Designer Mixes

When Do Vets Start Pimobendan for a Dog Heart Murmur?

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, one of the hardest conversations I see families wrestle with is this: “My dog feels totally fine. Why are we starting a heart medication now?” If your dog has a heart murmur and your vet is talking about pimobendan, it can feel scary or premature....

Can Adult Dogs Get Parvo?

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I wish I could tell you parvo is only a puppy problem. But the truth is simple: adult dogs can absolutely get parvo . It is less common in fully vaccinated adults, but when a dog never completed their vaccine series, their history is unknown, or they...

Rabies Risk After a Dog Meets a Skunk

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have learned that “my dog got sprayed by a skunk” can mean two totally different things. Most of the time it is an odor problem, and your dog is embarrassed, you are overwhelmed, and everyone needs a bath. But sometimes there is also a bite, a...

How Long Does Parvo Live in the Yard?

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have watched families do everything right once their dog is diagnosed with parvo. They isolate, they disinfect, they wash bedding, they mop floors. Then comes the hardest question: How long is the yard still “dangerous”? Canine parvovirus (CPV) is...

Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I see this scenario all the time: a dog comes in for a routine exam, feels totally fine, and then the veterinarian hears a new heart murmur. One of the most common causes of a new left apical systolic murmur in small-breed adult dogs is myxomatous...

Pulmonary Hypertension in Dogs

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have learned that when a dog starts breathing fast while resting, it is something to take seriously, especially if it is new, persistent, getting worse, or paired with other symptoms. Sometimes it really is as simple as pain, stress, or heat. But...

Subaortic Stenosis in Dogs

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have seen how fast a simple note like “heart murmur” can turn a happy puppy visit into a worried drive home. The good news is that a murmur is not a diagnosis by itself. One important cause that deserves a clear, thoughtful explanation is subaortic...

What Do Ingrown Claws Look Like in Senior Cats?

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I can tell you ingrown claws are one of those “quiet” problems that can get painful fast, especially in senior cats. Older cats often nap more, scratch less, and may not wear their nails down like they used to. The claw keeps growing, curves tighter,...

Shaker Syndrome in Dogs

I have had pet parents come into the clinic absolutely shaken up because their little dog “suddenly started vibrating.” If you are seeing full-body tremors and your dog is awake and aware, one possible cause your veterinarian may bring up is shaker syndrome . Shaker syndrome is the common name for...

Will a Puppy Heart Murmur Go Away?

When a veterinarian tells you your puppy has a heart murmur, it can feel like the floor drops out from under you. I have been in the exam room with worried families many times, and I have also seen the relief on their faces later when the murmur fades exactly the way an innocent puppy murmur often...

Can a Vaccinated Puppy Still Get Parvo?

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have seen this panic more times than I can count: a puppy gets a parvo shot, then a few days later they stop eating or start vomiting , and their person says, “But he’s vaccinated.” It is a completely fair question. Parvo vaccines are excellent,...

Anal Sac Adenocarcinoma in Dogs: Signs, Staging, and Treatment

When people hear “anal glands,” they usually think of scooting, a fishy smell, or a minor impaction that clears up with veterinary help. But there is another possibility I never want dog families to be surprised by: anal sac adenocarcinoma , a cancer that starts in the anal sac glands. As a...

Can Humans Catch Ear Mites From Cats?

In most households, humans do not truly “catch” ear mites from cats in a way that leads to an ongoing infestation . The most common ear mite in cats and dogs, Otodectes cynotis , is adapted to live on pets. That said, people can occasionally get temporary itching or a small rash after close contact...

Mast Cell Tumors in Cats: Skin vs Internal Disease

When someone tells me their cat has a “mast cell tumor,” the first thing I ask is a very calm follow-up question: Where is it? In cats, mast cell tumors (MCTs) often fall into two big buckets, skin and internal (most commonly the spleen or intestinal tract ). The day-to-day experience for your cat,...

Why Is There Mucus in My Cat's Poop?

When you scoop the litter box and see poop that looks coated in mucus or has a jelly-like layer , it can be alarming. I get it. As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have talked with plenty of cat parents who are worried they are looking at something serious. Mucus is not always an...

Ovarian Remnant Syndrome in Dogs

If your dog was spayed months or even years ago and suddenly you notice vulvar swelling, a bloody discharge, or male dogs acting obsessed with her, it is unsettling. I have seen families feel confused and even a little embarrassed, because they did the responsible thing and scheduled a spay. So why...

How to De-Skunk a Cat Safely

Skunk spray on a cat is one of those emergencies that feels more "gross" than dangerous, until you remember one big cat fact: cats groom fast. And that means whatever you put on the fur can end up in the mouth, and skunk spray itself can irritate eyes and airways. I am a veterinary assistant in...

Pulmonic Stenosis in Dogs

I have met a lot of families who come into the clinic feeling scared after a routine puppy visit ends with, “I hear a heart murmur.” The first thing I tell them is this: not every puppy murmur is dangerous . Many young dogs have innocent (physiologic) murmurs that fade with growth. But some murmurs...

Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Puppies

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have met plenty of puppies who look perfectly fine on the outside, but the stethoscope tells a different story. One of the most important examples is patent ductus arteriosus , often shortened to PDA . PDA is not just “a murmur.” PDA is a...

Cat Food Testing Finds Heavy Metals and Plastic Chemicals Across Popular Brands

Cats are creatures of habit. Many eat the same food every day for years. That consistency can make nutrition simpler, but it also means whatever is in the bowl can become a steady source of exposure over a lifetime. In testing of 100 cat food products across 62 brands , heavy metals were nearly...