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Vet Pet Blog & Practice News

Welcome to our blog. Visit this page often to get great pet care tips & practice news. 
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Dr. Rusty Tracy Transition Announcement

4/26/2021

 
​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. 
Drs Rusty & Tanner Tracy - Veterinarian Orthopedic Surgery
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! 
Dr. Rusty Tracy & Family - Tracy Animal Hospital
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. 

Recognizing the Signs & Symptoms of Heartworm Disease

3/1/2021

 
Tracy Animal Hospital | Preventing Heartworm Disease in Dogs

HEARTWORM AWARENESS MONTH

Have you ever wondered what a heartworm is or how it affects your pet's health? Heartworms are parasites transmitted by mosquitoes that attack a dog's lungs, heart, vascular system, and other organs. Heartworm disease caused by these heartworms can be devastating to a dog's health, and can even be fatal if not caught and treated early. 

Giving your pet their monthly heartworm prevention can save you time, money, and heartache! Just keep in mind that in order to refill your heartworm prescription medication, your pet MUST get their annual heartworm test first. 
Dogs with large numbers of heartworms can develop a sudden blockage of blood flow within the heart leading to a life-threatening form of cardiovascular collapse. Without prompt heartworm treatment, few dogs survive. ​ It all starts when an infected mosquito bites a dog.
The HEartworm Cycle - Tracy Animal Hospital
Facts about Heartworm
Microfilaria (baby heartworms) can appear in a dog's bloodstream as early as 6 months after the initial infection. 

Within 70 days, larvae can develop into young heartworms.

​Worms can grow from 6 -12 inches in lengths and attack the cardiovascular system as well damage the arteries that they reside in. 

Heartworms can live up to 7 years. Dead worms collapse and get clogged into arteries causing blockage, impaired bloodflow, and increased blood pressure that can lead to heart failure. 

All dogs who have heartworms are diseased and may not always show symptoms! It is important to treat dogs right away. 
Heartworms in Dogs - Tracy Animal Hospital
The Cost of Treating Heartworm Disease
​

There are several places where you can purchase your dog's heartworm medication. It could be your vet or an online store! Typically, the cost of heartworm prevention ranges from $5-$15 per month based on your dog's weight. Compare this to the cost of treating heartworm which can range from $400-$1000. Treatment can also entail injections and oftentimes hospitalization of your pet is required. Preventing heartworms from hurting your pet is the responsible thing to do - it is also safer and more affordable!

While heartworm medication is highly effective, its not 100% effective. This is why we encourage our clients to bring their dogs in yearly to get tested. Furthermore, prescriptions for heartworm preventative medication cannot be renewed until a heartworm test is completed. 
Remember "12"
​

We recommend following the American Heartworm Association's counsel that you give your dog their heartworm preventative medicine 12 months a year and bring them in every 12 months for their heartworm test.
Symptoms of Heartworm Disease
According to the American Heartworm Association, signs of heartworm disease may include:
  • a mild persistent cough
  • reluctance to exercise
  • fatigue after moderate activity
  • decreased appetite
  • weight loss​
  • swollen belly

If you've noticed any of these symptoms in your pet, contact your veterinarian right away. If you live in the Cypress, Northwest Houston, Spring, or Tomball area, call us at 281-970-0601 to schedule your dog's heartworm test right away. The earlier the treatment, the less damage there is to your dog's vital organs.

Is it time to schedule your pet's heartworm test or do you have question about your pet's health? Visit Dr. Tanner Tracy here in Cypress, TX. 

Call (281) 970-0601 or click on the button below to schedule an appointment.

We accept CareCredit and are seeing new patients.  ​

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COVID-19 OFFICE HOUR CHANGES & GUIDELINES

1/4/2021

 
Tracy Animal Hospital | pet well-care
Dear Clients,

Veterinary practices are considered "essential businesses." It is our goal to continue to provide veterinary care to our patients through these trying times. In light of the current circumstances regarding COVID-19, we are making changes regarding appointments and walk-ins to secure the health of our staff and our clients. In order to comply with the social distancing regulations in our lobby, we will implement the following temporary practice changes:
  • We will not have a veterinarian on staff on Thursdays. However, we will still be seeing patients for technician visits. 
  • We are no longer accepting walk-in patients on Saturdays starting March 28, 2020. If you have an emergency or a sick pet, you MUST call us ahead of time so that we can assess the situation and make sure that there are no other people in the lobby.
  • Wellness services including vaccinations, well-visits, bloodwork, surgeries, and dental care must have an appointment
  • Appointments will be staggered to allow time for staff to comply with proper cleaning and disinfecting protocols between patients.
  • If you are in need of heartworm, flea, tick prevention medication, or if you are needing to reorder your pet’s food, remember that you can do so through our online store and it will be shipped directly to your home. If it is urgent, please call us so that we can see how to best help you.

Our office will be closing at 6 pm going forward on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Thursday and Saturday operating hours will remain the same. Please contact us if you have any questions. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
​
Sincerely,
Dr. Rusty Tracy, Dr. Tanner Tracy and the Tracy Animal Hospital Staff

Tips To Keep Your Pet Safe On Halloween

10/31/2020

 
Tracy Animal Hospital | Spooktacular Evening
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. 

Protecting Your Pet From External Parasites

5/20/2020

 
Tracy Animal Hospital | Pet Parasites
External parasites are organisms that feed on other animals. While fleas and ticks are the most well-known pests, other parasites include mites, lice, and tapeworm. 

If left untreated, your pet could experience mild to even fatal symptoms. Parasites can also affect humans. Certain parasites can cause zoonotic infections, which means that they can transmit from pets to people. 

Fleas

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. 

Ticks

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 & Ear Mites

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

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. 

Seeking Veterinary Care

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.
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Animal Hospital Hours

Mon.........7:30 am  -  6:00 pm
Tues.........7:30 am  -  6:00 pm
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  • Appointments
  • Services
    • Pet Check Up
    • Puppy & Kitten Care
    • Spay & Neuter
    • Vaccinations
    • Pet Dental Care
    • Pet Boarding
    • Parasite Prevention
    • Microchip
    • Orthopedic Surgery
    • Soft Tissue Surgery
  • Specials
    • Canine Wellness Packages
    • Feline Wellness Packages
    • Shelter Adoption Special
    • Multi-Pet Household Special
  • Resources
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • New Client Information
  • Shop Now
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
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