Westlake Animal Hospital

11/15/2024

09/05/2024

Kidney (or renal) disease is very common in dogs and cats, and it may be reversible or permanent based on underlying causes. The disease could be a result of age-related changes to the kidneys, acute injury or toxin ingestion, congenital defects present from birth, or in rare cases, a side effect of some medications. To prevent kidney disease or slow its progression, it's vital to stay regular with wellness visits so that together, we can monitor renal levels with blood work and urinalysis and catch any changes ASAP.

To learn more, visit: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/thrive-guide/kidney-disease-in-cats

08/22/2024

Pets can’t advocate for their needs like us humans can, and many owners fail to recognize signs of osteoarthritis (OA), often chalking it up to pets “slowing down with age.” OA is common in dogs and cats ages six and up, so to help champion their health, we’re sharing the key signs of this degenerative joint disease so that you know when it’s time to seek veterinary support. If your pet is . . .

• Struggling to climb up or down stairs
• Having trouble jumping up or down
• Slow to rise from a resting position
• Lagging behind on walks or during play
. . you should discuss these concerns with us. The good news is highly effective treatments exist to help manage the chronic pain associated with OA and increase their mobility. With the right pain management, your pet can get back to being themselves again! To learn more about OA and treatment options, visit: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/be-their-champion

08/13/2024

We get it: when your pet is itchy, you start to scratch, too! The good news is your pet doesn’t have to live with incessant itchiness. Learn to spot the signs, then book a visit so that together, we can discover the cause and explore options for long-lasting relief, like:

Cyptopoint®: an injectable therapy that provides 4 to 8 weeks of allergy relief with a single in-office dose. ¹ Plus, for a limited time, get $25 off when you buy 2 doses of Cytopoint. ²

Or Apoquel®: an oral medicine that can be given at home for fast relief of allergic itch.³

To learn more about how allergic itch is diagnosed and treated, visit: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/be-their-champion

¹ Data on file, Study No. C863R-US-12-018, 2014, Zoetis Inc. Data on file, Study No. C166RUS-17-180, 2018, Zoetis Inc. ² Valid 7/15/24-9/30/24. Terms apply see thrivepetcare.com/be-their-champion. ³ Apoquel® (oclacitinib tablet) and Apoquel® Chewable (oclacitinib chewable tablet) IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Do not use Apoquel or Apoquel Chewable in dogs less than 12 months of age or those with serious infections. Apoquel and Apoquel Chewable may increase the chances of developing serious infections and may cause existing parasitic skin infestations or pre-existing cancers to get worse. Consider the risks and benefits of treatment in dogs with a history of recurrence of these conditions. New neoplastic conditions (benign and malignant) were observed in clinical studies and postapproval. Apoquel and Apoquel Chewable have not been tested in dogs receiving some medications including some commonly used to treat skin conditions such as corticosteroids and cyclosporines. Do not use in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs. Most common side effects are vomiting and diarrhea. Apoquel and Apoquel Chewable have been used safely with many common medications including parasiticides, antibiotics and vaccines. See full Prescribing Information at ApoquelPI.com and ApoquelChewablePI.com.

08/07/2024

Louie getting hugs on this lovely Wednesday 💙 Can we get one too Jerome 🥹🥹
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07/29/2024

07/15/2024

Your pet deserves all the love—and a big part of that love includes championing their health! Here at Thrive, we're passionate about helping pet owners learn how to give their pet the best care, whether it's providing an individualized diet, grooming and exercise advice, or screening for health concerns regularly. By working together, you and your vet can prevent illness down the road or manage an ongoing chronic condition today, ensuring your pet lives their best life at every stage. 💚

Learn more about how we can help you keep your pet thriving here: thrivepetcare.com/be-their-champion

07/08/2024

Wish we could look this cute and comfy while sleeping! 😴☺️
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Happy Monday friends! 🐾
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07/03/2024

Have a safe and fun forth friends! 🎆 🇺🇸 And don’t forget to bring your pets inside! The loud noises and flashes from fireworks can cause your pet to get scared and run away!

07/01/2024

Curious to know what kind of food we carry in our hospital? It’s Hills Science Diet prescription food! Yes, we’ve heard from our patients that it’s the tastiest on the block! 😋 And yes, we are here to save the day when you forgot to put that order in online and are now running low. 😀
Urinary Care C/D, Metabolic and Kidney Support K/D are just a few of the types we carry in clinic. Give us a call at anytime to find out what we have in stock for your pet. 🐾
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06/25/2024

Warning:️ this post is about p**p! 💩 If you’ve ever wondered why you’re asked to bring in a f***l sample as part of your pet’s annual wellness exam, the answer is to check for intestinal parasites.

There are a variety of parasites that thrive inside of otherwise healthy pets, so having them routinely tested is essential to their well-being. Your pet's p**p will be checked for evidence of hookworms, roundworms, giardia, and more. 🔬
These parasites can not only make pets uncomfortable and irritable but can also lead to many more serious issues if left untreated. Several parasites can even be transmitted to people, so by having your pet’s f***s examined, you are protecting humans in your household, too!

To learn more about what intestinal parasites we test for in f***l exams, visit:

06/20/2024

Did you know that we offer boarding and medical boarding services for your cat ?🐈 They are able to enjoy a stay-cation in the quiet and calming feline side of our hospital where our assistants feed, check on and play with them every few hours. Our trained staff is also able to administer medications if needed 💊 and will monitor your pet throughout the day. Give us a call if you would like to set up a future reservation or have any questions! 🐱
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06/17/2024

Check your pet for ticks every day, especially after they spend time outdoors. Run your fingers through your pet's fur with gentle pressure to feel for any small bumps. If you find a tick, it’s important to act quickly and safely. You can either try to remove the tick yourself or take your dog to your nearest pet urgent care or an emergency pet hospital for help.

If you choose to remove the tick from your dog, follow the steps below:

1) Use tweezers (or a tick remover instrument like a Tick Key) to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, removing the whole head and body.
2) Pull the tick straight out with slow and steady pressure. (If the head of the tick is left in the skin, it can cause an infection and still transmit disease, so make sure the whole body is removed!)
3) Once the tick is removed, you can place it in a sealed container in case your vet wants to test it for diseases.
4) Clean the area of your dog’s skin with soap and water then apply a pet-safe antiseptic.
5) Contact us for advice on next steps. We may ask you to bring the tick in for testing.

06/12/2024

Many of the diseases that parasites cause can spread from your pet to you and your family, too. Pests like and can crawl or hitch a ride into your home on shoes, clothing, or even on the fur of another pet. Itchy yet? Let’s talk pests:

🕷️ Ticks 🕷️
Not only are ticks a threat to our pets, but an estimated 476K Americans are diagnosed with Lyme disease each year.* They aren’t just a warm weather issue, either: contrary to popular belief, ticks don’t die in the winter and do not hibernate, either. If you or your pet spend time in grassy or wooded areas, get in the habit of spot-checking yourself and them for these small, spider-like creatures after every outing. If you find one, pull it off carefully and intact, then call us.

🐜 Fleas 🐜
These teeny-tiny jumping parasites aren’t just annoying for the itchy rashes they cause in pets and people. Studies have shown that the plague is once again on the rise and that fleas are one of the culprits. Fleas can multiply and jump from host to host alarmingly fast, so if you catch your pet itching more than usual, have them checked for fleas ASAP.

To learn more about these pesky pests, visit: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/protect-against-pests

*source: www.CDC.gov
**source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

05/31/2024

It takes a strong willed and passionate person to be a lead and help build a successful team….and these two take the cake ☺️💘
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Happy Friday friends!! 🐾
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05/24/2024

“How much leg would YOUUUU show for a Churu…”😏🐾
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05/24/2024

In case of an emergency, here are a few 24/7 hospitals that you can contact:
1. Pet Specialists of Austin: 737-241-5756
2. AVES: 512-343-2837
3. Emergency Animal South: 512-892-9038
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We hope you have a fun and safe weekend friends!!🎆