MARBACH ROAD ANIMAL HOSPITAL

09/09/2025

From dramatic sighs to staring, dogs have a lot to say
Dogs communicate in unique and sometimes amusing ways that often go unnoticed by their human companions. Some of them include dramatic sighs, staring, sneezing, nose pokes, "love licks," stretching and circular tail wags. Pet owners can enhance their bond with their dogs by paying attention to these subtle cues and trying to figure out what message their dogs are sending.

Your dog’s not just being goofy—find out what they're trying to say.

09/09/2025

DANGER TO YOUR CHILD
Contaminated raw pet foods pose hazards to people
The case of a young girl who developed severe hemolytic uremic syndrome linked to contaminated raw pet food highlights the danger of feeding pets raw food, which is prone to contamination with E. coli, salmonella and other pathogens. Cross-contamination can occur when people handle contaminated pet food and then prepare food for themselves or their families without washing their hands.

When a young girl developed a severe case of hemolytic uremic syndrome this past year, health officials traced the E. coli O157:H7 infection back to her

09/07/2025

08/29/2025

Feline VMA issues statement on meeting needs of indoor-only cats
Keeping cats indoors only or indoors with supervised outdoor time keeps them safe from predators, traffic, toxic plants and chemicals, and pathogens, and it is possible for indoor-only cats to live full, enriched lives, writes animal advocate Steve Dale. The Feline Veterinary Medical Association's position statement on meeting the physical and emotional needs of indoor cats highlights the importance of providing a safe environment, opportunities for play and consistent human interaction, and respecting the cat's senses.

The Feline VMA on meeting emotional needs of indoor only cats and the dangers and community concerns of cats freely roaming outside

08/25/2025

https://brightgram.com/san-antonio-tx/8324257/a-hidden-danger-is-sending-san-antonio-pets-to-the-vetup-to-8-emergency-cases-reported-in-a-single-week/

As temperatures rise and outdoor activities increase in San Antonio, Texas, local veterinarians are alarmed by an increase in pet-related medical emergencies. Owners are being cautioned about hidden dangers in the area, which put their furry companions at risk. The local clinic has reportedly witnes...

08/23/2025

Cats can be allergic to people.
If you love cats but can’t have one of your own because you’re allergic, the feeling may be mutual. It isn’t common, but cats can be allergic to people. The condition is rare in part because we humans usually bathe regularly and thus don’t shed as much dead skin or hair as other animals (and it’s somewhat unclear how much of a problem human dander may be for felines). That said, cats are fairly sensitive to chemicals and sometimes have a negative reaction to certain perfumes, laundry detergents, and soaps. Cat allergic reactions look much the same as the ones humans get — they may manifest as sneezing, runny noses, rashes, hives, or other uncomfortable symptoms. In rare cases, cats can even be allergic to dogs. (Maybe that’s why some of them don’t get along.)

Yet our feline friends are more likely to have the same seasonal allergies as us — especially grass and pollen — as well as year-round problems with dust mites and fleas. As much as 30% of the human population with allergies is allergic to either cats or dogs, with allergies to cats being twice as common as allergies to their canine counterparts. While ailurophiles (cat lovers) may consider that a fate worse than death, the good news is there are a number of hypoallergenic breeds that are less likely to make you sneeze.

08/22/2025

Telltale signs a pet is overheating include blue gums
Pets can overheat even in relatively cool environments if there's no air circulation, says AVMA President Michael Q. Bailey. Signs of overheating include excessive panting, bluish or tacky gums, vomiting and diarrhea. Breeds with shorter snouts, such as boxers and bulldogs, are at higher risk for heat-related illnesses than dogs with longer snouts, Dr. Bailey says.

Summer in Alabama means the sun’s blazing. The pavement is scorching. Everyone seems to be feeling the heat, including Alabamians on four feet as well as two. Veterinarians say family pets are equally prone to overheating during the hot summer months. APR looks into immediate signs your furry frie...

08/18/2025

FDA warns 3 companies about selling unapproved CBD products for animals
The FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine sent warnings to three companies for selling unapproved cannabidiol products for animals. The letters to Bailey's Wellness, Holista and House of Alchemy cited safety concerns and told the companies to stop selling the products.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warning letters to three companies—Bailey’s Wellness, Holista, and House of Alchemy—allegedly selling unapproved cannabis-derived products for pets.

08/18/2025

Preventing tick-borne diseases
Tick-borne disease risks vary by region in the US, with Lyme disease prevalent in the North and ehrlichiosis and spotted fever more common in the South. Reports of tick bites have increased, with 31 million people affected annually, and the CDC advises checking family members and pets for ticks frequently and using permethrin on clothes and insect repellent on skin to reduce exposure.

Tick bites are are on the rise this and they can carry some nasty illnesses. Which are most common depends where you live. Here's what to know to protect yourself.

08/18/2025

Sunburn is a risk for dogs
Dogs can get sunburned, particularly in areas like ear tips with thin or no fur, and short-haired, light-colored or shaved dogs have the highest risks. Sunburn can cause redness, itching, severe pain and pus-filled blisters. To protect dogs, limit sun exposure during peak hours, use pet-safe sunscreen and consider UV-protective clothing.

Nothing ruins a good-boy summer like getting scorched.

08/15/2025

Veterinarians weigh in on dogs, cats eating grass
Neither dogs nor cats have the gut bacteria or digestive systems that help herbivores digest grass, but some dogs and cats like to eat grass anyway. Although the reasons are unclear, they might do it for micronutrients, to aid digestion or because they're curious. Eating a bit of grass occasionally is probably harmless, but certain pesticides and fertilizers may be dangerous, and overconsumption may be a sign of illness. "If they're ravenous for these plants, or constantly eating them, or constantly eating them and then throwing up, then I would certainly be looking for an underlying problem," said veterinarian and AVMA past president Lori Teller.

There are many theories for why cats and dogs eat grass, and some could be "old wives' tales."

07/28/2025

What's with cats' love-hate relationship with water?
Domestic cats' aversion to water may be linked to their ancestors, African wildcats, which lived in desert environments with little exposure to water, says animal behaviorist Kristyn Vitale. An additional factor may be discomfort, as wet fur can be cumbersome and disrupt a cat's sense of smell, says animal cognition expert Jennifer Vonk, who notes that some cats may detect chemical cues in tap water that are unpleasant. However, some breeds are perfectly happy splashing around.

It's a well-known fact that most cats despise getting wet. But why?