Western Veterinary Hospital

01/29/2024

Stock show season is in full swing! If you’re a livestock exhibitor be sure and check the shows requirements. Many major shows require a certificate of veterinary inspection (health paper) that has to be issued by an accredited veterinarian. Western Veterinary Hospital has USDA accredited vets who can help get you the required documents and appropriate tests in order for you to enter the show. Call us to schedule! 😀

Know the animal movement requirements before you mooove in and out of Texas. Learn more by visiting our animal movement webpage, https://www.tahc.texas.gov/regs/entry.html, or give our permits department a call at 512-719-0777.

01/19/2024

01/18/2024

Do you know about the vaccine manufacturers' guarantee?

We recommend having vaccines done according to the schedule described by your veterinarian for a reason, if your puppy contracts the disease we are vaccinating against, the vaccine manufacturer may cover the cost of treatments. This can only be done if vaccines were given by a veterinarian, not for those purchased at feed stores. Ask our veterinarians for more details.

01/17/2024

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING (A FOAL) 🐴

If your mare has made it through 11 months of pregnancy, you're almost there. Labor and delivery, while momentous, are generally uncomplicated — however, being a prepared and informed owner will help you keep your anxiety in check so you can assist the new mother and foal get off to a great start.

Here are some things you can do to prepare for the arrival of the foal:

• Consult with your veterinarian well in advance of the birth. Know how to reach your regular veterinarian after hours and ask about a back-up or referring veterinarian in case your regular horse doctor is not available.

• Clean and disinfect the stall as thoroughly as possible. Provide adequate bedding.

• Wash the mare's udder, v***a and hindquarters with a mild soap and rinse thoroughly.

• Wrap the mare's tail with a clean wrap when you observe the first stage of labor. Be sure that the wrap is not applied too tightly or left on too long, as it can cut off circulation and permanently damage the tail.

• Time each stage of labor, to help you keep accurate track of the mare's progress. Take written notes! When you're worried or anxious, your perception of time can become distorted.

As always, these are general guidelines and you should contact your veterinarian for more information specific to your situation. Good luck!

01/16/2024

Need Coggins in a hurry? Ask us about our 1.5-hour turnaround time for ELISA testing. Regular AGID testing turnaround time is 1-3 business days. Special discounts for other veterinary clinics, avoid the delay of shipping out and test locally.

01/12/2024

Winston and his beard are growing fast!

01/11/2024

TBD (to be determined) now known as Gator has gained a whole 2 pounds of cuteness!

01/11/2024

Is your horse’s nighttime vision better than your daytime vision?

When comparing equine vision to human vision, the horse has a smaller visible spectrum (see image) which means they see a smaller range of colors than we do. However, horses have a structure in the back of their eye—called the tapetum lucidum—that humans do not have. This enhances vision in low light conditions and allows a horse to see better in the dark than a human does. However, reflections from the tapetum lucidum can also blur images and lead to poor depth perception at night.

Dilation of the pupil allows all species to see better in the dark. This process takes longer in a horse (45 minutes) than it does in humans (25 minutes). So when a horse is asked to do something in a dark environment, it’s important to allow their vision proper time to fully accommodate.

Overall, the nighttime vision of a horse is better than the nighttime vision of a human. However, the horse’s nighttime vision is NOT better than the daytime vision of a human. Anytime you are asking your horse to function in a dim light situation, give them time to adjust. And if they are fearful, be patient and try to understand how things look from their perspective!
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Brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

01/10/2024

We offer a reduced rate for annual wellness bloodwork, ask us about it at your next visit!

01/09/2024

Can’t trailer in? Let us come to you!

01/09/2024

01/05/2024

We recommend the brands that have been around for a long time such as Purina, Hill’s, Iams, or Royal Canin, to name a few. Unlike the new foods on the market, the ones that have been around longer have had more studies to monitor the long-term effects feeding these diets have on your pets and therefore prove they are safe and have the right nutritional balance. Avoid wasting money on the new trendy foods and stick to the basics!
Prefer to cook for your pet? That’s okay! As long as you are not feeding raw or undercooked food and are following a veterinary nutritionist's guidance. If you are cooking for your pet we recommend using BalanceIt.com to ensure your pet is getting the correct nutrients they need or JustFoodForDogs.com has freshly made meals delivered to your door.

01/04/2024

New kitten for Christmas? Even indoor-only cats need vaccines to ensure a healthy long life. Check out the lifestyle-based vaccine calculator here: https://www.aaha.org/aaha-guidelines/2020-aahaaafp-feline-vaccination-guidelines/feline-vaccine-calculator/

01/03/2024

Some precious German shepherd puppies to brighten your day ❤️

12/28/2023

"Mysterious" new respiratory disease or not, the same protocols should be taken to prevent illness in pets.

It's the holiday season and a recent respiratory illness outbreak among dogs are making owners question whether our furry friends should be included in our holiday plans. A veterinary expert explains what we need to know.

12/27/2023

Also.. don't forget to ask us about medications to help reduce anxiety associated with fireworks!

12/23/2023

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas from our clinic cat Angel

12/22/2023

Dr. Ragan went through special training recently to become antemortem certified for CWD testing. This procedure can only be performed by an accredited veterinarian that undergoes specific training so we are proud to now offer this service to any genetics facilities in the surrounding area.

12/20/2023

Are you traveling with your pet during the holidays? Let us know if you need anti-anxiety or anti-nausea medications for the drive!

12/19/2023

The kids have been begging for a dog or cat for Christmas and you decide to give in and gift them a present they will surely remember! Although the dog sitting in the back of the truck in the parki…

12/15/2023

Those eyes! What do y’all think this little one was trying to tell us in the second picture??

12/14/2023

Start planning now for the holidays! Do the in-laws coming to town also stress out your pet? Is your pet fearful of fireworks? Schedule a visit for your pet now to discuss ways to reduce anxiety and let's help the holidays be less stressful for everyone in the family.

12/14/2023

Want to know which dental treats help keep your pet's teeth clean? Check out the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Commission) website for approved products! Any product featuring the VOHC Seal of Acceptance confirms that a product has been proven to reduce plaque and/or tartar accumulation in dogs and cats.

VOHC Website: https://vohc.org/accepted-products/

12/13/2023

Who doesn’t love a basket full of puppies??