Welcome Dr. Ryan Andrews
We're thrilled to introduce Dr. Ryan Andrews! Born and raised in a small town in northern Mississippi, he attended Mississippi State University where he received both his undergraduate and veterinary degrees. It is there that he met his wife, who is also a veterinarian.
They have 4 dogs; Raisin (labradoodle), Vivian (dachshund mix), Buzz, and Bella (both miniature dachshunds). They are also owned by two cats, Bonnie and Finn.
Help us give Dr. Andrews a warm welcome to the LVCC family!
Don't forget! ï»ż
Give your pets their monthly Heartworm & Flea Prevention!
Employee Of The Month

Congratulations to Nurse Mallory on Employee of the Month. Chances are, if you've had a sick patient in our hospital within the past year she has cared for them. She has an enormous amount of compassion for our patients and their parents.
Thanks, Mallory, for being such a great team member!!!
Animal Pain Awareness Month
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What if you couldn’t tell your doctor that you were in pain? Animals suffer from pain just like we do. Pain comes in many forms: surgical pain, arthritis and cancer, just to name a few. Acute pain is obvious and distressing. Chronic pain can be subtle, and masked as “getting old” or “slowing down.” Age is not a disease, but pain is. There are many options to treat the various causes of pain in animals including pain medications, physical rehabilitation, and laser therapy. Talk to us about the right treatment for your pet!
Common Signs of Pain in Dogs
·          Decreased social interaction
·          Anxious expression
·          Submissive behavior
·          Refusal to move
·          Whimpering
·          Howling
·          Growling
·          Guarding behavior
·          Aggression; biting
·          Decreased appetite
·          Self-mutilation (chewing)
·          Changes in posture
Common Signs of Pain in Cats
·          Reduced activity
·          Loss of appetite
·          Quiet/loss of curiosity
·          Changes in urinary/defecation habits
·          Hiding
·          Hissing or spitting
·          Lack of agility/jumping
·          Excessive licking/grooming
·          Stiff posture/gait
·          Guarding behavior
·          Stops grooming/matted fur
·          Tail flicking
·          Weight loss
Could your cat be suffering with a
ï»żthyroid problem?

Feline hyperthyroidism occurs in about 10% of cats over 10 years old. It's caused by an overactive thyroid gland. Pet parents of cats with hyperthyroidism report the following symptoms:
Symptoms included:
  • Increased vocalization
  • Vomiting or Diarrhea
  • Increased water intake
  • Increased urination
  • Weight loss despite a normal appetite
  • Restlessness, increased activity
  • Defecation outside the litter box
  • Poor grooming

Early diagnosis by blood screening is key.  From there depending on symptoms, treatment is less complicated with early intervention.
I f you’re asking yourself or others this question, you’re likely at a point of frustration. You are not alone in this. There are a few different reasons for a house trained pet to begin inappropriately urinating. As professionals, we consistently work this basic process of elimination to narrow down to a cause and a solution.

1. House Training
If your pet is young, or new to your family (less than 2-3 months living in your home), house training simply may not be complete yet and you may need to revisit the steps first before moving on to step 2. We have many great tools and articles to share if your pet falls in this area.
2. Urinary Issues
Next, or for trained, adult pets, it’s essential to rule out a health problem. Our veterinarians can quickly diagnosis urinary infections with a thorough exam and a urinalysis to screen your pet’s urine for bacteria, crystals, stones and abnormal cells. If a urinary tract problem is not found, then we look to other potential medical causes. Otherwise, we move on to age or behaviorally based issues.
3. Incontinence
Urinary incontinence can happen at any age, however it’s most common in senior aged pets (10 or older). These pets are usually found to dribble or leak urine or leave puddles on their beds or floor where they were sleeping. The good news is, inexpensive and effective treatment options exist for this condition.
4. Age
As pets age, their bladder muscles can weaken. You may need to allow them more frequent outings or for cats, increase the number of litter boxes and decrease obstacles between them and the litter boxes with in your home. Some forms of dementia or senility in aging pets can also lead to house soiling issues. If you suspect this is the case with your pet, we recommend consulting with one of our veterinarians right away.
ï»ż 5. Behavioral Problems
Once most medical issues have been ruled out, it’s most likely you are dealing with a behavioral problem. Whether your pet is marking or submissively urinating, suffering from anxiety or struggling to adjust to a new person or pet in the home, outside intervention is likely necessary to correct their issue. Start by repeating the steps of house training while you try to figure out if there is a stressor in your pet's environment. Eliminate it if possible, or call in our dog trainer to help you teach your pet to live with it. Whatever you do, don’t give up on your pet and please don’t forget the Lafayette Veterinary Care Center team is standing by to help you through.
L afayette Veterinary Care Center
337-984-7611
info@LafayetteVets.com