It is probably safe to say that everyone has either had a pet affected by cancer or knows someone who has a pet that was affected by cancer. This is why annual exams and bloodwork are key to your pets’ health. Cancer can present itself as small as a little bump on your pet’s leg or it can be something internal, not seen by the eyes. It is important to inform your veterinarian of any new and concerning growths you may notice or any significant changes in daily life, especially if you have an older pet. With early intervention, we open the door for more treatment options or possibly even recovery! We truly hope that each and every one of your pets lives a long and healthy life, so let us help you achieve that goal.

This is a special time of year when families get a visit from the Easter Bunny bringing candy and goodies to all of the good children. It is important to remember that although those sweet treats like chocolate may be delicious to us, they can be toxic to our pets. So please, tuck away those delicious goodies left by our dear Easter Bunny and help keep your pets protected. We hope everyone has a safe and Happy Easter!

In honor of Poison Prevention Awareness Month, here is a list of items and foods that should not be consumed by our pets and if they are, immediate medical attention should be sought:

1. Over-the-Counter Human Medications – For example, Ibuprofen, Tylenol, medications containing xylitol
2. Human Prescription Medications
3. Human Food – For example, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, caffeine, alcohol, excessive amounts of salt, foods containing the sugar substitute xylitol
4. Chocolate
5. Plants – For example, lilies, sago palm, tulips
6. Household Toxins – For example, cleaning supplies like bleach, recreational drugs, ammonia
7. Improperly Administered Veterinary Products
8. Rodenticides
9. Insecticides
10. Garden Products

Symptoms can include, but are not limited to:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Excessive drooling
• Lack of coordination
• Weakness/lethargy
• Collapse
• Excessive thirst/urination
• Unusual behavior

If you think your pet has consumed a toxic substance, immediately call the 24/7 ASPCA Poison Control Hotline at (888) 426-4435 (there may be a small fee applied to this call) and should they suggest being seen by a Veterinarian, immediately call your veterinarian or go to your nearest Emergency Veterinary Hospital. Be sure to bring the container or item with you or take a picture of the ingredient list from the item that was consumed, if possible. Always be transparent with your veterinarian about what your pet may have ingested to ensure timely and appropriate care. Poisons can act fast, so it is important to react quickly if any are ingested.

Tired of your pet’s bad breath? Schedule them a dental cleaning during the month of February and receive 15% off the procedure! During this anesthetic procedure, your pet’s teeth with be cleaned of all tartar build up causing them discomfort and bad breath. Their mouth will then be thoroughly examined for any problem teeth that may need to be extracted or watched at home. Finally, their teeth will be polished to shine like diamonds! Request before and after pictures to see just how beneficial that procedure was. Curious about how to maintain your pet’s oral health? Our highly educated staff is happy to discuss all of our options and determine what will work best with your family.

Call us to schedule an appointment now! 830-303-9613

We hope that everyone had a safe and enjoyable holiday season and a happy New Year! January 14th is National Dress Up Your Pet Day so if you decide to dress up your fur baby, send us a photo and we would love to post them on our social media! Whether your pet is dressed in a costume or a cute outfit, they are guaranteed to look adorable. Photos can be sent to our email at connect@petschoiceanimalhosp.com. We look forward to seeing them!

Happy December everyone! Did you know that December is National Cat Lover’s Month? As many of our beloved clients will know, Pet’s Choice has lots of cute kitties roaming around the property! They are named Push Pop, Joey Peanut, Chocolate, Pistachio and Olaf. They love clinic living and you will often see some of them, especially Push Pop and Pistachio, sleeping on our front porch. Some of you may have even had Chocolate jump into your car and sit on your lap! Pistachio is often found playing on the front porch or chasing squirrels. This month be sure to give them extra chin scratches when you see them.

We hope that everyone has a safe and joyful Holiday season and a Happy New Year!

With Love,
Pet’s Choice Animal Hospital

Do you have a senior pet at home? Annual to bi-annual health screenings are key to maintaining their health. Senior exams allow your Doctor to assess for arthritis, eye changes, oral health, heart and lung health, etc. At this time, your Doctor can discuss with you the best plan for your aging pet. For example, starting your pet on a joint support supplement or omega fatty acids for their natural anti-inflammatory processes.

Annual bloodwork is also recommended for our senior pets. This will allow your Doctor to check for medical concerns such as diabetes, kidney or liver disease, infection, hyperthyroidism/hypothyroidism, etc. It is just as important to know the systematic health of your senior pet as their physical health.

It is always our goal to do what is best for each and every pet as an individual. If you have any specific concerns about your pet, please be sure to discuss them with your Doctor to determine what is best for your furry loved one.

Give us a call today to set up an appointment for your beloved fur baby, we look forward to seeing you soon!

Has your pet seen the veterinarian for their annual checkup? Annual wellness exams play a crucial role in maintaining your pet’s health. At Pet’s Choice Animal Hospital, your pet’s annual exam will consist of a nose to tail exam that includes checking their oral health, eyes and ears, heart and lungs, tenderness of the abdomen, checking all joints for smooth movement, pain in the spine or neck, etc.

Annual vaccinations ensure that your beloved pet is protected from a multitude of viruses and diseases that they are at risk for. For dogs, an annual heartworm and tick-borne disease test ensures that your dog has not been infected. All it can take is a single bite from a mosquito and your pet can be infected.

Finally, heartworm, flea and tick prevention will be sent home to protect your fur family. Any concerns that you may have or that the Doctor may find during the exam will be addressed and taken care of at your visit. You may also request a nail trim, anal gland expression or ear cleaning to be done for your convenience while you are here.

You pet’s well-being is our #1 priority. Call us today to schedule a visit!

Tired of your pet’s bad breath? Schedule them a dental cleaning during the month of September and receive 15% off the procedure! During this anesthetic procedure, your pet’s teeth with be cleaned of all tartar build up causing them discomfort and bad breath. Their mouth will then be thoroughly examined for any problem teeth that may need to be extracted or watched at home. Finally, their teeth will be polished to shine like diamonds! Request before and after pictures to see just how beneficial that procedure was. Curious about how to maintain your pet’s oral health? Our highly educated staff is happy to discuss all of our options and determine what will work best with your family. 

Call us to schedule an appointment now! 

830-303-9613

Hello world! How great this is! I am beyond excited to get to know you and cannot wait to work together to help your pets achieve a new level of comfort and joy. To help kick off this relationship, I thought I should share a little about me and some Pet’s Choice sentiment.

Let’s start with the basics. My name is Kristen Elizabeth Connell DeCola. I am from Gonzales, TX, where I grew up as an only child however I was blessed with an array of cousins. I am fiercely competitive and humble to the core. I am a Fightin’ Texas Aggie, class of 2004 Biomedical Science and 2008 Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. Whoop. I am proud to say both rigorous degrees were obtained with Cum Laude honors. I am an Aries….very much so. I love being a veterinarian. I know without a shadow of a doubt this is my career calling. I give 110% because sometimes 100% doesn’t seem like enough. I know I am more productive surrounded by strong people. I love being on a team and approaching a problem from a team perspective. I appreciate hard work and dedication. Without those two qualities your place here is small. I enjoy thinking outside of the box and finding better ways to treat our pets and represent the profession. I believe a pet will receive its best care when the pet parent is recruited and educated on what to watch for. With that said, I, we, will give however much time is needed to care for, diagnose, and discuss any of your pet’s problems or concerns. I look forward to making each day better than the last.

We are your Pet’s Choice