Posts Tagged: 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:

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. 

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?

May 2-8 is Dog Anxiety Awareness Week, and the team at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital wants to help you recognize signs of anxiety in canines so you can help to ease it when it occurs. Keep reading to find out if your dog is suffering from anxiety and how you can help them feel calmer and happier on a daily basis.

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.

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Indulgences in some forbidden people food, antibiotics, and obesity are all possible causes of pancreatitis in pets. Pancreatitis is defined as an infection of the pancreas and can cause serious health repercussions.

The function of the pancreas in animals, is like that of the human organs, it produces enzymes and insulin. Pancreatitis in pets should be noticed as soon as possible, and treatment given, when any of the following symptoms are noticed. Continue…

Chances are when you go to see your physician, basic baseline information gathering, such as blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and weight, are a part of your physical examination. This information can act as a baseline or your normal state of health, which in turn can alert your doctor to any changes. This same idea is applied when it comes to pet disease prevention and overall wellness.

At home, many pet owners also make note of their pets’ daily health status. Pet owners are often the first to notice subtle changes in appetite, behavior, and general energy level. This body of information, collectively, helps to form a baseline of health for pets which, when communicated with your pet’s veterinarian, can be useful in diagnosis. Continue…

There are so many myths and anecdotes about getting the family pet fixed that it can be challenging to find the real facts. Besides the most obvious bonus of not having a surprise litter of puppies or kittens on your hands, there are other stressors of having an unfixed animal that can be avoided by this simple surgery, too. The truth is that spaying and neutering can have many medical and behavioral benefits.

As a responsible pet owner you want to do all you can to help not only your own animal but the animal population as a whole. Since millions of homeless dogs and cats are killed in shelters across the country every year, spaying or neutering your pet prevents unwanted litters and reduces the homeless pet population; which is always a good thing.

If you’re on the fence about spaying or neutering your pet, here are a few proven reasons it can be a good idea. Continue…

The biggest chocolate event of the year is almost upon us! Even if you’re buying your own box of chocolates this year, make sure it’s from your dog, not for your dog. Most of us know of the dangers chocolate poses for canines, and it’s not sweet!

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Brushing your pet’s teeth is probably right up there with changing your car’s oil. You can do it, but you really don’t want to. Unfortunately, without consistent dental care your pet’s mouth can harbor bacteria and decay; which cannot only be painful, but even dangerous to overall health. Continue…