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Fainting vs. a Seizure in Dogs

One of the scariest moments as a dog parent is watching your dog suddenly collapse. As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have seen how fast panic sets in, and I get it. The hard part is that fainting and seizures can look similar at first glance, but the causes, urgency, and next...

How to Get Skunk Smell Out of Carpet, Laundry, and the House

If your dog comes charging inside after meeting a skunk, that smell can feel like it instantly soaks into everything. I have been there as a veterinary assistant, and I promise you this: skunk odor is stubborn, but it is not magical. Skunk spray contains several sulfur-containing compounds,...

Nasopharyngeal Polyps in Cats

I am Shari Shidate, a veterinary assistant in Frisco, Texas, and one of the toughest patterns I see in young cats is the “ear infection that just will not quit.” A kitten gets ear gunk on one side, maybe a funky smell, maybe a head tilt, and the usual ear mite treatment or medicated drops help for...

Palladia for Dogs With Mast Cell Tumors

Hearing the words mast cell tumor can make your stomach drop. As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have sat with families while they try to absorb a whole new vocabulary of grades, margins, staging, and treatment options. One medication that often comes up, especially when surgery is...

Why Do Spayed Dogs Gain Weight?

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, one of the most common surprises I hear after a spay is, “She is eating the same, but she is gaining weight.” It is frustrating, and it can feel unfair when you did everything right. The truth is, weight gain after spaying is common and it is usually...

Living With a Declawed Cat

I am Shari Shidate, a veterinary assistant in Frisco, Texas, and I have a soft spot for cats that have had a rough start. When a cat is already declawed, the most helpful thing we can do is focus on comfort, confidence, and prevention. Declawing is not just “removing nails.” It changes how a cat...

Bexacat and Senvelgo for Diabetic Cats

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have watched feline diabetes go from “rare” to something we talk about all the time. The newest question I hear is completely understandable: “Can my cat take a pill instead of insulin?” Two newer oral medications, Bexacat and Senvelgo , are in a...

When Is a Dog No Longer Contagious After Parvo?

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I have seen how emotionally exhausting parvo can be. Once your dog is finally home, eating again, and acting more like themselves, the next question is almost always: When is my dog safe to be around other dogs? The tricky part is that feeling better...

Can a Dog With a Heart Murmur Still Exercise?

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I hear this question constantly: “My dog has a heart murmur. Do we have to stop exercising?” The reassuring answer is often no . Many dogs with a heart murmur who are not in congestive heart failure can still enjoy walks, gentle play, and a normal...

Mammary Tumors in Dogs: Spay Timing and Risk

As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, one of the hardest conversations I have with dog parents starts with the same sentence: “I just found a little lump by her nipple.” Sometimes it is nothing dangerous. Sometimes it is. The tricky part is that you cannot tell which one it is just by...

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...