Our Blog
Take Time to Smell the (Safe) Flowers: Prevent a Pet Poisoning This Spring
Spring feels like the perfect time to throw caution to the wind and go a little hog wild, right? Sure, it’s exciting to have longer days and be able to use the extra time to plant and prune. But without a springtime primer on how to prevent a pet poisoning, seasonal safety can find itself on the backburner.
Ask a Vet: Can I Use Essential Oils on Pets?
Essential oils have been an important part of folk medicine for thousands of years, and have recently exploded in popularity for their use in aromatherapy and alternative medicine. Proponents of essential oils use them regularly for everything from anxiety and muscle aches to treating illnesses and promoting relaxation and mental clarity.
The trend towards the use of essential oils for healing and relaxation purposes isn’t limited to humans. Many pet owners want to shield their animal companions from harsh chemicals, but using essential oils on pets may not have the desired effects. Some essential oils may be toxic to pets, or cause adverse reactions, and pet owners are wise to use extreme caution when it comes to this alternative therapy.
Spay and Neuter FAQ
Spay and neuter are surgical procedures to remove the reproductive organs. But many pet owners have concerns about whether to spay or neuter their pet and, if so, when to do it.
Questions like these are par for the course in veterinary medicine, and at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital, we talk to clients all the time about this procedure. We thought we’d share the most frequently asked questions (and answers!) to help put your mind at ease and give you some things to consider.
Zoonotic Illnesses Can Harm You and Your Pet
The term “zoonotic” is something you might have heard before, as more cases of zoonotic illnesses have been reported over the past decade. Probably the most well known zoonotic illness is rabies. More recently, the spread of leptospirosis has garnered the attention of pet owners and has put a spotlight on illnesses that can be spread from pets to people.
Because zoonotic illnesses are something that will never be totally eradicated, it’s important to understand what these diseases are and how you can protect you and your family members, including your four-legged ones.
The Cat’s out of the Bag! Cat Health and Preventive Care
If you already have cats as a part of your household, you likely know what wonderful and unique creatures they are. Cats are agile, intelligent, and loving, but keeping your cat healthy takes more than bringing them to the veterinarian when something is wrong.
Here are the basics of cat health, from Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital, to keeping your cat happy and healthy for their lifetime.
Five Feline Facts You Might Not Know
We’re always amazed at how knowledgeable our clients are. During a cat’s routine wellness exam, we often find ourselves utterly immersed in soaking up all there is to know about the feline in question, and you know what? Their owners typically deliver so much fascinating detail, we know we’ve just been schooled in the most productive way. After all, the entire point is to ensure Fluffy’s lifetime health, a concept made easier when communication is open and flowing.
This leads us to wonder: are there really five feline facts out there that our devoted clients might not know? Let’s find out!
Federal Lawbreakers: Do People Really Fake Having a Service Animal?
Service dogs are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are allowed entry into all establishments regardless of “no pet” policies. These animals are highly trained to assist their disabled handlers, but their special status could be in jeopardy.
Fraudulent service dog vests, tags, patches, and certificates are threatening a system that’s designed to help those in need of service dogs. It’s understandable to want to stay with a pet, but there are compelling reasons someone shouldn’t fake having a service animal.
Ring in the New: Amazing Things We’ve Learned About Pets This Year
Our pets never cease to astound us, whether they’re learning a new trick, accompanying us on a hike, or greeting us at home after a long day. They are funny, smart, adorable, endearing and loving, and so it’s fun to find out what new things we’ve learned about pets this year.
At Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital, we’re ringing in 2018 by checking out some of these great facts about our four-legged friends and sharing them with you. Enjoy!
Dogs Like to Work! Your Dog Wants to Earn Their Treat
Do you enjoy giving your pup a treat now and then – or more often? Treating the ones we love makes us feel good, but did you know your dog may get more satisfaction from having to work a bit to earn that treat? It’s true!
Many of us have experienced the satisfaction and pleasure of figuring out a difficult problem and reaping the reward of our hard work. It turns out that dogs are no different. A dog that earns treats also receives satisfaction from learning and earning their rewards.
Rejoice in a New Year: Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital’s Top 10 Blogs of 2017
After the shopping, wrapping, cooking, cleaning, feasting, parties, and other holiday craziness, it’s time to kick back and relax! And what better way to unwind than with a little pet-friendly reading from our blog?
The start of a new year is the perfect time to take stock of our blessings and to reflect on how to create an even better tomorrow for ourselves and our families, including our four-legged pals. We hope our blog has been a source of inspiration as you strive to improve the health and wellness of your pet. On that note, allow us to present our top 10 most popular blogs of 2017!