Dr Duncan Houston

[Dr Duncan Houston @drduncanthevet]

The exact moment she realizes where she is 😭🐾

Wasn't exactly thrilled about her spay appointment, but she's recovering so well.

🎥 credit: @polkadotjen

#dog #rescuedog #funnydog #spaydogs

[Dr Duncan Houston @drduncanthevet]

Summer means ear infection season. Here's what most owners get wrong. ⚠️

I'm already seeing this constantly — in dogs and cats.

The early sign: thick, brown, sticky wax buildup in the ear.

Here's the part most people don't know: you cannot just wipe the outer ear and call it clean. The canal makes a sharp right-angle bend, and where everything loops together at the bottom is exactly where bacteria and yeast throw their party — dark, moist, protein-rich, everything they need to thrive.

The mistake I see constantly: flushing with plain saline. It's not wrong, but it's incomplete — saline alone still leaves moisture sitting in the ear, and moisture is exactly what bacteria want. What you actually need is a solution with a drying agent (I personally like Epi-Otic — not sponsored, just what works), used weekly if your dog is prone to buildup.

Extra risk factor: floppy ears. Dogs were built with upright ears for a reason — better hearing, better airflow, fewer infections. Floppy ears trap warmth and moisture, which is exactly the environment bacteria love.

When it's gone too far: if the ear canal looks bumpy or crater-like, with flaking skin, that's not a wipe-it-and-move-on situation — get to a vet. And if your dog seems to "love" you scratching their ears? That's not affection. That's relief from itch, and it means the infection needs attention.

Why this matters long term: chronic, untreated ear infections cause the canal itself to narrow, making future infections more likely and harder to treat. In severe cases, it can require surgery — a total ear canal ablation. Expensive, painful, and completely avoidable with regular ear care.

Stay on top of it. Their ears will thank you.

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🐾 @drduncanthevet | @trustaskavet | @woopffordogs | @purrzforcats

⚠️ This video contains graphic imagery. General veterinary education — not a substitute for advice about your individual pet.

#AskAVet #VetTips #DogHealth #CatHealth #EarInfection #FloppyEars #SummerPetCare #WoopfForDogs #PetParents

[Dr Duncan Houston @drduncanthevet]

Why does my pet gain weight after being desexed? 🐾

This one catches a lot of owners off guard, but the biology behind it makes complete sense once you understand it.

When you remove the ovaries or testicles, you're removing hormones — and hormones don't just do one thing. They affect metabolism, appetite, energy use, and even coat condition across the entire body. After desexing, most pets:

🐾 Put on weight more easily
🐾 Have a coat that's slightly less oily and shiny than before
🐾 Need fewer calories than they did when intact

Here's the practical fix: a desexed pet genuinely needs less food than an intact one — this isn't about willpower, it's calorie math. Combine that with keeping up regular exercise and movement, and weight gain becomes very manageable.

The mistake most owners make is continuing to feed the same amount post-surgery because "that's what they've always eaten." Adjust the portions, and the weight gain that people assume is "just what happens" often doesn't happen at all.

Did your pet gain weight after desexing? 👇

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⚠️ General veterinary education — not a substitute for advice about your individual pet.

#AskAVet #VetTips #Desexing #PetWeight #DogHealth #CatHealth #WeightManagement #PetParents #WoopfForDogs #PurrzForCats

[Dr Duncan Houston @drduncanthevet]

"Maybe if I freeze, they'll forget I'm here." 🤣

We've all had a dog try this exact strategy.

🎥 credit: @tailbitpets

#funnydogs #funnypets #dogcomedy #dogmom #funnyanimals

[Dr Duncan Houston @drduncanthevet]

Kitten probiotics: look for 10+ bacterial strains, at least 1 billion CFUs, and both pre + probiotics. Bigger bottle ≠ more bacteria — often just more filler.

Check the label, not the size. 🐱

https://t.co/SfDsHggF9C

[Dr Duncan Houston @drduncanthevet]

Pyometra: the uterine infection every dog and cat owner should know about 🚨

This is a serious condition where the uterus fills with pus and bacteria — and it comes in two very different forms.

🐾 Open pyometra — you'll actually see discharge from the vulva. Not pleasant, but at least it's a visible warning sign.

🐾 Closed pyometra — this is the more dangerous one. Nothing leaks out, so there's no obvious discharge to alert you. Instead, you'll notice lethargy and a bloated, swollen belly. By the time it's caught, the uterus is often quite large and full.

Closed pyometra is a bigger emergency precisely because it's easier to miss. There's no discharge screaming "something's wrong" — just a tired, off pet with a swollen abdomen.

The definitive treatment is surgery to remove the infected uterus, and it needs to happen promptly.

This is also one of the strongest arguments for desexing — it removes the risk of pyometra entirely.

Has your pet ever had pyometra? Let me know below 👇

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⚠️ If your unspayed pet is lethargic with a swollen abdomen, or has vaginal discharge, treat it as an emergency and see a vet immediately.

#AskAVet #VetTips #Pyometra #DogHealth #CatHealth #EmergencyVet #PetParents

[Dr Duncan Houston @drduncanthevet]

This is exactly how a vet visit should go 😄

No stress, no drama, just a calm cat getting vaccinated like it's nothing.

🎥: @mamoru947

#cat #kitten #vetvisit

[Dr Duncan Houston @drduncanthevet]

Is your dog's breed predisposed to back pain? Here's what to know. 🐾

The classic risk factor is obvious: long spine, short legs. More length means more pressure on the spine carrying all that weight — everyone knows the Dachshund look.

But it's not just about body shape. Breeds with a twisted "screw tail" — like French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boston Terriers — carry a different risk: scoliosis and spinal issues linked to that tail structure, even though their spine isn't long like a Dachshund's.

And here's what surprises a lot of owners: working breeds like Kelpies and Border Collies are also common patients. Not because of body shape, but because of how active, jumpy, and twist-heavy their movement is — catching toys mid-air, spinning, landing hard.

The key takeaway: fun doesn't always mean safe. If your dog loves backflips, jumps, and hard landings, that activity itself is a real risk factor for spinal injury — regardless of breed.

What you can do:
🐾 Keep them at a healthy weight — extra weight means extra pressure on the spine
🐾 Reduce high-impact activity where you can, especially on hard surfaces
🐾 Know the signs of back pain (stiff gait, reluctance to move, not wanting to sit)
🐾 If your breed is predisposed, be proactive rather than waiting for symptoms

What breed is your dog? Ever dealt with a back issue? 👇

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⚠️ General veterinary education — not a substitute for advice about your individual pet.

#AskAVet #VetTips #DogHealth #BackPain #WoopfForDogs #Dachshund #FrenchBulldog #WorkingDogs #PetParents

[Dr Duncan Houston @drduncanthevet]

How hormones actually shape your pet's behavior 🐾

If your pet still has their reproductive organs intact, hormones are driving more of their behavior than most owners realize.

🐾 Intact males are more likely to roam — actively searching for a female when one's nearby, sometimes travelling further than owners expect
🐾 Intact females do the same in reverse — seeking out a male while still cycling
🐾 Marking behavior tends to increase — intact males are more likely to urine-mark territory, and often in multiple spots, not just one
🐾 More discharge can be normal at the tip of the penis in intact males

To be clear — I'm not saying keeping them intact is inherently a bad choice. There are legitimate reasons owners choose to wait or not desex at all. But there are real behavioral (and health) benefits to desexing that are worth understanding before you decide.

Knowing why your pet is behaving a certain way makes it a lot easier to work with, not against, their instincts.

Has your pet's behavior changed after desexing? Let me know 👇

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⚠️ General veterinary education — not a substitute for advice about your individual pet.

#AskAVet #VetTips #DogHealth #CatHealth #PetBehavior #Neutering #WoopfForDogs #PurrzForCats #PetParents

[Dr Duncan Houston @drduncanthevet]

How to support your pet's urinary health at home 🐾

Prevention matters more than most people realize, and a lot of it comes down to simple daily habits.

Hydration is the foundation
🐾 Fresh water available at all times, always
🐾 Soak dry food in water before feeding — the animal drinks while they eat
🐾 Freeze-dried food is excellent for this, as you rehydrate it before serving
🐾 Wet food is a great option, particularly for pets with kidney disease

Litter tray rule for cats
Always have one more tray than you have cats. Two cats = three trays. One cat = two trays. Cats often designate one "party box" that everyone uses, but that extra tray means there's always somewhere else to go if something feels off. Less stress, fewer holding behaviours.

Toilet breaks for dogs
Aim for every 4–6 hours where possible rather than long stretches. Overnight is naturally longer and that's fine — it's the daytime gaps that matter.

The basics that add up
🐾 Probiotics to support gut and immune health
🐾 A good quality diet to build the immune system
🐾 Keep feeding areas and bedding clean
🐾 Keep the genital area clean and washed

None of this is complicated. It's consistency that makes the difference.

What's your setup at home? 👇

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⚠️ General veterinary education — not a substitute for advice about your individual pet.

#AskAVet #VetTips #DogHealth #CatHealth #UrinaryHealth #PetHydration #LitterBox #FLUTD #PetParents #PreventiveCare

[Dr Duncan Houston @drduncanthevet]

Choosing kitten food isn't as simple as "just buy something good." 🐱

Here's the honest truth: not everything online is bad advice, and not everything at the pet shop is good advice — or vice versa. You genuinely have to do your own research, and that's harder than most people expect.

A few things I want every kitten owner to know:

🐾 Get a balanced kitten formula — kittens have different nutritional needs than adult cats, and "cat food" isn't always the right fit
🐾 Taurine is non-negotiable — without enough of it, cats are at real risk of heart disease later in life. This is one of the most common gaps in home-cooked diets
🐾 Cats need protein, vitamins, and minerals — not carbohydrates. Their bodies simply aren't built to process carbs the way ours are
🐾 Home-cooked is genuinely harder to balance than prepackaged food. It's not impossible, but it takes real effort to get right

I've worked with natural food companies before, and I do like natural diets when they're done properly. But "natural" doesn't automatically mean "balanced." Do the research, check the actual nutritional breakdown, and don't just trust a label or a trend.

What do you feed your kitten? 👇

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⚠️ General veterinary education — not a substitute for advice about your individual pet.

#AskAVet #VetTips #KittenFood #CatNutrition #Taurine #PurrzForCats #KittenCare #PetParents #CatHealth

[Dr Duncan Houston @drduncanthevet]

Cats are experts at hiding pain. Here's what back pain actually looks like. 🐱

Most animals will mask pain until it becomes unbearable, cats especially. By the time you notice something's wrong, they've often been hurting for a while.

Signs of back pain to watch for:
🐾 A stiff spine, or an arched back
🐾 A stiff, reluctant gait — not wanting to move their legs
🐾 Not wanting to sit, lie down, or move at all
🐾 Becoming grumbly, grumpy, or even aggressive
🐾 In more serious cases: neurological signs like dribbling urine, involuntary defecation, or changes in posture

If you're seeing any of this, the answer is simple: get to a vet. Pain in cats is genuinely difficult to read, and if they're showing you signs, they are sore.

Treatment isn't just about the flare-up. It's about a proper management plan — pain relief (gabapentin, paracetamol, NSAIDs like meloxicam, or injectables depending on the case), and sometimes hospital stays for more controlled medication. But the real goal is understanding why it's happening and preventing it long term.

I had a case just last week — a dog with a fractured spondylosis in the spine, in serious pain, needing hospital-level medication because what we'd normally send home wouldn't have been enough.

Sit down with your vet. Understand the plan. Don't just treat the moment — manage the condition.

Has your pet ever shown signs of back pain? 👇

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🐾 @drduncanthevet | @trustaskavet | @woopffordogs | @purrzforcats

⚠️ General veterinary education — not a substitute for advice about your individual pet. If your pet is showing signs of pain, see a vet.

#AskAVet #VetTips #CatHealth #BackPain #PetPain #PurrzForCats #EmergencyVet #PetParents

[Dr Duncan Houston @drduncanthevet]

"When should I desex my pet?" - The honest answer: it depends on their size. 🐾

There isn't one universal age, and that's the part most owners don't hear. Timing depends heavily on breed and how big your animal will get.

Rough guide:
🐱 Cats — around 4 months is generally a good window
🐶 Small dogs (around 5kg) — similar timing works well
🐕 Large breeds (50–60kg) — this is where it changes completely. These dogs often need to wait considerably longer, sometimes a couple of years.

Here's why it matters: desexing too early in large breeds is linked to a higher chance of health issues later in life. Their growth plates and development need time.

The single most important thing? Don't rush it. Talk to your vet, factor in your specific breed and expected adult size, and get the timing right for your animal — not a generic number off the internet.

When did you desex yours, and what breed? 👇

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⚠️ General veterinary education — not a substitute for advice about your individual pet.

#AskAVet #VetTips #Desexing #Neutering #Spaying #DogHealth #CatHealth #PuppyCare #KittenCare #PetParents

[Dr Duncan Houston @drduncanthevet]

Brown staining on your dog's paws? It's usually saliva — and that means allergies. 🐾

Here's the giveaway most owners miss: that brown discoloration isn't dirt. It's from constant licking. And constant licking almost always points to one thing — an itchy, allergic dog.

All four paws stained? This is very likely a contact allergy — grass is a common culprit. It needs to be addressed, not just observed.

Just one paw? That's a different story — could be a wound, a long-term local issue, or in some cases a behavioural component. Worth a proper look either way.

A lot of owners tell me "he's always been like that" as if that makes it normal. It doesn't. Imagine if your own hands and feet were itchy all the time and all you wanted to do was scratch and lick them. That's what an allergic dog is living with, every single day.

If you're seeing that brown paw staining, please get it checked. It's fixable — but it needs a vet, not just watching and waiting.

Does your dog have this? 👇

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⚠️ General veterinary education — not a substitute for advice about your individual pet.

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[Dr Duncan Houston @drduncanthevet]

"My cat never goes outside, so they don't need vaccines" - this is one of the most common myths I hear. 🐱

Here's the reality: an indoor-only lifestyle doesn't mean zero risk. Viruses and parasites don't need your cat to go outside to get inside your home.

They travel on:
🐾 Your shoes and clothing
🐾 Luggage and bags
🐾 Another pet visiting, even briefly
🐾 A friend's animal that comes over

I get that a lot of people are hesitant about vaccinations. But they're one of the most effective things you can do to keep your pet genuinely safe — and that applies whether they set foot outside or not.

The full protection checklist:
🐾 Full vaccination schedule from the start
🐾 Regular worming
🐾 Flea and tick prevention — tablet or spot-on, whichever you use

"Indoor only" is not "no risk." Get them fully covered.

Is your cat indoor-only? Are they up to date? 👇

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⚠️ General veterinary education — not a substitute for advice about your individual pet.

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[Dr Duncan Houston @drduncanthevet]

Abnormal breathing is one of the most missed emergency signs in pets. 🚨

Panting isn't always what it looks like. When it's happening outside of heat or exercise, it can signal pain, fluid around or inside the lungs, fluid around the heart, or aspirated vomit. Very few of the possible causes are minor.

What to watch for in dogs and cats:
🐾 Panting or heavy breathing at rest, indoors, in a comfortable temperature
🐾 Breathing that doesn't settle after a few minutes of calm
🐾 An elevated breathing rate while sleeping — count the breaths, and anything consistently high is worth investigating
🐾 Any change from what's normal for your individual animal

For cats specifically, open-mouth breathing is almost never normal. The exceptions are brief stress or genuine heat, like a long-haired cat on a hot day. Otherwise it warrants a vet visit.

I'm now seeing pets far younger than people expect coming in with heart disease. Age isn't a reason to dismiss these signs.

If something about your pet's breathing feels off, trust that instinct and see your vet.

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🐾 @drduncanthevet | @trustaskavet | @woopffordogs | @purrzforcats

⚠️ If your pet is struggling to breathe, treat it as an emergency and see a vet immediately.

#AskAVet #VetTips #DogHealth #CatHealth #BreathingProblems #HeartDisease #PetEmergency #EmergencyVet #PetParents

[Dr Duncan Houston @drduncanthevet]

Ever wondered what actually happens when your vet diagnoses a urinary problem? 🔬

It's not just one test — it's a process. Here's how we piece it together:

🐾 Urine sample first — we look under a microscope for bacteria, red blood cells, crystals, and urinary casts. A urine analysis also gives us pH and white blood cell count, usually back within a day.

���� Culture & sensitivity — if we need to identify the exact bacteria and which antibiotic will work, we grow it in a lab. That takes 3–10 days depending on the result.

🐾 Blood tests — a slightly elevated white blood cell count could be stress. A significant spike, combined with raised kidney enzymes? That's when we start thinking infection and antibiotics.

🐾 Imaging — an ultrasound of the bladder can show sediment, stones, or inflammation. We also check the kidneys for swelling or signs of damage.

No single test tells the whole story. The picture comes together when we look at everything.

Has your pet ever had a urinary issue? Drop it below 👇

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⚠️ General veterinary education — not a substitute for advice about your individual pet.

#AskAVet #VetTips #CatHealth #DogHealth #UrinaryHealth #FLUTD #UTI #PetParents #VetAdvice #EmergencyVet #CatsOfInstagram

[Dr Duncan Houston @drduncanthevet]

Tail caught in a door. It happens more often than you'd think. 🐱

This is one of the most common injuries I see, and almost every owner comes in feeling terrible about it. Here's what I tell them: it genuinely happens all the time.

The scenario is nearly always the same — a cat darts through a doorway, someone closes the door without seeing them behind or beside them, and the tail gets caught. It happens with house doors and car doors equally. Young animals are most at risk, simply because they're the ones constantly running in and out.

The good news? These are usually straightforward to repair. Depending on where the injury sits, we may amputate a small section or, in more severe cases, take it down to the last vertebra. Either way, the hair grows back and the tail typically ends up looking relatively normal. Cats adapt remarkably well.

So if this happens to you — yes, you'll feel awful. But it's not carelessness. It's one of the most common accidents in veterinary medicine, and the outcome is usually good.

Has this ever happened to your pet? 👇

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🐾 @drduncanthevet | @trustaskavet | @woopffordogs | @purrzforcats

⚠️ General veterinary education — not a substitute for advice about your individual pet. If your pet's tail is injured, see a vet as soon as possible.

#AskAVet #VetTips #CatHealth #TailInjury #CatEmergency #PetParents #CatsOfInstagram #VetAdvice #EmergencyVet #PurrzForCats

[Dr Duncan Houston @drduncanthevet]

Why eat pyjamas

[Dr Duncan Houston @drduncanthevet]

8mo Ragdoll

2 month seizure history

Presented for seizure tonight, stopped with rectal Diazepam 5mg
Currently on Phenobarbitone 7.5mg BID PO

Lost vision
Reflexes all present

Phenobarb level 8.77 (Normal is 15-35)

Plan:
Increase Phenobarb to 15mg BID PO
Recheck Phenobarb bloods in 4 weeks
Assess for portosystemic shunt - bile acid stim test / abdo US / CT
Maybe MRI
Depending on costs