Our Blog
Dog House Design for Pet Owners
Your dog deserves the best. You chose that in pet wellness care at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital, in the dog food you selected, and in the people you picked to care for them. Why not their dog house? If you are thinking about DIY’ing dog house design or repair, be sure that you do it right! Here are some of our favorite tips and finds:
Continue…Keeping Your Pet Cool and Hydrated in the 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.
Continue…Pets and Fireworks: Keeping Everyone Calm and Happy
You may be excited to wish America a happy birthday, but chances are that your pets are not so stoked. Pets and fireworks tend to go together like oil and water. Here is Leon Valley Veterinary Clinic’s advice for keeping everyone calm, cool, and collected this fireworks season.
Continue…Diarrhea in Dogs: When is it an Emergency?
Dog diarrhea is not fun for you or for your canine companion. Diarrhea might be a quick remedy. However, chronic diarrhea can require more treatment. Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital wants to help you determine if your dog’s diarrhea is cause for concern:
Cause of Diarrhea in Dogs
Diarrhea is caused by malfunction of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Here are a few reasons your pet might have diarrhea:
Infectious diarrhea: Can be caused by Viral (Parvo, distemper, coronavirus—NOT COVID-19), anthelmintic parasites (roundworm, hookworm, whipworm), protozoal parasites (giardia, coccidia), bacteria (clostridium, leptospirosis, salmonella, E.coli), or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
Trauma: a foreign body, penetrating wound, toxin exposure, or ulceration
Autoimmune: Inflammatory bowel disease
Vascular infarction: blood clot blocking blood flow to the GI tract
Last, but not least:
Iatrogenic: Dietary indiscretion, stress, chocolate, or overfeeding
Human Food: A Lead Suspect
While it might be tempting to give your dog a bite of lasagna, foods high in salt or fat can lead to diarrhea. Human bodies are accustomed to this diet, but we assure you: your dog is not.
Try feeding your dog some fruits and vegetables such as apples (no seeds), green beans, and carrots instead of a piece of a pizza slice or turkey breast from your sandwich.
How Your Veterinarian Can Help
If your pet has diarrhea, your veterinarian at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital will be able to help you determine the type and the cause of the issue. We can walk you through the difference between large-bowel diarrhea and small-bowel diarrhea and find the best treatment option to get your dog feeling like his normal self.
When to Visit the Vet
We know, there is nothing cute about this, but acute diarrhea episodes often resolve on their own. Try giving your dog a bland diet for 48 hours.
However, if the episode is lasting longer than 48 hours or you see blood in the stool, or your dog loses their appetite or begins vomiting, call us for an appointment.
Chronic diarrhea is another reason to visit.
Your veterinarian can help you determine if the cause is from any of the following:
- Parasites such as whipworms
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
- Hyperthyroidism or other metabolic condition
- Cancer
- Dysbiosis
We are available to treat pet emergencies during the following times:
- Monday–Friday: 7 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Saturday: 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
Please call us before coming at (210) 681‑1391 so we can prepare to treat your pet.
For Emergency Veterinary Care After Hospital Hours
When you have a pet emergency after our hospital has closed, you can call our number for emergency information. Our recording provides contact information for nearby emergency facilities that can help you get the treatment your dog needs.
Happy Birthday to Your One Year Old Dog! Next Steps for Happiness and Pet Wellness
Your puppy turning one is a big deal! They are on their way to becoming an adult, soon to be fully grown (at about fifteen months). Here are some things to look out for during this year of your special pet’s life:
Continue…Take Your Pet to Work Week: Risks and Benefits to Pet Wellness
One positive thing that came out of 2020 was all of that time with our pets! How great was it to be sitting on a call and seeing everyone’s pets in the background or having them nuzzle you for a treat. It was good for both human and pet wellness.
Now that things are trending with humans going back into the office, you may be excited for the opportunity for everyone to meet your pet in real life.
Continue…Adopting a Cat in San Antonio? Where to Look and What to Prepare For
If you’re looking for a furry new feline baby to take home, there are plenty of options for adoption in our beautiful city of San Antonio. We have some tips on getting prepared to bring your new family member home and a few possible locations where your cat could possibly be at this very moment!
Continue…Securing Your Home Against Pet Poisons
We love our pets and want them to be happy and healthy. We provide them with good food, fresh water, and any pet medications they might need. Their toy bins are overflowing. Their beds are clean, soft, and almost as comfortable as our human beds. We snuggle and cuddle with our pets as often as we can. We know their every cue that tells us what they want next from us. But how much do we know about dangerous poisons that pets could access in our homes?
Continue…Preventing Pet Cancer: Is it Possible?
It’s pet cancer awareness month, and the burning question here at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital is whether we stand a chance when it comes to preventing pet cancer. The long and short of it is that we can’t entirely, but with some diligent wellness care, we are not totally helpless when it comes to pet cancer.
Continue…Spaying or Neutering Contributes to Better Health and an Increased Lifespan
As loving pet owners, we all want our pets to be as healthy as possible throughout their lives. When you think of spaying or neutering, you may just think of it as a way to prevent unwanted pregnancies in your dog or cat. This is only just one small benefit of these procedures. Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital is here to show you how spaying or neutering your pet in San Antonio is beneficial for your pet:
Continue…