Identify pain in your pet

Most people assume that they will easily recognize if their pet is in pain. After all, it should be obvious, right? Well, the answer is sometimes. While pain can be apparent in some cases, our pets have evolved to hide their discomfort, making it challenging to identify. Let’s explore the signs of pain in pets and discuss treatment options to ensure your furry companions receive the care they need.

Remember that for the purpose of this article, the pain we are talking about is chronic pain, not acute pain. Acute pain would be pain from an injury while chronic pain would be more like that from osteoarthritis for example.

Signs of pain in pets

Recognizing pain in your pet requires careful observation. Here are some common signs that may indicate your pet is experiencing discomfort:

1. Decreased Activity: If your pet is less active or seems to be shying away from normal activities or behaviors, it could be a sign of pain.
2. Difficulty with Movements: If your pet shows reluctance or difficulty going up or down stairs, it may be an indication of conditions like osteoarthritis or back pain. This is especially applicable to cats who struggle to jump onto surfaces they used to access with ease.
3. Trouble Standing or Lying Down: Pets experiencing pain, particularly due to osteoarthritis, may have difficulty standing up or lying down comfortably.
4. Over Grooming or Licking: Chronic grooming or excessive licking of a specific area can be a sign of referred pain. Your pet may be trying to alleviate discomfort in that particular region.
5. Decreased Appetite: A decreased appetite in your pet can be a potential indicator of oral pain.

Treatment for pain

Thankfully, advancements in pain management for animals have significantly improved over the years. When it comes to medicating your pet, it’s crucial to follow certain guidelines:

• No Human Medications: Under no circumstances should you administer human medications, such as Tylenol or Advil, to your pets unless explicitly directed by your veterinarian. These medications can cause severe liver and kidney damage.
• NSAIDs for Dogs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) made specifically for dogs, such as Rimadyl and Galliprant, can effectively treat pain and inflammation in canines. If your dog takes Rimadyl, be sure to check out the rewards program offered by Zoetis. Find more info here.
• Feline-Specific Pain Medication: Cats cannot take NSAIDs like dogs. Instead, they have feline-specific pain medications used after surgeries or dental extractions. These medications are not used chronically however.
• A new medication we have been using for cats is Solensia. Solensia is a monoclonal antibody drug that is given monthly by injection. Solensia works differently by preventing pain signals from reaching the brain, resulting in reduced or eliminated pain for cats. This drug is meant to be used as a chronic treatment for pain in cats.
• If you like the idea of a monoclonal antibody drug to treat pain in dogs, keep your eye out! Librela has cleared FDA approval and should be available for dogs to treat osteoarthritis (OA) pain very soon. This drug would mean that dogs who cannot take NSAIDS will now have a good option for the treatment of OA pain.

Monitoring the medication

Proper monitoring is essential when treating your pet’s pain. For dogs receiving chronic NSAID treatment, regular drug-monitoring lab work is necessary to ensure their well-being. Blood work, assessing red and white blood cell count and major organ function, should be performed 2-4 weeks after starting the medication, and subsequently every 3-6 months.

Solensia for cats does not require drug-monitoring lab work, given its different mode of action compared to NSAIDs.

Takeaways on pain in our pets

If you notice subtle changes in your pet’s behavior, especially as they age, it’s crucial to consult your veterinarian. Your vet can conduct a thorough examination and, together with you, formulate a treatment plan for managing your pet’s pain. By addressing pain promptly, you can ensure your beloved companion leads a long and happy life.

Remember, understanding the signs of pain in pets and taking appropriate action is an essential part of caring for our furry family members.

Ultrasound imaging is just one of the diagnostic tools known as medical imaging. Ultrasounds are becoming very common in veterinary medicine. They give us so much information! To answer the question of whether a pet needs an ultrasound we must first talk about what that is.

The Description

Diagnostic ultrasound imaging is a method that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of structures within your pet’s body. The resulting image is a sonogram.  An ultrasound produces live pictures of structures inside the body. For more information visit our website.

What is the difference between an X-ray and an Ultrasound

Even though both are medical imaging, the difference is easy to explain.  Ultrasounds let us see soft tissue structures. You can also see the body working in motion.  Think of seeing a heart beating in action versus the still image an x-ray produces.

An x-ray allows us to visualize hard tissue and any part of the body that has air in it.  We use x-rays to see bones, teeth and lungs. We can see other structures with x-rays but this is a generalized explanation. An x-ray also shows air/gas patterns in the gastrointestinal tract or foreign objects that your pet may have eaten.

An x-ray does not require sedation unless the process is complex and we know your pet will not tolerate staying still. Ultrasound does not require sedation unless your pet is fractious or very anxious.

Neither of these procedures causes pain.  To perform an ultrasound a veterinarian or a technician places a probe, called a transducer, on your pet’s body using a slight bit of pressure.

What types of ultrasounds are done on pets?

There are generally two types of ultrasounds for pets. One is an abdominal ultrasound. We use this type to examine structures within the abdomen. The second type of ultrasound visualizes the heart in action. We call this an echocardiogram or echo for short. Let’s talk about echos at a later time.

Keep in mind that while imaging these organs is extremely helpful, the first tool in our diagnostic toolbox does not usually start with an ultrasound.

Diagnostic Tools

The easiest and most common diagnostic tool is laboratory testing.  Testing to include blood work and urinalysis is the first and least invasive way for us to look inside your pet’s body.  Blood testing tells us how organs are functioning. It also tells us the kinds and numbers of blood cells in the body.

A urinalysis helps to determine kidney function. It also tells us whether an infection is present in the bladder. In addition it aids in the screening for diseases like bladder cancer and diabetes. Using an ultrasound allows us to obtain a sterile urine sample that we can send off for culture when needed.

When is Ultrasound Imaging Appropriate?

Your veterinarian will tell you when an ultrasound may aid in diagnosing your pet’s illness.  Most of the time your pet needs an ultrasound when blood work or an exam shows an abnormality. If further blood work does not help with a diagnosis, an x-ray or ultrasound may be in order.

Abnormalities on a physical exam or from an x-ray may indicate that your pet needs an ultrasound. An ultrasound is also helpful as a screening tool as your pet ages. One of our doctors brings her own dog in for screening with ultrasound every year. 

At Hill Country Animal Hospital we can perform “screening” ultrasounds on site.  Our formally trained and certified technician performs these types of ultrasounds. This means that she can perform an ultrasound to determine if abnormalities are present. Some pets require a more diagnostic ultrasound from a specialist or they may require further attention from a surgeon or internist depending on the outcome of the ultrasound. If you would like to learn a little more about ultrasounds visit Texas A&M University Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

How to Prepare Your Pet for Ultrasound Imaging

The only thing you really need to do to prepare your pet or an ultrasound is to withhold food from him or her for about 6-8 hours. The reason we ask you to fast your pet is because we need to see the structures of the abdomen which include the stomach. If the stomach is full of food it can interfere with the detail in the images we are able to see.

As always, if you have questions about your pet’s ultrasound or need to schedule an appointment, give us a call at 210-695-4455.

December is National Cat Lover’s Month. How great is it to have an entire month dedicated to those of us who love cats?  I am proud to say that I am definitely in this camp.  This is a very busy time of year but don’t forget to celebrate your feline friends this month.  For this month I am proud to be a crazy cat lady! Who are we kidding, I am a crazy cat lady every month. 

How Will You Celebrate?

Celebrate your month of feline fantastic-ness any way your heart desires!  There are so many ways to say “I love you” to your cat. Here are a few ideas of what you can do. 

Schedule a Wellness Visit with Your Veterinarian

Ok, your cat may not love this idea but good health is definitely a gift at any age.  Schedule a visit and bring your cat for an exam and vaccines. Always take advantage and get lab work performed as well.  No matter your cat’s age, the best value at your visit is blood work because of the information it gives us!  As a young cat it gives us a good base line and as your pet ages, we can detect abnormalities early with blood work.

Give Your Cat A “Spaw” Day

Grooming not only helps your feline look and feel better but it helps provide some great one-on-one time with your feline friend.  Give your kitty an extra round of brushing.  You can take the opportunity to take notice of any new lumps and bumps that may need to be looked at by the vet.  Also take the time to brush your cat’s teeth if you can.  Start slowly with a gauze-covered finger and work up to a toothbrush. 

Cats need professional dental care too so consider scheduling a dental cleaning with your veterinarian.  Dental health is so important and your cat will feel so much better getting any painful areas dealt with sooner rather than later. 

Buy Some New Cat Toys

Did you know that your cat will actually appreciate a toy that allows you to interact with him?  Try a toy like “Da Bird”.  I can tell you from experience that all my cats come running when they hear this toy come out!  Cats love toys that simulate prey activity that they miss out on while living indoors. 

Other great toys include food puzzles, balls to chase, toys to bat around and anything containing catnip.

Try Furniture Made for Cats

I’m sure some people might think that cat furniture is going overboard but it really helps meet the need of enrichment for our feline friends.  Cats instinctively love to seek out a high spot in their environment to perch.  This allows them to see all while remaining safe in their environment.  This makes cat trees a great idea, especially if your kitty is not the only pet in the house.  If you also have a dog he doesn’t love or even other cats, try getting a cat tree.  It gives your feline friend his own space and gives him a place to retreat to thus cutting down on his stress.

Another piece of “furniture” that I have had great success with is a lounger.  Find these loungers at Amazon and provide a place for your kitties to relax or scratch.  This particular product and those like it are great because once one side gets worn out you can turn it over and extend it’s life.  Then after both sides have been scratched, you can use a saw to cut it in half, then turn each half over to the new side and now you have two new half-loungers!  You can extend the life of your lounger with a little DIY. 

Scratching is a good thing

Another item you can add to your home that will bring much joy and enrichment for your cats are items for them to scratch.  As much as many humans dislike for cats to scratch, scratching is a very natural part of a cat’s life.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on scratchers but do provide an acceptable place for your little tiger to scratch. The important thing about scratchers is that they are sturdy enough to withstand intense scratching.

Some cats like scratching carpet while others like sisal (a rope like material).  Once you know what your cats like you can either buy or make a scratching area.  Store bought or hand-made, something as simple as putting some carpet on a piece of cardboard and attaching it to your wall or the back of a door with some nails or adhesive of some kind.  Make it tall enough for your cat to stretch up and scratch.  Some people even put a cute painted picture frame around it to finish it off.  What a simple way to provide enrichment for your cat!

Can You Teach a Cat a Trick?

You sure can!  You can teach cats trick by finding a treat that they love!!  Try freeze dried chicken, shrimp or salmon.  Then shape your cat’s behavior by simply waiting until he does the desired behavior to reward him.  This can provide you with great bonding time with your feline companion as well as some entertainment.

Make Your Celebration Last All Year

No matter how you choose to spend time with your ball of fluff, make sure you give your cat a little extra attention for the month of December.  Then maybe make it a habit for every month of the year.  After all, what is a better way to celebrate National Cat Lover’s month than by giving your cat extra love year round?

Older pets deserve the spotlight!  November is Adopt-a-Senior Pet Month so let’s focus on our older friends. We also want to focus on the unique needs of older pets and try to help pet owners that may be struggling, find some solutions.

What Constitutes a Senior Pet? 

Pets have life stages just like people.  Their life stages are a bit shorter in terms of how long they last since pets age a little more quickly than humans.  What makes a pet a senior is really determined by their breed and their life expectancy.  Generally speaking however, a pet can be considered a senior after turning 7 years old.  This is when we start to see some subtle changes and when we start to screen for certain disease processes that show up in later life.

Some of these disease processes can include diabetes, liver disease, thyroid disease, cancer, arthritis, hearing loss and eye problems.  Age is in no way a guarantee that your pet will develop any of these symptoms.  Your pet may stay healthy for a very long time.  Because we see these diseases and ailments in many older animals we do start to screen more vigilantly as your pet ages.

What Changes Should You Look For in Your Older Pet?

Our philosophy at Hill Country Animal Hospital is that we always want to work in concert with pet owners to help provide the best care for their pets.  Because of this, we often screen for health issues based on feedback from owners.  This feedback may include the following changes that have been noticed at home:

• Drinking more water
• Urinating more
• Less active/lethargic
• Limping or difficulty getting around
• Increase or decrease in appetite
• Changes in personality and/or behavior
• Changes in sleep habits
• Difficulty hearing
• Changes in vision or any visible changes to the eyes (especially depending on the breed)
• New lumps and bumps

We encourage you to seek help for whatever problems you are having with your pets.  Some issues may not seem health-related but we are in the business of helping you care for your pet and may have a solution. Let us know even if your problem is something like my pet is slipping on the floor at home.  If we don’t have an answer we can try to find one or put you in touch with someone else who can help you.

Managing Medication with Older Pets

As our pets age, we often find ourselves managing chronic diseases like arthritis or thyroid disease.  These require daily medication.  If your schedules are anything like ours it can be challenging to know if someone in the family gave your pet his medication.  That is when an item like a pet medication reminder comes in handy.

These can be purchased on Amazon and are very helpful when managing pet medications with a busy schedule.

Maintaining Exercise in the Golden Years

We recommend exercise for all pets from an early age.  Exercise helps maintain overall health by keeping weight in control and keeping muscles strong.  Many times as pets age they develop a bony appearance but haven’t lost as much weight as their appearance leads you to believe.  This change in appearance can be attributed to muscle loss.  Pets lose muscle just as we do if they do not remain active. For this reason, exercise is extremely important.

Don’t try to start a strenuous exercise regimen if you have not always exercised your pet.  If you are just getting started, start slowly and build.  Some exercise is better than none and will provide mental enrichment for your pet as well.

If your older pet acts like he is feeling a bit stiff ask your vet about laser treatments. Laser therapy can help with many conditions and is painless and drug free.

Communicate Your Older Pet Concerns

Remember to always communicate your senior pet concerns with your veterinary team.  Maintaining an open dialogue about your concerns as well as your desires and expectations is helpful for all concerned. Your veterinary team needs to know what your expectations are so that we can tell you whether they are realistic based on what is going on. 

Don’t ever be afraid to share with us what your budget is either.  We will try to formulate treatment plans that fit into your budget.  Remember, it is our job to provide and offer the best diagnostics and treatment that we can provide.  It is your job to let us know what you can afford and then we will adjust our plan to try to do as much as we can while respecting your budget.  This is when communication is paramount.  We are not in the business of judging.  We just want to offer the best care for our patients.

When It Is Time to Say Goodbye

Aging pets bring about the sad realization that we may not have our best friends around forever.  This doesn’t mean that we can’t make sure that the rest of their lives are lived in comfort and happiness.  When this is no longer possible, we will be there for you and your pet at this time too.

This is not an easy process or decision to navigate but rest assured that we will be there for you during this time to help with answers and suggestions.  We have many tools that we can provide to help you know when it’s time to let go.    

We are not going to tell you that you will “just know.”  We will however provide you with quality of life scoring systems and advice that will help you make the necessary decisions.

It’s Not Always Easy but It’s worth It

Caring for older and then geriatric pets is not always easy.  It can be expensive too.  Pet insurance purchased when your pet is young can help the most when they get older.  We consider it an honor and a privilege care for pets from the time they are young until they are senior citizens.  We love watching your pets grow up. 

As pet owners, our pets bring us so much love that it makes it all worthwhile.  Don’t try to bear the burden of care all by yourself if we can help.  We are going to be making some changes to our website and will be featuring some items that may help you care for your older pets at home, so stay tuned.  Make the most of every day with your pets whether they are babies, adults or seniors!

Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month is celebrated in November.  This is the perfect time to talk about the advantages that come from adopting a senior pet.  Whether a senior pet is right for you depends on your lifestyle and what you want from a pet.  Read on to see if a senior pet may be right for you.

When Do You Call a Pet a Senior?

Deciding when to call a pet a senior depends on the age and the breed of the pet.  Typically, a pet is considered a senior around seven years of age.  Even though pets may be considered senior they can still be active for years.  They may eventually start to slow down and not participate in as many of their active behaviors.  We consider these their geriatric years. 

Pinning down a specific set of years to assign to each life stage is difficult. Much of this depends on the pet’s breed and size.  Larger dogs age faster while small dogs and cats tend to live longer than their larger counterparts.

Considerations for All Adoptions

When you are considering adopting a pet, there are several things to consider before you choose the pet. 

• Consider your lifestyle. Are you home enough to provide companionship to a pet at all?
• Should you get a cat or a dog? How much responsibility are you prepared to shoulder?
• How much space do you have?  Do you have enough room for a small dog or cat but not enough for a large breed dog?
• Don’t forget to factor in the financial responsibility.  A pet is a financial responsibility for the life of the pet.  You must also be financially able to treat an emergency should one arise.

Once you have answered these questions successfully you can move on to decide if a senior dog is right for you.  Senior dogs have already gone through the puppy phase and after an adjustment period should be calmer and less destructive than a puppy.  Senior cats may still have plenty of spunk left in them and be ready to pounce on a toy or lie quietly in your lap.  Here are some other benefits.

• Minimal to no housetraining (depending on the history of the pet)
• Senior dogs will require a little less training and activity although you can still “teach an old dog some new tricks!”
• You know how your pet will be in advance.  Senior pets are already grown and you can see their personalities instantly
• Senior pets usually will be able to settle into your household much easier than a puppy.  They are more relaxed and won’t require a 24/7 commitment like a puppy does.

The Benefit of Adopting a Senior Pet

The best part about rescuing a senior pet is that you know you have done something great by adopting one.  Senior pets are often overlooked in shelters because people think they want puppies or kittens.  Many times if you do your research you will find that a senior pet fits your lifestyle much better.

The best benefit you will get is the years of love and affection you will get from adopting a mellow, older pet.  What could be better? 

Preparing for Future Care

If you want to know about caring for a senior pet, stay tuned for our next blog or visit our website or Facebook page.  You will be able to learn about caring for senior pets and some health issues to watch for. 

Where to Adopt?

If you are interested in adopting a senior pet check out the many rescues and shelters in and around the San Antonio area.

• Helotes Humane Society
• Animal Care Services
• San Antonio Pets Alive (SAPA)
• San Antonio Humane Society
• Animal Defense League

There are many other rescues in and around San Antonio including breed specific rescues.  You can find these rescues by searching the internet. Remember, it’s about the quality not quantity of time you have to spend with any pet you have so give a senior pet a try!

“Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog.” (or cat) Sydney Jeanne Seward

Do you think that could be poisonous?

Have you ever uttered these words wondering if your pet just ate something that could be poisonous?  I think we all have at one time or another.  It is not a good feeling!  The situation is only compounded when your pet ingests something questionable AFTER your veterinarian has closed for the day or on the weekend. 

Does poisonous always equal emergency?

If you suspect your pet could have ingested something poisonous it could very well be an emergency, so the answer is maybe.  During emergencies, time is of the essence so I am going to walk you through what you should do if this ever happens to you.

Become familiar with common pet poisons

First, you should become familiar with some common pet toxins. Our website features an article that contains some of the top pet poisons called in to the ASPCA Pet Poison Control. You can visit that article to learn more about these common but sometimes deadly poisonous items for pets.

• Over the counter human medication
• Human prescription medications
• Chocolate
• Mouse and rate poisoning
• Xylitol
• Grapes and raisins
• Vitamin D overdose
• Onions and garlic
• Alcohol
• Caffiene
• FOR CATS: Lilies (Lilium species)
• FOR CATS: Spot-on-flea/tick medication (especially over-the-counter brands that contain pyrethrins)

Some plants are poisonous too

These toxins represent a small sampling of things that pets ingest that end up to be poisonous.  Some plants are more toxic to cats than dogs or vice versa.  You can find a complete list at the ASPCA Pet Poison Control website. One plant that we have a lot of in the San Antonio area is Sago Palm.  Sago Palms are extremely poisonous to dogs if they ingest any part of the plant.  The seed or “nut” of the plant is the most toxic part of the plant.  Ingestion of this plant can result in liver failure within 2-3 days. 

Become familiar with the ASPCA Pet Poison Control Website

This list is by no means exhaustive so your best bet is to check the ASPCA Pet Poison Control (APPC) website if you are considering new plants in your house or yard, or using chemicals for your yard or for controlling pests.  You can get quick access to the ASPCA Pet Poison Control website via our app. Visit our website for a link to download our hospital app.

We know it’s poisonous and an emergency, so now what?

Now that you know what things to avoid, let us go back to what to do if you have an emergency with one of these poisons. When your pet ingests something that you think may be poisonous, it is everyone’s first instinct to call your veterinarian.  Your first call should actually be to ASPCA Pet Poison Control. 

Step 1, call the pet poison experts

The ASPCA hotline staffs veterinary technicians, Veterinarians and Veterinary Toxicologists to help you with your emergency.  They have a large database of information (more than almost any veterinary hospital) about commonly ingested items and can advise both you and your veterinarian as to the appropriate course of treatment for your pet.  

Many times even if you call our office, our advice to you will be to call poison control first and start a case.  Because of their expertise we find that working in concert with them gives us the best opportunity to provide life saving care to your pet. So step 1 is to start a case with APPC.

Step 2, call your vet

Step 2 is to call your vet. This is very close second to Step 1. In fact steps 1 and 2 are almost interchangeable but just know that you will probably still have to do both.

Once your pet is at our hospital we can begin treatment. We will outline the treatment plan for your pet as well as let you know what kind of follow on care will be required.

Above all, don’t wait to seek help!

The most important thing you can remember is not to wait when you suspect that your pet may have ingested something poisonous. Seek treatment as soon as you can because in so many cases the sooner we can intervene with treatment, the better. As always, call us with any questions at 210-695-4455.

Surviving the Heat

We are feeling the heat right now!  July in Texas is sweltering and we know the heat will get worse moving forward.  Hill Country Animal Hospital wants to share some important tips on how to make sure your pets stay safe in the heat this summer.

Summer is a fun time of year! Unfortunately, heat can quickly become dangerous for pets.  The number one danger for pets is heatstroke. 

Why are pets at risk of heatstroke?

Pets do not dissipate heat through sweating, like humans. The main method of ridding heat in pets is panting.  Panting is usually an efficient method of thermoregulation for pets, but it is not as efficient as sweating is for humans. This makes pets at risk for heatstroke.

Did you know that your pet’s coat works to help protect him in the summer too?  In the winter his coat serves as insulation to keep him warm and in the heat it protects him by not allowing him to take on too much heat. 

You do not need to shave your pet for the summer. Just make sure he is well brushed and rid of his winter undercoat. Your pet’s coat will protect him from sun and insects.

Who is at most risk?

Any pet can become a victim to the heat. The pets listed below are at higher risk for developing heat-related problems.

• Pets who have survived an episode of heat stroke in the past
• Elderly pets
• Pets confined to cars or carriers
• Dogs and cats with short and wide faces (brachycephalic)
• Pets with a heart or breathing condition
• Pets without access to water or shade
• Overweight pets

You should never leave your pet inside a car or carrier without air conditioning. 

Brachycephalic dogs are at a higher risk. Their anatomy prevents them from panting and cooling efficiently. 

Overweight pets are at risk. Their weight interferes with their body’s thermoregulation.  Their weight does not allow them to efficiently radiate heat from their body which allows them to cool down.

What are the signs of a heat stroke?

First, become familiar with the signs of heatstroke. Second, pay close attention to your pet’s behavior in the heat.  Third, humidity plays a big role in your pet’s ability to cool down.  The more humid the harder it is for your pet to cool.  Watch for these signs:

• Confusion, anxious or dazed expression
• Hot to the touch or increased rectal temperature
• Seizures
• Salivation
• Whining
• Heavy panting
• Brick red gums
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Increased heart rate
• Collapsing, stumbling and falling down
• Laying down and reluctant to get up

What if your pet falls victim to the heat?

If your pet becomes overheated, cool your pet down by placing cool (not cold), wet towels over his body. Pay special attention to his armpits, stomach and groin area.  DO NOT USE ICE! Cooling MUST be done gradually to avoid shock. You can get first aid tips from the American Veterinary Medical Association here.

You should seek veterinary treatment at the nearest facility immediately!  Visit our website for access to emergency facilities. Do not delay or take a “wait and see” approach.  THIS IS AN EMERGENCY!

Your veterinarian will manage your dog’s heatstroke with intravenous fluids, any medications necessary and will gradually and safely reduce your pet’s temperature.  Laboratory work (blood and urine) will likely be necessary to determine if organ damage has occurred.   

Keep in mind that your pet’s temperature will likely be an indication of the severity of the situation.  Your pet’s normal temperature is 101F to 102F. A temperature of 103F-104F is considered abnormal or hyperthermic. Pets with a temperature of 106F are usually considered to be a heat-related incident and we begin treatment immediately.   Temperatures of 107F-109F can lead to organ failure or death. 

Heatstroke can lead to brain damage, kidney damage or failure, muscle damage, liver damage, bleeding or clotting issues, lung damage, bloody diarrhea, seizures and death.

Take Precautions in the Heat

Never leave your pet in your car, even with the windows cracked or in the shade.  Use air conditioners to keep the environment cool.  Use fans to increase air circulation.

Make sure your pets have access to clean, fresh water at all times. If your pet is outdoors make sure he has access to shade.

Walk your dog in the shade if possible and walk your dogs early in the morning or after 6 pm. If it is not possible to stay in the shade, check the asphalt to make sure it is not too hot for your dog.  If you can press the back of your hand on the asphalt for 7 seconds, it should be comfortable for your dog.

Remember, if your pet is outdoors in the heat, it is up to you to monitor his behavior. Pets don’t really understand that they are becoming too hot. If you see any dangerous symptoms, call us at 210-695-4455. Stay safe and have fun with your pet!

Covid 19, Coronavirus and Pets

COVID-19 and the Coronavirus are on everyone’s mind right now and rightly so.  We want to make sure we provide you with timely and useful information regarding how you and your pet can stay safe and healthy.  Read on to learn more about pets and Coronavirus.

Continue…

While there are some obvious similarities in human diabetes and diabetes in our pets, we tend to approach treatment a little differently in pets.  Let’s review and see how much you know about diabetes in pets!

WHAT IS DIABETES?

Diabetes Mellitus occurs when your pet’s body produces too little insulin, stops making insulin completely or has an abnormal response to insulin.  Pets and humans alike need insulin so that our bodies can convert glucose into energy to use as fuel.

If we don’t have enough insulin and we cannot convert glucose in our bodies, glucose then builds up and we become Continue…

What is Noise Aversion or Noise Anxiety?

Have you ever wondered if your pet suffers from anxiety that is related to noise like fireworks, thunderstorms or even just loud noises?  This is called noise aversion and it is a real problem for many pets.

Since Fourth of July is fast approaching, this is a wonderful time to talk about noise aversion and the anxiety that our furry friends experience.  For many people Fourth of July means fun in the sun, cookouts and fireworks.  For the rest of us it means hunkering down with our dogs, inside, dreading nightfall and the noise of fireworks going off in our neighborhoods.  If you have a dog that has noise aversion or anxiety, you fit right into the second group of people.  Unfortunately, this can be a miserable time for your pet and you.  Many pets suffer with this type of anxiety during thunderstorms or when loud noises are present. Continue…