Urban Animal Veterinary Hospital - Houston Heights

07/07/2025

𝗖𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀 (𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗮 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗲) 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗰𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀

Cystitis (non-bacterial bladder inflammation) in Cats - This condition is also known as Feline Interstitial Cystitis, Feline Idiopathic Cystitis, FIC.

Cystitis is any kind of inflammation in the wall of the urinary bladder that causes clinical signs in pets. Cystitis may result from a bacterial infection or bladder stones.

However, young and middle-aged cats in particular get sterile cystitis, which means it is not caused by bacteria or stones.

While bacterial cystitis, an infection, is treated with antibiotics, and cystitis caused by bladder stones is taken care of by removing the stones (surgically or medical dissolution) and a change of diet, sterile cystitis can be tough to deal with because there is nothing obvious to treat besides increased water consumption and decreased stress.

Most commonly the evaluation by your veterinarian will include a history, physical examination, a complete urinalysis, and X-rays or possibly an abdominal ultrasound or even a limited ultrasound scan of the bladder.

Learn more by clicking the link below!

Learn what Cystitis (Pandora Syndrome) in cats and dogs is, how they get it, and multiple therapies you can use to prevent flare-ups. Read more...

06/30/2025

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗧𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗿𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗲𝘀 & 𝗞𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀

At some point or another, we usually find baby animals that we wish we hadn’t seen. Kittens or puppies that are too small to care for themselves and without a mother in sight or an injured or dead mother. In other instances a bitch or queen produces a little but proves that they are unable to care for their young.

In these instances, we need to care for the puppies or kittens until they are old enough to eat on their own and be placed in responsible homes.

Learn more by clicking the link below!

Learn how to care for orphan puppies and kittens in this comprehensive guide! Get tips on feeding, diet, bathing, and more.

06/27/2025

Urban Animal will be closed Saturday June 28th for admin updates and re-open Sunday for our normal hours. Please call today for any needed medication refills or appointments and we will be back Sunday the 29th!

06/23/2025

𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝘀

July 4th kicks off the start of summer celebrations, including loud and scary fireworks. Dogs and cats react to fireworks - some get very scared with loud noises while others aren't affected by explosions.

Some animal get so nervous with things like fireworks or thunderstorms that they panic and may even try to jump through closed windows or bolt through doors to get away from the noise and lights.

American pet advocacy groups point out that the number of escapees is so high that July 4th is the busiest day of the year in shelters with that many pets getting lost, injured, and killed. You should know which clinics or emergency hospitals will be open during fireworks season, in case you need one.

Learn more by clicking the link below!

July 4th fireworks can strike fear in some pets. Find out what medications and other remedies can help your pets cope during fireworks season.

06/17/2025

𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗲𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀

Just like people, cats and dogs develop diabetes. Dogs are more commonly affected by human type 1 diabetes and are always insulin dependent. Cats are more like overweight individuals who develop the disease due to being overweight and decreased insulin sensitivity.

While they are managed in similar ways, cats caught early on and treated appropriately may be able to go into remission with dietary adjustments and weight loss. Dogs, being insulin dependent, will not go into remission.

While some cats can go into remission, the majority will continue to require insulin. Diabetes can be managed, but in most cases, it is for life. If you, as their person, work closely with your veterinarian, you can likely achieve a good quality of life for your animal companion.

Learn more by clicking the link below!

Just like people, cats and dogs develop diabetes. Dogs are more commonly affected by human type 1 diabetes and are always insulin dependent. Cats are more like overweight individuals who develop the disease due to being overweight and decreased insulin sensitivity. While they are managed in similar....

06/09/2025

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹𝘀

Introducing a new dog to the pets in your home can be a little tricky at first. You want your current pets and your new pet to live comfortably with everyone.

Keep in mind that realistic expectations are important. Some dogs are not capable of getting along with other dogs.

Some dogs have such a strong reaction to smaller animals that their instinct to chase and catch will override their ability to stay calm (this is known as a strong prey drive).

The key to ensuring good first interactions and blending the new family together is to separate everyone initially, allowing everyone to get used to the new smells in the house. Then, closely supervise any interactions among the pets for a while, gradually increasing the amount of time your pets spend together.

In order to avoid any inappropriate behaviors from your new pet or your current ones (e.g., urinating outside the litterbox, chasing, hiding), everyone should be comfortable together, not just tolerating each other.

Get your new dog checked by a veterinarian to ensure he is healthy and free of any diseases that may be contagious to your other pets. Discuss your concerns about the upcoming introductions with your veterinarian so you can receive as many tips and suggestions as possible to ensure a smooth transition when adding a new pet.

Learn more by clicking the link below!

Introducing a new dog to the pets of your home can be a little tricky at first. You want your current pets and your new pet to live comfortably with everyone. Keep in mind that realistic expectations are important. Some dogs are not capable of getting along with other dogs. Some dogs have such a str...

06/02/2025

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗿 – 𝗔𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗢𝗥 𝗟𝗼𝘄-𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁, 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀?

With costs for everything rising, many pet owners are faced with a daunting question: Where should you spay or neuter your companion dog or cat?

Many private practices will have costs ranging from $600-$900 per pet, depending on age and size of the animal, whereas a high-volume neuter clinic may range from $50-$150. So, what’s the difference?

Learn more by clicking the link below!

With costs for everything rising, many pet owners are face with a daunting question: where should you spay or neuter your companion dog or cat?

05/28/2025

𝗗𝗿𝘆 𝗘𝘆𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗞𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗷𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝗶𝗰𝗰𝗮 (𝗞𝗖𝗦) 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹𝘀

The lacrimal glands in companion animal eyes produce a lubricating tear film that moistens and protects the eyes. When this tear film is reduced or absent, the surface of the eye can become dry, irritated, and even cracked, leading to painful ulcerations.

Tears also contain antibacterial proteins and salts, serving to flush away irritants and infectious agents that constantly enter our eyes.

Tears are comprised of water, oil, and mucus secreted by the respective eyelid glands. The water portion of tears is secreted by two lacrimal glands in dogs and cats: one just above the eye and another in the third eyelid (or so-called nictitating membrane).

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca is a fancy way of saying the eye is dry. “Kerato” refers to the cornea or clear covering of the eye that faces the outside world. “Conjunctivae” are the moist pink membranes of the eye socket. “Itis” means inflammation, and “sicca” means dry.

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, abbreviated KCS, means there is an inflamed, dry cornea and conjunctiva. This happens when the glands of the eye have reduced to no production of the water portion of the tears, which normally accounts for 95% of the tear volume.

Learn more by clicking the link below!

The lacrimal glands in companion animal eyes produce a lubricating tear film that moistens and protects the eyes. When this tear film is reduced or absent, the surface of the eye can become dry, irritated and even crack leading to painful ulcerations.  Tears also contain anti-bacterial proteins and...

05/23/2025

Urban Animal Veterinary Hospital will be open this Monday. Whether your companion cat or dog needs routine or urgent care, give us a call and we'll make sure they get the care the deserve! 713-863-0088, Email: [email protected]

05/19/2025

𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗲𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀

Just like people, cats and dogs develop diabetes. Dogs are more commonly affected by human type 1 diabetes and are always insulin dependent. Cats are more like overweight individuals who develop the disease due to being overweight and decreased insulin sensitivity.

While they are managed in similar ways, cats caught early on and treated appropriately may be able to go into remission with dietary adjustments and weight loss. Dogs, being insulin dependent, will not go into remission.

While some cats can go into remission, the majority will continue to require insulin. Diabetes can be managed, but in most cases, it is for life. If you, as their person, work closely with your veterinarian, you can likely achieve a good quality of life for your animal companion.

Learn more at the link below!

Just like people, cats and dogs develop diabetes. Dogs are more commonly affected by human type 1 diabetes and are always insulin dependent. Cats are more like overweight individuals who develop the disease due to being overweight and decreased insulin sensitivity. While they are managed in similar....

05/19/2025

Claim your complimentary NAIL TRIM with your pet's next Exam for the rest of May! Just say, "Nailed it!," when making the appointment.

Keep your animal companion looking sharp with this limited promotion

Schedule your appointment (713) 863-0088.


**Complimentary nail trims are not intended for sick visits, non-doctor appointments, recheck exams or for aggressive animal companions that require sedation. Use this promotion thru the end of May

05/12/2025

𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗘𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗮) 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝘀

Appetite loss and reduction are important factors in many diseases and they must be recognized and addressed as quickly as possible. Nutrition and lack of nutrition is essential in preventing further issues.

Acceptance of favorite foods often determines if a pet should be hospitalized or not. A couple of off days is generally not a big problem as long as the pet maintains hydration by his or herself or is given fluids by your family veterinarian. But ongoing issues of poor or no appetite can make matters worse and also suggest a primary ongoing health issue.

Nutritional support not only helps your pet recover but also buys time to keep it stable while diagnosis and treatment are worked out. Your pet must be able to eat and drink in order to get well.

Learn more at the link below!

Appetite loss and reduction are important factors in many diseases and they must be recognized and addressed as quickly as possible. Nutrition and lack of nutrition is essential in preventing further issues. Learn more.