Playing with dogNo matter if you thought 2016 was the best or worst year ever, one things remains true… time marches on. And as we enter into 2017, many of us are reflecting on ways to be more present, make improvements to health and wellbeing, and have a generally more positive way of life in the new year.

As a pet owner, you may be considering how to encourage better health and more exercise for your fur companion. At Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital, we wholeheartedly support your efforts to better care for your beloved pet – and we want to do our very best to offer you the encouragement, support, and resources to do so.

One of the ways we do this is through our blog, and we are delighted to present our top 10 blogs of the year!

Celebrating Pets with Our Top 10 Blogs of the Year

  1. DANGERS OF THE DESERT AND OTHER CAUTIONARY PET TAILS Living in the Southwest, there are some lurking desert dangers to our pets that you should know about; especially before anyone sets a paw or a foot outside the door. Whether you’re roaming the wilds of rural Texas, or venturing west toward Arizona, New Mexico, or California, you’ll want to bone up on the dangers of the desert. Read More…
  2. THE HEAT IS ON: SUMMER PET SAFETY In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy fears the worst when embarking on the yellow brick road: lions, tigers, and bears (oh, my!). She eventually realizes her fears were unfounded, allowing her to bravely handle anything that comes her way. Read More…
  3. PET ADOPTION: SAVING LIVES ONE ANIMAL AT A TIME 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. Read More…
  4. MORE THAN HOLIDAY WEIGHT: PET OBESITY AND NUTRITION Possibly one of the most staggering statistics we’ve seen lately states that over half of all our nation’s cats and dogs. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 54% of all American cats and dogs are considered overweight or obese. What does this mean for your pet? Read More…
  5. THE IMPORTANCE OF PET VACCINATIONS 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. Read More…leon_istock_101863205_large
  6. FLEAS-TICKS-HEARTWORM What You Need to Know About Lyme Disease in Pets – Although Lyme disease is no stranger to the limelight, this vector-borne illness remains abstract to millions of people and their pets. If you’ve neither seen a tick before or experienced Lyme disease first hand, this topic may be somewhat mysterious. However, in a relatively small window (approximately 1-2 days), mystery can morph into full-blown misery. Read More…
  7. BASELINE OF HEALTH, WELLNESS CARE, AND PET DISEASE PREVENTION 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. Read More…
  8. THE PROS AND CONS OF COMMON DOG TOYS It’s safe to say that most dogs love a good toy. Whether they’re playing with you or keeping themselves occupied, dogs love to tug, squeak, chew, fetch, and cuddle their favorite play things. Not only do good dog toys serve to keep your pet active, but they can serve as a wonderful alternative to treats when it comes to rewards for good behavior and devoted companionship. Read More…
  9. THE CRATE IS GREAT: THE BENEFITS OF CRATE TRAINING YOUR CAT If your cat could talk, would he or she expound on the virtues of the travel carrier, or, when asked about it, would you simply see your cat’s tail cut through a cloud of dust kicked up by speedy, get-a-way paws? You cat may absolutely hate the crate, but with a healthy combination of time, patience, and gentle persuasion, he or she can learn to appreciate it and may even want to hang out there. Read More…
  10. A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS: THE BEST PET WEBSITES Whether you are the type of person who can view cute kitten video after cute kitten video or are looking for the most up to date information about pet care, read on. We have compiled a list of the best pet websites out there for your enjoyment. Read More…

Cat in tailor work shopMake 2017 the Best Year Yet

If there are things you have been neglecting as a pet owner, this is a great time to get back on track with your past and present resolutions. Whether that means taking more walks with your dog, maintaining regular wellness exams for your cat, or spending more time playing with your companion animal, now is the time!

Your friends at Leon Valley are here for you. We look forward to seeing you and your pet at his or her next wellness appointment, or feel free to call us anytime.

Happy New Year!