​In 1984, Dr. Rusty Tracy graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A & M. A year later, he established Tracy Animal Hospital and set out to provide dedicated and quality care holding fast to the idea that veterinary care should be accessible and affordable in order to help as many patients as possible. Over the next 36 years, Dr. Tracy stayed true to these values and as the veterinary field grew, he developed a loyal and trusted following of clients who knew he would only recommend what their pet needed. His commitment, dedication, drive, and work ethic were passed on and nurtured in his children. His son, Dr. Tanner Tracy, chose to follow in his father’s footsteps and has worked alongside him at the practice for the last several years. 

The number of lives Dr. Rusty Tracy has touched and the patient’s he’s saved since he began practicing cannot be quantified. After years of devotion, Dr. Tracy will be stepping down from practicing on a day-to-day basis. We don’t call this retirement as Dr. Tracy will still be a big part of the practice and will continue to help with surgeries and surgical consultations. He will now have the opportunity to spend more time with his lovely wife, Karen, his children, grandchildren, friends, and fur-babies. He’ll also be spending more time on his ranch tending to cattle! 

Please help us thank Dr. Tracy for the countless moments that have made up the last 36 years. From sharing the joy in a client’s life when a new puppy or kitten would join the family, to solemnly sitting and mourning alongside you all as a beloved pet crossed the rainbow bridge, Dr. Tracy expresses his privilege and honor to have been able to be a part of each and every one of your lives and for trusting him with your fur-babies.
 
Please help us in also wishing Dr. Tanner Tracy well as he takes the reigns in his father’s stead and continues to provide the care that you all have come to know and expect of Tracy Animal Hospital. 

Halloween is here! As festivities begin, make sure to keep your pets safe by following these tips:

COSTUMES
We love seeing our patients dress up for Halloween! Who doesn't? It's important to make sure that your pet can move comfortably and safely  in the costume. Do not tie anything around your pet's neck and check to see if your pet can move without tripping over the costume. Remember that if your pet is uncomfortable or trying to take the costume off, it's best they go as cute dog or cat  instead of a pumpkin. 

TREATS 
Treats and sweets are great for people, but not for pets. Candy and chocolates can be harmful to dogs and cats, even fatal, especially in large quantities. Keep these sweets out of reach from your pets. If you have guests coming over, make sure you communicate house rules, such as not feeding your pet when they arrive. If nicotine and alcohol will be consumed in your home this Halloween, be extra vigilant to keep these items out of your pet’s reach. These substances can be highly toxic—even deadly—to animals.

DECORATIONS
While a carved jack-o-lantern certainly is festive, pets can easily knock over a lit pumpkin and start a fire. Curious kittens are especially at risk of getting burned or singed by candle flame. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered relatively nontoxic, but can produce stomach discomfort in pets who nibble on them.

TRICK OR TREATERS
If you plan giving out candy to trick-or-treaters, keep your pet away from the door. Pets have a way of slipping out unnoticed, so make sure your pet always wears their identification tags and consider having your pet microchipped if you haven't already. Animals can also get stressed with the hustle and bustle of guests, trick-or-treaters and increased activity at home. Give them a quiet, stress-free, room where they can be removed the extra excitement of the holiday. 

Long, summer days are here and with COVID-19 restrictions still looming around, we are all looking forward more than ever to spending time outside with our furry companions. Just be careful to not spend too much time outdoors. Hot weather can spell danger for your pet in the form of heat stroke, dehydration, and sun burns.

Getting your daily walk in with your pet is still a great idea, but make sure you choose early mornings or late evenings rather that walking in the middle of the day. Remember that you can change your clothes to help adjust for the weather, but your pet cannot. Even pets who exercise regularly are susceptible to heat stroke. Another important factor to consider is the temperature of the pavement when the day is hottest. In 77 degree weather, pavement that has been sitting in the sun can reach 125 degrees. Pet insurance provider Pet Plan put together this infographic which suggests as a rule of thumb to put your hand on the pavement for 7 seconds before heading out with your furry companion. If it's too hot for your hand, its too hot for your pet.

Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so make sure that your pet has access to fresh water and shade at all times. Its important to keep exercising to a minimum and bring your pet inside during the hottest part of the day.

Never, ever leave your pet alone in a parked vehicle. Between 2018-2019 over 82 pets died due to being left in hot cars - all of these deaths were preventable.  On a sunny day with 70 degree weather, the inside of a vehicle can get to 104 degrees in about 30 minutes. After another hour, it can reach 113. Dogs cannot sweat and their bodies break down quickly in high temperatures. Cars heat up quickly even with the windows cracked and sometimes its just a matter of minutes before a companion succumbs to heat stroke. 

All breeds of pets can suffer from heat stroke, however, some breeds are more susceptible than others. Large dogs, dogs with short faces shuch as Bull Dogs and Boxers, dogs who are overweight or have long coats are most at risk. Signs of heat stroke that you can watch out for include excessive panting, increased heart and respiratory rate, lethargy, stumbling, dark or bright red gums and tongue. If you suspect heat stroke, take your pet to the vet immediately. Even if you cool down your pet, heat stroke can cause internal damage to the brain, heart, kidneys and respiratory system that is not apparent immediately. 

We want you to have a wonderful summer that is filled with happy memories with your pet. Have fun and be safe! 

If you are in our area and have concerns about your pet's health, our caring and knowledgeable vets are here to help. You can reach us at 281-970-0601. 

Fleas live on your pet's body. Dogs and cats can get fleas from their mother (when they are young), from another dog, or from their environment. When infected, your pet might bite or scratch himself frequently. Severe allergic reactions from flea bites can include Flea Allergic Dermatitis, which can show up as encrusted lesions on the skin. Not only can fleas cause dermatitis, but they can also transmit diseases to other animals and humans, such as tapeworm. 

If your pet has fleas, it is important to treat both your pet and his environment. Flea season can last several months and there are several ways to combat fleas. From washing your pet's bedding and deep cleaning, to utilizing a treatment and preventative that is veterinarian approved, you can help your dog or cat to get relief from fleas. 

Pets are most likely to pick up ticks in wooded area in the summer and spring. Bites from certain types of ticks can cause irritation and infection at the point where the tick attaches to the pet's skin and can transmit diseases including Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease. Tick infestations can lead to anemia, weight loss, paralysis, and even death. 

Parasite prevention products for fleas and ticks, like Bravecto, can work effectively to eliminate pests living on your dog or cat within hours. We recommend partnering with your veterinarian to determine the best course of treatment for your pet.

Mange mites are tiny organisms not visible to the naked eye. They live on your pet's skin or in hair follicles and they lay their eggs under the skin. As your pet scratches and rubs, the skin becomes dry and thickened leading to hair loss and hardened crusty patches. It is highly contagious to both animals and humans and must be treated by a veterinarian promptly. 

Ear mites will cause your pet to scratch their ears or shake their head. You can tell if your pet has ear mites by checking the ears for dark earwas or specks resembling dried blood or coffee grounds. Ear mites can cause ear infections and are also highly contagious to other animals. Treatment will require veterinary care. 

Ringworm is caused by a fungus and will appear on your dog's or cat's skin as round, bare patches on the skin. If your pet has ringworm, avoid contact with other animals as ringworm is highly contagious and can be transmitted to other animals and humans. Your veterinarian can treat ringworm with medication. 

Even the best cared pet can get ill from time-to-time. Changes in behavior can be early indicators of illness. If your dog or cat exhibits changes, or other unusual symptoms, contact your veterinarian for guidance and care:

• Loss of appetite for more than an day
• Diarrhea, constipation, difficulty with urination, or blood in the stool or urine
• Vomiting
• Fever - usually indicated by a dry, hot nose, dull eyes, and an increase in body heat
• Pain
• Excessive panting or difficulty breathing
• Coughing and sneezing
• Head shaking
• Constant scratching or biting
• Biting or other aggressive or unusual behaviour in a normally well-tempered pet
• Bad mouth odor 
• Lump beneath the skin
• Dull hair coat
• Scooting along the ground

Do you live in Cypress, Tx or the surrounding areas? We are happy to help! Give us a call at 281-970-0601 or make an appointment conveniently online.