Heartworms are deadly parasites that can infect any mammal, although they much prefer hanging out in canine hosts. Dogs can be infected with more than 100 worms that can live for five to seven years, while in cats, only a couple of worms that live for two to three years, if they reach adulthood at [...]
One of the most important things you can do for your pet’s quality of life and longevity is to ensure they receive routine veterinary examinations. However, many pets experience significant fear, anxiety, and stress when at the veterinary hospital. If you’ve ever considered putting off your pet’s preventive care when they seem healthy simply to [...]
Xylitol (i.e., birch sugar) is a popular sugar substitute used in many foods and products. While many people have reaped xylitol’s benefits—40% fewer calories than cane sugar—if your dog ingests this natural sugar substitute, they can have a severely toxic reaction. Our Southwest Vet team takes a deep dive into this potentially deadly ingredient. Learn [...]
You may not think much about your pet’s teeth, unless they sink in when you pet your cat in the wrong spot or play too rough with your pup. That oral bacteria lurking in your pet’s mouth can cause you and your furry pal a world of hurt, so much so that a cat bite [...]
Resolutions are common this time of year, and they are beneficial to setting your own goals for the year ahead. This is also a great time to make positive changes in your pet’s life. Our Southwest Vet team understands your pet’s importance in your life, and we are committed to helping you jump-start your furry [...]
Arthritis is a common health condition that many pets develop as they age, although arthritis can affect pets of all ages. Left untreated, this painful, degenerative joint condition can seriously interfere with your pet’s quality of life, so the sooner you can identify the signs, the sooner you can alleviate your pet’s pain. If your [...]
Distressed blue jeans may be fashionable, but you cannot say the same about your couch. If your cat’s scratching habits have shredded your furniture, you may be asking yourself, “Does my cat really need those claws?” The answer—“Absolutely.” Cat owners often surgically declawed their cats to prevent unwanted scratching and clawing, but advancements in the [...]
Urinary issues seem to plague cats, and once they start, your cat can suffer future flare-ups. One of cats’ most common urinary problems is feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC). A condition that has no known cause, FIC can lead to your cat developing a host of uncomfortable clinical signs. Straining to urinate, blood-tinged urine, vocalizing while [...]
Regular wellness screenings are one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to improve your pet’s longevity and quality of life. Our Southwest Vet team wants to provide information about what these visits involve, and reasons why they are so important to your pet’s health and wellbeing. #1: Wellness screenings help keep your pet at a [...]
Anesthesia is necessary in some cases to allow veterinarians to perform procedures on pets that otherwise would not be possible. Our Southwest Vet team goes to great lengths to ensure your pet receives care equivalent to human standards when they undergo anesthesia, and we would like to provide information about this subject to set your [...]