Gully Animal Hospital

Urgent Pet Care at Gully Animal Hospital's Emergency Clinic

Our Arlington Animal Hospital accepts emergency pet issues during office hours and has a referral page for after-hours emergencies. We are here to help protect and heal your pet. Any emergency can be serious. Seeking immediate emergency pet care may be the most important thing you ever do for the sake of your animal friend. Our experienced veterinarians deal with every emergency pet hospital need that may arise. We also have the advanced technology and the skills to handle the three most urgent emergencies seen by veterinarians:

Ruptured bleeding splenic tumors: Bloodwork seldom detects silent tumors of the spleen. This complication often goes unnoticed because the pet owner fails to ensure that the animal receives routine physical checkups.

Urethral Obstruction: Pay attention to your cat's urinary pattern. Frequent visits to the litter box that result in meowing, straining and perhaps even blood in the urine indicate an emergency situation. Be quick to get veterinarian services for this pet.

GDV - Bloat in dogs: Common to dogs with deep chests, this emergency is a surgical crisis. The animal's stomach physically rotates on itself. Restricted blood flow, hypoxia, oxygen damage to the tissues and death linger in its wake. Correcting this complication will require dog boarding.

Do you have an emergency pet care plan in place? The caregivers here at Gully Animal Hospital in Arlington, Texas know when your pet should recieve emergency care. More importantly, we know how to prevent them from occurring. Call us at  (817) 756-6733 for more information.

Online Resources for Pet Boarding Services and Overweight Pets

If you would like more information about the dangers of pet obesity or the importance of choosing the right boarding facility for your pet, check out the resources below. For professional and experienced veterinary and boarding services, call Gully Animal Hospital at (817) 756-6733.

• This news article discusses the importance of researching an animal facility before using its boarding services.
• CNN.com explores the issue of overweight pets in this story.
• Along with regular input from your veterinarian, Purina’s “Project: Pet Slim Down” offers advice to help your pet lose weight, as well as tools for monitoring progress.
• This article from Animal Planet offers ideas on designing workouts to keep your pet active.
• The Food and Drug Administration provides this resource listing some common—and not-so-common—household products that could harm your pet. Some may surprise you!

Is Your Pet Overweight? Learn How to Get Their Weight Back to Normal

With all the focus on the obesity epidemic currently facing America’s adults and children, another story has largely been ignored: our pets are suffering too! In fact, animal hospitals have seen an increase in the number of cases of heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes—all of which can often be linked to an animal’s weight. Working with a qualified veterinarian, pet owners can take several steps to address this issue and prevent it from getting worse.

Before taking matters into their own hands, it’s important for pet owners to consult with a veterinarian to assess the animal’s overall health status. Take your pet to a veterinary clinic and request that tests be done to rule out any underlying causes of the animal’s weight gain. Such tests may include:

• Thyroid function test: An underactive thyroid can sometimes slow metabolism.
• Glucose tolerance test: When this is abnormal, an issue with carbohydrate metabolism or pancreatic function may be present.

As with their human counterparts, overweight animals tend to consume more food than is necessary for their lifestyle. Some pet foods today are loaded with calories, so it is important for pet owners to read product labels and measure portions appropriately. Though no vet would recommend severe caloric restriction, gradual reductions in food intake can help achieve steady weight loss. Recommendations for restricting calories may include:

• Smaller, more frequent meals to keep metabolism high.
• Increased protein consumption, with a corresponding reduction in carbohydrate intake.
• Eliminating treats.

When it comes to exercise, the same advice typically given to adults is applicable to pets as well: start slow and gradually increase the intensity. Stick to a consistent schedule and notify your vet immediately if the animal shows any signs of breathing trouble or excessive fatigue.

If you are concerned that your pet may have a weight problem and would like to speak to a vet, contact the staff at Gully Animal Hospital by calling (817) 756-6733. Our dedicated team will work with you to normalize your animal’s weight and avoid potentially serious health complications.  

Tips for Preparing Your Pet for Boarding

Pet owners never enjoy leaving their animals, but when time away is inevitable, animal boarding is a great option. Boarding your pet at an animal hospital or veterinary clinic offers more peace of mind than a traditional boarding service, kennel, or pet sitter, particularly if your pet has an existing medical condition. A qualified vet is best able to monitor a health issue, provide treatment, and respond to an emergency should it occur. When preparing your pet for boarding, consider these tips to ensure a comfortable stay for the animal and a worry-free trip for yourself.

Consider Your Pet’s Special Medical Needs:

It’s important to discuss any medications with the veterinarian before your pet’s visit. Medications should be provided to the animal hospital staff, along with instructions on when and how to administer them. 

Pack an Appropriate Amount of Food:

Sudden changes in diet are sometimes harmful to animals. For this reason, plan on bringing your own pet food to the veterinary clinic in pre-measured, labeled bags.

Ensure Your Pet’s Vaccinations Are Current:

For the health and safety of all animals at the veterinary clinic, it’s important to be sure that all of your pet’s vaccinations are current. This includes rabies, as well as bordetella and DHLPP for dogs and FCRVP for cats. Check with the vet regarding any additional vaccines. Animals should also be free of ticks and fleas before arriving for their stay.

Take into Account Your Pet’s Personality:

Pets staying at an animal hospital should be house-trained and able to sleep through the night. Inform the vet of any preferences or personality issues. Feel free to provide toys to make your pet’s stay more enjoyable.

At the Gully Animal Hospital, we understand that your pet is a beloved part of the family. We’re animal lovers, too, and have dedicated ourselves to providing the highest quality of care in your absence. Call us today at (817) 756-6733 and speak to a member of our pet hospital staff to arrange a tour of our boarding facilities.

Owner Tips for Overweight Pets

Are you worried that your pet may be overweight? In developing a strategy to normalize your pet’s weight, it is best to work with a veterinarian. A visit to an animal hospital will allow for a thorough evaluation. Take a look at this video for more information.

As this video points out, the issue of animal obesity is not to be taken lightly. Overweight pets are at a higher risk for a number of degenerative medical conditions and have a shorter lifespan. A change in meal frequency and caloric intake will be needed to help your pet achieve a healthy weight. Exercise is equally as important. Progress will be gradual, and a long-term approach is best. A veterinarian can determine if your pet’s weight gain is related to an underlying medical issue.

Gully Animal Hospital is dedicated to providing the best care possible for your pet. If you are concerned about your animal’s weight, call (817) 756-6733 and schedule an appointment with a vet. Our team of passionate vets and technicians will evaluate your pet and determine the best course of treatment.