Posts in Category: For The Dogs

No matter how great we are at something, there’s always room for improvement. The New Year brings with it a sense of promise and possibility, and for pet owners, it’s the perfect time to reassess. If you don’t already have some pet care goals for the New Year, we are happy to help you get started. After all, it’s all for the greater good!

The Broad Strokes

One of the best ways to orient yourself toward establishing and meeting pet goals is to schedule a wellness exam. If it’s been a little while since we’ve seen your pet, we would be so happy to welcome them back. We can check and compare their weight, appearance, growth, and development to track where they’ve been and where they’re headed. 

As your dog ages, its dietary needs change. Dogs have different nutritional needs at different stages in their lives. So what food is best for your dog’s optimal health? The team at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital is here to help you figure it out.

If you’ve owned your dog for a while now, you have likely come to the conclusion that they are the one that owns you. You might have originally thought that your dog would fit right in with you and your family, but it’s your lifestyle that has probably changed to make way for all the dog’s likes/dislikes, needs, and patterns. To that we say, well played, canines. 

There are certain elements of dog “ownership” that take precedence to ensure optimal health. Maintaining dog wellness exams is one of many contributions you can make to their overall health, vitality, and longevity, and we’re here to help.

Dogs are wonderful at any age, but we have a soft spot for seniors. They are mellow, sweet, and reliable. They know what they like and when, and really don’t keep their owners guessing about preferences or proclivities. 

Owners know their senior pets so well by the time they reach their golden years. While they are generally easy to provide for, you can elevate senior dog care to another level with our 3 essential tips.

Itchy, watery eyes, red skin, or a symphony of sneezes could signal that your canine companion is battling allergies. Our team at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital is here to help you get to the root cause of your pup’s itching and scratching. By working together, we can alleviate those uncomfortable symptoms of dog allergies. 

First, let’s talk about common allergens and their related symptoms. Then, we’ll cover three ways to curb that chronic discomfort and get your itchy dog back to his playful, happy-go-lucky self.

There are plenty of doggone good reasons to welcome a pet dog into your family, but if you’re still on the fence about adopting a canine companion, we’ve got three undeniably pawsome reasons why dogs make great pets!

Check out these benefits of owning a dog, and once you’ve welcomed your new four-legged friend, our dog lovers at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital are here with a lifetime of quality care, including expert wellness, senior pet care, and veterinary surgery.

Owners new to dog ownership are often surprised when their pup has no respect for the leash. The chewing, resisting, barking, yanking, stopping, and jumping can turn the simple joy of walking together upside down. There could be various reasons they have trouble walking on leash, and none are their fault. We’ll help you get to the bottom of their questionable walking skills with our tried and true tips for successful leash training. 

The overlapping space between wildlife and people makes it easier for ticks to thrive. These parasites can’t fly; instead, they proliferate in overgrown grass and shrubbery simply waiting for new hosts to come by. Feasting on the blood of various mammals, birds, and reptiles, ticks are super hardy and here to stay. Dog owners can do a lot to reduce the risks of vector-borne illness, making tick prevention for dogs a high priority. 

If your dog is losing fur in circular patterns and has red, scaly patches on his skin, they may be infected with ringworm. Regular pet grooming will alert you to changes in your animal’s coat and treatment for disease and infection. If you notice that something isn’t right, make an appointment with your veterinarian right away. Your vet can confirm a ringworm infection by diagnostic testing at our clinic. The team at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital is here to explain what ringworm is, how it affects your pets, and how to help: 

There are certain badges of honor that we pet lovers wear. Be it traces of fur on our black pants or a carefully hidden toy in our flower arrangement, our animals are a proud part of our lives.

Dog slobber is one of those parts of pet ownership, though, that can be a little trying to live with. While Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital can’t do away with drool altogether, we do think it’s helpful for pet owners to know why dog slobber happens and what they can do to minimize its impact on their lives.