zero in on a pet’s tender areas, like their ears, noses, tummies, and rumps. Working dogs on farms are the most commonly affected, but black flies can attack any pet at any time. Although black flies don’t transmit diseases like ticks and mosquitoes, their bites can lead to secondary infections—or worse for pets allergic to them.  

Pets are priceless, and as members of the family, they deserve to receive quality veterinary care. We’re fortunate that advancements in veterinary medicine have led to improved outcomes for pets that suffer an injury or develop a serious illness. But modern medicine comes at a cost. 

Although they love their time in the sun, pets can be at risk for skin cancer just as humans can. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the most common type of cancer diagnosed in dogs is skin. Although cats are less likely to be diagnosed with skin cancer, they can still develop it, especially if they have short hair and frequent sun exposure. It is important to maintain your pet’s annual wellness exams, where they receive head-to-claw examinations, including a skin examination. Skin cancer can be detected at these visits, but it is important for pet owners to be informed and on the lookout as well, especially as their pets get older.

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.

Most of us tend to have a really special relationship with our older cats. Chances are that they have seen us through a lot by the time they reach their golden years.

Senior cat care is a little different than care of a younger animal, and it can hold a great deal of impact on how your cat ages. Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital understands how important your cat is to you, and that is why we are excited to share our favorite senior cat care tips. 

If you have known anyone who has lost a pet, you know the extreme heartbreak that ensues is incomparable to anything else. Because pets are naturally curious and want to explore their surroundings, it is important to ensure that they have a way to be found if they become lost. The quick solution is to apply a pet collar with an ID tag, however, these can easily break, fall off, or can be removed by others. 

Though it is hard to believe, approximately 10 million cats and dogs are lost or stolen each year. Microchips are a permanent ID solution that has helped countless families reunite with their fluffy loved ones. 

Our veterinary team would be happy to help explain more about the benefits of microchipping at your initial visit. In the meantime, here are some of the microchip basics.