Full service veterinary hospital for small animals and exotics. Family owned and operated full service veterinary hospital for small animals and exotics.
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Dr. Aresue Shokrollahi-McClain is the practice owner and lead veterinarian. Dr. Zoo is a Texas A&M educated veterinarian practicing since 2006.
Rabbit Awareness Week takes place during the last week of June. This year, it takes place from June 24 to July 1. The week-long event was established to raise awareness about rabbits, sometimes considered ‘forgotten pets.’ It is an annual event aiming to educate rabbit owners on how to properly look after them. Did you know that rabbits are the third most popular pet after cats and dogs?
Hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD) is a developmental, auto-inflammatory disease of the bones that is usually first seen between the ages of 7 weeks and 8 months. In general, most cases will appear for the first time when the puppy is between 3 – 5 months of age. Relapses may occur until about 20 months of age. In HOD, blood flow decreases to a part of the bone that is adjacent to the joint. This interrupts bone formation. The interruption means that bones don't harden appropriately, nor do they grow as strong as those of a healthy puppy.
HOD can be really painful. Sometimes HOD is straightforward and responds quickly to treatment. Other times it can be tricky to diagnose and treat.
HOD is most often seen in fast-growing puppies of large and giant breeds. Slow and consistent growth is ideal for the puppy’s health because rapid growth can cause skeletal abnormalities. Puppies need a completely balanced diet.
The big issue that causes it we believe is pushing them too fast (too much food, high protein diet, too much high intensity exercise, calcium/phosphorus ratio in diet, supplements). They should be fed a large breed puppy diet only.
So many ways to help! But a donation is quick easy and impactful way!
What's causing your dog's itch? A diagnostic work for dogs includes stopping the pruritus (itch), ruling out parasites, and identifying and treating secondary infections. Some cases may also require a food trial, and early-onset atopic dermatitis can be seen in dogs less than 12 months of age. Talk to your veterinarian on what steps you can take to help relieve your pet's itch.
Nu.Q Vet Cancer Test is a simple and affordable cancer test that detects 7 common canine cancers at an overall detection rate of 49.8%. We now offer this along with routine preventive care diagnostics. IDEXX recommends a cancer screening test for all dogs over the age of 7 as well as younger dogs ages 4 and older with an increased risk of cancer in these breeds:
Labrador retriever
French bulldog
Golden retriever
German shepherd
Beagle
Rottweiler
Boxer
Pembroke Welsh corgi
Great Dane
Miniature schnauzer
Siberian husky
Bernese mountain dog
Mastiff
Irish wolfhound
Flat-coated retriever
Scottish wolfhound
Talk to your veterinarian if you are interested or have any questions about Nu.Q.
Happy first day of summer! Whether it’s in a field, backyard, or living room, show us: how do you keep your pets moving?
Remembering the pets who have crossed the rainbow bridge and the paw prints they've forever left on our hearts. Pictured is Meggie & Socks ❤
Sweet 5 month old male chihuahua terrier pup is looking for a home or a foster through a rescue. Please message us if you can help and we will get in contact with the finder.
Herbivores such as rabbits, chinchillas, guinea pigs, gerbils, and hamsters have different pet dental needs than other types of animals. A key trait of herbivores is that their teeth continue to grow throughout their lives, meaning that ongoing dental care is necessary to keep their teeth in tip-top shape. Exotic pet vets should complete a thorough physical exam every 6-12 months to look for any potential dental issues.
Instead of the defined canine teeth of carnivores, or the combination of molars and sharp front teeth in omnivores, herbivores have cheek teeth and incisors that are built for eating plants. These teeth are designed for making surface contact to grind food up, and to help digest the enormous amount of roughage these animals eat. If there is any misalignment, serious complications can arise. Some causes of problems occurring in animals under three include not having enough Timothy hay in the diet, poor genetics, or a deficiency of vitamin C.
Today we will be closed from 12-3 PM for a staff meeting. This is to better service our patients & clients. Please excuse us at this time as we will have the phones off and the front door will be locked. We thank you for understanding!
On hot sunny days asphalt, tarmac and pavements can become too hot for your dog’s paws, causing pain and burns. The best way to tell if a pavement is too hot for your dog to walk on is to place the back of your hand on the pavement for seven seconds. If it’s too painful for your hand, then it’s too painful for your dog’s paws.
A few options you can make are choosing to walk your dog early morning or when the sun starts to go down, walking on the grass, or even wearing dog booties. Stay safe this summer!
Reptiles are cold-blooded, which means they rely on their environment to regulate their body temperature. Unlike mammals, reptiles cannot produce their own body heat, so it's important to provide them with a heat source that mimics the sun's warmth. This is where a heat bulb comes in.
There are several types of heat bulbs to choose from, including ceramic heat emitters, incandescent bulbs and halogen bulbs. The best type of bulb for your pet will depend on the species of reptile you own and the temperature requirements of their natural habitat. For example, desert-dwelling reptiles like bearded dragons enjoy 90-100°F, leopard geckos require a basking spot of 88-90°F, and rainforest species such as iguanas prefer a temperature gradient of 75-105F depending on time of day. The basking area should always have a shady spot for reptiles to be able to retreat to. The wattage of your heat bulb should be determined based on the species of reptile you have and the size of your tank. All heat bulbs should be placed at an appropriate height to prevent burning and provide the correct temperature. This is also dependent on the size of your tank.
In addition to the basking spot temperature, you'll also need to provide a cooler area in the enclosure for your pet to retreat to when they need to cool down. This is where a thermostat comes in handy, as it can help you regulate the temperature in the enclosure and prevent overheating.
National Dog Dad Day is celebrated every year the day before Father’s Day and this year, it falls on June 15. It is an opportunity for all the dog dads out there to acknowledge the love they have for their pets and strengthen the relationship between pups and their owner dads. Like all relationships between humans and pets, the bond between dog and their dog dads is special. The day is recognized so that you can spend time with your dog and give it all the treats it deserves!
Photo dump Friday! Here are some cute critters that have come through recently. ❤
Many pet owners don’t know that dogs are susceptible to
parasites all year long. Pests such as ticks can be a constant issue
not just in the warmer months on the calendar. Dogs that are
allowed to roam in the woods or tall grass are especially exposed to
an increased risk of diseases.
The best way to safeguard your pet is by ensuring your pet
receives year-round tick protection. Talk to your veterinarian about
preventative medicines that protect against ticks and other pests.
World Pet Memorial Day was originally created by the American Veterinary Medical Association as a way to remember all the pets that are no longer with us. Scroll through your posts and look for one special moment you shared with your pet. A moment that made you laugh so hard that you were almost crying or a moment that fills your heart with love or joy. ❤
Starting off Monday with a laugh 🤣
Sunday's are for relaxing... and cuddles!
It's a great day for a sploot 🐕 Enjoy your weekend!
Exotic mammals, like ferrets, are susceptible to diseases that affect many domestic pets, including the canine distemper virus. Ferrets are highly susceptible to canine distemper and the disease proves fatal for virtually all of the ferrets that come into contact with the virus. Though the disease is extremely deadly, proper vaccination protects ferrets from infection.
Canine distemper is caused by a paramyxovirus (RNA virus) that can affect numerous species, including dogs, foxes, skunks, badgers, raccoons, bears, primates, and large felids such as tigers and lions. Transmission of the virus is primarily through aerosol droplet secretions from an infected animal, which can live in grass, weeds, trees, and shrubs for up to 10 days. Once infected, the animal can spread the virus for several months. Though canine distemper is considered highly contagious, the virus can be quite unstable in the environment and most common disinfectants are effective in preventing transmission.
Just like puppies and kittens, an annual booster is required in order to provide continuous protection for your ferret into adulthood. We do offer the ferret distemper vaccine here at Family Animal Hospital so if you are ever needing to update it for your ferret, contact us so we can get them all set up!
We all love a good walk with our pets. Here's a veterinarian's take on how often you should be taking them for a walk.
Leash walking a dog is important for their physical and mental health. Learn how often you should go on dog walks, and get tips for walking dogs here.
The more you know 😉
🐾 Meet Opal🐾
Opal’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. She arrived at the rescue with a badly broken leg, So mangled we were certain she would lose it. Our friends at Family Animal Hospital of Friendswood worked tirelessly to save her leg. Against the odds, they succeeded! Opal’s leg has healed beautifully, and she’s ready for her next chapter—a loving forever home. 🏡 Opal is a sweet girl with a beautiful silvery tabby coat and she enjoys attention. Opal is litter box trained, up to date on her vaccines, FIV/FeLV tested, microchipped, and she is spayed.
🏡 Could You Be Opal’s Hero? ❤️If you would like to set up a meet and greet with Opal, please fill out our no obligation adoption form here bit.ly/starlightadopt and our adoption counselor will be in touch.
Let’s find Opal her happily ever after! ❤️Please share her post.
Happy Wednesday!
We celebrate International Corgi Day on June 4 every year. The corgi is a dog breed with short legs, a long body, and a huge heart. Their roots can be traced to Wales where they were bred to herd larger animals. The combination of their short height and agility made them the top contenders for herding animals!
Life can be ruff. Unexpected illness and injuries can happen at any age. Don’t wait! Trupanion can help you protect your puppy or kitten. Ask us how!
June is full of a lot of pet holidays such as...
National Adopt a Cat Month: every June, hundreds of felines find a forever home, thanks to the constant campaigning done by numerous cat lovers across the U.S. Since June is considered kitten season, a lot of cats end up homeless when their owners are unable to find them a home. Seeing this influx in cats brought to the shelters, many campaigns for cat adoption started in June.
National Pet Preparedness Month: reminds pet owners to always prepare emergency plans for their animal friends so that they can weather emergency conditions safely. Pets are as much victims of natural and man-made disasters as humans and, therefore, owners must also be prepared to evacuate their pets with the supplies necessary for their needs.
National Microchipping Month: ensuring they are safely implanted with a little chip so they can be traced if they go missing. This aims to reduce pet owners’ stress and worry if their pets go missing by encouraging microchipping.
National Foster a Pet Month: This month is dedicated to pet fostering across the country in order to share information and to raise awareness about the benefits of fostering animals. Fostering involves taking care of pets until they’re ready to be adopted and is a temporary arrangement.
On May 31st, National Smile Day encourages everyone to wear their best smile! Share your smile and how a smile improves your day. Goose is always camera ready with his smile! 😀
1 Oaktree Street
Friendswood, TX
77546
| Monday | 7:30am - 6pm |
| Tuesday | 7:30am - 6pm |
| Wednesday | 7:30am - 6pm |
| Thursday | 7:30am - 6pm |
| Friday | 7:30am - 6pm |
| Saturday | 8am - 12pm |
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Surgery for Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) first involves a detailed history to understand the extent of symptoms a particular dog may have and to provide clear expectations after surgery. Every dog has different anatomy, therefore, surgery outcomes are very different for each animal. Following a history, an airway exam by a surgeon familiar with the complexity of this condition is performed. The exam is performed under anesthesia to allow us to examine the very back of the throat. While under anesthesia, the nose, throat and mouth are cleaned and the proposed surgery is performed. Surgery involves removing the excess tissue that is present causing the obstruction in the airway and typically includes the following: nares resection (widening of the nostrils), palatoplasty (shortening and thinning the soft palate) and sacculectomy (removing the saccules or “balloon” structures that are in the back of the throat). Most dogs require all three procedures. Here at Family Animal Hospital we encourage owners of brachycephalic breeds to consider this surgery next time they’re in for an appointment.
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) is an animal welfare condition affecting flat faced dogs which leads to severe respiratory distress & life threatening complications. Shown here is one of our employee's dog Hazel who has these breathing problems. If you notice, they will display a snorting/snoring sound. Abnormalities that contribute to this disease include an elongated soft palate, stenotic nares, a hypoplastic trachea, aberrant turbinates, and everted laryngeal saccules (a condition which occurs secondary to the other abnormalities). Greater pressures are required during breathing, particularly during inspiration. Over time the increased negative airway pressure results in secondary changes & complications that make it difficult to breathe during exercise, stress, & heat. Affected dogs may be unable to take deep or fast enough breaths to release carbon dioxide. This leads to distress & further increases respiratory rate & heart rate, creating a vicious cycle that can quickly lead to life-threatening situations such as pneumonia, bronchitis, hyperthermia, and collapse. Minimally invasive corrective laser airway surgery involves widening the entrance to each nostril, removing excessive tissue within each nostril, and removing the excessive tissue of an elongated soft palate. This combination of procedures is performed without the need for sutures and drastically improves airflow and oxygenation. Benefits of laser surgery include minimal bleeding, short anesthesia time, reduced pain, swelling, and tissue trauma. Early treatment has been proven to prevent secondary conditions from developing, improve breathing, and improve overall quality of life. We use Aesculight CO2 laser that vaporizes cleanly and precisely, while sealing blood vessels at the same time. If you would like to see a part of a soft palate surgery, you can view this link of Dr. Zoo's previous surgery video. https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cze4dULLcy4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_lin
Sprinkles says she loves having her play times while boarding with us! Did you know that we offer play times and 15 minute walks? Just ask when dropping off for boarding to see if you would like some extra activity for your pets stay ❤️
What a pet really thinks at the vet vs. what actually happens 😂
Come meet Bonnie and Maddox, our foster pups looking for love! Bonnie, a Virgo, is the fun smart active 2 yr old bull terrier who loves long walks on the beach. Maddox, a Pisces, is the senior shepherd who prefers to read a book by the fireplace. They are also fun together! Could they be your match?❤️♍️♓️💘Starlight Outreach and Rescue to adopt
Battle of the puppy. Who will win? 🏆
Who will get the aggressive cat? 🐱 #bluemondaychallenge #vettechlife #vettech #veterinarytechnician #veterinarylife #vetmed #veterinary #fyp #vetmedhumor
I’m passing the phone to… animal edition!
We’re vet techs ✨ #vettech #vetmed #vetmedlife #vetmedhumor #vettechlife #vetclinic #familyanimalhospital
#catdental #vetdentistry #friendswoodtx #fah #drnicoletti
During soft palate resection surgery, we hold their mouth open using a sling so that the soft palate can be viewed and grasped. The end portion of the palate is resected (cutting out tissue) before being sewn over to prevent bleeding. By doing this, the soft palate will now remain clear of the epiglottis, while they breathe in. The recovery time can be up to four weeks.
Pretty Girl is patiently waiting for her new family to come by and adopt her! You can come visit her anytime during the week and if you’re interested in fostering/adopting her, you can reach out through starlightoutreachandrescue.org ❤️
Dr. Nicoletti examined “Buddy” today and she found a common rabbit injury. A dislocated hip! Thanks to the x ray we were abole to spot it and clearly diagnosis it. #exocticpets #exoticvetmed #rabbitsofinstagram #rabbitlover #FAH #vetsoftexas #htxveterinarian
Despite his rough start, Germann is a very sweet boy who gets along with other medium to large sized dogs, people, goats, cats and chickens. He is high energy and would do best in a home with older kids.Adoption link in bio. #adoptgsd #petadoptions #germanshepherd #gsdlife #gsdofinstagram #friendswoodtx #sauvierdeschiens
Pawfest is TOMORROW! 2-7 pm. Come and enjoy the afternoon with us!
It’s Friday! Have a great weekend with all your fur babies. 🐶❤️🐱🐰🐹 #furbabies #weekendvibes #friyay #friendswoodtx #vetcare #vetcliniclife #petcare
There are many monthly preventatives that can prevent your pets from getting ear mites. These parasites can spread from pet to pet. Ask us about different methods to treat and prevent ear mites. Call us if you suspect your pet has ear mites. Symptoms include shaking head, pawing and scratching ears. If not taken care of early these mites can lead to secondary infections and issues. 281-482-1594 #vetmed #vetstudent #vettechlove #veterinarystudents #vettechlife #vettechsofinstagram
September Photo Dump 📷 🐶🐱🐍 #catlover #doglover #vetvisits #exoticvet
Dr. Aresue “Zoo” Shokrollahi-McClain took over the clinic in November 2015 when Dr. Alexander Young retired. She has since then became the sole owner and has built the clinics intent of six core value. Mutuality, integrity, innovation, teamwork, work/life balance, and engagement. These values are used on a daily basis not just for ourselves but with our clients and patients to help us make the best decisions possible to help pets live a happy and healthy life.
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