The holiday season is a great time to make new memories with family, friends, and fur-babies! There are a just a few precautions that pet parents need to take to keep their pets safe this holiday season. ​Dr. Rusty Tracy, D.V.M. lists the 5 most common things to watch out for.

Human foods that are high in fat can be especially harmful to your pets. Since dogs and cats are accustomed to normal to low fat diets, ingesting fatty foods can cause weakness and pain as well as severe stomach upset including throwing up, diarrhea, and severe pancreatitis which is potentially life-threatening. If your pet exhibits several of these symptoms repeatedly, contact your veterinarian right away. Avoid giving your dog ham, fatty table scraps and left overs, and dark turkey meat. 

Ham bones & turkey bones are choking hazards for your pet. While you may not be directly giving your pet leftovers or bones, many dogs and cats get into the trash. For this reason we recommend that you take your trash out quickly. During this time of year we see an increase in dogs coming in for foreign body removals of disposable plates, silverware, or other items that had food remnants on them.

Candy, chocolate, and other sweets that contain xylitol can be toxic for both dogs and cats. Xylitol is just a sugar substitute found in some sugar-free candies, gum and recipes. When ingested by pets, xylitol may cause vomiting, loss of coordination, seizures, and in severe cases, liver failure. Make sure that you put your sweets far out of reach from your pets. 

Certain foods like nuts & raisins can also cause stomach upset for your pets. In high quantities, these can be toxic. Keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food. It's also okay to set some house rules for your guests and ask your them to not feed your pets.

Cats are notorious for eating tinsel. This sparkling decoration attracts cats like nothing else, so it's best to use a different decoration for your tree. Tinsel is thin and sharp and can easily wrap itself around the intestines or ball up in the stomach once ingested. Dr. Tracy has had to do several surgeries to remove balls of tinsel from cat intestines. Lights are another thing to watch out for.

Dr. Rusty Tracy asks pet owners to be alert this time of year: "You've got to watch out for cats getting up into the tree and electrocuting themselves. They like to chew on those lights! You don't have to get rid of all your decorations; it's just a time of year to be cautious." 

Be mindful of where you place your electrical outlets, and if possible, keep them out of reach from your pet. 

​There are few things that will startle you more than discovering a lump or bump on your dog or cat. You may be snuggling or petting your pet to find that there is something there that wasn't there before. Now, not all lumps and bumps on or under your dog or cat’s skin will be cancerous, but there is no way to know for sure without getting your veterinarian involved – this is especially important if the lump is not resolving itself or is growing in size.

Many times the lumps can be “lipomas”, or fat deposits under the skin. They are soft, rounded, non-painful masses, and usually present just under the skin. They are common and usually present no problems. However, A needle aspirate is commonly done and a veterinarian can let you know if the cells are cancerous or not.

​In most cases, lipomas do not have to be removed. However, there are occasions tumors grow to a very large size, or are in a location that is causing a pet an issue. In those cases, surgical removal may be recommended.

Treatment can range from surgical removal to referral to a specialist for chemotherapy and radiation. While we wish this method would be sufficient to stop the cancer, there are times where removal of a limb is necessary if the tumor is aggressive. Your veterinarian will be able to speak with you about the best option of care for your pet.

Pet parents with outdoor cats and dog parents who spend time outdoors need to be mindful of the heat during these long summer days. For dog parents, there are a lot of fun things to do outside during the summer: from hiking and beach trips to visits to the dog park or just a daily walk, taking time to exercise with your fur-baby will help you bond and keep you both healthy!  Just be careful to not spend too much time outdoors in the heat. Hot weather can spell danger for your pet in the form of heat stroke, dehydration, and sun burns. Follow some of these tips to make sure you and your pet stay healthy AND safe.

Getting your daily walk in with your dog is a great idea, but make sure you choose early mornings or late evenings rather that walking in the middle of the day. People can change 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. Show them some love by protecting their pads.

If you are going to leave the house, bring your pet indoors. 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. We encourage you to leave your pet at home when you go out. 

​If you have concerns about leaving them indoors, try using a crate or baby proof your house. Put things out of reach and leave plently of toys for them to play with to keep them occupied.

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:
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• excessive panting
• increased heart and respiratory rate
• lethargy
• stumbling
• dark or bright red gums and tongue.

If you suspect your pet has had a heat stroke, take them to the vet immediately. Even if you can cool down your pet, heat stroke can cause internal damage to the brain, heart, kidneys and respiratory system that is not apparent immediately. For this reason we impress a sense of urgency.

We want you to have a wonderful summer 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. 

​If you suspect your pet has heat stroke, make an appointment to see Dr. Tanner Tracy or your veterinarian today. ​

5. Socialization Is Key
Walks allow your pet to meet other people and dogs. These encounters help build his/her confidence and social skills. Dogs who are not socialized tend to be more fearful, shy, and withdrawn, especially when meeting new people or pets.  A social dog is a happy, well balanced dog! If you have multiple dogs, walking them together can help them bond and prevent behavior issues between them. Find the nearest dog park near you for some extra fun! 

​6. Lengthen Their Life
Regular walks can improve and lengthen your pet’s life and exercise helps prevent and manage chronic diseases by keeping your pet at a healthy weight. If your pet has arthritis and diabetes, walking can greatly benefit their health! While the goal is 30 min a day, some pets may struggle with a certain distance or length of time at first. The most important part is to keep moving and creating healthy habits. Start with a shorter walk and build up to your goal!​

If your vet has talked to you about a Wellness Pacakage for your fur-baby, you may be wondering how the different tests benefit your pet and if they're really worth the money. 

Dr. Tanner Tracy breaks down the tests and services that are offered in our Wellness Packages here at Tracy Animal Hospital, how they benefit your pet’s health, and how paying up front for wellness services can save you money in the long run.  

Wellness Packages are designed to reduce your cost as a pet owner for preventative services that help your pet live longer, healthier lives.  Most pet owners will take their fur-baby to the vet when they notice a decline in their pet’s health. The concern is that dogs and cats can’t tell you that they aren’t well. Health complications and symptoms present themselves in different ways. By the time that you notice something is wrong, a disease or an illness may have already progressed and done lasting damage to your pet’s health.
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Wellness Packages include several tests that help veterinarians identify and treat illnesses before they affect your pet’s long-term health – this helps your pet live a longer, healthier life and can save you money on treatment options. The cost of services and medication is also significantly less than treating the disease or health complication. It all starts with a baseline exam of your pet’s health.

​When you get a baseline of your pet’s health, you get a snapshot of how different organs are functioning at that moment in time. Because dogs and cats age so much more quickly than people do, it's crucial that they make it into the pet clinic every year get these preventative services. Think of it this way: One human year is about 5-7 dog or cat years. When your pet goes to the vet every year, it’s the equivalent of you going to the doctor every 5-7 years! A lot can happen in 5-7 years and going to the doctor helps catch any possible health complications and even life-threating. The goal is to help pets live long and healthy lives. Veterinarians monitor the results every year and compare them to the original baseline to identify potential changes that are indicators of illness and disease in your pet.

Having Your Pet come in for a physical exam is good, but there are things we simply can’t catch. During an exam, we could have suspicions about a disease, but running bloodwork, a urinalysis and a fecal examination can help in diagnosing a disease so that the appropriate treatment can take place. Some of the health complications that we’ve been able to catch by doing bloodwork, a urinalysis, a heartworm test (for canines), and a fecal float (stool sample) have included:

• Kidney dysfunction
• Liver dysfunction
• Infection
• Thyroid problems
• Heartworm disease
• Diabetes
• Presence of parasites

​At Tracy Animal Hospital, we believe in recommending only what your pet needs in order to help make pet care more accessible and affordable. Our Pet Wellness Packages include the tests that inform us of any potential health concerns. While Pet Wellness Packages can vary from clinic to clinic, the following services are included at most animal hospitals. During the initial visit with your fur-baby, we perform these tests and get what is known as a baseline – or starting point – snapshot of your pet’s health.

Comprehensive Exam
We perform an annual exam for your dog or cat that includes a head to tail check: eyes, ears, mouth, heart & lung sound, skin & coat health, teeth, etc. We'll discuss any concerns that you may have as well as go over any findings.

Full  Bloodwork Panel
Extensive blood work tests allow us to perform a routine check of the body's internal organ function including kidney function, liver function, and red & white blood cells. 
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Vaccinations
Canines

•  Rabies Vaccination
• DHLPP Vaccine : protects against distempter, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, parvovirus
• Bordatella Vaccine

Felines

• Feline Rabies
• Feline Distemper
• Feline Leukemia (optional)

Stool & Fecal Exam (2x per year)
A fecal exam is a microscopic evaluation of feces which allows us to screen for internal parasites. This is performed every 6 months.

Heartworm Test (For our Canine Friends)
We perform a specific blood test annually in order to detect Heartworm disease. It is also required before heartworm prevention medication can be purchased.

Senior Pets
Dogs are considered senior pets by the age of 7, and cats are considered senior pets by the age of 9. For this reason, our pet clinic offers additional testing as part of our wellness packages to monitor your dog or cat's health throughout their senior years. As animals age, the likelikood of endocrine issues arise, thyroid being the most common. For this reason, our senior friends need additional tests to help monitor kidney and thyroid function.  
 
Additional Discounts
We love perks and discounts as much as anyone!
Our pet parents save an additional 5% on the following services when they enroll their pet into one of our Wellness Packages:

• nail trim
• microchip
• heartworm medication
• shampoo
• flea/tick medication

You can also save 15% of dental cleanings and dental services year round!
​(excludes prescription diets & surgery)

Each test and service that benefits your pet has a unique price. Pet Wellness Packages are meant to reward pet parents for signing up in advance for these services and reduce the overall cost of care over a year's time. Let's consider the Canine Adult Wellness Package offered here at Tracy Animal Hospital:
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• When you add up the individual cost of the comprehensive exam, the full bloodwork panel, all necessary vaccinations, 2 fecal examinations, and the heartworm test the total comes out to $420. 
• The cost of the Adult Canine Wellness Package is $325 saving pet parents $95 right up front. Over the year, pet parents who sign their pet up for this package will get an additional 5% off of nail trims, microchip, heartworm medication, shampoo, and flea/tick medication. There is an additional 15% taken off of dental cleanings throughout the year as well! 

Pet care can be more manageable when considering the costs up front and budgeting for your pet's needs. 

Do you have question about our Wellness Packages? Ask our front desk staff and Dr. Tanner Tracy Wellness Package options when you are here. 

Call (281) 970-0601 or click here to request an appointment online.

We accept CareCredit and are seeing new patients.  ​