Eighth Street Animal Hospital

Eighth Street Animal Hospital For more than 30 years Eighth Street Animal Hospital has provided love, compassion, and a full range
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Eighth Street Animal Hospital in Odessa, TX provides love, compassion, and a full range of vet services for pets during every stage of life. For over 30 years, we have provided veterinary care to dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, reptiles, pocket pets, and other exotic animals. We are open six days a week to accommodate you and your pet. We offer a variety of services including: pet dentistry, preventat

ive care, immunizations, internal medicine, surgery, in-house lab services and more. With a friendly staff and a loving care for your pets, you can count on Eighth Street Animal Hospital for all of your veterinary needs. Contact us today for more information, to schedule appointments, or for general questions.

🎉 We are thrilled to announce that we've been voted Best Veterinary Clinic, Best Doggie Day Care, and Best Pet Boarding ...
08/06/2024

🎉 We are thrilled to announce that we've been voted Best Veterinary Clinic, Best Doggie Day Care, and Best Pet Boarding in The Odessa American Readers' Choice Awards 2024! 🏆🐾 A huge thank you to our incredible community for trusting us with your beloved pets. Your support means the world to us, and we're honored to continue providing the best care for your furry family members! ❤️

We’ve talked about full-blown Addison’s disease, but let’s talk about atypical Addison’s disease. Atypical Addison’s dis...
11/02/2022

We’ve talked about full-blown Addison’s disease, but let’s talk about atypical Addison’s disease.
Atypical Addison’s disease is a more unusual form of the disease characterized by a deficiency of cortisol (glucocorticoid), while aldosterone (mineralocorticoid) activity remains intact. The clinical signs are centered around gastrointestinal abnormalities including vomiting, diarrhea, and inappetence. In some dogs, atypical Addison’s disease will progress to full-blown Addison’s disease with aldosterone-deficiency, while others will have no disease progression. Dogs with atypical Addison’s disease are treated with daily glucocorticoids, but do not require aldosterone supplementation.

If you have questions about your dogs health, call Eighth Street Animal Hospital today at 432-332-5782Dogs with Addison’...
10/26/2022

If you have questions about your dogs health, call Eighth Street Animal Hospital today at 432-332-5782
Dogs with Addison’s disease usually have an excellent response to treatment and go on to live normal lives. However, due to the heritability of the disease, dogs with Addison’s disease should not be bred.

While Addison’s disease can’t be cured, it can be treated successfully by replacing the hormones that the adrenal gland ...
10/19/2022

While Addison’s disease can’t be cured, it can be treated successfully by replacing the hormones that the adrenal gland can’t make. In acute cases, very sick dogs may be stabilized with intravenous fluids, and supportive hospitalized care. Ongoing therapy includes hormone replacement that must be continued for life.

If the veterinarian suspects Addison’s disease based on the combination of clinical signs, the age/breed of the dog, and...
10/12/2022

If the veterinarian suspects Addison’s disease based on the combination of clinical signs, the age/breed of the dog, and preliminary blood test results, he or she will perform a diagnostic test called ACTH-stimulation test. This test measures serum cortisol levels before and after administering adrenocortical stimulating hormone (ACTH).

If your dog is exhibiting any of these signs, contact Eighth Street Animal Hospital at 432-332-5782 right away for an ex...
10/04/2022

If your dog is exhibiting any of these signs, contact Eighth Street Animal Hospital at 432-332-5782 right away for an exam.
Addison’s disease is often called “The Great Pretender” since it can mimic other diseases and present itself differently from dog-to-dog. The clinical signs can also be “off and on” or an acute (sudden), life-threatening disease. Gastrointestinal signs such as lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stool, bloody vomit, and weight loss occur from lack of the cortisol hormone. Stressful situations, such as travel or changes in the home environment, can initiate or worsen these signs. The hormone deficiencies from Addison’s disease cause increased drinking and urination, electrolyte disturbances, dehydration, and low blood pressure. In severe cases, the dog may have sudden onset cardiovascular failure and shock.

Though any dog can develop Addison’s disease, it is most commonly seen in young to middle-aged dogs. Breeds particularly...
10/01/2022

Though any dog can develop Addison’s disease, it is most commonly seen in young to middle-aged dogs. Breeds particularly affected include Portuguese Water Dogs, Standard Poodles, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, Leonbergers, Great Danes, Bearded Collies and Labrador Retrievers.

What Are Adrenal Glands?Addison’s disease is caused by the failure of the adrenal gland to produce certain hormones, but...
09/26/2022

What Are Adrenal Glands?
Addison’s disease is caused by the failure of the adrenal gland to produce certain hormones, but just what are adrenal glands? These glands are located next to the kidneys on both sides of the body. They are vital for your pet’s health because they secrete hormones responsible for maintaining many body functions. Two of these important hormones are mineralocorticoids: primarily aldosterone, responsible for controlling the body’s water balance and blood pressure and glucocorticoids, and primarily cortisol, responsible for helping the body manage stress. The most common form of Addison’s disease involves failure of the adrenal gland to produce both these hormones.

Have you heard of Addison’s disease? Addison’s disease, also called hypoadrenocorticism or adrenal insufficiency, is cau...
09/24/2022

Have you heard of Addison’s disease? Addison’s disease, also called hypoadrenocorticism or adrenal insufficiency, is caused by failure of the adrenal gland to produce specific hormones. It occurs primarily in humans and dogs and is named for an 18th century British physician, Thomas Addison, who first described the syndrome.
We’ll be sharing more information about Addison’s disease in dogs in an upcoming series of posts to help you learn more about the disease including the clinical signs, diagnosis, and treatment.

Cats need dental care too!  Greater than half of adult cats suffer from a condition called tooth resorption, where  toot...
03/28/2022

Cats need dental care too! Greater than half of adult cats suffer from a condition called tooth resorption, where tooth structure is lost, often progressing to nerve exposure and considerable pain. During your cat’s yearly oral assessment, treatment, and prevention examination under general anesthesia, your veterinarian will examine each tooth for tooth resorption and remove those that are affected. To schedule an annual or dental exam for your cat, contact our clinic staff at (432) 332-5782.

Daily plaque control is an essential part of halitosis (bad breath) control after the underlying cause(s) has been ident...
03/24/2022

Daily plaque control is an essential part of halitosis (bad breath) control after the underlying cause(s) has been identified and eliminated. Daily tooth brushing is highly recommended. Alternatively, daily use of dental wipes with Biotrate™ technology also help to decrease tartar accumulation. The wipes combine chemical action with the physical movement. Daily use of the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC.org) accepted products have been shown to decrease the accumulation of plaque and/or tartar resulting in less oral malodor.

When your dog and cat’s mouths do not smell like roses, it’s time to see your veterinarian. To schedule a dental examination with our clinic, call (432) 332-5782.

Is “doggie breath” or “kitty breath” normal? Doggie breath, oral malodor, or halitosis, is an offensive odor from the or...
03/18/2022

Is “doggie breath” or “kitty breath” normal? Doggie breath, oral malodor, or halitosis, is an offensive odor from the oral cavity. It is never “normal”.

Causes of halitosis include bacterial populations associated with dental plaque and tartar, and decomposing food particles in periodontal pockets. Contrary to common belief, neither normal lung air or stomach aroma contribute to halitosis.

The most common cause of bad breath in dogs and cats is periodontal disease from pathogenic (harmful) bacteria-laden plaque attached to the teeth and under the gum line.

Small dogs and cats with pushed-in faces are more prone to oral disease because the teeth are closer together. Smaller animals live longer and their owners tend to feed softer food.

If you’ve noticed your pet’s breath has been “less than pleasant” lately, give our clinic a call at (432) 332-5782 to schedule an examination.

As a general rule, antlers, bones, nylon chews, or any toy that does not bend or readily dissolve should not be given to...
03/16/2022

As a general rule, antlers, bones, nylon chews, or any toy that does not bend or readily dissolve should not be given to a dog to chew on. Fortunately, there are other safe chews that dogs enjoy and have the added effect of decreasing plaque and tartar accumulation. If you have been giving your dog antlers, bones, or nylon chews and are concerned that one of the back teeth may have broken, it is best to have him or her examined by your veterinarian. If the teeth are broken, they often can be saved with a root canal treatment. However, if the infection has progressed too far, the teeth may have to be removed. Contact our clinic at (432) 332-5782 if you have any concerns about your dog’s dental care.

Most dogs love to chew. Chewing keeps them busy and often helps to remove plaque and tartar from their teeth, but what y...
03/14/2022

Most dogs love to chew. Chewing keeps them busy and often helps to remove plaque and tartar from their teeth, but what you give your dog to chew on is important. You don’t want to offer chews that are so hard (antlers, bones, nylon chews) that they could break a tooth while chewing on it. You also don’t want them to chew off pieces of products that won’t dissolve in their stomach, leading to intestinal obstructions.

Flat rawhide chews are generally digestible and bend, decreasing the chances of broken teeth. Some rawhide chews are infused with chlorhexidine, which decreases dental plaque, but can cause tooth discoloration. Others are infused with Biotrate™ technology, which also reduces plaque.

Due to possible bacterial or chemical contamination with some overseas products, rawhide chews manufactured in the United States are preferred. Moreover, it’s important to feed them with caution. If your dog is a gulper, biting off large pieces of the rawhide could be a problem. Always watch your dog when giving a rawhide chew, and remove it from their mouth if possible when the chew becomes wet and soft. Never offer a rawhide chew and then leave your house. It is best to offer rawhide chews when you can supervise the pet.

Daily plaque control is the key to keeping your small dog’s teeth healthy. You may use tooth brushing,  water additives,...
03/11/2022

Daily plaque control is the key to keeping your small dog’s teeth healthy. You may use tooth brushing, water additives, dental wipes, dental treats, and dental diets to manage it. Your best friend will thank you!

Do you know that small dogs are more prone to periodontal disease than larger ones? There are three main reasons why sma...
03/09/2022

Do you know that small dogs are more prone to periodontal disease than larger ones? There are three main reasons why small dogs are more commonly affected.
1. Dogs normally have 42 teeth. Small dogs’ teeth are anatomically closer together than large dogs. Dogs obviously cannot brush their own teeth, so plaque and tartar build up between the teeth causing infection, swelling, and bleeding.
2. Small dogs more often are fed wet and semi-moist food, which unless brushed away daily, accumulates between the teeth and in gum pockets—promoting periodontal disease.
3. Small dogs generally live longer (12-15 years) compared to larger dogs (8-10 years), allowing more time for periodontal disease to fester.

Statistically, only 2% of pet owners brush their dog’s teeth at least every other day. Let’s face it, a variety of facto...
03/07/2022

Statistically, only 2% of pet owners brush their dog’s teeth at least every other day. Let’s face it, a variety of factors can make it difficult to brush a dog’s teeth every day. It is messy and can be challenging to brush all the teeth in an unenthusiastic dog.

If your pet doesn’t allow brushing, but doesn’t mind you handling its mouth, dental wipes can be a good care option. They allow you to wipe away the accumulated plaque daily, and most come infused with additives to decrease plaque. Using wipes does require placing your fingers into your dog’s mouth, but the payback is worth it. The best part about using wipes is that you don’t have to handle a toothbrush, and you throw away the wipe after rubbing the outside surfaces of the teeth. The inside surfaces are generally taken care by tongue rubbing plaque away.

Other daily dental care options include dental diets, edible chews, and water additives. If you find yourself unable to place your fingers inside your dog’s mouth to remove plaque mechanically with a toothbrush or wipe, these options can greatly help. For guidance on which products to use, the Veterinary Oral Health Council website (VOHC.org) lists accepted products based on solid studies that show decreased accumulation of plaque and/or tartar.

It is also a good idea to add dental wipes to the care options above. They add the mechanical feature of wiping away the accumulated plaque daily, and most come infused with additives to decrease plaque. Using wipes does require placing your fingers into your dog’s mouth, but the payback is worth it. The best part of using wipes is that you don’t have to handle a toothbrush, and you throw away the wipe after rubbing the outside surfaces of the teeth. The inside surfaces are generally taken care by tongue rubbing plaque away.

Most dogs accept brushing if they are approached in a gentle manner and you start when they are young, but even older pe...
03/04/2022

Most dogs accept brushing if they are approached in a gentle manner and you start when they are young, but even older pets can be taught. Start slowly; you can use a damp washcloth or piece of gauze to wipe the front and back of the teeth in the same manner in which you will eventually use the toothbrush. Then, soak the pet toothbrush in warm water and start brushing daily for several days. When your dog accepts this brushing, add the pet toothpaste . Most attention should be given to the outside of the upper teeth. The toothbrush bristles should be placed at the gum margin where the teeth and gums meet at a 45-degree angle.
The movement should be in an oval pattern. Be sure to gently place the bristle ends into the area around the base of the tooth as well as into the space between the teeth. Ten short back and forth motions should be completed, then the brush moved to a new location. Cover three to four teeth at a time.

The best option for daily dental care is to brush your dog’s teeth. But this can be challenging unless you start the pra...
03/02/2022

The best option for daily dental care is to brush your dog’s teeth. But this can be challenging unless you start the practice early when your dog is young. When getting started, it’s important to select the right toothpaste and toothbrush.
When it comes to toothpaste, avoid human toothpastes containing baking soda, detergents, or salt. Human toothpastes can cause stomach aches. Children’s toothbrushes are usually too hard for dogs. Finger toothbrushes with rubber bristles are also not effective because they only push the plaque around the tooth. The ideal dog toothbrush will have a long handle, an angled head to better fit the mouth, and soft bristles to remove plaque.

To minimize the need for professional dental scaling (cleaning) procedures and to maintain optimal  oral health, the Ame...
02/28/2022

To minimize the need for professional dental scaling (cleaning) procedures and to maintain optimal oral health, the American Veterinary Dental College recommends daily dental home care from an early age. This should include brushing or use of other effective techniques to re**rd accumulation of dental plaque, such as dental diets, wipes, water additives, and chew materials. This, combined with periodic examination of the patient by a veterinarian and dental scaling under anesthesia when indicated, will optimize life-long oral health for dogs and cats.

To determine if your dog or cat needs  professional oral prevention, assessment, and treatment under anesthesia, an oral...
02/25/2022

To determine if your dog or cat needs professional oral prevention, assessment, and treatment under anesthesia, an oral examination is required. Your veterinarian will inspect the gumlines of the upper and lower teeth for plaque and tartar, which will appear yellow and brown on top of the teeth. To schedule an oral examination for your pet, contact our clinic today at (432) 332-5782.

Many dental procedures require your pet to be anesthetized, and that can be stressful to many pet owners. Safe use of a ...
02/24/2022

Many dental procedures require your pet to be anesthetized, and that can be stressful to many pet owners. Safe use of a sedative or anesthetic in a dog or cat requires evaluation of the general health and size of the patient to determine the appropriate drug and dose, and continual monitoring of the patient. Veterinarians are trained in all of these procedures. Although anesthesia will never be 100% risk-free, modern anesthetic and patient evaluation techniques used in veterinary hospitals minimize the risks, and millions of routine dental procedures are safely performed each year in veterinary hospitals.

Have you ever wondered why your pet is  anesthetized for a thorough oral examination and dental scaling (cleaning)? With...
02/23/2022

Have you ever wondered why your pet is anesthetized for a thorough oral examination and dental scaling (cleaning)? Without anesthesia, your pet will not only receive no pain relief, but also will not be sedated to alleviate their stress and anxiety and allow the cleaning to be performed. Under anesthesia, your pet is fully unconscious, unaware of what’s occurring inside their mouth. Without anesthesia, your pet will be fully aware of every poke and prod. Without anesthesia, only the crown, or exposed portion of the tooth can be cleaned with instruments. This leaves 60% of the unexposed tooth to harbor bacteria! A complete oral exam, dental X-rays, and cleaning cannot be accomplished in pets without anesthesia. With proper monitoring and pre-anesthesia blood tests, the small anesthetic risks are minimized.

Periodontal disease occurs when tooth support structures are affected by infection. In the beginning stages, cleaning pl...
02/21/2022

Periodontal disease occurs when tooth support structures are affected by infection. In the beginning stages, cleaning plaque and tartar above and below the gum will help restore periodontal health. In advanced cases, either periodontal surgery or extractions are performed. Call us today at (432) 332-5782 to schedule your pet’s dental exam.

How often does your pet need a dental cleaning? The intervals depend on how often you can remove the daily plaque accumu...
02/18/2022

How often does your pet need a dental cleaning? The intervals depend on how often you can remove the daily plaque accumulation. Twice daily is best. If you cannot brush the teeth, then consider other options, such as dental wipes, water additives, and chews.
You need to examine your pet's teeth weekly. Look for an accumulation of yellow or brown material at the area where the tooth meets the gum line especially over the cheek teeth and canines. Once you notice this plaque or tartar accumulation, or bad breath, it is time for a professional cleaning. Do not wait. To schedule an annual exam or cleaning, contact our clinic staff at (432) 332-5782.

Address

2210 E 8th Street
Odessa, TX
79761

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm

Telephone

(432) 332-5782

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