Posts in Category: Seasonal Pet Care

With the dog (or cat!) days of summer fast approaching, it’s time to make plans for summertime activities with your pet. But before hitting the beach or the hiking trail, check out these tips from our experts for ways to beat the heat and keep your pet safe this summer.

Straw hats and sunscreen, and a pitcher of lemon water will keep you cool as a cucumber in the summer. How can you be sure that your pet is cool and hydrated, too? There are lots of ways to keep your pet safe from overheating and dehydration.

At Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital we hear it all the time: “I can tell he doesn’t feel well; his nose is dry.” There was no dedicated Dog Nose 101 class in veterinary school so it is easy to wonder if the status of your dog’s nose has anything to do with how your pet is really doing from a health perspective. 

So what can you tell from a dog’s nose? Read on and we will share our knowledge.

If your pet has been scratching more or biting at their paws, they may be experiencing what most of us experience in spring… seasonal allergies. 

Pollen allergies in pets may not always look like what we would expect, with lots of sneezing and coughing we experience with allergies. Chronic itching can make life miserable for our furry friends, which is why it is important to learn the symptoms, so we can get your pet the right treatment.

Whenever a pet has lesions on the skin, pet owners tend to jump to the conclusion that it must be ringworm. While our vets at Leon Valley Veterinary Clinic diagnose ringworm in pets fairly frequently, we have found that most people don’t really know what they are looking for when it comes to this skin infection. 

Ringworm in pets is not an uncommon dermatological diagnosis, but do you know what you are looking for?

Are you and your dog planning on some big outdoor adventures this summer? Or, are you more inclined to chill outdoors or poolside?

Either way, if your pet is involved, heat and harsh UV rays need to be factored in for their safety and fun. Many pet owners wonder if they should apply sunscreen to their furry friends, or why they need it at all. 

Your friends at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital are here to give you the lowdown on those sunny days with your pet, and why you should definitely choose dog sunscreen for their skin safety.

Spring is in the air, and we are all ready to get outside! Even with the mild winters of San Antonio, there’s nothing like the first spring breeze and a little more daylight to get the spring fever started. Our pets feel the pull of the season as well, and are eager to stretch their legs in the sun, too.

But more outdoor time sometimes means that – surprise! – your pet got into something they shouldn’t, and you wind up at the emergency clinic. With our list of spring pet toxins, Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital can help you keep these surprises to a minimum as the weather warms up.

October is arguably one of the best months in southern Texas. The heat finally backs off, and there’s an abundance of things to do outdoors. Indeed, with all the fun to experience in and around San Antonio this fall, it just wouldn’t do to leave your dog at home. Instead, check out these tips to experience the best fall pet activities around town!

Ready for This?

Going out in public with your dog is always fun, but it’s more delightful when they’re well-behaved. Don’t take your pet along if they pose a risk to other animals or people. Also be sure they’re fully vaccinated, microchipped, current on parasite prevention, spayed/neutered, and can understand basic voice commands.

As the dog days of summer arrive, we all may be spending more time outdoors, including our pets. During warm, sunny days in Texas, though, it quickly becomes a priority to stay cool by finding a shady tree, cooling off in the pool, or even heading indoors to the air conditioning.

What about our pets? At Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital, we’re thinking about how to keep pets safe and cool this summer, too.  And, so we’re exploring shade; why it’s necessary to summer pet safety, and perhaps, how to create some fun new shade areas in our yards this summer, too. Continue…

As we continue to assess the damage, clean up and rebuild, and provide solace and support to all of those affected by Hurricane Harvey, pet owners might wonder how they can help the many animals impacted by the storm.

The staff at Leon Valley wants to encourage all of us to lend a hand for our fur friends with these practical tips to help pets in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

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