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Rat Bait, Not Cat Bait: Rodenticide Poisoning in Pets
Pet poisonings happen secondary to exposure to all sorts of things. It might be helping themselves to some chocolate, applying the wrong type of flea preventive to your cat, or drinking some sweet antifreeze from the driveway. However, one of the most common animal toxicities we see at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital is rodenticide poisoning in pets. Learn what you need to know about keeping your animals safe from this tricky toxin.
Why Microchipping Helps Reunite Lost Pets with Their Owners
The aftermath of Harvey and Irma (among other hurricanes and worldwide flooding) have been on our hearts and minds over the past few months. Whether we or someone we know have been impacted, these losses have been deeply felt by most of us in the wake of the storms. Among these tragedies are the many pets who are missing or abandoned.
In such a disaster, pets and other animals are frequently lost, abandoned, or displaced when families must evacuate. Many of the pets find their way to shelters, or other rescues, which aim to reunite them with their owners. Tragedies like a missing pet, however, can often be prevented through emergency planning and effective preventive measures, like the microchip.
After the Storm: How to Help Pets in the Aftermath of Hurricane Harvey
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.
Why Fostering a Pet Could be the Best Thing You’ve Ever Done
Young, old, injured, ill, abused, and unsocialized animals are sometimes given a break from shelter life in the form of foster care. Foster programs give pets a chance to grow or learn so they can have the best chance for adoption into forever homes. While fostering a pet can be demanding and taxing, it’s often one of the most rewarding experiences an animal lover can ever have. Do you have what it takes?
K9 Heroes: The Search and Rescue Dogs of September 11th
After the twin towers and the Pentagon were hit on September 11, 2001, the largest U.S. deployment of search and rescue dogs in history rushed to these sites with their handlers. In addition to these 350 brave K9 heroes, more than 300 therapeutic dogs were stationed to aid and comfort rescue workers and volunteers. To this day, the altruistic value of their efforts remains unparalleled.
Questions Answered by a Simple Dog DNA Test
Knowing where we come from is a unique gift, but not everyone can attest to certain, uncontested lineage. That’s changing, however, with mail-in DNA tests. Helping us connect with our ancestry is gaining popularity within our own species, but it’s a booming industry for others, as well. A dog DNA test, for example, is one way to conclusively pinpoint breed and inherited complications. Understanding a pup’s genetics can be exciting, but there’s more to this groundbreaking science than meets the eye.
In It for the Long Haul: Moving with Pets
There are many reasons moving is considered one of modern life’s most stressful events. Between finding a new home, deciding what to keep and what to get rid of, packing, and transferring your insurance, utilities, and important documents, the process can be dizzying and overwhelming. Throw a pet or two into the mix, and things quickly go from crazy to crazier.
With a little planning and preparation, however, moving with pets can be done with relative ease, and your friends at Leon Valley are here to help!
Why do Pets Spend so Much Time Sleeping?
Whether you have a snoozing pup or a napping cat, chances are, you’ve seen your pet at rest more than at play – and for hours at a time! This may seem like a lot of rest for any creature, but there are many reasons as to why pets sleep so much.
Your friends at Leon Valley are here to answer the question, “Why do pets spend so much time sleeping?”
Is Heartworm Prevention More Affordable Than Treatment?
We could all do a lot with an extra thousand bucks, right? A week-long inclusive vacation, season tickets to the Spurs, or new kitchen cabinets might round out the list of possible options. However, in the case of an unfortunate diagnosis of heartworm disease in your pet, that little nest egg could be applied to the cost of treatment.
Heartworm prevention isn’t free either, but when you consider the entire annual cost is about $200, the difference between prevention and treatment is clear.
Pet Insurance: Weighing the Costs and Benefits
For most of us, the idea of going without health insurance is unsettling, as we can expect to have situations in our lives that require medical attention. While these aren’t pleasant to consider, we know that health insurance helps cover unexpected medical costs and ongoing preventive care.
As our pets continue to experience increased longevity and a higher quality of life, pet insurance is becoming more and more appealing. Insurance not only allows pet owners to have more control over their pet’s medical needs, it also improves the annual care required to prevent diseases.