Ringworm and Your Pet: What You Should Know

Ringworm on a dog.

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: 

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The Ins and Outs of Dog Slobber

Dog slobber.

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.

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Dental Treats for Pets: Do They Really Work?

Dog chewing dental treat.

We get lots of questions about dental treats at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital. While grabbing a chew bone that advertises dental health support may seem too good to be true, dental treats for pets can (and do) have some value. Learn how they can be a valuable part of your pet’s home dental care routine: 

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Chomping Out Dental Disease in Dogs

Dog with healthy teeth.

In veterinary medicine, dental disease in our patients is a problem that is often overlooked or downplayed by pet owners. Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital sees first-hand every day, though, how dental disease in dogs affects pets. Learn what you need to know as a pet owner. 

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The Best New Year’s Resolutions for Pet Health

Dog celebrating a happy new year.

As we head into 2022, most of us are considering ways in which to make this the best year ever. As you lay out your goals for the new year, Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital hopes that you will include your furrier family members and make some resolutions for pet health, too. 

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Honoring Canine Veterans Every Day, Every Year

A canine veteran.

As if dogs couldn’t get any cooler, they went ahead and figured out how to serve and protect soldiers in active war zones. This isn’t a new concept. In fact, the ancient ancestors of today’s modern military pups trained, scouted, and tracked in remarkably similar ways. Civilizations as far back as the mid-seventh century B.C. employed dogs to rush, fight, haul, and protect. Today’s canine veterans are equally capable (if not more so), and are also leaned on for emotional support.

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What Does it Take to be a Responsible Dog Owner?

Responsible dog ownership.

Adding a furry family member is exciting, but if you’ve never had a dog before, it’s important to have a full understanding of what responsible dog ownership entails. Dogs require a substantial time, financial, physical, and emotional commitment, so do not rush into it. 

When you are ready to welcome a new dog into your home, the following tips from Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital can help you enjoy a long, happy, healthy relationship with your canine companion.

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No Regrets: Why Adopting a Less Adoptable Dog Is So Worth It

A senior dog.

When it comes to homeless dogs, they’re all adoptable, right? What we mean is, all dogs deserve to be adopted into safe, nurturing, comfortable homes. Unfortunately, the fact remains that there are dogs out there that simply don’t appeal to every prospective dog owner. Whether it’s their age, coat color, health status, breed, or general appearance, a “less adoptable” dog depends on our ability to look beyond what’s on the surface. 

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5 Ways to Help Your Dog Live Its Best Life

A woman with her dogs.

All the dogs want to know, will there be bone-broth cake during National Dog Week? Celebrate the week of September 20-27 with special treats for the dogs in your life and learn more about how to keep them happy and healthy. Here are some of our favorite ways to celebrate one of our favorite weeks of the year:

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National Dog Day

Two happy dogs.

In 2004, Colleen Paige founded National Dog Day to celebrate the day her family adopted their dog “Sheltie” from a local animal shelter when she was 10 years old. The spirit of National Dog Day was created in order to celebrate dogs, and spread awareness about adoption. 

This year on National Dog Day (August 26), let’s focus on ways to keep our four-legged friends happy and healthy for many National Dog Days to come. 

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