Southwest Veterinary Surgical Service

19/11/2024

Today is National Get A Pal For Your Pet Day! Animals do better when we’re surrounded with our own kind. I’m at my best when I’m with my pals. According to the Pets Add Life people, here’s why having multiple animals in the home is a good idea:

Pets Add Life Campaign encourages pet adoption and rescue on National Get a PAL for Your Pet Day.

18/11/2024

Come walk through our Gilbert location with us!

Our Gilbert office is located at 86 W Juniper Ave, Suite 4, Gilbert 85233. We are located within the Arizona Veterinary Specialty Center building off Gilbert Road in between Elliot and Guadalupe. We share this facility with six other specialty veterinary businesses and have been here since November of 2004.

Have any questions about our Gilbert location? Send us a message or leave us a comment.

swvetsurgery.com

15/11/2024

Bridget is a 14-year-old Shih Tzu who came to see us for right ear polyps and constant ear infections. Despite multiple different attempts to medically manage Bridget's ear issues, nothing seemed to help. Dr. Shelley examined her ears and he suggested Total Ear Canal Ablation (TECA) with Bulla Osteotomy. This is a surgery for dogs with severe, chronic ear issues like infections or tumors that haven’t responded to other treatments. It involves removing the ear canal and part of the middle ear to provide relief and improve quality of life. Bridget is said to be doing much better and is a lot less painful!


swvetsurgery.com

14/11/2024

Canine hip dysplasia is a common orthopedic condition in dogs, with a prevalence of up to 71% in affected breeds[1]. Hip dysplasia occurs during the dog’s growth stage and results in a deformity of the hip joint. If your dog is experiencing changes in their hind legs or you’re noticing they aren’t using those back legs the way they should, it’s time to talk with your veterinarian.

Learn all about how to recognize the signs of hip dysplasia in dogs, ranging from limping to lethargy.

13/11/2024

There are many ways to help your pet during recovery. Most important is to keep your pet confined during recovery—no running or jumping. Only let them out on a leash to potty and bring them back inside. If they have an e-collar, keep it on until the sutures are healed. It is also extremely helpful to monitor the incision for any swelling, discharge, worsening lameness, or limping.
If you notice anything unusual, it never hurts to contact your surgeon or primary veterinarian!

swvetsurgery.com

12/11/2024

It's no secret that RV travel has exploded in recent years, with more people taking their vacations on the road and RV ownership setting record numbers. And within this growing community of RVers, you'll find many four-legged travelers. Recent surveys in the RV industry show that over 60% of RVers are now traveling with pets, and this number is expected to grow.

While RVing with pets is becoming increasingly popular, pet parents need to do their research and be prepared. From pre-travel checklists to mapping out the ultimate pet-friendly stops— let's dive into what every RVer needs to know when bringing their four-legged friends along for the ride!

Thinking of hitting the road in an RV with your four-legged friend? Here's everything you need to know to keep your pet safe, healthy, and happy on the road!

08/11/2024

While cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) ruptures are more commonly associated with dogs, they can occur in cats, too! 🐱✨

🔍 What to Watch For: Cats may hide their pain, making it tricky to spot issues. Look for signs like reluctance to jump, limping, or changes in activity levels.

⚠️ Causes: CCL injuries in cats are often due to trauma, such as falls or accidents, rather than the degenerative issues seen in dogs.

💡 Treatment Options: Depending on the severity, treatment may range from conservative management to surgical intervention.

If you notice any concerning signs in your feline friend, don’t hesitate to consult your veterinarian. Our top priority is ensuring that our feline friends stay healthy and happy! ❤️

swvetsurgery.com

07/11/2024

National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day is observed each year on November 7 to help draw attention to the prevalence of this deadly disease and the advances being made in treating it. Lymphoma is a type of cancer that is common both in dogs and in people. Lymphoma is one of the most common canine cancers, accounting for 7 to 24 percent of all canine tumors and 85 percent of all blood-based tumors. In dogs, lymphoma actually refers to a group of approximately 30 different cancers that originate in the lymphocytes – a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection and is found throughout the body but especially in organs that support the functioning of the immune system such as the spleen, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. Consequently, lymphoma tends to target those areas, although it can affect any organ in the body.

Read more here: https://www.clearcaninecancer.com/national-canine-lymphoma-awareness-day-november-7th-2021.html

07/11/2024

We’re so grateful for our wonderful clients! At Southwest Veterinary Surgery, we understand how anxious it can be when your pet needs surgery. Our dedicated team is here to provide not only top-notch medical care but also compassion and support every step of the way.

From pre-op consultations to responsive post-op care, we strive to make the experience as positive as possible for both pets and their owners. Thank you for trusting us with your furry family members! 🐾❤️ We’re here for you and your pets whenever you need us.

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05/11/2024

Why Do We Have the Urge to Squeeze Our Adorable Pets?

Cute aggression is a type of dimorphous expression, which is when your outward action doesn’t seem to match your internal emotion. In 2018, researchers at the University of California-Riverside conducted a study to better understand how our brain responds to cute aggression. The authors concluded that it’s “a complex and multi-faceted emotional response that likely serves to mediate strong emotional responses and allow caretaking to occur.” This reinforces the hypothesis put forward by Dr. Aragón’s research, which suggests that cute aggression is a way for our bodies to regulate overwhelming emotions, lest we become all-consumed by our pets’ squishy and adorable little faces.

Read more about this article here:

There’s a scientific reason for “cute aggression,” aka the feeling that we want to squeeze tiny, cute things, like our pets.

04/11/2024

Loki is feeling paw-sitively pampered! 🐾✨ Not only getting top-notch surgical care from his amazing surgeon Dr. Steurer to help him breathe better, but all the pets and scratches he could dream of too! I mean look at that face, does that not say it all?!
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01/11/2024

A huge thank you to all our SVSS staff who participated in this year's pumpkin decorating contest! We love seeing the creativity you all brought to the table. And a special thanks to everyone who voted—your support made this event even more exciting! Now, without further ado, here are the winners... (cue the drum roll)...

Spookiest: Jack Skeleton with 32 votes
Unique: Witch Hat Gumball Machine with 31 votes
Funniest: Dante from Coco with 29 votes

We hope you all had a fun and festive week!

01/11/2024

As spooky season wraps up, we’re excited to share some final glimpses of amazingly spook-tacular ghost bandage art designs on our patient Tootie! 🎃👻 These creative touches make healing a little more fun. 💖

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31/10/2024

Last day to cast your votes in our annual pumpkin decorating contest!

30/10/2024

With Halloween just around the corner, let’s dive into those so-called spooky animals! Are they really that scary? One animal on the list are bats, and you'd be interested to know that they aren’t all that bad—only a few species actually drink blood! 🦇

The Dodo has uncovered the truth about others: many Halloween favorites, including spiders, are actually pretty fascinating and totally deserving of our respect. 🕷️✨

Check out the link to learn more about these not-so-spooky creatures!
https://www.thedodo.com/dodowell/halloween-animals

29/10/2024

Happy National Cat Day! 🐾 Celebrating our furry friends who bring endless joy, purrs, and mischief into our lives. Share a pic of your favorite feline friend and let’s give them all the love they deserve! 💖🐱

Check Out 20 Ways to Celebrate National Cat Day
https://www.nationalcatday.com/celebrate

28/10/2024

It's time for our annual SVSS pumpkin decorating contest!

Check out our contestants and cast your vote here
https://forms.gle/UBWGLdnvXLgLfEph9

Voting ends at the end of this week 11/1. May the best pumpkin(s) 'squash' the competition. 🎃

25/10/2024

Come visit us and our colleagues at Arizona Veterinary Specialty Center at Barktoberfest!

Tomorrow 10/26 from 8 am to 1 pm at the Gilbert Civic Center. Admission is FREE! Lots of food, fun, and festivities to partake in. We hope to see you there!