Dog Health Tips
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Texas Veterinary Hospitals takes our mission to improve our patient’s quality and quantity of life seriously. We believe that to do this, it is our responsibility to educate their human owners on all health topics that can possibly benefit their animal companions. We have found at TVH that if you take care of the following three areas you successfully practice good preventative medicine for the pet, these are the same areas that affect the quality of your life as well as your pets.
- Diet: Feed Quality food
- Dental Care: Ensure good oral health
- Yearly Comprehensive Physical Exam (with a 6 month check up in between)
You will find professional team members at all our Hospitals dedicated to educating you on issues you have concerns about. We carry only medical products that we have researched and have faith in.
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Healthy Teeth = Healthy Pets!Dental disease is as serious in dogs as it is in humans and is the most common health problem for pets. By the age of 3, approximately 80% of dogs have developed periodontal disease. Oral disease begins when plaque, a soft film containing bacteria, forms on your pet's teeth. If not removed, the plaque will harden into tarter. This tarter builds up below the gum line, causing inflammation of the gum tissue (gingivitis) and gradually worsens into tooth decay and loss. The bacteria left untreated often spread through the bloodstream and cause disease of the Heart, Liver and Kidney. The best part about oral disease is that is completely preventable and treatable!! Regular exams and teeth cleanings followed up by some good routine home care will dramatically improve your pet’s life.
Signs of oral disease: Inappetence, eating without chewing food, weight loss, bad breath.
At TVH we give all patients a free oral exam to determine their grade of disease.
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Did you know.....
| Snack fed to a 20 lb. dog |
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Human Equivalent |
| 1 Small Cookie |
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1 Hamburger or 1 Chocolate Bar |
| 1oz. Cheddar Cheese |
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1 1/2 Hamburgers or 1 1/2 Chocolate Bars |
| 1 Hot Dog |
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2 Hamburgers or 2 Chocolate Bars |
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Routine Blood Work on Your Pet
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- Blood Work-The only window we have into your pet's body!
- In addition to your pet's routine physical examination, laboratory testing of blood and urine samples play a very important role in helping your veterinarian to assess the health of your pet. In fact, it is basically like "a window" into your pet's body to determine how the internal organs are functioning.
Laboratory Testing of the blood and urine of a healthy pet allows the veterinarian to etablish what the "normal" values are for your pet by establishing baseline values to refer to in future testing.
- In a sick pet, laboratory tests help the veterinarian to make a proper diagnosis of the problems and helps to monitor your pet's response to treatment and/or to medications your pet may take on a regular basis.
Laboratory tests given prior to surgery can identify pets at risk for complications from anethesia and help your veterinarian determine which anesthetic technique to use.
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Heartworms look like “spaghetti” in the heart and can do very serious permanent damage to the valves and muscular structure of the heart and the lung tissue. They are spread by mosquitoes and are prevalent almost year round in the warm climates of the United States. TVH has several excellent monthly preventatives to ensure that your dog is kept safe from this life threatening parasite infestation.
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Vaccination is a critical part of keeping your dog healthy. TVH takes vaccination very seriously and tailors your dog’s vaccination schedule to his/her lifestyle. We assess the disease risk your dog will face and vaccinate based on the dog’s needs, breed and lifestyle. One size fits all vaccination is a thing of the past!
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House plants and yard plants can have toxic compounds in their leaves. These poisonous compounds can cause serious organ damage or even death. Help your dog avoid chewing on plants that you are not sure are safe.
Human drugs should NEVER be given to a dog orally or topically unless specifically directed by your veterinarian. Many of these drugs can kill your dog or cause permanent organ damage. If your dog should accidentally swallow your medication call your veterinarian immediately!
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Canine Kennel Cough (Bordetella)
What is canine cough and how is it spread?
Canine cough is a highly contagious infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract of the dog. Also termed infectious canine tracheobronchitis, this disease is caused primarily by Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine parainfluenza virus, and type-2 canine adenovirus. Like the common cold in humans, the organisms that cause canine cough are spread through coughing and sneezing. Your dog can catch the disease simply by being in close proximity to an infected dog. Training kennels, humane societies, pet shops, boarding kennels, dog shows, veterinary hospitals, grooming salons or your local park are just some of the places where your dog may come in contact with this debilitating disease.
How can canine cough be prevented?
Vaccination serves as our best means to prevent canine cough. Texas Veterinary Hospitals vaccinates our patients based on their lifestyle. So depending on your pet's established risk will determine if your pet receives a dose every 6 months or every year.
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What is microchipping?
Microchipping is permanent pet identification. It is safe, simple, and a permanent form of pet identification designed to quickly identify lost pets and reunite them with their owners.
Microchip placemement is recommended during the first puppy visits, at the time of spay or neuter, or as needed when older. The microchip is a tiny device, the size of a grain of rice, inserted under the pets skin, with an identification number that is registered by the pet owner. The identification number can easeily be read by a scanner that most veterinary clincs and shelters have on hand. If your pet is lost or stolen, then this identification number can be tracked back to the original owner. Texas Veterinary Hospitals uses Home Again microchips. Call today for an appointment to have this important identification service.
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Health Tips 
