Posts Tagged: Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital

It’s that time of year again to get your family and pet ready for a night of costumed fun. Trick-or-treating can be incredibly enjoyable and exciting, but it can also be an extremely stressful and potentially dangerous time of for your pet.

Not only does your pet have access to a number of toxic foods, but your furry friend also faces risks of injury from the costume you have chosen for him or her, as well as the decorations in the house and yard. Help keep your pet safe this Halloween and free from any scary emergency situations by following some simple advice for the night of tricks and treats. Continue…

No one likes to think about parasites. Unfortunately, they are a reality in pets (and people too!). Part of responsible pet ownership is protecting your pets from unwanted invaders. Doing so helps to keep dogs and cats healthier longer.

Parasites in Pets

It is not uncommon for our pets to be affected by one or more parasites at some point in their life. Parasites are organisms that live on or in a host (your pet) and benefits by taking nutrients from its host. There are a wide range of parasites that affect our animals. Some are just annoying, while others can cause major illness or even death. Continue…

When you bring your pet to the vet, be it for a wellness exam or the urgent treatment of an immediate condition, you know that Fluffy or Fido will be in good hands. Most often (we hope), this is because of the care and devotion that our staff displays every day. Each member of our veterinary staff plays an important part in serving our pets’ needs, and our veterinary technicians are no exception.

National Veterinary Technician Week, which takes place October 13–17, gives pet owners (and veterinarians) the chance to recognize and thank those individuals that contribute to your pets’ health and well-being. Even though we acknowledge the dedication that vet techs display on a daily basis as they care for and treat our pets, National Veterinary Technician Week provides us with the opportunity to honor our vet techs’ ongoing commitment to animal welfare. Continue…

So you’ve made the big decision to become a pet owner. For many of us, nothing is more rewarding than owning a pet and being a responsible participant in ensuring your faithful companion remains healthy and happy, except maybe taking that extra step to adopt your pooch or kitty from a shelter.

Shelter pets need loving homes, sometimes more so than those you see in the pet shop window or for sale by a breeder. As October is Adopt a Shelter Pet Month, there is no better time to acknowledge the importance of adoption, or bask in the enjoyment of giving an adoring and deserving animal a forever home and family.

Once you’ve made the decision to welcome a shelter pet into your life, you will need to make some choices on the type of dog or cat you will be bringing home. Continue…

We are so lucky to start each day with our pets. The cold, wet nose on the palm before the alarm goes off, the incessant meowing before the food hits the bowl, the woofing coming from the backyard when the paper hits the front porch… We adore our pets’ consistent, everyday behaviors – perhaps because they reflect our own human ways. But where did our affinity for animals come from?

You may have heard that special little squeal or giggle that result from the very first touch of a whisker or floppy ear. Pet owners and families delight in the fact that babies are captivated by animals. The scores of stuffed animals that arrive for each birthday or holiday may perpetuate that fascination or the stories about animal characters kids naturally identify with. Continue…

As we round out yet another dry, hot summer here in San Antonio we’ve begun to notice certain changes in our neighborhoods. Folks are out in their yards and garages getting ready for the shifts in temperature our fickle seasons provide.

In your preparations for the coming months please consider your pet. Keep him or her inside and away from the action as you clear away refuse, plant your spring bulbs, fertilize your yard, and prepare your vehicle for the colder months ahead.

Rule of Thumb for Your Green Thumb

Many pet parents are painfully aware that their pups like to dig. However, if he gets his paws and jaws on certain flower bulbs he will be in a world of hurt. Continue…

The loss of a beloved pet leaves an indelible imprint on our hearts and an empty space in our homes. Truly, our pets become family members, sharing some of our more joyous occasions, as well as providing comfort during life’s rough patches.  Letting go can seem an impossible feat, no matter what the circumstances that led to the understandable grace of parting ways.

That is why National Pet Memorial Day, Sunday, September 14th, is an important and meaningful holiday to honor and celebrate the lives of our departed companions. Started over 40 years ago, the holiday offers grieving pet owners the chance to memorialize their pets through tributes, services, and events that highlight the many ways our pets bring happiness to our lives.

While many people choose to observe the day at one of San Antonio’s pet cemeteries, there are several ways you can celebrate your pet’s life. Continue…

Facing a pet emergency can be scary. But, as a pet parent, it is your responsibility to see your pet through his or her time of need. Unfortunately, not all pet emergencies are as obvious as others, and knowing how to respond to your pet’s condition isn’t always as straightforward as you might like it to be.

While every pet emergency has the potential to be unique, the following signs and symptoms should help you identify the severity of your pet’s crisis. However, if your pet’s symptoms aren’t listed below, but in your gut you know something serious is wrong, please don’t hesitate to call us (or our emergency referral partner) for a consultation. Continue…

Vaccinations have garnered a lot of media attention lately, and there is quite a bit of misinformation being driven by the negative attention. Because of this, there is an array of general misconceptions among pet owners about whether or not certain pet vaccinations are necessary, or whether vaccinations compromise the health of their pet. Unfortunately, this kind of misinformation can create health risks for unvaccinated pets.

By ensuring your pet’s vaccination protocol is met, you provide protection against many diseases, such as leptospirosis, rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and more. Some of these diseases are highly contagious and sometimes fatal to our pet and other animals exposed to the disease.  Some are also zoonotic diseases, meaning that they can also be transferred to humans, as in the case with rabies and leptospirosis. Continue…

When you bring a new puppy into your home, he or she is bound to have an accident, or two, or nine… It’s just one of the many little joys of puppy parenting. But housetraining a puppy doesn’t need to take long, or be difficult. There are many effective and pet owner-friendly housetraining methods for you to choose from.

Just remember, once you choose the method that is best for you and your pup, stick with it and be consistent…

The Two Most Important Rules

There are two important rules when it comes housetraining a puppy: Continue…